MaxxJazzHouse

Welcome back to the house and greetings in the name of all things swingin' in the "deepest recesses of the groove."

We've been getting emails for years listeners about the music we play and many times because they are independent artists, their music is hard to find.

We decided to start sending this out to let you know about some of these artists and make their hard to find music available to you. Our focus at the moment is on independent artists, but someday we hope to include more. If you're not interested send us a note or click the appropriate button up top or on the bottom of the newsletter.

It has been a pretty exciting period since our last newsletter. Senator Obama's historic quest for the Presidency, the New York Giants winning the Superbowl and Herbie Hancock winning "Album Of The Year" at the Grammy's. I know the jazz police will probably give us a ticket regarding Herbie Hancock, but the bottom line is when you think of Herbie, you think of jazz and that is a good thing. Perhaps CHANGE is truly in the wind.

Also shortly before last months newsletter, I celebrated my 50th birthday and received a wonderful and very heavy book from my Editor Sister-in-law by noted German photographer William Claxton called "Jazz Life." If you don't have it you may want to add it to your collection, but be prepared to have a sturdy table to place it upon.

If You Are New To The Jazz House Click On This Link

Donald Walden - A Monk and A Mingus Among Us

In this edition of the Jazz Journey, I'm pleased to turn you on some music I've been enjoying that you may or may not know about.

The first is a CD called "A Monk and A Mingus Among Us" by Saxophonist DONALD WALDEN. I was turned on to this artist by drummer Neal Smith who is a member of The Cyrus Chestnut Trio.

DONALD WALDEN comes to us from Detroit, a city with no shortage of jazz greats or jazz history. I received this CD some time ago and didn't get a chance to listen to it until now but I'm happy to turn you on to this unheralded artist.

"A Monk and A Mingus Among Us" as the title suggests is a tribute to two great American composers and giants of jazz, Thelonious Monk and Charles Mingus with arrangements by Donald Walden. Walden who played with Monk, Mingus and Dizzy enlists the talents of two sidemen that I am familiar with (Rodney Whitaker/bass and special guest Marcus Belgrave/trumpet) also Gary Schunk/piano, Karriem Riggins/drums and special guests Kenn Cox/piano, Gearld Cleaver/drums/ Williams Evans/piano and Marion Hayden/bass. I am not all that familiar with the latter list of artists but after listening to this CD, I am anxious to find out more about them.

But let's get back to the CD, "A Monk and Mingus Among Us."

The 9 track CD starts off swingin' with a Walden composition, the Latin tinged "Mr. Styx." Listening to this tune makes me want to jump in my car and drive up I-75 at 70MPH, top down with the wind blowing through if I had any, my hair. Next up is a tune called MOPE written by pianist, composer and educator Geri Allen also a Detroit native. With the nations largest Arab-American community and Canada just across the river, those influences are bound to make their way into the music as is the case here.

The next 3 tunes are compositions by Monk and Mingus both whom Walden played with. While listening to Monk penned "Peggy's Blue Skylight" I felt like I was in the church of swing and as each musician took a turn testifying, I heard myself say Amen!

Next up Mingus' "The I of Hurricane Sue" makes you want to be a storm chaser or at least study and find out more about the weather. (I know that's corny but I couldn't think of anything else to say, it is a great version though)

Walden's take on Monk's "Ruby My Dear" is beautiful and tender and William "Pill" Evans' solo is just as thoughtful and knowing.

I'd love to be around in 100 years when future generations come to embrace and deal with the compositions of Mingus. "Cell Block F" is a bossa nova journey through what feels like the countryside and city at the same time anchored by Whitaker's romping bass.

"Signed; Dizzy, With Love" is a tribute to the great Dizzy Gillespie another artist Walden shared the bandstand with. I think this composition shows his appreciation and respect not only for the jazz giants spirit, but for his intellect and sophistication as well. This is a tune that will make you bop your head and smile.

The final two tunes are the Monk composition's "Introspection" and appropriately "Bye-Ya."

On the breezy "Introspection" we hear Monk's sense of humor with Walden and company delivering the punchline.

I don't think many people realize how much being an international city has influenced the musicians and the music of Detroit. On "Bye-Ya" the last tune on the CD, these influences are on full display as Walden and company close out the CD with a energetic "Motor-City" interpretation of the clever Monk tune.

Click On This Link To Hear And Buy The CD

Neal Caine - Backstabber's Ball

There are so many swingin' artists out here playing this music that it's a joy to "discover" one I am not all that familiar with.

NEAL CAINE is one such artist who has been on the scene for quite a while. Born in St. Louis in 1973, bassist Neal Caine joined Elvin Jones band at age 21. When you consider that position was formerly occupied by the late Jimmy Garrison, that is no small feat. In additon to Jones' band, the former Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra member has also shared the bandstand with Wynton Marsalis, Jason Marsalis, Ellis Marsalis, Nicholas Payton, Brian Blade, Sherman Irby, Claudia Acuna and Donald Harrison.

"Backstabber's Ball" - Smalls Records (82351100822) is a very personal and to me thought provoking CD. Being a "Bass Player" I find myself going on the journey with him and appreciating his choices and direction.
As usual, I recommend that you sample the tracks on the link and find out if this is something for you.

Click On This Link To Hear And Buy The CD

Whitney Marchelle - Me, Marsalis and Monk

I first ran into Whitney Marchelle while broadcasting from our studios at Jazz At Lincoln Center in New York City. She used to stop by the studio and play snippets from this CD before it was released and I had to wait a few months for her to return from an extended gig in Dubai before I finally heard the final mix and was able to play it on the air.

It was worth the wait though and if you like variety this CD is for you. On "Me, Marsalis and Monk" Marchelle teams up with a stellar cast of players including Grammy Winners Reginald Veal and Neal Caine on bass, Wycliffe Gordon- trombone, NEA Jazz Master Clark Terry - trumpet and flugelhorn, Walter Blanding Jr. - sax, and Dan Nimmer - piano. Also on this set is Eric Durham - guitar the son of Eddie Durham the inventor of the electric guitar.

Whitney Marchell is from the midwest and in my opinion there is an honesty and soulfulness about people from that region that you don't find anywhere else except for maybe New Orleans and that is quite another story.

As the title suggests Marchelle has chosen to take on the music of Monk and Marsalis, no easy task by any means especially for a vocalist. I especially love her take on "In Walked Bud Suddenly", "Pannonica (My Little Butterfly)" and for the first time with lyric's Marsalis' "Loose Duck. "

In addition to those choices she also includes more forward thinking material from the contemporary side of things.

As I mentioned if you like variety, this CD is for you. Click on the link and check out the music and decide for yourself.

Click On This Link To Hear And Buy The CD

More Music and People You Should Know

Here are a few more CD's that you may want to check out.

Tia Fuller - Pillar Of Strength
Eric Mintel Quartet - Times Change
Count Basie - Every Tub

Until the next time, Keep Swingin'!

Maxx

Click on This Link To Hear And Buy This Music

Festivals

Festival Season will begin soon, for a complete listing click on the link below.

Jazz Times Jazz and Blues Festival Guide - Click This Link

Jazz Clubs Worldwide

I found this link online for a listing of Jazz Clubs Worldwide. It's run by a cat named Peter Maguire out of Belgium and though it may have the most complete or even up-to-date listings, he is very sincere.

Beside it's interactive and you can add to listings and help the worldwide jazz family find this great music.

Wherever you are, get out and dig some Real Jazz Live!

Click On This Link For Jazz Clubs Worldwide