Stories » Trombone Shorty Academy students, master class with John Scofield / OffBeat Magazine - guest blog

Stories for October 20, 2019

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    What we lose with WNYC's cancellation of John Schaefer's 'New Sounds' / I CARE IF YOU LISTEN
     
    Posted At : October 18, 2019 12:00 AM

    Late last week, the news broke that WNYC, New York City's flagship NPR station, was cancelling all of music journalist John Schaefer's programming, including "New Sounds" and "Soundcheck." In the ongoing shift to become an all-news format, WNYC also announced its intent to discontinue the majority of its music programming by the end of this year. As the memo to the staff put it, "This is a continuation of the momentum that began when we replaced daytime music on WNYC-FM with news/talk format programs in 2002." On the airwaves since 1982, "New Sounds" bills itself as "New York Public Radio's home for the musically curious," telling us to "free your listening from the limits of genre and algorithm." Avant garde giant Laurie Anderson was the show's very first guest. Here was a space on the radio where tuning in could take you to Olafur Arnalds' otherworldly field recordings of his native Iceland that he transformed into glistening electro-acoustic singles on the album Island Songs. It was a place for Pulitzer Prize winner and Bang On a Can co-founder Julia Wolfe's Fire In My Mouth, a multimedia orchestral work that compiles archival information collected about the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire of 1911. Premiered by New York Philharmonic earlier this year, Fire in My Mouth is a musical exploration of this tragedy for full orchestra, women's choir and unusual instrumentation that includes 100 pairs of scissors. Through "New Sounds," bold and idiosyncratic music was accessible to anyone with a car stereo or a $10 radio via "America's most listened-to public radio station." p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #4d4d4d} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #4d4d4d; min-height: 14.0px} READ THE FULL I CARE IF YOU LISTEN ARTICLE

  • Ramin Karimloo brings his amazing vocal prowess to 'From Now On' / Kings River Life
     
    Posted At : October 18, 2019 12:00 AM

    Ramin Karimloo is an actor and singer best known for his performances on London's West End and Broadway. He has played the leading male roles in both of the West End's longest running musicals: the Phantom and Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera, and Jean Valjean, Enjolras, and Marius in Les Misérables. Ramin made his Broadway debut as Jean Valjean in the 2014 revival production of Les Misérables, for which he received a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical nomination.ramin karimloo He has brought his amazing vocal prowess to the 12 songs on his new CD called From Now On. The title song is from the Movie Musical, The Greatest Showman. Ramin's voice is amazing and he sounds wonderful singing pretty much anything! The album contains songs from The Last Five years, Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, The Bridges of Madison County, among others. One of my favorite songs on the album is "What You Own" which is from my favorite musical Rent. Another favorite is the classic song "I Will Always Love You," from the movie The Bodyguard. READ THE FULL Kings River Life REVIEW p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #4d4d4d} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #4d4d4d; min-height: 14.0px}

  • Black Oak Ensemble - 'Silenced Voices' is an ambitious and impressive debut / Classical Music Sentinel
     
    Posted At : October 18, 2019 12:00 AM

    This is the debut recording of the Black Oak Ensemble, a violin, viola and cello trio based in Chicago. And an ambitious and impressive debut effort it is, not only for its commited musicianship and top-notch audio quality, but also for its foray into unknown or obscure territory. Most if not all of the composers included on this recording have faded into the history books or been consigned to oblivion altogether. One survived the war but the others died in concentration camps in Nazi-occupied Europe. As the title of the CD suggests, they were deliberately "silenced". The Black Oak Ensemble not only present us with music that was, but also offer us a look into music that could have been. READ Jean-Yves Duperron's FULL REVIEW p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #4d4d4d} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #4d4d4d; min-height: 14.0px}

  • John Coltrane's 'Blue World' makes new music & reviews from the Winnipeg Free Press
     
    Posted At : October 17, 2019 12:00 AM

    This new release of a 1964 session by saxophone legend John Coltrane and his most famous quartet has been not so much lost as hiding in plain sight. Not only that, but Canada was the prime mover in its creation. In 1964, Canadian filmmaker Gilles Groulx was filming a movie in Montreal called Le Chat Dans Le Sac. He was a huge Coltrane fan, and somehow was able to convince the musician to agree to a recording session to be used as a soundtrack for the film. Historians totally overlooked this unusual event until a few years ago, but anyone who saw the film heard Coltrane, playing tracks such as Naima, for example, over the opening scene. The session was recorded at the famous Van Gelder studio in New York, and Groulx himself was present. p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #4d4d4d} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #4d4d4d; min-height: 14.0px} SEE ALL REVIEWS ON Winnipeg Free Press PAGE

  • Danish String Quartet will accept musical america's prestigious award for 'Ensemble of the Year'
     
    Posted At : October 17, 2019 12:00 AM

    On December 4th, the Danish String Quartet will accept Musical America's prestigious award for Ensemble of the Year. The announcement was made earlier this week, and comes just a month after the release of volume 2 of the DSQ's acclaimed Prism series of recordings for ECM New Series, each pairing one of the late Beethoven Quartets with a Bach Fugue and a quartet by a later master. "One awaits the rest of the Danish String Quartet's series breathlessly, but it's possible that this volume, with a Beethoven performance for the ages, will tower over the  rest".  James Manheim, All Music In November the DSQ embark on a North American tour which will include a complete traversal of the 5 "Prism" programs in La Jolla – see dates below. The Danes also continue to perform Nordic folk song as on their 2017 album Last Leaf which was named to the Best Recordings of the Year lists at both the NY Times and NPR. "It is wonderful to hear these superb players let their collective hair down in this collection of (mostly) Scandinavian folk tunes and original material composed in like fashion. This should warm the heart of every fan of fiddling, whether bluegrass, Celtic or Bachian". James Oestreich – New York Times 25 Best Classical recordings of 2017 "when it comes to the simple idea of a classical string quartet performing folk tunes, the Danish musicians have exceeded all expectations". Tom Huizenga – NPRs 50 Best Albums of 2017    PHOTO: Caroline Bittencourt

  • Ofra Harnoy - Back to Bach is the KUSC: Download of the Week
     
    Posted At : October 15, 2019 12:00 AM

    After taking a career hiatus to raise her children and then deal with a near career-ending shoulder injury, Canadian cellist Ofra Harnoy started performing again in 2018. This album presents a number of tried and true Baroque favourites on the cello, such as Bach's "Air" from Orchestral Suite No. 3, "Bist Du Bei Mir," as well as some slightly lesser known gems from composers such as Allegri and Corelli, which Ofra Harnoy interprets with the profound musicality and passion she is known for. In Ofra's early Baroque recordings, many works were accompanied with organ, chamber orchestra, or harpsichord. For this album, however, rather than revisiting the conventional settings for these works, she has decided to use brass as accompaniment for some works, and, for the works by Telemann and Allegri, has created a cello ensemble through overdubbing and multi-tracking techniques. As much as it is a treat to hear her play this music as soloist, that joy is multiplied in hearing her play each of the nine voices of Allegri's Miserere. This album presents a number of tried and true Baroque favorites on the cello as well as an inspiring comeback. Grab this funky version of Air on the G String now as our KUSC: Los Angeles Free Download!

  • The POINT LESS podcast with Ola Onabule: The Old Story
     
    Posted At : October 15, 2019 12:00 AM

    This song is written from the point of view of a man who has just extinguished life of another. He has the authority to do so as a licensed officer of the law, nonetheless the extent of his powers do not sit easy with him. He asks philosophical questions of the society that gives him the power of life and death over his fellow human beings and he ponders the historical context that allows him to wield said authority. He comes to the conclusion that he is fulfilling a pre-ordained role determined by history rather than one defined by his own personal choices. The POINT LESS podcast with Ola Onabule presents: ‘The Old Story The POINT LESS podcast is a series that boldly expresses views on social injustice. It is an activist's call - at once a celebration of life and a cautionary take on the social forces that threaten it. Violence, immigration, xenophobia, betrayal, and dignity are themes considered and rendered with a powerful and knowing generosity of spirit.So embodies the artistic - and entrepreneurial - philosophy of Onabulé, whose latest album release, Point Less, is a giant leap forward and deeply soulful Rueful yet optimistic, Onabulé's reach is global. His three-and-a-half octave baritone and the powerful emotions he conveys with it connects with audiences around the world. "Hands-on, self-sufficiency has always been my mantra for survival in the music game," says the songwriter. Produced & Narrated by Max Horowitz - Crossover Media

Top 10 for Oct

  • John Coltrane :

    Blue World

     In 1964, John Coltrane and his Classic Quartet went into Van Gelder Studios and, in an unprecedented move for Coltrane, recorded new versions of some of his most famous works.
  • Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra :

    I Shouldn't Be Telling You This - Let'sFaceMusic

     Jeff Goldblum is back!    The Hollywood legend, coolest man on the planet and purveyor of fine jazz will release his second album in November on Decca Records.
  • Angele Dubeau & La Pieta :

    Pulsations

     With a career spanning over four decades and an impressive discography of more than forty albums, Angèle Dubeau continues to leave her mark in today's music world.
  • Jon Batiste :

    Anatomy of Angels

     In the fall of 2018, pianist and bandleader Jon Batiste played a six-night residency at the historic Village Vanguard in downtown New York City.
  • Jim James, Teddy Abrams, Louisville Orchestra :

    The Order Of Nature

     THE ORDER OF NATURE presents a hypnotic meeting of the classical and folk-rock worlds with both classic and brand-new material by Jim James (lead singer of critically/commercially successful My Morning Jacket) and fused with Teddy Abrams' inspired orchestrations with the Louisville Orchestra.
  • Jan Lisiecki :

    Beethoven Complete Piano Concertos

     In anticipation of Beethoven's 250th birthday in 2020, Jan LIsiecki presents a full cycle of Beethoven's five piano concertos, accompanied by the Academy of St Martin in the Fields.
  • Ola Onabule :

    POINT LESS

     Socially conscious singer/songwriter Ola Onabul? has built an enviable career as an international touring performer and has now turned his attention to the North American market with a newly recorded collection of original songs.
  • Paula Cole :

    Revolution

     "Revolution is an exceptional piece of work, a timely reminder of how soulful, perceptive and harrowing a writer and singer Cole is and has always been.
  • Anne-Sophie Mutter :

    John Williams - Across the Stars

     Legendary film composer John Williams conducts a brand-new album of many of his beloved movie themes in stunning new adaptations written especially for his superstar violinist friend and collaborator Anne-Sophie Mutter.
  • youn sun nah :

    immersion

     Describing the music of South Korean vocalist Youn Sun Nah can leave even the most articulate at a loss for words.

Trombone Shorty Academy students, master class with John Scofield / OffBeat Magazine - guest blog

Posted: April 7, 2018 12:00 AM | By: Admin
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We made it! Day 1 in New York City is a wrap! After an early (4 a.m.) meet up at MSY, our group of 17 boarded the first flight to Newark, and arrived in downtown Manhattan in time for lunch at the Italian market, Eataly, just down the street from where we are staying by Freedom Tower. Then we all hit the subway, taking the A Train to Greenwich Village and into the iconic Blue Note jazz club.

Our host, Alex Kurland, who books the Blue Note and also co-manages the Soul Rebels, put together an amazing afternoon of musical education and entertainment for us. Once he gave our group a history of the neighborhood and the club and explained his role as the Blue Note's talent buyer, legendary jazz/funk guitarist John Scofield took the stage and captivated us with a Master Class that included his discussing his deep respect for New Orleans, playing with Miles Davis and then calling our students to the stage for a funky jam session.

After the Master Class, we hit John's Pizza, and then back to the Blue Note for Scofield's early set. As we walked through Washington Square Park, the Shorty students took out their horns and drums and began to play.  Check out footage of their performance in the park here! We capped the night with an incendiary performance by Scofield and his stellar ensemble (Gerald Clayton on keys, Bill Stewart on drums and Vicente Archer on the bass).   photo: Dino Perrucci

 

READ THE FULL OffBeat Magazine ARTICLE

Crossover Media Projects with John Scofield

  • John Scofield

    Combo 66

    Grammy Award-winning jazz guitarist, band leader and composer, John Scofield is set to release his new album, Combo 66, marking his 66th birthday, on September 28 via Verve Records. The album, which features long-time drummer Bill Stewart, bassist Vincente Archer and pianist/organist Gerald Clayton, combines jazz with genre-defying elements, allowing Scofield to find new modes of expression.

  • John Scofield

    Country For Old Men

    Coming off a Grammy win earlier this year for his last album, Past Present, John Scofield has been largely in the spotlight over the last year, sitting in the with The Roots on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, gracing the cover of Downbeat and garnering the attention of NPR.   His impressive 40-plus-year career has seen Scofield masterfully tackle multiple genres as well as several eclectic collaborations with everyone from Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh, to Government Mule and Medeski, Martin & Wood, not to mention his own groups.

    6 NEW  221 TOTAL
    SYND:     Voice of America, Jazz After Hours, Jazz Happening Now, WFMTNet, Radio DeLuxe, Modern Jazz Today
    Direct: SiriusXM
    Markets include: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, Philadelphia, Wash DC, Denver, Miami, Portland, Cleveland, Houston, Baltimore, Detroit, Denver, St. Louis, New Orleans, Austin, Minneapolis, San Diego, Austin, Berkeley CA, Kansas City, Albuquerque, Madison WI, Tampa, Santa Fe, Knoxville, San Antonio, Wichita, Omaha, Chattanooga, Bridgeport CT, Bozeman, Honolulu, Toronto, Vancouver
    INTER: Canada, UK, Italy
    Online: Jambands.com, GreenArrow, MOJA, Soulandjazz.com, JazzTimes, billboard, JazzTrail, JazzWeekly, Jazz From Gallery 41, Radio Valencia, Radio CUH, Paste, The Eclectic Chair

    55 JazzWeek ADD's

  • John Scofield

    Past Present

    John Scofield updates his early-'90s quartet with drummer Bill Stewart and saxophonist Joe Lovano by recruiting bassist Larry Grenadier for his fetching, appropriately titled impulse! debut, Past Present. Between 1990 and 1992, the celebrated guitarist released three well-received discs – Meant to Be, Time on My Hands and What We Do – for the Blue Note label as the John Scofield Quartet. On those records, either Marc Johnson or Dennis Irwin played bass. Nevertheless, Grenadier also has history playing with Scofielld; he toured with Scofield in support of the 1996 disc, Quiet.

    The nine exciting tunes Scofield penned on Past Present also reflects his philosophy on playing jazz music. He stresses the importance of being knowledgeable of the music's deep, complex roots while simultaneously being spontaneous and in the moment while performing it. For an artist with such a multifaceted discography as Scofield's, getting to the root of jazz means channeling the blues, as demonstrated on the disc's closing, titled-track. 

    11 NEW  257 Total
    SYND: NPR/Songs We Love, PRI/Jazz After Hours, Voice Of America
    Direct: SiriusXM/Real Jazz, MOOD
    Markets include: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, Philadelphia, Wash DC, Atlanta, Miami, Seattle, Minneapolis, Detroit, Baltimore, Denver, Portland, St. Louis, San Diego, Detroit, New Orleans, Milwaukee, Albuquerque, San Antonio, Orlando, Berkeley CA, Tampa, Honolulu, Montreal, Vancouver
    Online: MOJA, Something Else, Taintradio, Jazz From Gallery 41, Party 934, KUHS, Green Arrow, Jazz Weekly, Jambase, PopMatters, Kaleidophonic Jazz, relix, Dirty Dog, animajazz
    INTER: Canada, Australia, Ireland, Italy

    65 Jazzweek ADD's

  • John Scofield

    uberjam deux

    Guitarist John Scofield is comfortable in any setting – whether it be jazz, blues or rock – as he demonstrates on his latest recording, Überjam Deux, on Decca/Emarcy. Überjam Deux has been a decade in the works, following 2002's Grammy-nominated Überjam; not that Scofield has been inactive in the interim, far from it.  There have been seven John Scofield albums in the intervening years, as well as five others on which he is a co-leader on the project. His last Decca/Emarcy release was A Moment's Peace (2011), a luxurious album of ballads – the polar opposite of Überjam Deux.  His uncanny ability to drift between various styles of music with fluency, virtuosity and sincerity is rare. 

    9 New 'ON' this week: 
    SYND:     CBC, Global Village, NPR: Living On Earth(transitions)
    Markets include: Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Wichita
    Online: Taintradio, David Bruce