Dave Holland Quintet

Dave Holland is bringing his quintet to town this week. Chris Potter, Robin Eubanks, Steve Nelson and Nate Smith will join Mr. Holland for two sets at Schenectady's Van Dyck this Friday night. The same group, with Antonio Hart filling in for Mr. Eubanks, performed at the club back in '98 and it was an incredible evening of music. Tunes clocked in at over a half hour and it was nice to hear Mr. Hart play Mr. Holland's music. I'm excited to see the band with it's regular line up this time around. In anticipation I've been listening to ...

DAVE HOLLAND QUINTET Extended Play (ECM)
DAVE HOLLAND QUINTET Not For Nothin' (ECM)
DAVE HOLLAND QUINTET Prime Directive (ECM)

In other DHQ news, I stumbled upon Robin Eubanks' Podcast in the iTunes music store. While I was initially drawn in by his interviews with Chris Potter I've become a big fan of the backstage banter from the various performances that Mr. Eubanks is a part of. It must be a blast to be on the road with this guy. If the above link doesn't work just search for "Robin Eubanks" at iTunes or visit his website at www.robineubanks.com and click on "projects".

Trio @ The Daily Grind

Decided to try something a little different last night as Mike, Danny and I played trio at the Daily Grind in Troy, NY - the BPQ-1 if you will. Mixed up some originals (Drop, Release, Majority, Exit, Will You Be, Red) and jazz standards (Take The Coltrane, Body & Soul, Flamingo, A Night In Tunisia, Donna Lee, I Love You, Out Of Nowhere, You're My Everything) and a good time was had by all.

LISTEN: Flamingo (8.8mb)

Things are looking up ...

Anyone who's known me for the past 25 years or so knows that I've been a die hard Cincinnati Bengals fan through thick and thin. Long before I ever lived in the city known for it's delicious chili, I was enticed by the incredibly cool new uniforms of the 1981 team. I can remember watching the Bengals on TV with my Dad and being drawn in by those snazzy orange and black stripped helmets. This is of course only a slightly better reason to become a fan than my lifelong stint as a Boston Red Sox fan due to my mother's purchase of a cap with a "B for Brian" when I was a toddler ...

In any case '81 was a good year for the Bengals. Ken Anderson and Chris Collinsworth led the team to it's first Super Bowl ever and though they put up a good fight the orange and black ultimatley lost to the San Fransico 49ers. I'd have to wait another seven years for another bowl appearance and the '88 team led by Boomer Eisason once again made it to the big game, and lost, once again to the 49ers. I have fond memories of that '88 team, espicially rookie running back "Ickey" Woods and his infamous "Ickey Shuffle".

Since 1988 then Bengals have, for lack of a better term, sucked. It's gotten to the point where I'd pretty much given up caring about football in general. This from someone who used to follow the NFL fervently all throughout middle and high school. Enter the 2005 Bengals. After two years of 8-8 finishes, it appears that this year's team is destined for greatness, or at least a winning season. The team is led by young league leading quarterback Carson Palmer and two incredible recievers - T.J. Houshmandzadeh and the flamboyent Chad Johnson. Mr. Johnson's endzone celebrations bring to mind the Ickey shuffles of the last championship team. Currently 9-3, the Bengals face Cleveland tomorrow at home. More news as it develops.

Top 10 of 2005

Since it's nearing the end of the calendar year I figured it's as good a time as any to choose my top ten records of 2005. Only problem is, I can only come up with nine. Perhaps I'll post another list when I think of that one last record that I've listened to as much as these other nine, but here are my top ten minus one of 2005 as of right about now ...



1. E.S.T. Viaticum (ACT)
2. KNEEBODY Break Me (Greenleaf Music)
3. WASILEWSKI/KURKIEWICZ/MISKIEWICZ Trio (ECM)
4. TORD GUSTAVSEN TRIO The Ground (ECM)
5. CHRIS CHEEK Blues Cruise (Fresh Sound New Talent)
6. DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE Plans (Atlantic)
7. COLDPLAY X&Y (Capitol)
8. AVISHAI COHEN At Home (Radaz)
9. BENEVENTO/RUSSO DUO The Best Reason To Buy The Sun (Ropeadope)

LISTEN: Top 10 of 2005 Podcast (15.8mb)
Musical samples of each of the above.