For the month of October, the #ClassicsaDay team (of which I’m a part), decided to go with a Halloween theme. The idea is to share works marked in some way with the composer’s demise. It can be the last piece a composer completed before death, or one left incomplete at death. For my part, I […]

Miles Davis Jazz-rock fusion or, often, simply “fusion” emerged in the late 60s as the child of many mothers. Characterized by electric instruments and rock rhythms, it could be loud and fast, but just as likely, could be melodic or lyrical or funky. The Charles Lloyd Quartet, the Gary Burton Quartet, Tony Williams Lifetime and […]

This has to be one of the most unusual albums of choral music I’ve listened to. The concept is solid — sacred music by 20th Century Czech composers. What’s unusual is the relationship between the composers. The Czech Philharmonic Choir of Brno performs two works by Bohuslav Martinu. Rounding out the album are works by […]

New Blues News – 10/17/2018 Doyle Bramhall II – Shades (Provogue): Doyle Bramhall II certainly has one of the most unusual music sensitivities around. He blends blues, rock and a variety of sensitivities, whether by feeling or musicality. The song order here is unusual, starting with two strong rockers beyond which the songs are mostly […]

John D’earth will be stopping by the studio this Friday, October 19, around 11am, to talk about the Free Bridge Quintet’s concert this Saturday, October 20, at 8pm at UVA’s Old Cabell Hall. Entitled “Living Legend”, the concert will showcase the music of legendary tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins. More info here: http://music.virginia.edu/free-bridge-quintet-living-legend

New Jazz Adds – 10/16/2018 Ben Allison – Quiet Revolution (Self-produced): Ben Allison (bass), Steve Cardenas (acoustic guitar) and Ted Nash (tenor sax, clarinet) have decided to stage their own quiet revolution and they certainly have the subtle cool to pull it off. They selected a half dozen Jim Hall compositions, sprinkled in two Jimmy […]