My Writings. My Thoughts.

Medeski, Martin & Wood: An Avant-Jazz Experience

Posted by Maria Miaoulis in Jazz Events, Recaps & Reviews

November 16th, 2010   No Comments »

Medeski, Martin & Wood on stage at Tarrytown Music Hall on Sunday, November 14, 2010.

Medeski, Martin & Wood played two sets, nearing a 3 hour show, at Tarrytown Music Hall on Sunday, November 14th, 2010.

OK, don’t blow a head gasket when I say this, but before November 14, 2010, I didn’t know who Medeski Martin & Wood were. But that definitely wasn’t the case this past Sunday night at Tarrytown Music Hall. There were tons of people there who were more than familiar with these three musicians, and they definitely made their passion (dare I say fanaticism, bordering on obsession) for them known.

The hall was buzzing with excitement as we waited for the band to take the stage. Had I known what would be in store for me, I would have been just as antsy to get started as everyone else around me.

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An Afternoon of Jazz – November 14, 2010

Posted by Maria Miaoulis in Jazz Events, News

November 7th, 2010   No Comments »

jazz2010_saxHowdy Jazzville readers! Hope you’re all having a jazzy weekend so far. Just wanted to call your attention to this really cool event to raise awareness about the 2,771 abused and neglected children in Essex County.

With the holidays coming up fast, why not take time out to unwind with some great jazz music from the Bob Cunningham Ensemble and enjoy a lovely spread, all while helping out a great cause? Here are the details. For more information, please visit http://www.casaessex.org/jazz.aspx, but do act quickly – reservations must be made by November 9th.

What:  An Afternoon of Jazz

When:  Sunday, November 14, 2010 (3:00 – 6:00pm)

Where:  Van Gliek House & Gardens, 21 Van Vleck St #12, Montclair, NJ

Celebrating Dizzy Gillespie’s Birthday With A Google Doodle

Posted by D.A. Gutierrez in Commentary, History, Jazz Events, News

October 21st, 2010   No Comments »

Google displayed a stylized version of its logo on Thursday, October 21, 2001 in honor of jazz trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie's birthday.

Google displayed a stylized version of its logo on Thursday, October 21, 2001, in honor of jazz trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie's birthday.

Having been sick for the last few days, I came home from work early today to fight off the last remnants of a nasty cold. At 5pm I downed a dose of NyQuil in an attempt to get some sleep, and boy did it help! I slept almost until midnight, or “Round Midnight” as may be apropos to say at this moment. Upon waking up, I logged on to the computer and was super excited to find that Google decided to honor what would have been Dizzy Gillespie’s 93rd birthday with a stylized Google Doodle.

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Trenton International Jazz & Blues Festival Controversy

Posted by D.A. Gutierrez in Annette Njie, Commentary, Jazz Events, News

October 15th, 2010   No Comments »

Screenshot of the 2010 Trenton International Jazz & Blues Festival Website

The website for the 2010 Trenton International Jazz & Blues Festival lists various sponsors, but problems paying the performers have left a negative mark on the event in the eyes of many.

I once heard a wise saying that went something like this: “Smart people learn from their mistakes; smarter people learn from the mistakes of others.”

Sadly, in the NJ jazz world we have an opportunity to learn from the mistakes of Annette Njie, the Trenton promoter who created the Trenton International Jazz & Blues Festival that ran earlier this year from September 17-19 at various venues around Trenton. The festival itself went off without a hitch, but when it came time to pay the two dozen acts, most were left high and dry, receiving partial payment or none at all.

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An Appeal To The Community: Acoustic Alchemy Gear Stolen

Posted by D.A. Gutierrez in Jazz Events, News

October 13th, 2010   1 Comment »

Black and white phot of Acoustic Alchemy's frontment: Miles Gilderdale and Greg Carmichael

Miles Gilderdale (left) and Greg Carmichael (right) front UK-based contemporary jazz group, Acoustic Alchemy.

In a great example of just how big the jazz genre is, today I was surprised to learn that Acoustic Alchemy – a group I had always considered to be “World Music” or “New Age” – is in fact considered a jazz group. Awesome! I’ve only followed their music for a few years, but everything I’ve heard is a fantastical mix of relaxed, mellow, upbeat and positive. Listening to their work is like listening to a motivational speech.

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Pat Metheny Wows Bergen PAC Audience With Orchestrion Performance

Posted by Maria Miaoulis in Jazz Events, Recaps & Reviews

October 11th, 2010   1 Comment »

pat-metheny-guitarist

Jazz guitarist and composer Pat Metheny thrilled fans with his Orchestrion Tour at Bergen PAC on Friday, October 8, 2010. PHOTO CREDIT: Carolina Performing Arts

Walking into the lobby of the Bergen PAC this past Friday, I was eagerly anticipating Pat Metheny’s Orchestrion show. A previous post I had written about it really got me excited to see his first-of-its-kind orchestrion invention up close.

He made his way onstage to thunderous applause and sat on a simple stool with his guitar before launching into some solo pieces, a mix of tunes from his early repertoire. Hunched over with his head down, you could only see a mass of curls while his nimble fingers struck chords that tugged at your heartstrings. Within minutes a mellow, easygoing aura fell upon the crowd, instantly mesmerizing them.

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Pat Metheny’s Orchestrion: A Layman’s Explanation

Posted by D.A. Gutierrez in Commentary, Jazz Events, Recaps & Reviews

October 10th, 2010   1 Comment »

So I finally get it! Funny how you can read all the technical explanations you want, but it’s only when you experience things for yourself does it all click.

This past Friday I attended the Pat Metheny show at Bergen PAC in Englewood. What an incredible set! And what a tremendous guitarist Pat is! I’d read about his Orchestrion tour and thought I understood how the mechanized instruments worked- and I did, to a degree. But the real “Aha!” moment came while I watched Pat perform several improvised pieces. “How could they be improvised if the mechanized instruments are pre-programmed to play a given tune?” I thought to myself. Then it happened – I became fully aware of what was going on.

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Cecil’s Jazz Club & Restaurant For Sale?

Posted by D.A. Gutierrez in Cecil Brooks III, Cecil's Jazz Club, West Orange, NJ, News

October 6th, 2010   No Comments »

Cecil Brooks III at the drums

Cecil Brooks III selling his jazz club in West Orange?

Is the world-famous Cecil Brooks III looking to sell his jazz club in West Orange, NJ? I don’t know, but evidence points to this being the case. The listing says a “Local Well Known Restaurant & Jazz Club” in “West Orange, NJ” is for sale with an asking price of $1,000,000.

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Memories & Anecdotes Of “A Great Day In Harlem”

Posted by D.A. Gutierrez in History

October 3rd, 2010   No Comments »

I have this strange fascination with delving into things. Be it a song, book, play or even an item in the newspaper – it’s not enough for me to take something at face value. I usually research the back story, look up references and connect dots to appreciate the work on a whole new level.

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End Your Week On A High Note With Hopewell Valley Vineyards’ Friday Night Jazz Performances

Posted by D.A. Gutierrez in Jazz Events, News

September 30th, 2010   No Comments »

Hopewell Valley Vineyards - Front Sign

Hopewell Valley Vineyards invites you to enjoy a glass of wine and unwind to the sounds of their Friday Night jazz performances. PHOTO CREDIT: HopewellValleyVineyards.com

I’ve been a fan of local New Jersey wines for many years. For ages I wondered why wineries would close at 5pm on Friday nights. With beautiful grounds, fantastic wines and local jazz musicians itching to play a show, they have everything they need to attract a crowd seeking to unwind on a Friday night. I figured it was such a no-brainer that there must be some kind of law or local ordinance preventing them from staying open, serving wine and giving people a place to socialize, relax and listen to some jazz.

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