Thursday, February 17, 2011

Number 65 February 17, 2011

I've written about Esperanza Spaulding (blog number 24) in the past.  I was so delighted that she won a Grammy for Best New Artist.  Her web site has a gracious and generous thank you note.  She points out that there are many new and wonderful things going on in this music called jazz.  Christian Scott is another brilliant young artist who was nominated for best performance.  Jazz goes in and out of fashion, which is why I believe it is always vital; it gets a chance to mutate and evolve when it is under the radar.  Christian would be much more famous if jazz were in a higher profile in the media.  Wynton Marsalis fit the Reagan years perfectly, and became very famous, with far less talent.  Miles Davis, The Beatles, and until last Sunday, Neil Young, never received a Grammy.
Congratulations Esperasnza!  Go Girl!

http://blogs.laweekly.com/westcoastsound/2011/02/esperanza_spaulding_1.php

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Number 64 February 3, 2011

Cindy Blackman Santana led the Tribute To Tony Williams Lifetime at Yoshi's in Oakland last night.  John Medeski and Vernon Reid were competent, if not inspired.  But Jack Bruce, who played in the Lifetime, was a revelation.  Every note was perfect, his sense of time majestic.  Amazingly, his voice is still very much intact.  He was wearing a black cowboy shirt with Hopi designs, fitting for a true shaman.  Cindy is capable of Tony's polyrythmic explosions, but was most compelling on the rare moments when she grooved ala Al Foster.  Speaking of shamans, Carlos Santana sat in with his new wife ast the end of the set.  Yes, they played "Sunshine of Your Love", which Carlos covers on his new cd.  To hear two 60's icons who literally changed the music jam together like teenagers is one of the high points of my life in music.  Carlos had a beautiful new blonde Paul Reed Smith, and played through a reissue blackface Fender Deluxe with a fuzz pedal.  His tone was fantastic, as always, proving it's in the fingers and heart, not the gear.