It's Time for the News! But First, a Brief Report from Sick Bay...
August 2010 has been an interesting month. A few weeks ago I noticed a slight twinge in the right shoulder. The twinge soon became an ache, followed by loss of mobility and muscle tone in the right arm. The pain varies but is always there. As this is being written, I can raise the right arm less than halfway to shoulder height, and can't come near straightening it in front of me. I can flex the right hand but can't lift anything much heavier than a bottle of juice or cola. The muscles in the left shoulder / upper arm are also sore, but so far (knock wood) without any noticeable loss of mobility or strength in the arm or hand (I'm left-handed). To date, I've tried chiropractic and massage, and have been to a physical therapist. I'll have a CT scan this week, followed by more physical therapy, massage and whatever else is needed. Meanwhile, everyday acts, such as shaving, showering, putting on one's shirt and so on have become mini-adventures. Obviously, I am still able to type, else you wouldn't be reading this. The hope is I've only pulled or strained a muscle (or more), or pinched a nerve (or more). If that's the case, time and proper care will resolve the problem. If it's something else, I'll have to deal with that in the best way possible. And so ends the report from sick bay. In other news...

Dani Felber Big Band / Dan Gailey Jazz Orchestra / Jazz Composer's Workshop Orchestra
Dani Felber Big Band More Than Just Friends Self Published 2010 Before hazarding any premature comment about the merits of this new album by Swiss bandleader m: Dani Felber, it must be noted at the outset that one of Felber's good friends is former m: Count Basie stalwart m: Frank Foster whose even-handed assessment is that "this is the very best big band in Europe." Clearly one man's opinion, but considering who that man is, one that's certainly worth taking to heart. Felber has undeniably molded his ensemble in the Basie image with seven of the album's dozen numbers written by Foster, the others by Felber. Even though it's generally ill-advised to foretell anyone's response, it's pretty safe to assume that if you're a Basie fan you're going to love this...

Wycliffe Gordon: What This is All About
Versatility is an important part of a well-developed artistic soul. The arts provide a wide range of outlets of expression that can be nurtured and grown into their finest results. Music could very well be a reason to believe in the extraordinary, and jazz musicians are no exception; they might even be a norm. It is the dream of every artist to create freely, as improvised notes are gathered in an instrument and then exposed to the world at a moment's notice. And here comes jazz: wide open doors, windows letting all that sunshine in, and the ability to take a deep breath right before the soul allows the magic to materialize in the form of music...

Sammy Cahn, Vernon Duke, and Earl Zindars
Standards are the language of jazz. Standards represent music that have withstood the ruthless test of time. Songs built by craftsman, instead of limericks scribbled by American idols adorned in sequins and leather chaps. Music that has been constructed to last, built with the brick and mortar of harmony and melody. And yet, too often, the timeless master-song-craftsman's names are not usually recognized by listening audiences of today...

A Hot Night in the Old Town
What might well be the most spartan jazz club anywhere (if you didn't know it was there, you'd walk right past it) is The Stone, way down at Avenue C and East 2nd Street in Manhattan. Founded by John Zorn, the avant-garde composer, arranger and record producer, as a venue for intrepid music, it's a new kind of jazz club where no refreshments or merchandise is sold, only music, and all nightly revenues go to the musicians. The door charge is usually $10 per set, half price for teenage students, and no advance ticket sales...