NPR Music - Danilo Perez "Providencia"

Danilo Perez's New Release "Providencia" Available For Full Album Preview As Part Of NPR Music's "Exclusive First Listen" Series.  I can't recommend it highly enough.  A beautiful album and, as mentioned several times in prior posts, NPR offers this first listen absolutely free.

Maine Bar "Jazzed for Justice" Fundraiser

The Maine Bar Association's New Lawyers Section will be holding a unique (and jazz-related) fundraiser for the Campaign for Justice.  On September 10, 2010, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Freeport, ME (yes, the Freeport made famous by LL Bean) there will be a cocktail reception and silent auction with live jazz music performed by Justice Carl Bradford’s jazz quartet, Port City 4.

The silent auction will run from 6:00 – 8:00 pm, and select live auction items will be ready for bidding starting at 8:30 pm.  If you have questions about the event, email Amanda Doherty at adoherty@sgolawyers.com.

Chicago Jazz Festival Schedule

The schedule for the Chicago Jazz Festival (September 1 through 5) has been released. Here are the dates, artists, and venues:

THURSDAY, SEPT. 2 Millennium Park - Jay Pritzker Pavilion
•12-12:50 pm - Umbrella Music: Bridging Improvised Music and Dance
•1:05-1:55 pm - Jodie Christian Quintet
•2:10-3 pm - MIYUMI Project Big Band: “Trans-Rooted” feat. JASC Tsukasa Taiko
•3:15-4 pm - Jim Wagner's All Stars featuring Willie Pickens, Ari Brown, Jimmy Ellis, Robert Shy, Frank Russell, Corey Wilkes and Maggie Brown
•7:30-10 pm - Made In Chicago: World Class Jazz Presents A Big Band Birthday Bash for Ahmad Jamal’s 80th with Jeff Lindberg's Chicago Jazz Orchestra

FRIDAY, SEPT. 3 Chicago Cultural Center
Randolph Café
•12-1 pm - Hector Silveira Septet
•1:30-2:30 pm - The Grilly Brothers Sextet
Claudia Cassidy Theater
•12:15-1:15 pm - James Dapogny: "Art of the Solo"
•1:45-2:45 pm - AACM Experimental Ensemble
Preston Bradley Hall
•12:30-1:30 pm - Tomeka Reid's Hear In Now Trio
•2-3 pm - Jim Cooper's Mallet Madness feat. Kathy Kelly & Carl Leukaufe

FRIDAY, SEPT. 3 Millennium Park - Jay Pritzker Pavilion
•4-4:50 pm - Lincoln Park High School Jazz Ensemble and Noteworthy
•5-5:50 pm - James Dapogny
•6-6:55 pm - Mike LeDonne Trio with special guest Eric Alexander
•7:10- 8:10 pm - Nicole Mitchell's Black Earth Orchestra
•8:30-9:30 pm - Ramsey Lewis 75th Birthday Celebration

SATURDAY, SEPT. 4 Grant Park
Jazz on Jackson Stage
•12-12:55 pm - Douglas Ewart Nyahbingi Drum Choir
•1:10-2:05 pm - Paul Giallorenzo's GitGo
•2:20-3:15 pm - Maggie Brown: "A Tribute to Abbey Lincoln"
•3:30-4:30 pm - Dana Hall Quintet with special guest Nicholas Payton
•6-7:30 pm - Corey Wilkes
•8-9 pm - Steve Cole
The Chicago Community Trust Young Jazz Lions Stage
•12-12:30 pm - Chi-Arts Jazz Combo
•12:45-1:15 pm - Jazz Ambassadors Combo
•1:30-2:10 pm - Kenwood Academy Jazz Ensemble
•2:25-3:05 pm - Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School Jazz Ensemble
•3:20-3:50 pm - Lincoln Park High School Jazz Ensemble
•4:05-4:50 pm - Roosevelt University Jazz Ensemble
Jazz and Heritage Stage 
•12:30-1:30 pm - West End Jazz Band
•2-3 pm - Cameron Pfiffner's Marco Polo
•3:30-4:30 pm - Nicole Mitchell's Sonic Projections
Petrillo Music Shell
•5-5:50 pm - Chuchito Valdez Afro-Cuban Ensemble
•6-6:55 pm - Rene Marie "High Maintenance" Quartet
•7:10-8:10 pm - Charisma: "A Lee Morgan Tribute"
•8:30-9:30 pm - The Either/Orchestra with special guests Getachew Mekurya and Teshome Mitiku

SUNDAY, SEPT. 5 Grant Park
Jazz on Jackson Stage
•12-12:55 pm - Paulinho Garcia Quintet
•1:10-2:05 pm - Nicole Mitchell's Black Earth Ensemble
•2:20-3:15 pm - Brad Goode Quartet
•3:30-4:30 pm - Brian Blade and The Fellowship Band
•6-7:30 pm - Harlan Jefferson
•8-9 pm - TBA
The Chicago Community Trust Young Jazz Lions Stage
•12-12:30 pm - Northside College Prep Jazz Combo
•12:45-1:15 pm - Whitney Young Magnet High School Jazz Combo
•1:30-2:10 pm - Lakeview High School Jazz Ensemble
•2:25-3:05 pm - John Hersey High School Jazz Ensemble
•3:30-4:05 pm - University of Chicago Jazz X-Tet
Jazz and Heritage Stage
•12:30-1:30 pm - Bethany Pickens Trio
•2-3 pm - NOMO
•3:30-4:30 pm - Saalik Ziyad's 5 After 7 Project
Petrillo Music Shell
•5-6 pm - Brad Mehldau Trio
•6:15-7:05 pm - Ted Sirota's Rebel Souls
•7:20-8:15 pm - Henry Threadgill's Zooid
•8:30-9:30 pm - Kurt Elling Quintet with special guest Ernie Watts

Jason Moran and the Bandwagon

I just received word from my favorite jazz venue that Jason Moran and the Bandwagon are performing tonight. Check out the Copenhagen JazzHouse for one of my favorite modern jazz artists.

Okay, if you aren't planning to be in Denmark tonight, then I suggest checking out NPR's Music App or website for great -- FREE -- listens of Moran's latest album "Ten."

Jason Moran and the Bandwagon -- "Ten"

I have just started to listen to Jason Moran's new album "Ten."  I am impressed so far.  While in the modern genre, Moran's music is multi-faceted and has more depth than say, The Bad Plus.  The music is varied, rich, and unexpected.

In addition to enjoying such fine music I have been doubly blessed in using NPR's new music app to download and listen to "Ten" for free.  If you are an iPhone user, check out NPR's new Music app.

Jazz Ramblings -- Without Much Jazz

Some of you have noticed/complained that Jazz Ramblings has been a little light on - jazz.  Your message has been heard.  However, the discussion of hockey is not without precedent.  See here.

Next week, we will be back with jazz news, highlights, events, and artists.  Thanks for the follow!

Blackhawks Win the Stanley Cup!

The only news for today is the historic win by the Chicago Blackhawks over the Philadelphia Flyers to claim the Stanley Cup for the first time in almost 50 years.

Congrats to the Hawks.  The victory parade is scheduled for Friday morning at 10:30 am on Washington and Michigan Avenues in downtown Chicago.

Blackhawks!!!

Chicago has gone crazy for its hockey team.  Here is some interesting search news from Google:

Globally, searches for [blackhawks] trump searches for [flyers] in the sports category although both are experiencing an unprecedented spike compared to past years.


In both Philadelphia and Chicago, the [blackhawks] and [flyers] were top of mind last week:

Top sports searches in Philadelphia

Top sports searches in Chicago

Searches for [patrick kane] of the Chicago Blackhawks lead the way among searches for players involved in the Stanley Cup Finals.

After each goal scored in Chicago, the Blackhawks play the song “Chelsea Dagger” by the Fratellis. Accordingly, searches for [chelsea dagger] are surging, with Google users in Illinois topping the list and sparking a resurgence of the song across America.


With Googlers in our offices in both Illinois and Pennsylvania, we’ll be watching like the rest of the world to see who wins the greatest trophy in sports. Just make sure you don’t touch the Cup until you actually win it!


Posted by Jim Lecinski, Managing Director, U.S. Sales (and rabid Blackhawks fan)

Groopman: Studies of BPA ‘Too Worrisome to Ignore’ - Health Blog - WSJ

Groopman: Studies of BPA ‘Too Worrisome to Ignore’ - Health Blog - WSJ

Link to AP Story on Link Between ADHD and Pesticides

A commenter noted that I failed to include a link to the story on the study which showed a link between ADHD and pesticides in a prior posting here at Jazz Ramblings.  Here is the link.

Thanks for your interest and please keep the comments coming!

BBC News - US jazz pianist Hank Jones dies at 91

BBC News - US jazz pianist Hank Jones dies at 91

Jazz pianist Hank Jones, who famously accompanied Marilyn Monroe in her "Happy Birthday" song to President Kennedy, has died at age 91. He was named pianist of the year at the Jazz Awards in 2009. In 2008 he was awarded the National Medal of Arts.

A Strong Reason to Eat Organic

ADHD linked to kids' exposure to pesticides: study

Comments

May 17, 2010

ASSOCIATED PRESS

A new analysis of U.S. health data links children's attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder with exposure to common pesticides used on fruits and vegetables.

While the study couldn't prove that pesticides contribute to learning problems, experts said it's persuasive.

In the body, pesticides break down into compounds that can be measured in urine. The study, published today in Pediatrics, found the compounds in the urine of 94 percent of the children.

Kids with higher levels had increased chances of having ADHD, the study said.

Obama the Gangsta - At Least According to Michelle Bachmann

Michelle Bachmann has claimed we have a gangster government. I guess Obama agrees!

Twitter Jazz Network

The Twitter Jazz Network at twitjazz.net is the latest addition to the Twitter micro-blogging network.  TwitJazz will cover jazz tweeps, jazz musicians, and jazz presenters on Twitter.  The presenters include jazz venues and festivals.

Howard Reich of the Chicago Tribune

As many of you have noted, Jazz Ramblings has been a little negative in the past few months. I have taken note and wanted to share my thoughts on what I find to be a true gift to the Chicago jazz scene. Howard Reich, Arts Critic for the Chicago Tribune, is an absolute joy to read.

Reich provides not only the latest on Chicago jazz but he also in-depth interviews and reviews of various musicians and groups. I thoroughly enjoy reading his column.  His recent article on Reginal Robinson, MacArthur Fellowship "Genuis" Grant award winner, was superb.  Noting the conflicting viewpoints on Robinson's Ragtime compositions, Reich nevertheless portrays the effort, talent, and "rags-to-riches" of Robinson's climb to fame from poverty.  It also provides an inside look at a man's music over a length of time, both before and after the Grant and all that came with it.

Cheers to Howard Reich and the Tribune.

Goodreads Favorite Book of 2009 is a Joke

As some of you may know I occasionally go off topic and discuss books and my joy of reading.  I thought I had found the perfect website to accompany it: http://www.goodreads.com/.  You will note I have a link to the site (left column).

However, I just received the Goodreads January newsletter and I have to say I am sorely disappointed.  The winner of the favorite book of 2009 goes to "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins.  With all due respect to Ms. Collins and her readers, the book is clearly in the YOUNG ADULT series.  So, based upon the discerning tastes of thousands of Goodreads readers, some kids book is considered the best of the year?!?!  Come on people.  How mature must you be to find a children's book to be deserving of top honors?

I know several adults who have read the Harry Potter and the Twilight series.  I have no complaints if someone occasionally slips in some reading which otherwise might be considered junk food for the brain.  But to nominate this rubbish for an adult bookreader's award?  Outrageous.  There are many other worthy candidates out there (consider the runner-up for the award:  "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett).

Let's support those authors who make a worthy and lasting contribution to society and leave the kids' books to kids.  The Goodreads' poll had young adults and childrens categories.  Those awards should be sufficient.

Chicago Adds New Jazz Club

Chicago is about to get another jazz venue.  Greg Pasenko and his wife, Diane Delin, are in the process of renovating a site at 1540 West North Avenue into the Club Blujazz.  Pasenko and Delin run the Blujazz label.  It is expected that the club will spotlight their music, as well as other local and national artists.

For more information, click here.

Enjoying Some Christmas Gift CDs

I received some non-jazz CDs for Christmas and have been enjoying them the past few weeks.  The tunes are all Minnesota-grown and include Bob Dylan, The Jayhawks, and The Replacements.  The last has to be one of my all-time favorite non-jazz groups.

It has been a good break from the usual for me.  I would never have bought the music (let alone CDs!) so a nice detour into the folk/rock genre.  Also a great way to start the new year.

Happy New Year to all.