Here is some of the other stuff I listen to/watch, or have listened to/watched, and love – in no particular order:
Jazz GIGs
Gretchen Parlato, London Jazz Festival, November 2011: Fascinating to see this singer in concert showing how to be cool and intense at the same time, and with a stunning trio of Taylor Eigsti, Alan Hampton and Kendrick Scott.
Wayne Shorter Quartet, Harrogate Festival, August 2007: Surely the most sophisticated, most sharply concentrated, most obliquely magnificent band in the world. The second coming of Mr Gone. And for once, the finest performance matched by the finest sound.
Loose Tubes, Ronnie Scott’s, London, sometime in 1987: This was the first time I had seen them live, I was on the front row and so it was also the first time I felt – physically - the impact of air when a full big band blows. Joyous!
Joe Zawinul & The Zawinul Syndicate, Jazz Cafe, London, 21 March 2007: We didn’t know it was the final tour of the great man, and this was certainly no case of going quietly into that dark night. Awesome – now thankfully up for reliving via Joe Zawinul 75th, a live double CD from the same tour, released now on the BirdJam label.
It’s not jazz but… CDs
Ex Cathedra: Christmas Music By Candlelight (Ex Cathedra) Each December the Birmingham choir sings up a storm in St Paul’s Church. Here is a memento of some of their repertoire, including the supremely gorgeous O Magnum Mysterium of Morten Lauridsen.
Steely Dan: Gaucho (MCA) Keith Jarrett made them pay him for stealing the title track, but it’s still a perfectly Dan-shaped thing, and Babylon Sisters, the Third World Man et al just make it the sharpest party.
Charlie Haden Family & Friends: Rambling Boy (Emarcy) The great double bass player gets back to his country/gospel roots with his wife and children plus celeb guests. Jerry Douglas plays dobro is all you really need to know.
Gillian Welch: Time (The Revelator) (Acony) One of the finest singer/songwriters in America, and, in David Rawlings, one of the best guitar soloists and harmony singers around. Their best album.
Don’t suppose you do a roll and sausage report? If not I’ll take a kind of black pudding and tatty scone roll.
Yum!
Later Unk
Okay, so 2 things really –
First, I have a combined Sausage and Mash / Jazz restaurant in Oxford called the Big Bang – We have a weekly Jazz Night each tuesday – this week Mr Roger Beaujolais!
The second thing I am desperate to see a way to tell you about is the Oxford Jazz Festival, 1st to 4th April spread across the whole of the city of Oxford – http://www.OxfordJazzFestival.com and be in touch if I can tell you more?
Sorry to be vague, I can’t find another way to shout to you….
Max