December 27, 2011

I often write about influnces and lineage in music.  The last two concerts I saw a couple of weeks ago were marvelous examples.  Friday December 9 at Yoshi's Oakland was Mike Stern, with Richard Bono, Dave Weckl, and Bob Franceschini.  Mike of course played with Miles Davis, Weckl with Chick Corea, and Richard Bono with Joe Zawinul.  So the Miles influence looms beautiful and large.  The next night at Herbst in San Francisco, was Ahmad Jamal, who influenced Miles!  With him was Manolo Badrena, who played with Weather Report.  Like all great artists, Ahmad, who is 81, now incorporates musicians who were influenced by musicians he influenced!  Happy Holidays!