A DARKER SHADE OF BLUE & THE JAZZ INN - R.I.P.

I'm sure you've heard by now... the chill is being felt across the blogging universe... petty, ignorant lowlifes (a term that might actually be too generous in this case) have raised their ugly, twisted head(s)...

Two of the high quality jazz blogs have gone dark and are no more. The Jazz Inn and A Darker Shade Of Blue were highjacked by the lowest form of human. First this sub-species stole the email account of the curator of these blogs, then attempted to trick the followers of both blogs into sending them money (thankfully, the followers are infinitely more intelligent than the sub-species lamely trying to dupe them), and then deleted both of the blogs.

Why? Who knows.

Thanks to one of the prominent members of the blogging community (you know who you are - you rock!) for helping to spread the word to the jazz/improvised music community of this idiotic stunt and ultimate destructive act.

If you are someone (whether blogger or follower) who cherished what A Darker Shade Of Blue and The Jazz Inn endeavored to provide for this discriminating audience, please spread the word that something wicked this way comes.

Maybe the phoenix will rise from the ashes, albeit in a transformed state. Maybe there'll be some changes made. Maybe if you care what happens you can let them know. Maybe the scum will drop dead because they're already brain dead.

We can only hope...

MISSING IN ACTION - THE JAZZ INN and A DARKER SHADE OF BLUE

Well, much has happened the past five days. All of it bad. It goes like this:

Two of the high quality jazz blogs have gone dark and are no more. The Jazz Inn and A Darker Shade Of Blue were highjacked by the lowest form of human. First this sub-species stole the email account of the curator of these blogs, then attempted to trick the followers of both blogs into sending them money (thankfully, the followers are infinitely more intelligent than the sub-species lamely trying to dupe them), and then deleted both of the blogs.

Why? Who knows.

Thanks to one of the prominent members of the blogging community (you know who you are - you rock!) for helping to spread the word to the jazz/improvised music community of this idiotic stunt and ultimate destructive act.

If you are someone (whether blogger or follower) who cherished what A Darker Shade Of Blue and The Jazz Inn endeavored to provide for this discriminating audience, please spread the word that something wicked this way comes.

Maybe the phoenix will rise from the ashes, albeit in a transformed state. Maybe there'll be some changes made. Maybe if you care what happens you can let them know. Maybe the scum will drop dead because they're already brain dead.

We can only hope...

MUST READ MUSIC BLOG

I've been following an outstanding music blog for a while now. In the interest of full disclosure let me say that the author is a former co-host of mine several years ago when we produced a jazz/improvised music radio program called NOW'S THE TIME. As is so often the case in this fast paced world, we have both moved past that place in time to pursue other passions not strictly broadcast related. Why am I recommending this blog? Several reasons, really. The author, Andrew, is an outstanding writer. And he has something intelligent to say. Every post is thought provoking, whether the music he writes about appeals to me or not. He approaches his writing with the same eloquence and thoughtfulness he displayed with his radio programs. Give Andrew Forbes' THIS IS OUR MUSIC a try if music is more than just sound for you.

MUST HEAR BLOG SPOT



If you're looking for outstanding mainstream jazz look no further than THE JAZZ INN.

You can find it here

You won't be sorry! Enjoy!

Attainment / Bannar, 1987

The story goes like this:

Charles Brackeen began to record jazz in 1968, went on to play with a who's who of jazz: Don Cherry, Frank Lowe, Carlos Ward, Dewey Redman, Leroy Jenkins, Paul Motian and Leo Smith throughout the 1970's and the early 1980's. Then he fell off the music map.

Then in the second half of the 1980's, trumpeter Dennis Gonzalez coaxed Brackeen to play on his album, Namesake. Brackeen began a recording contract with the Silkheart Records label and that's where we draw today's offering from.

These are manditory recordings! You must hear both of them!

Enjoy!

Trip To Moscow, 1988

Valery Ponomarev held the trumpet seat in Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers for four years from 1977 through 1980 (which gives you some kind of an idea about his playing style - long live hard bop!). He has a full, rich tone that brings to mind the greats - Clifford Brown and Freddie Hubbard. He's accompanied on this recording by Ralph Moore on tenor (someone who has appeared here before), Larry Willis on piano, Dennis Irwin on bass and Victor Jones on drums. Collectively they're called Universal Language. All but one of the compositions are Ponomarev originals. The recording was engineered by none other than Rudy Van Gelder. Give it a listen. It cooks.

Enjoy!

Fairytales, 1986

I'm not accustomed to offering up vocal recordings but this one is special.

More than 20 years ago a buddy of mine and I made a pilgrimage to the Cadence Barn in Redwood, NY. We had to call ahead to get authorization and directions. They allowed us to come after checking that we were subscribers. A small price to pay for what we were to encounter. But I digress...

One of the recordings they recommended to us was Radka Toneff and Steve Dobrogosz's Fairytales and naturally I took up their decision. This is a wonderful no frills recording that is stripped down to one voice and one piano. I first heard Steve Dobrogosz on Arild Andersen's Lifelines album and, frankly, in my opinion, stole the show.

This album is especially poignant when you consider the fact that Radka Toneff committed suicide. You can hear the vulnerability in her voice. Give it a listen. I think it favourably compares to the Tony Bennett / Bill Evans record.