Brother Thelonious

One thing I like with my Jazz is a tall cool adult beverage. My choice runs toward something created from hops, barley and water.

Recently I've been exploring the craft beer world and the dizzying array of styles and flavors available. I also really enjoy the creative names developed for the brewers and their beverages. Many times you know exactly what your getting when you open a beer called "Hop Devil" for instance. Other times you haven't a clue. After all, who knows what to expect from an ale called "Old Abonimable?"

Being a jazz fan, I at least have some idea of what to expect from the ale named "Brother Thelonious." That's right, there is a beer named for Monk! Not only that, there's a stylized drawing of the great man right on the label.

What do you think a beer named for Thelonious Monk would taste like? Would it have some of the quirky characteristics of Monk's music & personality? Or would it be laid-back and cool?

When you follow the link to the North Coast Brewing page for Brother Thelonious you'll learn a few things about the brew. It's based on a Belgian style Abby ale, which means it will be rather dark and heavy. You'll also see that it is bottled in 750ml bottles with a cork and wire cage. No 12oz cans here!

I spotted some at my local beer store and experienced sticker shock over the rather considerable price tag. A brew this special requires a special occasion that justifies the outlay. Maybe to celebrate Monk's birthday? Heck, maybe to celebrate my birthday!

Grammy Awards

February 10 marks the 50th Anniversary of the recording industry awards known as the Grammy Awards. Many jazz fans have a rightly deserved negative reaction to the awards.

For years jazz music and those who create it have been relegated to the back of the bus. Visibility on the national broadcast is limited to a brief appearance or complete banishment from the telecast.

The recording industry is making what at best can be described as feeble attempts to raise the profile of not only jazz but classical music as well. Separate events are planned for the days leading up to the award show.

This year Sonny Rollins and McCoy Tyner will be celebrated for their outstanding careers and exceptional talents. Too bad we won’t get to see any of the program on February 10.

For those who like to keep score I’ve listed below the nominees in each of the jazz categories. I’ll make every effort to post the winners after February 10.

Category 45

Best Contemporary Jazz Album
(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of INSTRUMENTAL tracks.)

* Party Hats
Will Bernard
[Palmetto Records]

* Downright Upright
Brian Bromberg
[Artistry Music]

* Re-imagination
Eldar
[Masterworks Jazz]

* River: The Joni Letters
Herbie Hancock
[Verve]

* He Had A Hat
Jeff Lorber
[Blue Note]


Category 46

Best Jazz Vocal Album
(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)

* Avant Gershwin
Patti Austin
[Rendezvous Entertainment]

* Red Earth - A Malian Journey
Dee Dee Bridgewater
[DDB/Emarcy]

* Music Maestro Please
Freddy Cole
[HighNote Records]

* Nightmoves
Kurt Elling
[Concord Jazz]

* On The Other Side
Tierney Sutton (Band)
[Telarc Jazz]


Category 47

Best Jazz Instrumental Solo
(For an instrumental jazz solo performance. Two equal performers on one recording may be eligible as one entry. If the soloist listed appears on a recording billed to another artist, the latter's name is in parenthesis for identification. Singles or Tracks only.)

* Levees
Terence Blanchard, soloist
Track from: A Tale Of God's Will (A Requiem For Katrina)
[Blue Note]

* Anagram
Michael Brecker, soloist
Track from: Pilgrimage
[Heads Up International]

* Both Sides Now
Herbie Hancock, soloist
Track from: River: The Joni Letters
[Verve]

* Lullaby
Hank Jones, soloist
Track from: Kids: Live At Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola (Joe Lovano and Hank Jones)
[Blue Note]

* 1000 Kilometers
Paul McCandless, soloist
Track from: 1000 Kilometers (Oregon)
[CamJazz]


Category 48

Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group
(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of INSTRUMENTAL tracks.)

* Pilgrimage
Michael Brecker
[Heads Up International]

* Live At The Village Vanguard
The Bill Charlap Trio
[Blue Note]

* Kids: Live At Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola
Joe Lovano And Hank Jones
[Blue Note]

* Line By Line
John Patitucci
[Concord Jazz]

* Back East
Joshua Redman
[Nonesuch Records]


Category 49

Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album
(For large jazz ensembles, including big band sounds. Albums must contain 51% or more INSTRUMENTAL tracks.)

* A Tale Of God's Will (A Requiem For Katrina)
Terence Blanchard
[Blue Note]

* Eternal Licks & Grooves
The Bob Florence Limited Edition
[MAMA Records]

* Hommage
The Bill Holman Band
[Jazzed Media]

* Sky Blue
Maria Schneider Orchestra
[ArtistShare]

* With Love
Charles Tolliver Big Band
[Blue Note]


Category 50

Best Latin Jazz Album
(Vocal or Instrumental.)

* Funk Tango
Paquito D'Rivera Quintet?
[Paquito Records]

* The Magician
Sammy Figueroa And His Latin Jazz Explosion
[Savant Records]

* Borrowed Time (TIEMPO PRESTADO)
Steve Khan
[Tone Center Records]

* Refugee
Hector Martignon
[Zoho]

* Big Band Urban Folktales
Bobby Sanabria Big Band
[Jazzheads]

New Online Jazz

The New Year has already seen a pair of new websites opening for business. Below are brief glimpses of each.


Jazz.com calls itself, "a comprehensive jazz portal with thousands of pages of reviews, interviews, features, discographies and photos."

A team of more than thirty writers, photographers and artists has been working for almost two years in preparation for the launch. Under the direction of Ted Gioia, author of The History of Jazz and West Coast Jazz, this team has prepared more than 1,000 new reviews, a comprehensive jazz encyclopedia, and other exciting content of interest to the global jazz community.


“Orrin Keepnews, Producer,” is a new video Podcast series
Veteran Jazz producer Orrin Keepnews and his Keepnews Collection releases from the Concord Music Group are the subject of a new video Podcast series created and produced by Bret Primack now available on YouTube and iTunes, as well as the Concord Music Group website.

One of the most respected of all Jazz producers, Orrin Keepnews, in his long and productive career, has worked with such artists as Rollins, Monk, Bill Evans, Wes Montgomery, and Cannonball Adderley, and has also founded the influential Jazz labels Riverside and Milestone.

Orrin Keepnews, Producer: “Orrin Keepnews Meets The Saxophone Colossus”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3L6Ws2DsEY

Schedule for “Orrin Keepnews, Producer”
January 14: The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery
January 28: Cannonball Adderley Quintet in San Francisco
February 11: George Russell - Ezzethics
Febraury 25: Bill Evans – Portrait in Jazz
March 10: McCoy Tyner -- Horizon
March 24: Cannonball Adderley Sextet in New York
April 7: Thelonious Monk -- Brilliant Corners
April 21: Thelonious Monk – Brilliant Corners, Part 2
May 5: Coleman Hawkins – The Hawk Flies
May 19: Nat Adderley – Work Song
May 22: Freedom Suite – Sonny Rollins
June 9: Freedom Suite – Sonny Rollins, Part 2
June 23: Fly with the Wind – McCoy Tyner
July 7: Bill Evans – Sunday at the Village Vanguard
July 21: Thelonious Monk – Town Hall Concert
August 4: Thelonious Monk – Town Hall Concert, Part 2
August 18: Blue Mitchell – Blue Soul

Looking Forward & Looking Back

As we launch into a New Year our attention is divided between looking ahead and looking backward. There is benefit to be gained from each perspective.

Looking back, 2007 was a time of change. Like all of us, some corners have been turned and some friends have been left behind.

Here in Central PA the jazz community is poorer for the loss of Chris Santiago. The surprise of his death cast a shadow over the usual December festivities.

As a concert producer and Friends of Jazz founder I worked with Chris on numerous projects. He was generous with his time and with his instruments. The list of percussionists who have played his drum kit would read like a roll-call of the greats of jazz drumming.

A talented musician and gentle person was Chris. He always was a steady timekeeper no matter if he was behind his drums or just sharing a laugh.

Looking ahead, there is a whole world of music to which we’ll want to listen. Along the way there will be some new musical friends to be made too. For example, within the past week my eyes and ears have been opened to the exceptional percussionist Evelyn Glennie. To quote maestro Ellington, she is “beyond category.” I’ll have more to report in the coming weeks.

The beauty of jazz in part stems from the music’s ability to surprise. The adventuresome part of jazz comes from not knowing from where or when the next surprise will come.

Happy 2008!