Darius Jones/Matthew Shipp @ Jazz Standard 4/27/11

I'm so happy I made it to this.  I got there just in time for the 2nd set.  I give Jazz Standard a lot of credit for booking improvisation performances.  It was a listening audience - not as much consuming.  I have a feeling many stayed over from the 1st set.  It was phenomenal.  I love each of them in whatever they are doing, together they are magnificent.  I was blown away.

Wednesday April 27
DARIUS JONES & MATTHEW SHIPP

• Darius Jones – alto saxophone
  Matthew Shipp – piano

Pianist Matthew Shipp is one of New York’s most talked–about talents, one who has “not only stretched the definitions of jazz, but also exponentially advanced his own ideas about it conceptually and technically.” (Thom Jurek, AllMusic.com). Alto saxophonist/composer Darius Jones “has the capacity for a proud, rafters–raising tone on alto saxophone, and as an improviser he’s fearless but disciplined.” (Nate Chinen, The New York Times). These two intrepid sonic explorers join forces for the first time on the expansive 13–part song cycle Cosmic Lieder, set for April release on AUM Fidelity. The duo will perform this ambitious work, and extensions thereof, tonight on our stage in a much–anticipated appearance.

Bill Frisell @ Village Vanguard 4/26/11

It was completely different from last week, of course.  It was more experimental jazz-americana.  It was awesome!  The audience was so appreciative that we got an encore.  We brought them all the way back from the green room.

The musicianship was outstanding.  They play so well together.  This really was something special.

And, it was only the 1st set of the run!  I might just have to get back there on Sun.

April 26 - May 01
BILL FRISELL QUARTET
Ron Miles-tpt, Tony Scherr-b,
Kenny Wollesen-d 

Henry Plays Ray @ Jazz Standard 4/24/11

That's Ray Charles curated by Henry Butler. I thought this should be phenomenal. I'm surprised every time when I go to see Henry and see that he's blind. Oh yeah ... Ray Charles was blind, too. I didn't pick up on the fact that they were both piano players from the south that can sing, either. I just knew I had to see Henry play Ray's music because that would be awesome. I also know that Henry is a lot happier. He made Ray's music feel happier that night.

This was an amazing band that blew us all away. Henry stayed on piano and left the keyboard to the very capable ___  (damn! - he's not listed and I can't remember his name.  Henry told us he's played with Aretha before). The sax was unbelievably good! If it started sounding like more horns, it was coming from the keyboard. The drums and bass were phenomenal. It was a blast!

Sunday April 24
IMPULSE! NIGHTS: RAY CHARLES � GENIUS + SOUL = JAZZ Curated by Henry Butler
Henry Butler - piano/vocals
Vincent Herring - alto saxophone
Cocoran Holt - bass
Ali Jackson - drums

Genius + Soul = Jazz placed Ray Charles at the head of the Count Basie Orchestra with cornetist Thad Jones, guitarist Freddie Green, and saxophonists Billy Mitchell and Frank Wess all on board for the date. Charles played Hammond B-3 organ on this mostly–instrumental set, vocalizing only on two blues numbers, “I’ve Got News for You” and “I’m Gonna Move to the Outskirts of Town.” Ray’s Latin–soul rendition of “One Mint Julep” (arranged by Quincy Jones) reached Number One R&B/Number Eight Pop – the biggest hit single ever to bear the Impulse! logo. Closing out the incredible 5-night run of Impulse! music, the great blues and jazz pianist/vocalist from New Orleans, Henry Butler, will bring down the house with 2 sets of rousing music celebrating “Brother Ray!”

Robin Eubanks Curates Impulse! @ Jazz Gallery 4/23/11

I went to this "by accident".  I thought it was Henry Butler, which was the next night.  This was also celebrating a group I never heard of.  I realized while standing in line waiting to get in.  Cool.  I get to check out and learn about something different.

Good move!  The set was outstanding.  Robin was friends with J J Johnson, so he mainly talked about him.  He did mention that of the Impulse! re-releases that are about to happen,  this was the first record released back in 1961.  It changed the face of jazz by having 2 trombones.  Before that, it was hard to find any trombones.  Still today, it's often saxophones and trumpets.

The music was stellar!  I was blown away.  I forgot how awesome straight ahead can be.  They did pull together some amazing musicians for the week.  I even considered heading up to Dizzy's for more amazing jazz.  But, this set went til 11 and it felt like enough.

IMPULSE! NIGHTS: KAI WINDING & J.J. JOHNSON � THE GREAT KAI AND J.J. + THE INCREDIBLE KAI WINDING TROMBONE Curated by Robin Eubanks

• Robin Eubanks - trombone
  Andy Hunter - trombone
  John Escreet - keyboards
  Lonnie Plaxico - bass
  Gene Jackson - drums
  

The group formed by Kai Winding and J.J. Johnson made its Birdland debut in 1954 and played one of the best–received sets at the 1956 Newport Jazz Festival. The band broke up soon after, but in 1960 the two trombone masters reunited to record the very first Impulse! album, The Great Kai And J.J., released in early 1961. The tunes ranged from “Blue Monk” to Hollywood (“Theme From Picnic”), and the rhythm section included pianist Bill Evans, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Roy Haynes. Winding led a four–trombone septet on The Incredible Kai Winding Trombone, also issued in 1961. Tonight’s powerhouse project is curated and led by Grammy Award-winning trombonist Robin Eubanks.

Marc Ribot Really the Blues @ Iridium 4/21/11

Oh my God!  This is what Heaven must be like!  Wow!  Ribot!!!

This was a first time this lineup played ever.  I know Ribot did this Blues project once or twice before, but I'm not sure who was in it.  All i know is that I didn't even know about the Rose Live gig until now.  I think Chad Taylor (drums) might be the only difference.

This is what I live for!  Yes, in the last couple of weeks I've seen Bill Frisell, Ben Perowsky, Allison Miller etc.  This may be the best thing I've seen all year.  Really.  I think it was the best Ribot I've seen all year at least.  The guy blew me away.  Actually, they all blew me away.

I don't know what to say.  Marc Ribot at his very best ... Going to town on the guitar ... Brad Jones on contrabass, making me wonder if he was playing an electric at times, he wasn't ... killer drums, and I mean killer ... Bill Ware on vibes, keyboard and piano.  OK!?!  Phenomenal!  Pure brilliance!  I had to stay for the 2nd set.  Luckily for my bank account,  there was no additional cover.  I was staying regardless.

The 2nd set!  Oh my God!  It was the same stellar music with the same amazing musicians, it was just even more phenomenal.  I finally gave myself permission to get up and get down.  That's what's great about Iridium.  If you have enough gumption to get up and dance no one is gonna try and stop you.  No one even wants to stop you.  Not that any of the places that have asked me to stop over the years wanted to.  I don't think any of them wanted to.  It's just not only does Iridium not have to, they wouldn't dream of it.  I mean, what kind of jazz club in the Times Square area has a TBA on the schedule and then books Ribot??!!  I give his manager Mary Ho a lot of credit!  I wouldn't put it past her to notice the TBA on Iridium's calendar and call them up to book a gig.  Whether that's how it went down or not, she's THAT good!

Any way, 2 sets of awesomeness that maybe only Jazzfest can compete with. Ahhh.

Bill Frisell's Beautiful Dreamers @ Village Vanguard 4/20/11

I got a lucky seat right up front.  The music was perfect.  Eyvind Kang made it for me.  I mean, I was freaking out over Rudy at many points and Bill is always interesting and soulful.  Still, that viola was unbelievable.

That's it for me this week, but I will be back next week.

BILL FRISELL'S BEAUTIFUL DREAMERS
Eyvind Kang-vla, Rudy Royston-d 

Ben Perowsky @ Doma 4/19/11

I youtubed Glen Patscha and got curious to check this out.  It was awesome.  I got there at the end of the 1st set and it looked like Yanil was playing guitar.  He played cello for the entire 2nd set.  I loved that.  Glen was so engaging on the keyboards.  I missed a lot of vocals the first set, which is just the way I like it.  The end set was awesome!

I'm happy to say this series is continuing.  It's booked through May and Ben doesn't seem to run out of phenomenal people to play with.  It's also got the cafe vibe which is fun for something different.