Once again we have experienced a wonderful Christmas! I received a new Cuisinart coffee grinder (pictured at left), Starbucks coffee, some bucks for iTunes (I am listening to Count Basie right now!), some cash, and a new denim shirt. The kids got some cool things as well.
I'm a little sad today because another jazz great has died and I did not have the privilege of seeing him perform. He was an amazing pianists that had a style that was unmistakable when you heard it. Rest in peace.TORONTO - Jazz pianist Oscar Peterson, whose flying fingers mesmerized audiences around the world - from dance halls in 1940s Montreal to the lights of Carnegie Hall and beyond - has died at age 82.
He played alongside the giants of jazz: Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Charlie Parker, Roy Eldridge, Nat King Cole, Stan Getz, Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington, who once called Peterson the "Maharajah of the keyboard."
"Until the end, Oscar Peterson could tour the world and fill concert halls everywhere," said Andre Menard, artistic director and co-founder of the Montreal International Jazz Festival.
"This is something that never diminished. His drawing power, his mystique as a musician, was so big that he remained at the top of his game until the end ... Oscar Peterson has been the musician every musician in the world can look up to and aspire to."
Word of Peterson's death at his home in Mississauga, Ont., set off a torrent of international tributes, including a statement from French president Nicolas Sarkozy, who said "one of the bright lights of jazz has gone out."
"He was a regular on the French stage, where the public adored his luminous style," Sarkozy added. "It is a great loss for us."
Yesterday was an awesome day at New Covenant Bible Church as the big band performed in all four services. We did three numbers and there was one solo opportunity on It Came Upon a Midnight Clear. You can click here to listen. The recording does not do justice to the band, but will give you an idea of what it sounded like.
The concert last night went very well! Sonny is a master saxist and was phenomenal last night. His combo tunes were the best part of the concert.
Even though I have had a maxed out schedule this week, I carved out a couple hours to attend a free master class with jazz saxist Sonny Fortune. He was friends with John Coltrane and talked about his influence on his life, both personally and musically. Sonny described him as a quiet guy who was very different on the stage. He said that he was "fiery" on stage as he played.
CR Jazz Big Band will be performing along with the Kirkwood Student Jazz Band at Kirkwood College in Ballantyne Auditorium November 10th at 7:30 PM. It should be a good concert.
Sunday was an awesome day as the NCBC Big Band performed in all four services. We played a real kicking version of Blessed Assurance arranged for Denver and Mile High Orchestra. Then we played a saucy version of a hymn that has escaped my mind right now - it's late. Listen here.
Last night I had the privilege once again of playing in the Iowa Vanguard Jazz Collective in downtown Cedar Rapids at Konstantino's. It was a good night. We did several rock numbers and also latin tunes. I prefer the straight ahead bepop and hard-swinging, Basie style tunes, but it was still fun to play with such a talented group of musicians.
Tonight I had the privilege of playing with the Iowa Vanguard Jazz Collective at Konstantinos in Cedar Rapids. It was an awesome night and the band never sounded better. It was a great setting and there were a handful of people there enjoying the music.
Wow, what a day it was today. After lunch Ivan and I headed out on our bikes in downtown Chicago traffic heading toward the bike path near the lake. I was in the high 80's and just beautiful. We were able to go by Wrigley Field and then Soldiers Field as well. All total we rode 32 miles in a little over 2 hours - not bad consider we were riding in traffic a lot. Click on the pic for a slideshow.
Judy and I spent yesterday and today up in historic Galena, Illinois. We stayed at a beautiful bed and breakfast Farmer's Guest House. The owners Jess and Kathy were just wonderful. In fact, Jess is a drummer and he loves jazz music. Formerly he lived in New York City and was a frequent visitor to the world famous Birdland. His college roommate (name escapes me) played percussion for many famous acts and was teaching the late, great, tenor saxist Michael Brecker how to play percussion.
Our big band (CR Jazz) had the awesome privilege of playing with bassist Christian McBride. He was fun to hang out with and talk jazz with. He was fun to be around and exuded humility. And you all know that I love to talk about humble, servant leaders. Check out this cut and paste from Christian's blog My Thang as he defers the credit for an upcoming album release to the other guys in the quartet:
New York Time Posted on 4/17/2007at 4:57 AM
Last September, a CD featuring myself, Javon Jackson, Cedar Walton, and Jimmy Cobb entitled "New York Time" was released on Chesky Records. I've gotten a number of e-mails congratulating me on "my latest CD". "I" even got a five-star review in BBC music magazine with a big half-size photo and everything. But I must tell you, this in no way, shape, or form is my CD. It was my understanding that this was to be a co-op CD that was centered around Mr. Jimmy Cobb, as there was another CD recorded the day before "New York Time" with Mr. Cobb, myself, and Hank Jones entitled "West of 5th." As you can see, my name is listed first on the CD jacket insinuating that it just might very well be my CD. I wish I could take credit for putting together a band like this, but I can't. So, the next time you see Jimmy Cobb, give him some extra dap! HE'S the man on this CD! (written by Christian McBride on his blog)
It is so refreshing to meet people who are humble, yet great. Thanks Christian for blessing us with your musical talent, and your humble ways! Tye out.
Last night I had the awesome privilege of playing with the CR Jazz Band at Kirkwood College with guest artist Christian McBride. I was so pleased to see several of my friends, a co-worker and some fellow musicians from New Covenant Bible Church come out for an evening of big band jazz. You can click on the pic for a slideshow courtesy of John Maurice.
