The Queen of Hang: Sheila E. Anderson

More on the State of Jazz Music

I was pleased , yet somewhat surprised, to see Herbie Hancock on "The View" this morning.  Joined by Luciano Souza (three-time Grammy nominee), who performed the title tune of his most recent Grammy award, "River," it was a delight to see JAZZ on a major television show.  They pointed out that the CD was #28 on Amazon.com but after the Grammy's it shot up to #1.  I can only say that I am delighted that a major jazz artist has won that coveted award!  Let's hope we won't have to wait for another 43 years to go by before this happens again.

Excepts from the music review:  Upholding the Standards of Smooth Jazz Purists

Does anyone agree with what was written below?  Did anyone go to Kenny Gorelick's (aka Kenny G) concert this past week?  In his review of that concert at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Ben Ratliff wrote the following:

Poor smooth jazz, besieged by haters. Being righteous about what’s called traditional jazz is easy. Being righteous about smooth jazz is much more difficult. It is a commercial construct, a radio format more than a style of music. For 20 years it has appealed across race and class and gender, partly because it asks so little. It is a physical presence but an intellectual absence. It is an unverified claim.

It lost ground last week when WQCD-FM, the New York radio station known as CD101.9 and the station with smooth jazz’s biggest market share in the country, went off the air, replaced at 101.9 by the rock format WRXP. In related news, the saxophonist Kenny G — the regent of the smoothiverse, a man who at his height moved 15 million copies of just one album (“Breathless,” from 1992) — has been selling fewer records lately. Well, so has everyone. But as a consequence he now plays where actual jazz performers play, like the Rose Theater at Jazz at Lincoln Center, where he appeared on Tuesday...

His new album, “Rhythm & Romance” — released by Concord Records and Starbucks — is his first Latin record, with traces of bossa nova, samba, salsa and Peruvian lando. You can’t really fault him for exoticism. That’s for adults. His show seemed more aimed at children...

Does Kenny's seemingly feeble attempt to return to jazz confirmation that "Smooth Jazz" is indeed dead and that it has finally bored one of its biggest stars?  I will be watching to see how many CD's he sells.

The demise of CD 101.9 Continued:

From David Hinckley of the Daily News:

"I lament that jazz, either straight or cool, is treated as a stepchild of modern music," writes Ed Nickens. "I've been a listener since Billy Taylor was on WLIB-AM, and have had to change the dial every 10 years or so, because it's convenient to bump the jazz slot.

"But more than jazz and blues lovers lose. With the saturation of rock formats in the area, AM and FM has become a monolith.

"When the PPMs [Personal People Meters] track for the Arbitrons, the overpopulated rock formats will lose out; they will be too fractured to make an impact. I can only say thank goodness for WBGO, Phil Schaap and WKCR, et al., for their jazz slots. Without them the spectrum would be a very boring place."

You can discuss this further on this blog or continue the discussion on the Daily News blog.  Cephas Bowles, WBGO General Manager did.  He wrote:

Before writing off the entire NYC radio market, please listen to WBGO at 88.3 FM or online at WBGO.ORG. It's a good station that plays real jazz, blues and R&B. After listening to the non-commercial presentations of these music forms, many people actually like it. And, believe it or not, WQCD andWQXR listeners also spent and spend time listening to WBGO. Check it out!

Let me hear from you...especially if you are a person who found WBGO and/or WKCR after WQCD went off the air.

Does Anyone REALLY Care About the GRAMMY'S?

A Victory for Jazz, or Just Grammy Being Grammy? 

By BEN RATLIFF

Published: February 12, 2008

When something newsworthy or popular or positive happens to a jazz musician — a big award, say — many in the jazz world feel astonished for about four seconds, then quickly act very smug. You know: We’ve been sitting here patiently, full of our aesthetic virtue, so used to being ignored, and the world has finally come around to our point of view. Are we happy about it? More to the point, what took you so long? 

[Yes, it took over 40 years]

The Jazz Musician who won the Grammy is Herbie Hancock, one of the most gifted pianist, composer and arranger.  An unnamed source who performed in the "Grammy" orchestra said that the crowd was "inscenced" that a "no-named" jazz artist, an artist they never heard of could win such a coveted award.  Those sentiments were overheard from both the audience and fellow orchestra musicians.  I must point out that of 40 musician only SIX were not white.  Oh, thankfully, the Black musicians DID know who Herbie is...And, in attempt to give the impression of "diversity" all of the black folks were put in the same area of the stage where the cameras panned often.

So, I ask, has this Grammy win for Herbie helped Jazz at all?  Shamefully, I must confess that I have not heard the CD but I plan on checking it out.  I don't know how this one got away from me considering how much I love Joni Mitchell and have loved her since her 1969 "Clouds" album.  With "Smooth Jazz" in NYC gone, will people gravitate to WBGO or other jazz stations like WKCR to find music that they want to hear?  Another irony is that Herbie won the award performing the music of Joni Mitchell, a singer/songwriter who I grew up listening to, who has always been connected to Jazz musicians and the art form.  Don Alias and Wayne Shorter are two who come to mind.  Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Ron Carter and Tony Williams comprised one of Miles Davis greatest bands. 

Another win that I like to mention is that of Barack Obama...how cool that he beat two ex-Presidents!  But, if you ask me, it seems that Random House was the real winner here...!!

Best Spoken Word Album (Includes Poetry, Audio Books & Story Telling)

• The Audacity Of Hope: Thoughts On Reclaiming The American Dream
        Barack Obama
        [Random House Audio]
     
  
• Celebrations
        Maya Angelou
        [Random House Audio]
  
  
• Giving: How Each Of Us Can Change The World
        Bill Clinton
        [Random House Audio]
  
  
• Sunday Mornings In Plains:  Bringing Peace To A Changing World
        Jimmy Carter
        [Simon & Schuster Audio]
  
  
• Things I Overheard While Talking To Myself
        Alan Alda
        [Random House Audio]

Last, but not least, congrats to John Clayton and Paquito D'Rivera.  John who won his first Grammy!!    To get the complete list of winners click on this link.

Tell me, do any of you care about the Grammy's?  Will you now purchase some of the music that has won?  How many of you NEVER heard of Herbie Hancock or Joni Mitchell???

Smooth Jazz in NYC has Died!

Well, I am not surprised to read the message below from CD101.9.  What surprised me is that it took them that long for them to realize that Smooth Jazz, or what has become of it, is not interesting.  The timing is perfect, in that, WBGO (a public radio station and NPR affiliate) is in the midst of a fundrive.  You don't have to purchase a new radio and you can listen on line.  So, for those of you who want to hear "Real" Jazz tune into 88.3FM. 

Smooth Jazz listeners, let me know your thoughts on this news....

The staff of CD101.9 would like to thank you for your support over these past 20 years of Smooth Jazz CD101.9. Due to a declining audience for Smooth Jazz over the past few years, we are sad to announce that Smooth Jazz will no longer be available on the 101.9 signal. On February 5th we launched an innovative new adult rock format on the 101.9 frequency called 101.9 RXP The New York Rock Experience. 101.9 RXP is a respectful and intelligent mix of new music, classic rock and alternative - we invite you to try it. If you are solely a Smooth Jazz lover, "Smooth Jazz CD101.9" will continue to exist on our HD2 channel. Just purchase an HD capable radio and you will be able to listen to your favorite Smooth Jazz artists for free as always! CD1019.com will continue to provide you with upcoming smooth jazz events in association with the HD2 channel, and if you are a member of the CD101.9 Loyal Listener Club you will continue to receive e-mail updates.

If you do not have an HD radio and are not a fan of Rock, we invite you to try 98.7 Kiss FM The Best Variety of Old School and Today's R&B as an alternative. Listen to 98.7 Kiss FM for your chance to pick up tickets to the "Concert In Red" Valentine's concert at the Beacon Theatre February 14th. It's one of the many amazing shows coming in 2008 that you can find out about on 98.7 Kiss FM.

We hope that this note finds you sharing the same excitement that we feel! We look forward to many more years of providing New York with Smooth Jazz in HD, and The New York Rock Experience on 101.9 RXP!

NOTE: Upcoming Concerts

The Concert in Red featuring Al Jarreau & Najee 'IS STILL ON'!!!

Allan Harris Wins!

ALLAN HARRIS wins the 2008 NY Nightlife Award for OUTSTANDING JAZZ VOCALIST

Award Ceremony Monday, January 28th at Town Hall

Singing L-O-V-E from "Long Live the King" CD

The 2008 Nightlife Awards, the only All-Performance Award show in the world, announced its winners today as a first step in preparation for an all-star celebration of the best in cabaret, comedy and jazz at The Town Hall on Monday, 7 PM, January 28th. The only award show with no acceptance speeches - the most audience-friendly award show in captivity -- where the winners perform to show why they were chosen, is already well on its way to yet another star-studded evening of entertainment. Among the winners who have already confirmed that they will come to Town Hall to perform include John Pizzarelli & Jessica Molaskey, Marilyn Maye, Carol Sloane, Allan Harris, Barb Jungr, Modern Man, Christine Pedi, Natalie Douglas, and more soon to be announced.

Matrimony and Births

Myron Walden and Amy Knapp were married on April 1, 2007, two years to the day that they met. The wedding was featured in the Sunday's Times Style section. It was one of the most fabulous weddings that I have attended...see my photos posted on this blog. Before the ceremony we were treated to Veuve Clicquot Brut NV, sparking water and feta cheese puffs while we listened to pianist, Eric Reed and bassist, Gerald Cannon.

After the service the reception was held in the atrium of the Allen Room at Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center as we basked in the decor done by David Stark Design. My mouth dropped when I walked in to see the area turned into a nightclub setting filled with magnificent flowers full of daffodils, tulips and other spring flowers that matched the colors in the Romare Bearden painting that hangs there. And, we heard more music from Eric Reed's trio of Gerald Cannon and Willie Jones, III.

During the reception The Allen Room was transformed into beautiful tables that were identified by names of jazz musicians. The table settings had red roses that matched Amy's bouquet and shoes. And, on each table were thank you gifts of CD's by the person that the table was named for. In addition to the delicious meal, we were served Chardonnay Au Bon Climat Santa Barbara 2004, Pinot Noir, Stephen Ross, Edna Valley, 2004 and, more Veuve Clicquot Brut NV. The cake was from Ron Ben Israel.

Also at the wedding was Jonathan Blake and his wife Rio Sakairi who got married in November, 2006 which I posted on November 5, 2006. They are expecting their second child at the end of this month. Also photographed is Grace-Ann, Ron Blake's wife.

Hank Jones and Abbey Lincoln Moseka hospitalized!

As fate will have it, they have both landed in St. Luke's Hospital; with heart trouble. According to the Daily News (3/18), Jones had returned from Japan in February where he had performed "a few concerts in Kobe" and he thought that he had "indigestion." Lincoln Moseka, on the other hand was taken to the hospital on March 3 because she was not breathing and had suffered heart failure and pulmonary edema, her recuperation may take longer than Jones (aged 88, Moseka, 77).

Jones and Lincoln recorded "When There is Love" (Verve/Gitanes) in 1992 and had not seen each other in years until the doctors had arranged this reunion. They had no idea that they were both in the hospital, much less the SAME hospital, until the doctors Googled their respective album histories. Ms. Lincoln has a new album, "Abbey Sings Abbey" coming out later this year. "Old friends should never get separated. A lot of years have gone by," said Jones, adding to Lincoln Moseka, "We should record together!"

P.S. Kendra Shank has released a new CD in honor of Abbey Lincoln titled "A Spirit Free, The Abbey Lincoln Songbook". It took her four years to record, it was worth the wait.

Alice Coltrane and Michael Brecker pass

Michael Brecker and Alice Coltrane passed within a day of each other. Michael Brecker was born in 1949 in Philadelphia and had won 11 Grammy’s for his work as a tenor saxophonist. He was inspired to study the tenor saxophone by the work of John Coltrane (he died in 1967), who had made his home in Philly. I first became aware of Michael when he and his brother led a successful jazz-rock fusion group called the Brecker Brothers. Throughout his career, he recorded and performed with numerous jazz and pop music leaders, including Herbie Hancock and Joni Mitchell, and he spent ten years with Paul Simon. Brecker had the respect of fellow musicians not only for his talent but also for who he was as a person; kind though shy. I never saw Brecker perform live but from those who had seen him I know that I missed out.

Thankfully, I attended the Alice Coltrane concert at New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) October 22, 2006. For reasons not worth discussing, I must confess, that I almost did not go. At the last minute, upon the urging of fellow radio announcer, Andrea Clarke, AKA, Sister From Another Planet, who hosts a Friday Evening Program on WBAI, I went. Once there I was taken by the very large turnout of African-Americans. I saw friends who I had NO IDEA knew anything about jazz, much less Alice Coltrane. Once Alice got on the stage I could not help but feel that I was in the presence of greatness and I was grateful to Andrea for pushing me to attend.

I had mixed emotions about the concert but rather than me writing a critique you may read the two reviews by Bill Milkowski and Joel Levin. My impression of it mirrors more closely the review written by Joel. At any rate, with so many jazz musicians having passed since February 2006 when Ray Barretto died I am more determined to continue to see the masters of jazz perform. Often a performance can leave lasting memories that recordings cannot.

James Brown, Passes

The "Godfather of Soul" passed away this morning at the age of 73.

I am at a loss of words though I have SO MANY memories of him and his music going back 40 years (OK, now you can guess my age-LOL). Musically, James Brown has been a part of my entire life. Thankfully I was able to see him perform a few times, and I enjoyed each performance, he knew how to put on a show!

I have no doubt that most of you have your own personal memories of James Brown. He will live on in our memories!

Canadian Radio

Piano Legend, Oscar Peterson and others may reap rewards from a Canadian proposal to double the required amount of domestic jazz and blues on teh country's radio airwaves. Please read the complete story....

New Arrivals

Elvis Costello and his Canadian wife Diana Krall are the parents of twin boys.

The new arrivals - named Dexter Henry Lorcan and Frank Harlan James - were born Wednesday, said a statement from the couple. "We are ecstatic!" the statement continued, going on to add "mother and sons are doing splendidly." The births came on the couple's third wedding anniversary. The statement provided no other details on the twins.

Diana's latest release, The Girl in the Other Room has been nominated for a Grammy.