A Tribute to Michael Brecker 5

This morning I went on Bill McCann's "Saturday Morning Edition of Jazz" on WCDB 90.9 FM to pay tribute to Michael Brecker. Today's four hour program marked the fifth year of annual tributes to the late  saxophonist.

This year I broke the program into four segments featuring Michael's playing with the Brecker Brothers, his work with Steps (Ahead), his solo albums and his work as a sidemen in the 70's, 80's and 90's.

Here's what was played:

“D.B.B.” (4:51) 

CD:  Brecker Brothers - The Brecker Brothers (1975)
Track:  #9

Composer:  Randy Brecker
Randy Brecker (trumpet), David Sanborn (alto sax), Bob Mann (guitar), Don Grolnick (keys), Will Lee (bass), Harvey Mason (drums), Ralph McDonald (percussion)

“Grease Piece” (5:50)
Brecker Brothers - Back to Back (1976)
Track:  #7
Composer:  Randy Brecker
Randy Brecker (trumpet), David Sanborn (alto sax), Steve Khan (guitar), Don Grolnick (keys), Will Lee (bass), Christopher Parker  (drums), Ralph McDonald (percussion)

“Squids” (7:45)
Brecker Brothers - Don’t Stop the Music (1977)
Track:  #4
Composer:  Randy Brecker
Randy Brecker (trumpet), Steve Khan, Hiram Bullock (guitar), Don Grolnick, Doug Riley (keys), Will Lee (bass), Steve Gadd (drums), Ralph McDonald (percussion)

“Inside Out” (9:31)
Brecker Brothers - Heavy Metal Bebop (1978)
Track:  #2
Composer:  Randy Brecker

Randy Brecker (trumpet), Barry Finnerty (guitar), Neil Jason (bass), Terry Bozzio (drums)

“Tee’d Off” (3:44)
Brecker Brothers – Détente (1980)

Track: #4
Composer: Michael Brecker

Randy Brecker (trumpet), Hiram Bullock (guitar), George Duke (synth), Mark Gray (fender Rhodes), Neil Jason (bass), Steve Jordan (drums)

“Bathsheba” (6:00)
Brecker Brothers - Straphangin’ (1981)
Track:  #3
Composer:  Michael Brecker
Randy Brecker (trumpet), Barry Finnerty (guitar), Mark Gray (keys), Marcus Miller (bass), Richie Morales (drums), Don Alias (percussion)

“Sperhical” (5:58)
Brecker Brothers - Return of the Brecker Brothers (1992)
Track:  #9
Composer:  Michael Brecker
Randy Brecker (trumpet), Mike Stern (guitar), George Whitty (keys), Will Lee (bass), Dennis Chambers (drums), Don Alias (percussion)

“The Nightwalker” (8:44)
Brecker Brothers - Out of the Loop (1994)
Track:  #8
Composer:  Michael Brecker
Randy Brecker (trumpet), Dean Brown (guitar), George Whitty (keys), James Genus (bass), Steve Jordan (drums), Steve Thornton (percussion)

“Not Ethiopia” (10:59)

CD:  Steps Ahead Smokin in the Pit (1980)
Track:  Disc 2, Track #2
Composer:  Michael Brecker
Mike Mainieri (vibes), Kaumi Watanabe (guitar), Don Grolnick (piano), Eddie Gomez (bass), Steve Gadd (drums)

“Kyoto” (6:59)
Steps Ahead - Step by Step (1980)
Track:  #2
Composer:  Mike Mainieri
Mike Mainieri (vibes), Don Grolnick (piano), Eddie Gomez (bass), Steve Gadd (drums)

“Patch of Blue” (7:50)
Steps Ahead Paradox (1982)
Track:  #3
Composer:  Mike Mainieri
Mike Mainieri (vibes), Don Grolnick (piano), Eddie Gomez (bass), Peter Erskine (drums)

“Islands” (6:23)
Steps Ahead Steps Ahead (1983)
Track:  #3
Composer:  Mike Mainieri
Mike Mainieri (vibes), Eliane Elias (piano), Eddie Gomez (bass), Peter Erskine (drums)

“Original Rays” (9:04)

Michael Brecker – Michael Brecker (1987)
Track: #6

Composer:  Michael Brecker, Mike Stern, Don Grolnick
Pat Metheny (guitar), Kenny Kirkland (piano), Charlie Haden (bass), Jack DeJohnette (drums)

“Chime This” (7:50)

Michael Brecker – Don’t Try This At Home (1988)
Track: #2

Composer:  Don Grolnick

Mike Stern (guitar), Don Grolnick (piano), Charlie Haden (bass), Adam Nussbaum

“Never Alone” (5:36)
Michael Brecker – Now You See It … Now You Don’t (1990)

Track:  #4
Composer:  Michael Brecker

Jim Beard (keyboards), Victor Bailey (electric bass), Omar Hakim (drums), Don Alias (percussion)

“Slings and Arrows” (6:20)

Michael Brecker – Tales From The Hudson (1996)

Track:  #1

Composer:  Michael Brecker
Pat Metheny (guitar), Joey Calderazzo (piano), Dave Holland (bass), Jack DeJohnette (drums)

“How Long ‘Til the Sun” (7:39)

Michael Brecker – Two Blocks From The Edge (1998)

Track:  #7

Composer:  Michael Brecker

Joey Calderazzo (piano), James Genus (bass), Jeff “Tain” Watts (drums)

“Arc of the Pendulum” (9:00)

Michael Brecker – Time Is Of The Essence (1999)
Track:  #1

Composer:  Michael Brecker

Pat Metheny (guitar), Larry Goldings (organ), Elvin Jones (drums)

“Incandescence” (5:21)

Michael Brecker – Nearness of You – The Ballad Book (2001)

Track:  #6

Composer:  Michael Brecker

Pat Metheny (guitar), Herbie Hancock (piano), Chalie Haden (bass), Jack DeJohnette (drums)

“Night Jessamine” (5:23)
Michael Brecker Quindectet – Wide Angles (2003)
Track:  #5

Composer:  Michael Brecker

Alex Sipiagin (trumpet), Robin Eubanks (trombone), Peter Gordon (french horn), Steve Wilson (flute), Iain Dixon (clarinet & bass clarinet), Charles Pillow (oboe & English horn), Mark Feldman (violin), Joyce Hammann  (violin), Lois Martin (viola), Erik Friedlander (cello), Adam Rogers (guitar),

John Patitucci (bass), Antonio Sanchez (drums), Daniel Sadownick (percussion)

“Loose Threads” (8:34)

Michael Brecker – Pilgrimage (2007)

Track:  #8

Composer:  Michael Brecker
Pat Metheny (guitar), Herbie Hancock (piano), John Patitucci (bass), Jack DeJohnete (drums)

“Freight Train” (11:28)

Jack Wilkins – Merge  (1978)

Track:  #9
Composer:  Tommy Flanagan
Randy Brecker (trumpet), Jack Wilkins (guitar), Phil Markowitz (piano), John Burr (bass), Al Foster (drums)

“Ethereggae” (8:23)
John Abercrombie – Night (1984)
Track:  #1
Composer:  Jan Hammer
John Abercrombie (guitar), Jan Hammer (keys), Jack DeJohnette (drums)

“Thieves in the Temple” (17:42)
Herbie Hancock – The New Standard - Live in Japan (1996)
Track:  #2
Composed by Prince
John Scofield (guitar), Herbie Hancock (piano), Dave Holland (bass), Jack DeJohnette (drums), Don Alias (percussion)

Top 10 of 2011

Here are ten albums I really enjoyed this year:

1. Mathias Eick - Skala (ECM)

Best known for his work with the ten-piece Norwegian band Jaga Jazzist, the trumpeter's second solo album is a collection of melodic, pop-influenced instumental compositions. If this is what jazz sounds like in Norway, I'm moving.

www.mathiaseick.no

2. Le Boeuf Brothers - In Praise of Shadows (Nineteen-Eight Records)

Twin brothers Remy (saxophone/clarinet) and Pascal (piano/keyboards) have created an incredible hybrid recording that features an acoustic quintet + string quartet paired with an added layer of post-production electronics.

www.leboeufbrothers.com

3. Chris Tarry - Rest of the Story (Nineteen-Eight Records)

The latest collection of songs from the Canadian bassist and his working quintet was released as as a beautifully packaged book & CD set - complete with 100 pages of Tarry's original fiction - but the music easily stands on its own.

www.christarry.com

4. Death Cab for Cutie - Codes & Keys (Atlantic)

Another collection of finely crafted, tuneful, ear-cathing songs - given a studio shine - from one of my favorite pop bands. While their previous effort Narrow Stairs felt like a misstep, this one sounds like a worthy successor to Plans.

www.deathcabforcutie.com

5. Magnus Öström - Thread of Life (ACT)

The drummer from the late Esbjorn Svenssen's trio has created the closest thing we'll ever get to a new EST album. If only his choice of cover art was as tasteful as the music.

www.magnusostrom.com

6. Yellowjackets - Timeline (Mack Avenue)

Joyful, unpretentious contemporary jazz from a group that's been around for three decades. These four guys are partially responsible for turning me on to jazz back in the early 90's.

www.yellowjackets.com

7. Bon Iver - Bon Iver (Jagjaguwar)

At first listen I was less than thrilled, but this music grew on me with repeated listens. Best experienced with headphones and a view of nature. Big thanks to Matt Loiacono for introducing me to this album.

www.boniver.org

8. James Farm - James Farm (Nonesuch)

An all-star, collaborative quartet featuring saxophonist Joshua Redman, pianist Aaron Parks, bassist Matt Penman, and drummer Eric Harland. I hope this group is just getting started.

www.jamesfarmmusic.com

9. Coldplay - Mylo Xylto (Capital)

The production on this album alone makes for an interesting listen, but the English foursome has once again found a way to craft a collection of uplifting, listener friendly tunes that sound familiar, yet new. Plus, it makes for a great soundtrack to my new running habit.

www.coldplay.com

10. MuteMath - Odd Soul (Warner Brothers)

Nice combination of vintage and contemporary sounds paired with creative song writing and killer vocals. Plan and simple - this music rocks.

www.mutemath.com

What were your favorites this year?

A Tribute to Michael Brecker 4

This morning I went on Bill McCann's "Saturday Morning Edition of Jazz" on WCDB 90.9 FM to pay tribute to the late saxophonist Michael Brecker. Today's four hour program marked the fourth year of annual tributes to the biggest musical influence in my life.

The music was broken down into several sections focusing on Brecker's work as a sideman from the '70s & '80s; his playing with large ensembles; music from his own albums and songs from his work as a sideman in the '90s & '00s.

Mel Lewis – Mel Lewis & Friends (1977)
6 – Sho’ Nuff Did (10:20)
Composed by Thad Jones
Freddie Hubbard (trumpet), Cecil Bridgewater (trumpet, first solo), Gregory Hebert (alto sax), Hank Jones (piano), Ron Carter (bass) Mel Lewis (drums)

Jack Wilkins – Merge (1977)
5 – What Is This Thing Called Love? (8:05)
Composed by Cole Porter
Randy Brecker (flugelhorn), Jack Wilkins (guitar), Phil Markowitz (piano), John Burr (bass), Al Foster (drums)

Chick Corea – Three Quartets (1981)
5 – Folk Song (5:47)
Composed by Chick Corea
Chick Corea (piano), Eddie Gomez (bass), Steve Gadd (drums)

Jaco Pastorius – The Birthday Concert (1981)
1 – Soul Intro/The Chicken (8:00)
Composed by Jaco Pastorius/Pee Wee Ellis
Jaco Pastorius (bass), Bob Mintzer (tenor sax), Don Alias (congas), Peter Erskine (drums), big band

Franco Ambrosetti – Gin and Pentatonic (1985)
3 – Yes or No (8:07)
Composed by Wayne Shorter
Franco Ambrosetti (trumpet), Lew Soloff (trumpet), Michael Mossman (trumpet), Steve Coleman (alto sax), Alex Brofsky (French horn), Howard Johnson (tuba/bari sax), Tommy Flanagan (piano), Dave Holland (bass), Daniel Humair (drums)

GRP All-Star Big Band – All Blues (1995)
8 – Mysterioso/Ba-Lue Bolivar Ba-Lues-Are (8:12)
Composed by Thelonious Monk, arranged by Michael Abene
Chick Corea (piano), big band

GRP All-Star Big Band – All Blues (1995)
7 – Blue Miles (8:12)
Composed by Chick Corea, arranged by Russell Ferrante
Chick Corea (piano), big band

Michael Brecker – Michael Brecker (1987)
3 – Choices (8:06)
Composed by Mike Stern
Pat Metheny (guitar), Kenny Kirkland (piano), Charlie Haden (bass), Jack DeJohnette (drums)

Michael Brecker – Don’t Try This At Home (1988)
1 – Itsbynne Reel (7:41)
Composed by Michael Brecker & Don Grolnick
Mike Stern (guitar), Don Grolnick (piano), Charlie Haden (bass), Jeff Andrews (electric bass), Jack DeJohnette (drums), Mark O’Connor (violin)

Michael Brecker – Now You See It … Now You Don’t (1990)
5 – Peep (7:25)
Composed by Michael Brecker
Joey Calderazzo (piano), Jim Beard (keyboards), Victor Bailey (electric bass), Jay Anderson (bass), Adam Nussbaum (drums), Jon Herington (guitar)

Michael Brecker – Tales From The Hudson (1996)
8 – Willie T (8:13)
Composed by Don Grolnick
Pat Metheny (guitar), Joey Calderazzo (piano), Dave Holland (bass), Jack DeJohnette (drums)

Michael Brecker – Two Blocks From The Edge (1998)
5 – Cat’s Cradle (6:43)
Composed by Joey Calderazzo
Joey Calderazzo (piano), James Genus (bass), Jeff “Tain” Watts (drums)

Michael Brecker – Time Is Of The Essence (1999)
4 – Timeline (6:06)
Composed by Pat Methney
Pat Metheny (guitar), Larry Goldings (organ), Elvin Jones (drums)

Michael Brecker – Nearness of You – The Ballad Book (2001)
11 – I Can See Your Dreams (3:50)
Composed by Michael Brecker
Pat Metheny (guitar), Herbie Hancock (piano), Chalie Haden (bass), Jack DeJohnette (drums)

Michael Brecker Quindectet – Wide Angles (2003)
4 – Timbuktu (7:58)
Composed by Michael Brecker
Alex Sipiagin (trumpet), Robin Eubanks (trombone), Peter Gordon (french horn), Steve Wilson (flute), Iain Dixon (clarinet & bass clarinet), Charles Pillow (oboe & English horn), Mark Feldman (violin), Joyce Hammann (violin), Lois Martin (viola), Erik Friedlander (cello), Adam Rogers (guitar), John Patitucci (bass), Antonio Sanchez (drums), Daniel Sadownick (percussion)

Michael Brecker – Pilgrimage (2007)
4 – Tumbleweed (9:36)
Composed by Michael Brecker
Pat Metheny (guitar), Brad Mehldau (piano), John Patitucci (bass), Jack DeJohnete (drums)

John Patitucci – Now (1998)
5 – Labor Day (9:30)
Composed by John Patitucci
John Scofield (guitar), John Patitucci (bass), Bill Stewart (drums)

Steve Khan – Crossings (1993)
10. While My Lady Sleeps (6:24)
Composed by Bronislau Kaper/Gus Kahn
Steve Kahn (guitar), Anthony Jackson (electric bass), Denis Chambers (drums), Manolo Badrena (percussion)

McCoy Tyner – Infinity (1995)
7 – Impressions (11:11)
Composed by John Coltrane
McCoy Tyner (piano), Avery Sharpe (bass), Aaron Scott (drums)

Horace Silver – The Hardbop Grandpop (1996)
1 – I Want You (5:17)
Composed by Horace Silver
Claudio Roditi (trumpet), Steve Turre (trombone), Ronnie Cuber (bari sax), Ron Carter (bass), Lewis Nash (drums)

Doky Brothers – Doky Brothers (1995)
1 – While We Wait (5:56)
Composed by Niels Lan Doky
Niels Lan Doky (piano), Chris Minh Doky (bass), Teri Lyn Carrington (drums), Frank Stangerup (acoustic guitar)

Don Grolnick – Medianoche (1996)
5. Cape Verdean Blues (4:54)
Composed by Horace Silver
Don Grolnick (piano), Dave Valentin (flute), Mike Mainieri (vibes), Andy Gonzalez (bass), Don Alias (timbales & percussion), Steve Berrios (bongos, drums & percussion), Milton Cardona (congas & percussion)

Charlie Haden – American Dreams (2002)
11 – Bird Food (7:29)
Composed by Ornette Coleman
Charlie Haden (bass), Brad Mehldau (piano), Brian Blade (drums)

Jeff “Tain” Watts – Bar Talk (2002)
4. Mr. JJ (9:51)
Composed by Jeff “Tain” Watts
Jeff “Tain” Watts (drums), Branford Marsalis (tenor sax), Joey Calderazzo (piano), Eric Revis (bass)

Top 10 of 2010

Here are ten albums I really enjoyed this year:

1. Brad Mehldau - Highway Rider (Nonesuch)
In 2002, pianist Brad Mehldau teamed up with pop producer Jon Brion to produce Largo - an incredibly influential jazz/rock crossover album that successfully combined spontaneous improvisation with pop production values. Eight years later the two have reconvened to produce Highway Rider - a fifteen song double album featuring Mehldau's regular trio of bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Jeff Ballard augmented by saxophonist Joshua Redman, drummer Matt Chamberlin and a chamber orchestra. The music melds the duo's previous jazz/pop hybrid with a decidedly classical influence featuring Redman's saxophone improvisations floating seamlessly over the top.
www.bradmehldau.com

2. Myron Walden In This World - What We Share (Demi Sound)
For most of his career Myron Walden has primarily been known as an alto player. Recently his focus has shifted to the tenor and this year he documened this transition with a handful of new releases from several different bands. In This World is comprised of Walden on tenor/soprano sax & bass clarinet; Mike Moreno on electric & acoustic guitars; Jon Cowherd on fender rhodes; Yasushi Nakamura or Chris Thomas on acoustic bass; and Kendrick Scott or Brian Blade on drums. The music is lush and melodic. It's gentle and restrained yet contains an undercurrent of urgency that keeps it moving forward.
www.myronwalden.com

3. Christian Scott - Yesterday You Said Tomorrow (Concord)
Trumpeter Christian Scott has molded his own unique brand of improvised music that owes as much to jazz as it does to rock. He's developed his own unique compositional style but the rendition of Thom Yorke's "The Eraser" is what won me over.
www.christianscott.tv

4. Phantogram - Eyelid Movies (Barsuk)
The duo describes their music as "a mix of organic and electronic sounds, with swirling guitar, spaced-out synths, and chopped up samples and rhythms" and that's about an apt a description as I could have come up with. And they're from Saratoga.
www.myspace.com/phantogram

5. Kneebody - You Can Have Your Moment (Winter & Winter)
Forward thinking music by five musicians that play as one. Kneebody once again continues to create intriguing music that defies categorization.
www.kneebody.com

6. The Album Leaf - A Chorus of Storytellers (SubPop)
Prior to this release, The Album Leaf was the alter-ego of Jimmy LaValle. On A Chorus of Storytellers the multi-instrumentalist added a full band to help pump out his signature brand of atmospheric pop.
www.thealbumleaf.com

7. Sting - Symphonicities (Deutsche Grammophon)
Sting's music played a big part in my musical upbringing - Branford Marsalis' sax solos on Bring On The Night were some of the first things I ever transcribed - and hearing these songs arranged for orchestra reminded me just how much I enjoy the Englishman's songs.
www.sting.com

8. John Ellis & Double Wide - Puppet Mischief (ObliqSound)
Saxophonist John Ellis continues to seamlessly blend myriad influences with a great sense of humor. Seriously, how many jazz musicians do you know that would pose with two puppets on their album cover? Imagine the highbrow ethos of NYC jazz mixed with the party spirit of New Orleans street bands and you'll start to get an idea of what this music sounds like.
www.johnaxsonellis.com

9. Rob Wilkerson - Nest
Saxophonist Rob Wilkerson presents an album of accessible instrumental music featuring original compositions and covers of Radiohead, Elliot Smith and Beck. More jazz should sound like this.
www.robwilkerson.com

10. Broken Bells - Broken Bells (Columbia)
Danger Mouse + The Shins' James Mercer = very catchy music.
www.brokenbells.com

: : : :

Here's a link to a playlist of this music on iTunes Ping.

Put a fork in 'em?

With a month left of the 2010 baseball season, I think it's safe to say that the Boston Red Sox will not be playing very far into October. I can't say that I had high hopes going into the year with the only changes being the off-season acquisitions of Adrian Beltre, Mike Cameron and Marco Scutaro, but the team has managed to stay somewhat in the post-season race even with injuries to nearly the entire starting line-up.

Seriously, here is the opening day line-up with players in bold who have not spent significant time on the DL this season:

Jacoby Ellsbury LF
Dustin Pedroia 2B
Victor Martinez C
Kevin Youkilis 1B
David Ortiz DH
Adrian Beltre 3B
J.D. Drew RF
Mike Cameron CF
Marco Scutaro SS

I hate to make excuses, but I wonder how many other teams would have faired as well as the Sox have with two-thirds of their starters not playing ball? To me, Youk and Pedroia are the heart and soul of this team and both have been injured for the majority of the season.

As far as the healthy guys are concerned - Ortiz is having yet another good year after yet another incredibly slow start, Beltre has surprised everyone by putting up some tremendous numbers and Scutaro has been consistent if nothing else. Previously unknown players (to me at least) like Darnell McDonald and Bill Hall and rookies Daniel Nava and Ryan Kalish - not to mention a somewhat-healthy Mike Lowell - have helped keep the team close to the top of the highly competitive AL East.

That said, after this past weekend's abysmal sweep by the visiting Chicago White Sox, the East Coast Sox find themselves ten games behind the Yankees in the East and third overall in the Wild Card race behind the Rays and - the White Sox.

Yes, there is still a month to go and yes, there are still series versus the Yanks, Rays and White Sox left to play, but it is hard to imagine a happy ending at this point. I haven't given up on my favorite team, but I am looking forward to the start of football season ...

Recommended listening: Matthew Carefully (Loiacono) "Community Balloon"

Last week Collar City Records released guitarist George Muscatello's brilliant Angel Dust.

This week the label has released Community Balloon by the multi- talented Matthew Carefully.

In the fall of 2008, Matthew Carefully, aka Matthew Loiacono, started an email list to reach out to friends and fans on a weekly basis. Community Balloon is a collection of songs culled from responses to a request he made from his subscribers to submit ideas for potential songs. According to Collar City Records:

The content that came back after the initial call for entries was nothing short of excellent. Matthew received ideas, lyric snippets, poems, sound samples, challenges, and much more. He began to create songs from this material and delivered them to the list each week. Seven weeks went by and judging by the feedback he received from list members, he realized that the songs were some of the best compositions he'd written to date.

I'd tend to agree. Songs like "Shape," "The Age of Reason II" and "Clever" are easily my favorite compositions from Matthew's ever-growing catalog of original music.

Click here to sample/purchase the music directly from Matthew.

Community Balloon is also available through Collar City Records, iTunes, Amazon MP3, and eMusic.

Recommended listening: George Muscatello "Angel Dust"

This week Collar City Records released guitarist George Muscatello's brand new album entitled Angel Dust - a truly enjoyable listening experience that I can safely say sounds like nothing I've ever heard before.

While the recording features a handful of collaborators - including drummer Danny Whelchel, bassist Mike DelPrete, pianist Adrian Cohen, poets Pierre Joris & Nicole Peyrafitte and yours truly on saxophone - Angel Dust is all Muscatello.

Shades of metal, classical, jazz, and funk are performed by guitar after guitar layered one on top of another to create a unique tapestry of sound that could only come from one of the most unique musical visionaries I've ever met.

Have a listen for yourself and stream the first two tracks of the album here.

Then go pick up a copy of the album from George, iTunes, Amazon or eMusic.

Recommended listening: Brad Mehldau "Highway Rider"

In 2002, pianist Brad Mehldau teamed up with pop producer Jon Brion to produce Largo - an incredibly influential jazz/rock crossover album that successfully combined spontaneous improvisation with pop production values.

Eight years later the two have reconvened to produce Highway Rider - a fifteen song double album featuring Mehldau's regular trio of bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Jeff Ballard augmented by saxophonistJoshua Redman, drummer Matt Chamberlin and a chamber orchestra.

The music melds the duo's previous jazz/pop hybrid with a decidedly classical influence featuring Redman's saxophone improvisations floating seamlessly over the top. My favorite music is the kind that takes me on a journey when I close my eyes, and this album certainly qualifies.

Take a listen for yourself - Highway Rider by Brad Mehldau

Recommended listening: John Ellis & Double-Wide "Puppet Mischief"

Brooklyn-based saxophonist John Ellis has released a second album featuring the band he calls Double-Wide.

Puppet Mischief features the talents of Brian Coogan on organ, Matt Perrine on sousaphone and Jason Marsalis on drums, plus special guests Gregoire Maret on harmonica and Alan Ferber on trombone.

As has been the case on his past few releases, all of the compositions are by Ellis. He continues to seamlessly blend myriad influences with a great sense of humor. Seriously, how many jazz musicians do you know that would pose with two puppets on their album cover? Imagine the highbrow ethos of NYC jazz mixed with the party spirit of New Orleans street bands and you'll start to get an idea of what this music sounds like.

Check out Puppet Mischief for yourself and let me know what you think - Puppet Mischief by John Ellis & Double- Wide.

By the way, Double-Wide played to a small but enthusiastic crowd at Red Square in Albany last Thursday night. Click here for J Hunter's review, here for photos by Andrzej Pilarczyk or here for photos by Al Brooks - all on albanyjazz.com.

A Tribute to Michael Brecker 3 - Brecker Brothers & Steps Ahead

This morning I joined host Bill McCann for his "Saturday Morning Edition of Jazz" radio program on WCDB 90.9 FM and presented a four hour tribute to the late Michael Brecker.

In January of 2007 I went on the program and played a three-part program made up of Brecker's early work as a sideman, his work as a leader and his sideman work from his later career. The next year I stuck mainly to the saxophonist's work as a leader, playing two or three of my favorite tracks from each of his nine solo releases as well as a collection of various jazz standards he played on.

Today I chose a program made up of music by the two groups's Brecker was most closely associated with throughout his career - the Brecker Brothers and Steps Ahead.

Here's what was played ...

A TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL BRECKER 3:
BRECKER BROTHERS & STEPS AHEAD 2/27/10

“Tee Bag” (13:45)
CD: Steps Ahead Smokin in the Pit (1980)
Composer: Mike Maineri
Mike Mainieri (vibes), Don Grolnick (piano), Eddie Gomez (bass), Steve Gadd (drums)

“Some Skunk Funk” (5:53)
CD: Brecker Brothers The Brecker Brothers (1975)
Composer: Randy Brecker
Randy Brecker (trumpet), David Sanborn (alto sax), Bob Mann (guitar), Don Grolnick (keys), Will Lee (bass), Harvey Mason (drums), Ralph McDonald (percussion)

“Rocks” (4:41)
CD: Brecker Brothers The Brecker Brothers (1975)
Composer: Randy Brecker
Randy Brecker (trumpet), David Sanborn (alto sax), Bob Mann (guitar), Don Grolnick (keys), Will Lee (bass), Harvey Mason (drums), Ralph McDonald (percussion)

“Fawlty Tenors” (10:48)
CD: Steps Ahead Smokin’ in the Pit (1980)
Composer: Don Grolnick
Mike Mainieri (vibes), Don Grolnick (piano), Eddie Gomez (bass), Steve Gadd (drums)

“Night Flight” (6:18)
CD: Brecker Brothers Back to Back (1976)
Compser: Randy Brecker
Randy Brecker (trumpet), David Sanborn (alto sax), Steve Khan (guitar), Don Grolnick (keys), Will Lee (bass), Steve Gadd (drums), Sammy Figueroa, Rafael Cruz (percussion)

“Tabula Rasa” (8:20)
CD: Brecker Brothers Don’t Stop the Music (1977)
Composer: Randy Brecker
Randy Brecker (trumpet), Steve Khan (guitar), Don Grolnick, Doug Riley (keys), Will Lee (bass), Lenny White (drums), Ralph McDonald, Sammy Figueroa (percussion)

“Sponge” (6:23)
CD: Brecker Brothers Heavy Metal Bebop (1978)
Composer: Randy Brecker
Randy Brecker (trumpet), Barry Finnerty (guitar), Neil Jason (bass), Terry Bozzio (drums)

“Funy Sea, Funky Dew” (8:02)
CD: Brecker Brothers Heavy Metal Bebop (1978)
Composer: Michael Brecker
Randy Brecker (trumpet), Barry Finnerty (guitar), Neil Jason (bass), Terry Bozzio (drums)

“Uncle Bob” (11:00)
CD: Steps Ahead Step by Step (1980)
Composer: Don Grolnick
Mike Maineri (vibes), Don Grolnick (piano), Eddie Gomez (bass), Steve Gadd (drums)

“Bullet Train” (5:32)
CD: Steps Ahead Step by Step (1980)
Composer: Mike Maineri
Mike Maineri (vibes), Don Grolnick (piano), Eddie Gomez (bass), Steve Gadd (drums)

“Not Ethiopia” (5:45)
CD: Brecker Brothers Straphangin’ (1981)
Composer: Michael Brecker
Randy Brecker (trumpet), Barry Finnerty (guitar), Mark Gray (keys), Marcus Miller (bass), Richie Morales (drums), Don Alias (percussion)

“Take A Walk” (11:56)
CD: Steps Ahead Paradox (1982)
Composer: Michael Brecker
Mike Maineri (vibes), Don Grolnick (piano), Eddie Gomez (bass), Peter Erskine (drums)

“Song for Barry” (5:07)
CD: Brecker Brothers Return of the Brecker Brothers (1992)
Composer: Michael Brecker
Randy Brecker (trumpet), Mike Stern (guitar), George Whitty (keys), Armand Sabal-Lecco (bass), Max Risenhoover (synth & percussion programming)

“Above & Below” (7:05)
CD: Brecker Brothers Return of the Brecker Brothers (1992)
Composer: Randy Brecker
Randy Brecker (trumpet), Mike Stern (guitar), George Whitty (keys), Armand Sabal-Lecco (bass),

“Pools” (11:22)
CD: Steps Ahead Steps Ahead (1983)
Composer: Don Grolnick
Mike Mainieri (vibes), Eliane Elias (piano), Eddie Gomez (bass), Peter Erskine (drums)

“Both Sides of the Coin” (6:15)
CD: Steps Ahead Steps Ahead (1983)
Composer: Michael Brecker
Mike Mainieri (vibes), Eliane Elias (piano), Eddie Gomez (bass), Peter Erskine (drums)

“Slang” (6:12)
CD: Brecker Brothers Out of the Loop (1994)
Composer: Michael Brecker
Randy Brecker (trumpet), Dean Brown (guitar), George Whitty (keys), James Genus (bass), Steve Jordan (drums), Steve Thornton (percussion)

“African Skies” (7:50)
CD: Brecker Brothers Out of the Loop (1994)
Composer: Michael Brecker
Randy Brecker (trumpet), Dean Brown (guitar), George Whitty (keys), Armand Sabal-Lecco (bass), Rodney Holmes (drums), Steve Thornton (percussion)

“Harpoon” (7:45)
CD: Brecker Brothers Out of the Loop (1994)
Composer: Randy Brecker
Randy Brecker (trumpet), Dean Brown (guitar), George Whitty (keys), James Genus (bass), Steve Jordan (drums), Steve Thornton (percussion)

“Sumo” (9:08)
CD: Steps Ahead Live In Tokyo 1986
Compser: Michael Brecker
Mike Maineri (vibes), Mike Stern (guitar), Daryl Jones (bass), Steve Smith (drums)

“Trains” (9:27)
CD: Steps Ahead Live in Tokyo 1986
Composer: Mike Maineri
Mike Maineri (vibes), Mike Stern (guitar), Daryl Jones (bass), Steve Smith (drums)

Recommended Listening: Phantogram "Eyelid Movies"

A few years back, local musician-about-town Matthew Loiacono introduced me to the music of a duo based in Saratoga Springs called Charlie Everywhere.

The band - comprised of vocalists and multi- instrumentalists Sarah Barthel and Joshua Carter - were quickly signed to Barsuk Records (former home of Death Cab for Cutie among others), changed their name to Phantogram and began an astounding ascent to national acclaim.

The duo describes their music as "a mix of organic and electronic sounds, with swirling guitar, spaced-out synths, and chopped up samples and rhythms" and that's about an apt a description as I could have come up with.

Phantogram's debut album Eyelid Movies has racked up some serious listening time on my iTunes/iPhone/IPod and garnered critical acclaim from a wide array of sources including ABC and NPR.

Check it out for yourself.

Recommended Listening: Myron Walden & In This World "What We Share"

I spent a decent amount of time listening to music on a recent road trip to Michigan with Alex Torres' band. One recording that I kept playing over and over was Myron Walden's What We Share by a group he calls In This World.

For most of his career Walden has primarily been known as an alto player. Recently his focus has shifted to the tenor and he's documenting this with a handful of new releases from several different bands.

In This World is comprised of Walden on tenor/soprano sax & bass clarinet; Mike Moreno on electric & acoustic guitars; Jon Cowherd on fender rhodes; Yasushi Nakamura or Chris Thomas on acoustic bass; and Kendrick Scott or Brian Blade on drums.

The music is lush and melodic. It's gentle and restrained yet contains an undercurrent of urgency that keeps it moving forward.

Take a listen for yourself.

Top 10 + 5 of 2009

Here are ten jazz records and five not-jazz records I really enjoyed this past year:

1. Ben Wendel - Simple Song (Sunnyside)
A collection of nine intricately composed and arranged, yet highly accessible original compositions - as well as an arrangement of John Coltrane's "Lonnie's Lament" and a beautifully orchestrated version of Billy Strayhorn's "A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing" - featuring Wendel on soprano and tenor sax as well as melodica and bassoon.

www.benwendel.com

2. Ben Allison - Think Free (Palmetto)
A perfect sythisis of jazz, rock and country music that's easy on the ears yet contains enough harmonic twists and turns to keep things interesting.

www.benallison.com

3. Chris Potter - Ultrahang (Artistshare)
The latest chapter by Potter's electric and eclectic quartet features a combination of original material and covers of songs by Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell performed by guitarist Adam Rogers, keyboardist Craig Taborn and drummer Nate Smith.

www.chrispottermusic.com

4. Gary Burton - Quartet Live (Concord)
Gary Burton + Pat Metheny + Steve Swallow + Antonio Sanchez. = good music, but some serious demerits for the gaudy cover art.

www.garyburton.com

5. Dave Douglas - A Single Sky (Greenleaf)
The first of two recordings by the prolific trumpeter on my list, this one features arrangements by Douglas and Jim McNeely performed by the Frankfurt Radio Bigband (featuring some killer tenor solos by Tony Laktos) ...

6. Dave Douglas - Spirit Moves (Greenleaf)
... while this one features the five-piece brass ensemble Brass Ectasy performing nine original compositions plus covers of Otis Redding and Steve Cropper's "Mister Pitiful" and Hank Williams' "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry." Douglas' trumpet is joined by french horn, trombone, tuba and drums, played by Vincent Chancey, Luis Bonilla, Marcus Rojas and Nasheet Waits respectively.

www.davedouglas.com

7. Sam Yahel - Hometown (Positone)
Primarily known for his organ work, Yahel switches to piano on a collection of tunes by composers ranging from Thelonious Monk & Duke Ellington to John Lennon & Bebel Gilberto.

www.samyahel.com

8. Kendrick Scott - Reverence (Criss Cross)
A collection of compositions by iconic jazz composers - Shorter, Heath, Pearson, Hancock, Dorham, Coleman, etc - given a modern spin by a quintet featuring saxophonist Walter Smith, guitarist Mike Moreno, pianist Gerald Clayton and bassist Derrick Hodge.

www.kendrickscott.com

9. Le Boeuf Brothers - House Without A Door (Le Boeuf Brothers)
I don't know much about these twin brothers but I really like the music they create.

www.lbjazz.com

10. Joshua Redman - Compass (Nonesuch)
The saxophonist mixes and matches two bassists and two drummers in a variety of configurations on a collection of mostly original music. He calls this ensemble a "Double Trio" and seeing them perform live was a highlight of the year.

www.joshuaredman.com


Some music that isn't jazz that caught my ear this year:

Brian Blade - Mama Rosa (Verve)
U2 - No Line on the Horizon (Interscope)
Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest (Warp Records)
Death Cab For Cutie - The Open Door EP (Atlantic)
Super 400 - Sweet Fist (Rock Ridge Music)