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Posts tagged Jazz
Shout Outs from Metroland: Best of the Capital Region 2010
Aug 2nd
Metroland Best of the Captial Region 2010; Cover photo by Alicia Solsman
Metroland’s Best of the Capital Region for 2010 came out last week and I am surprised and pleased to be included as the Best Retro-Futurist. Sure, it’s a made-up category, but it’s a good fit. Here’s what they have to say:
Composer and instrumentalist Holland Hopson has been a contributor to the region’s avant-garde music scene for the better part of 20 year—whether it’s vocal excursions that meld Gregorian chant and Dada, or soprano sax forays that come pretty close to “straight-up” jazz, the breadth and range of this iconoclast’s musical journey has always been intriguing, albeit way outside of the box. Hopson’s recent blending of traditional tunes (performed with vocals and banjo) and subtle electronics has turned him into one of the area’s most mesmerizing and memorable live performers. Catch him if you can, as his local shows tend to be few and far between.
Metroland has identified plenty of other (probably more deserving) best-of recipients including such friends and colleagues as Jason Cosco/Grab Ass Cowboys (Best Noise Wrangler); EMPAC (Best Music Curation) — this ought to read Micah Silver, in my opinion, since he is the Music Curator at EMPAC; The Sanctuary for Independent Media (Best Activist Community Arts Center); and Emily Zimmerman (Best Emerging Curator).
These accolades come on the heels of a conversation with a friend at the latest show presented by the Albany Sonic Arts Collective. We were talking about how important it is for a community of artists to receive some recognition from the local press and the concomitant pitfalls of letting it go to your head. A timely conversation for the former and hopefully we’ll avoid the latter. The ASAC event was a great set of performances, by the way, particularly from Fossils from the Sun (Ray Hare) and Family Battle Snake (Bill Kouligas).
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Remembering Tina Marsh
Jun 20th
I’m saddened to read that Austin has lost one of its greats, vocalist Tina Marsh. Read the story here: Remembering Tina Marsh | Austin Music Source.
I only heard Tina sing a handful of times (always with the amazing Creative Opportunity Orchestra) and was never lucky enough to perform with her. I’m almost ashamed to say it now, but I’m sure Tina attended more of my gigs than I attended hers. I’m only almost ashamed, though, since this imbalance is really a testament to Tina’s full engagement with her community. I appreciate her quiet, reliable, affirming support more than ever now that she’s gone.
Steve Lacy came through Austin near the end of his life with George Lewis in the band. I remember someone asking George about his impressions of the jazz scene in Austin, or some such question. And George responded “Well, you’ve got Tina Marsh.” As if to say, “What more do you need?”
Go to http://www.creop.org/ to hear Tina again and again.
Related PostsECFA Der Wald Review
Jan 13th
A year late, I’ve run across this review (in french) of ECFA’s Der Wald. Most accurate statement from the no-doubt innacurate BabelFish translation: “the essential obstinacy of Carl Smith.” Obstinate is a compliment here, of course.
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Monk’s Advice
Jan 1st
Here’s some New Year Resolution fodder from Thelonious Monk via Steve Lacy.
Thanks to James Keepnews for sharing.
And here’s a shot of Monk’s iconic hat I took on a recent visit to the Smithsonian Museum of American History.
Thelonious Monk's Hat at the Smithsonian Museum of American History
ECFA: Der Wald in Monk Mink Pink Punk
Sep 16th
ECFA
Josh Ronsen’s Monk Mink Pink Punk strikes again with issue #15 including a review of ECFA’s Der Wald. Selected quote: “a living handshake”
Related PostsMaps Breaks $1. Maps is Free. Long Live Maps.
Mar 25th
The price for my Maps CD on amiestreet.com recently broke the $1.00 barrier (see below). To celebrate I’ve the posted the album in its entirety at grabrarearts.com. Go here for complete information or use the link below to get it all in one swell foop. This is part of my pledge to make more of my music available for download in 2008. I’ll have more coming up soon, so stay tuned.
Download the full album including artwork: hopson_maps.zip
Related PostsDer Wald Review
Jan 21st
The Austin Chronicle has a review of Der Wald, the latest release from ECFA, calling it “[Carl Smith's] most substantive recording….” I couldn’t agree more. Get the CD here.
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ECFA: Der Wald
Nov 5th
ECFA has released their brand-new CD, Der Wald (2007, Pull The String Records).
The lineup for the CD is Carl Smith, tenor saxophone; Holland Hopson, soprano saxophone; and Jason Friederich, drums; with Alex Coke, soprano saxophone on one track. This release features more new music by tenor saxophonist Carl Smith including “Ergeben” and “Schygullaplatz,” both highlights of the recording. Steve Lacy’s tune “The Retreat” is also featured. A few trio improvisations and one solo tenor sax improvisation round out the disc. A nicely varied set of music, much of it with a chamber music feel, and a step up in audio quality from previous ECFA releases. You can get more info and order the CD here.
Related PostsWhen It’s Bleepy-time Down South
Sep 23rd
The New York Times has an interesting piece on Louis Armstrong’s strong reaction to the Little Rock, Arkansas desegregation saga. My favorite part is when Louis addresses President Eisenhower as “Daddy” in an appreciative telegram. If only Armstrong and Mingus had gotten together on Fables of Faubus.
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