Monthly Archives: June 2010

The day the horns sounded

With all the hype and “buzz” around the US World Cup team this year, the boys over at Owl Studios, namely Rich Dole, decided to add a little excitement to the mix with his latest blog post.  We all know … Continue reading

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One hundred years in the making

Inside Indiana Business recently reported that Indiana University East and Gennett Records partent company, Starr-Gennett Foundation Inc., are releasing 300+ recordings in digital format through the university.  This is great news for jazz fans as the label helped to establish … Continue reading

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Today in Jazz

Pianist/composer Andrew Hill born 1937 in Chicago, IL.  Hill played with Indianapolis native Freddie Hubbard on Bobby Hutcherson’s album Dialogue. (Blue Note 1965) Tweet

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Best of the best or best of the rest?

After reading the NPR blog post about the best albums released from the first six months of this year, there were some mixed reactions from its readers. One thing that was great to see was multiple mentions of Indianapolis based … Continue reading

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Giant Steps! (and trips)

John Coltrane’s Giant Steps, as an album, was the first album that consisted solely of ‘Trane’s compositions. The first track off of this album and one of ‘Trane’s greatest compositions, Giant Steps, was a milestone for jazz musicians’ progress, given … Continue reading

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Today in Jazz

Trombonist Julian Priester born 1935 in Chicago, IL.  Priester played with Indianapolis native Freddie Hubbard on John Coltrane’s 1961 album Africa/Brass. Tweet

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Is Jazz Dead?

When the organizers of Festival International de Jazz de Montréal aka Montreal Jazz Festival announced this year’s lineup,  it seemed strange to have The Moody Blues as headliners.  This seems to be the trend of many “jazz” festivals around the … Continue reading

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Today in Jazz

Louis Armstrong records West End Blues 1928.  Armstrong played a solo considered among the finest recordings in jazz history in an eight-bar section near the end of the record. Tweet

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BP Oil Spill: It Ain't My Fault

The BP oil spill ain’t my fault, but give me some peace of mind by watching and downloading this benefit track by Mos Def, Lenny Kravitz, The Preservation Hall Band, Trombone Shorty, and Tim Robbins. This track was recorded for … Continue reading

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Today in Jazz

Benny Carter records his Songbooks, Vol. 1 and 2, 1995.  Evansville’s Sid Catlett was a member of Carter’s first swing band in the early 1930s. Tweet

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Today in Jazz

Bass saxophonist Adrian Rollini born 1904 in New York, NY.  Rollini died of mercury poisoning when the feeding tube in his stomach, weighted down by mercury, broke and he was exposed. Tweet

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The Soul of Summertime

The late, great Ray Charles and Cleo Lain did their version of Summertime, creating a unique sound and character to the song.  Laine is also an incredible singer who has received numerous awards throughout the years for her theater, a … Continue reading

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Today in Jazz 6/25

Drummer/pianist Joe Chambers born 1942 in Stoneacre, VA.  Chambers played drums on Indianapolis native Freddie Hubbard’s album, Breaking Point, Blue Note Records, 1964 Tweet

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Meet Shimon, The Improvising Robot.

It’s happening.  We’ve all seen technology change jazz through giving us new ways to play music, but now we can have a robot play the music for us.  Now I don’t mean just play, but actively improvise a melody to … Continue reading

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Today in Jazz

Tenor saxophonist Booker Ervin records Back From The Gig, with trumpeter Woody Shaw, 1968.  Shaw recorded three albums for Blue Note Records with Indianapolis native Freddie Hubbard, (Time Speaks, Double Take, and The Eternal Triangle).  These albums were monumental as … Continue reading

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