Dave Mills, Carlton Jackson, Leroy Vinnegar, back in the day.

source: Dave Mills Facebook post.

Holiday mics.

Roland Kirk. This past week's Artist Spotlight

McCoy Tyner- Happy Birthday!

One of the most influential keyboard players in my life and that of many others.

KMHD and MATT FLEEGER in JAZZSCENE

KMHD and the Future of Jazz Radio

New direction from Program Director Matt Fleeger spikes interest, listenership

By Kyle O'Brien

Matt Fleeger ended up as the Program Director for KMHD because of skateboarding.

"Skateboarding got me into jazz," said Fleeger at his office above Willamette Park in the newly carved out KMHD section of the Oregon Public Broadcasting building.

Fleeger, an avid skateboarder since his youth, cites the groundbreaking skateboarding video, "Video Days," as his inspiration to learn more about jazz. The soundtrack for the video features the sound of John Coltrane behind skateboarders doing fancy tricks. That, and the fact that Fleeger saw the indie punk band Fugazi's guitarist wearing a Coltrane shirt, convinced him that jazz was indeed cool.

"I went to a store and bought "Blue Trane," he said. That launched Fleeger into jazz, which brought him first to San Antonio from his native Pennsylvania, and last year to Oregon to be the man behind the jazz at KMHD.

Fleeger continues to skate, but after jazz wove itself into his life, he knew he had to pursue the music.

….continued in the December 2010 Jazzscene ….http://www.jsojazzscene.org

ALBUMS WE LOVE. KMHD DECEMBER JAZZ NOTES

Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers
Hard Drive (Bethlehem)


-Shawn Kirkeby, host of Hard Choices
Sat, 11am-1pm
Art Blakey, when asked about his music being labeled hard bop, insisted, "I don't know what they are talking about. All we try to do is play music, basic music. How are you going to swing if you don't swing hard?”

Hard Drive: Out of This World and The Next World Too, featuring the second formal group of Messengers, swings hard and aims high. After all, Sputnik, the first satellite, was launched into space by the Soviet Union in just a week before the session in October of 1957.

Art Blakey and his energetic Messengers sent a business-as-usual message to the jazz audience with trumpeter Bill Hardman, tenor saxophonist Johnny Griffin and bassist Spanky DeBrest, guided by the experience of pianist Junior Mance and Blakey's steady, voracious drums.

The group's enthusiasm and comfort with one another is evident in seamless solo exchanges in Jimmy Heath's For Minors Only, and in DEO-X, Hardman's composition built on a tonal scale opened by Blakey's clear and creative stick sounds. As Hardman said about Blakey: "When he's there, you don't have to worry about anybody being behind you. Even if it were just him, with no piano or bass, it would be pretty cool.”

Griffin later reflected, "We had more fun than anybody. A ball every night." His two compositions, Right Down Front and Krafty, are well-interpreted highlights of the session.

Hard Drive may not be the powerful Moanin', recorded a year later for Blue Note with names like Golson, Morgan and Timmons. Nor does it contain a future leader like that of the 1980s lineup that produced Wynton Marsalis, who reinvigorated hard bop.

It is, however, an intoxicating teacher-student session, all the way through to the last composition by Philadelphia pianist Leon Mitchell. His Late Spring showcases this talented group of musicians, who shared Art Blakey's desire to swing hard.

Tall Jazz Winter Concert

Album covers. HARD CHOICES broadcast. 11/27/10

Happy birthday Nat Adderley. Facebook KMHD post.

Thanksgiving day Nov, 25.

Thanksgiving eve, and then....

Hello everyone!
>
> The cold snap has us in its grip, winter is suddenly here, and the holiday season is about to burst. What better reason is there to come to Arrivederci's Wine Bar on McLoughlin Blvd. to sip a hot toddy while I fill the room with piano tunes? None that I care to mention.... I'll be playing from 7:00-10:00 Wednesday night. I'd love to see you. The address is 17023 SE McLoughlin, Milwaukie OR.
>
> ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
>
> In just two weeks Tall Jazz will bring you their 22nd Annual Winter Jazz Concert on Saturday, Dec. 4, 8:00 PM. This holiday tradition has been a favorite of many. In the past we've held it at the Old Church, or at McMenamin's Kennedy School or Willamette Valley Vineyards. This year we are excited and proud to present the latest installment of the Winter Jazz Concert at Portland's premier jazz club, Jimmy Mak's, located at 221 NW 10th in the Pearl District of Portland. If the past is any indication, it should be a full house, so reservations are recommended by calling 503-295-6542. Tickets are $10 at the door. Students/minors are encouraged to attend, but must leave by 9:30, which leaves plenty of time to hear some great holiday jazz.
>
> Our special artists will be Marilyn Keller, at soulful vocalist who has performed around the world, and will be featured in the Oregon Symphony's "Gospel Christmas" concert this year; pianist George Mitchell, fresh off a tour with Diana Ross; and our horn section, Lee Wuthenow (tenor) and Bryant Allard (trumpet), regulars in the Winter Concert series. We will perform some of the old favorites, as well as new arrangements of the classics, such as the swingin' carol "The Man with the Bag", "Auld Lang Syne" ala New Orleans, and "Blue Christmas" with a dark twist.
>
> Our friend Kim Loeffler designed this year's poster, which I have attached. It's festive and colorful, much like the concert itself!
>
> Happy Thanksgiving!
>
> Mike Horsfall
>
>

HARD CHOICES 2010/11/20

KMHD Jazz Radio Relish and give thanks for interpretations... "The Hunters and Gatherers" (Jon Faddis), "Farmers Market" (Art Farmer and Benny Golson), "Naima" (McCoy Tyner) "Blues by 5" (Leroy Vinnegar), all "In Your Own Sweet Way" (Miles Davis) with seating at... Birdland, say "Round Midnight" (Wes Montgomery)- photo/YouTube: http://youtu.be/MOm17yw__6U on HARD CHOICES Saturdays,11am to 1pm. Hard bop, post bop and modal jazz, a modern mainstream mix! -Shawn Kirkeby

The East-West Tour!

The East-West Tour!

Hello friends,

I'm going on tour this week, and you can come along.  It's being billed as The Karla Harris East-West Tour, and will take place this Thursday and Friday, 11/18-19.  

Featured on this tour is Karla Harris, the songbird from Kansas City.  Backing her up will be myself on piano, Dave Captein on bass and Todd Strait on drums.  

We will begin our tour this Thursday night at Wilf's Restaurant by the train station in downtown Portland, at 800 NW 6th Ave.  The curtain raises at 7:30 PM.  Call 503-223-0070 for reservations.  

Then we hop in the bus, cross the Willamette River and head south to Milwaukie for the next night's show at Arrivederci's Wine Bar at 17023 SE McLoughlin Blvd.  The date is Friday, 11/19, and the time is 8:00-11:00.  For reservations call 503-659-1143.

Hope to see you on the road!

Here are some other dates to be aware of:

Saturday, 11/20, I'll be playing vibes with Graham Covington (piano), Dennis Caiazza (bass) and Ron Steen (drums) at Arrivederci's at 7:30 PM.

Wednesday, 11/24, I'm back at Arrivederci's playing solo piano from 7-10 PM.

Then, don't forget:  Saturday, Dec. 4, Tall Jazz presents the 22nd Annual Winter Jazz Concert at Jimmy Mak's Restaurant at 221 NW 10th, Portland.  Tickets are $10 at the door, and we start at 8:00.  Call 503-295-6542 for reservations.  We will feature a great line-up:  Marilyn Keller, vocals;  George Mitchell, piano;  Lee Wuthenow, tenor sax;  Bryant Allard, trumpet;  and Tall Jazz:  me on vibes, Dan Presley on bass, and Dave Averre on drums.  The Winter Jazz series began in 1989, and has been a popular tradition for many every since.  The band presents traditional holiday tunes, as well as some rare chestnuts, performed in hip and swingin' arrangements.

I hope to see you out there!

Mike Horsfall

Kenny Burrell & John Jenkins

8/11/57. Hackensack, NJ.

HARD CHOICES BROADCAST

These are some of the albums jazz and military veterans you heard today on HARD CHOICES..

Friday night at Jimmy Mak's

Hello everyone,

I just wanted to give you a quick reminder about the Tall Jazz concert tomorrow (Friday, 11/12) at Jimmy Mak's. The evening is sponsored by the Jazz Society of Oregon, who will be inducting Tall Jazz into their Hall Of Fame. The trio has been together since 1989, playing, recording and educating along the way. The JSO is generously recognizing our contribution to Portland's jazz scene, complete with an unveiling of a new painting of Tall Jazz by artist Diane Russell - her works hang on the walls at Jimmy Maks. Should be a swingin' night! Here are the particulars:

Jazz Society of Oregon 2010 Hall of Fame Concert
Friday November 12, 2010
Jimmy Mak's, 221 NW 10th Ave., Portland

Alan Jones Academy of Music jazz sextet at 6:30 pm
"Tall Jazz" with guest artist, Bill Beach at 8:00 pm

Tickets are $15 and $17.
Tickets available at http://www.TicketsOregon.com

Reserved seating requires Dinner Reservations (call Jimmy Mak's at 503-295-6542)

Here's a link to a JSO poster:
http://www.jsojazzscene.org/TallJazzHOF.htm
and a link to Tall Jazz:
talljazz.com


A couple of other Tall Jazz dates to jot down:
12/4 - Our 22nd annual Winter Jazz Concert will be held at Jimmy Mak's
12/22 - Tall Jazz with Marilyn Keller will perform at Arrivederci's Wine Bar in Milwaukie, OR.


Thank you! And thanks for support Tall Jazz all these years!

Mike Horsfall

VETERAN'S DAY. Facebook post.

Shake a hand, thank a vet.

Tony Pacini, Chuck Israels and Mike Winkle at the Brasserie 11/13

Dear Music Lovers,

I am so excited to invite you to my gig with the amazing pianist Tony Pacini and world renowned bassist Chuck Israels on Sat. 11/13 at The Brasserie Montmartre from 9-1.

Hope to see you there!

Warm regards,

Mike Winkle

Brasserie Montmartre
503) 236-3036
626 SW Park Ave (SW Alder)
Portland, OR 97205

Gordon Lee Trio. "This Path"

Gordon Lee, Kevin Deitz, Carlton Jackson.

BECOME A MEMBER 10/9/10

VON FREEMAN (b.1922)

3,

-FROM: ALL ABOUT MUSIC

1922

Influential elder (born October 3, 1922 Earl Lavon Freeman) jazz tenor saxophonist originally became known for his work with the Horace Henderson Group during the Late 1940s, and Sun Ra's band in the early '50s. During that period, he also played with his musical brothers, drummer Bruz (Eldrige) Freeman and guitarist George Freeman, (with pianists including Ahmad Jamal, Andrew Hill, and Muhal Richard Abrams). Chicago Tribune critic Howard Reich says, "...For technical brilliance, musical intellect, harmonic sophistication and improvisatory freedom, Von Freeman has few bebop-era peers."

The Chicago Reader's Monica Kendrick adds "He changes everything he touches, mostly for the better, with his swaggering tenor tenderness."

Along with his contemporaries Gene Ammons, Johnny Griffin, and Clifford -- the founder of the "Chicago School" of tenor players which adapted the work of Lester Young and Ben Webster, and influenced a number of players including Johnny Griffin & Clifford Jordan. To round out the musical family, the saxophonist's son Chico Freeman is also a well-known jazzman.

In the early 1960s, Freeman toured with Milt Trenier and, despite reasonably regular appearances in New York and Europe, the 75-year-old Freeman has remained to this day in Chicago, where you can see him almost weekly at clubs like Andy's, and has been the host of legendary jam sessions, like his Tuesday events at the New Apartment Lounge. You can catch him with the likes of John Young, Jodie Christian, Mike Raynor, Bettye Reynolds, Kurt Elling, and the rest of his musical family. His 75th birthday was celebrated with a headlining slot at the 1997 Chicago Jazz Festival. He joined one of the city's youngest tenor stars, Frank Catalano, in an afternoon set at the 1999 Fest.

KMHD wall board.

Exit I-5 at Broadway Rose Quarter. Look to the right.

A few albums we heard from today.

Paul Chambers and his "Chamber Mates"

Paul Chambers (b.1935) life's arc intersected with many other great talents in the 50s and 60s. This confluence is considered Hard Bop. Listen at 11:28am as "Chamber Mates", guitarist Kenny Burrell, pianist Hank Jones, drummer Art Taylor tell a story with bassist Paul Chambers (d.1969). -Shawn Kirkeby



One of the top bassists of 1955-1965, Paul Chambers was among the first in jazz to take creative bowed solos (other than Slam Stewart, who hummed along with his bowing). He grew up in Detroit, where he was part of the fertile local jazz scene. After touring with Paul Quinichette, Chambers went to New York, where he played with the J.J. Johnson-Kai Winding quintet and George Wallington. He spent the bulk of his prime years (1955-1963) as a member of the Miles Davis Quintet, participating in virtually all of Davis' classic recordings of the era. When he left, "Mr. P.C." (as John Coltrane called him in one of his originals) worked with the Wynton Kelly Trio (1963-1966) and freelanced until his death. Chambers, a consistently inspired accompanist who was an excellent soloist, made many recordings during his brief period, including some with Sonny Rollins, Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley, Donald Byrd, Bud Powell, and Freddie Hubbard, in addition to a few as a leader. -Allmusic.com -Scott Yanow

ROY HAYNES and his "SIDEMEN". Chick Corea. 9/17/10. Portland, Oregon

Roy Haynes drums (b.1925), on stage with Chick Corea keyboard (b.1941), Christian McBride bass (b.1972), Kenny Garrett sax (b.1960), THE FREEDOM BAND, takes the mic at the end of the show, after his vigorous drum solo and says, "Chick". I recorded more of Roy Haynes feelings. I have also seen another video on YouTube capturing Chick Corea introducing a song (with no title :) by pianist and composer Bud Powell. See them at http://hardchoicesblog.blogspot.com/ What a GREAT show on many levels. Thanks -Shawn Kirkeby

Oh yeah.

Happy birthday.

1928 to 1975.
Julian Edwin "Cannonball" Adderley. More at KMHD.org and click on facebook. Look for "Work Song".

John, Paul, Wynton and Jimmy. 1960. The Paul Chambers Smile

Why did he smile?
Enjoy Paul Chambers as he offers a boyish inside smile.

Comment: Ah. Correction. It's "Walkin" haha. Which is an F blues. The other is just some Rhythm Changes, though...

Comment: Chambers was so young.

JOHN GILMORE. 9/8/10

Restoring pitch to my piano.

Abbey Lincoln, Hank Jones, and Max Roach.

All of the songs in the Facebook post that are in quotes are from this record. We will hear a few. Bye Ms. Lincoln. Thanks.

Review

by Scott Yanow

This CD is a change of pace for Abbey Lincoln. She interprets ten standards (plus four of her originals), all love songs performed as duets with pianist Hank Jones. Although there is some social commentary, the emphasis is on male-female relationships and Lincoln sounds more optimistic than usual. Among the more memorable selections are Duke Ellington's "Black Butterfly," "The Nearness of You," "You Came a Long Way from St. Louis," Fats Waller's "Jitterbug Waltz" and "You Won't Forget Me."

MY FACEBOOK POST ON WEDNESDAY AUGUST 18, 2010 on KMHD's page...



‎..."First Came A Woman" on August 6, 1930 in Chicago, IL. Benny Carter (1956), Riverside (1957-59), Max Roach, Kenny Dorham, Sonny Rollins, Wynton Kelly, Curtis Fuller, Benny Golson, Booker Little, Eric Dolphy, Coleman Hawkins. Max Roach marriage (1962-1970), Inner City (1973), Enja (1987), Verve (1990s), Hank Jones (1...992)... "When There is Love" there is emotional intensity. ..."Close Your Eyes" and celebrate this life of creativity, bravery and post bop innovation... HARD CHOICES... Saturday, 11a-1pm PST http://www.kmhd.org/ 89.1FM... Anna Marie, Gaby Lee, Gaby Woolridge... or Abbey Lincoln, August 14, 2010, jazz vocalist, songwriter and actress... "C'est Si Bon"



NPR'S A BLOG SUPREME ON ABBEY LINCOLN...

http://www.npr.org/search/index.php?aggId=104014555&aggTitle=A+Blog+Supreme&searchinput=ABBEY+LINCOLN

FRESH AIR INTERVIEW WITH ABBEY LINCOLN...



CONVERSATION THREADS...

Links on the passing of Abbey Lincoln. Thanks to Trudy Johnson-Lenz (Peter and Trudy manage Kurt's (Elling) FB page, monthly newsletter, and moderate in the KE Forum on his website.):

http://kurtelling.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=949

Specifically, I'd like to recommend:

Abbey Lincoln, Noted Jazz Singer, Dies
Unique song stylist, songwriter and actress was 80 years old
By Lee Mergner
Jazz Times
August 16, 2010
http://jazztimes.com/articles/26422-abbey-lincoln-noted-jazz-singer-dies

Abbey Lincoln: Straight Ahead
By Amiri Baraka (LeRoi Jones)
Jazz Times
January/February 2001
http://jazztimes.com/articles/20621-abbey-lincoln-straight-ahead

Short trailer (03:29) for a film about Abbey Lincoln:
Abbey Lincoln: The Music is the Magic ... a film preview
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IF_xqWACdPo&

The Music is the Magic is an ArtistShare project. The filmmaker, Carol Friedman, started making this film 19 years ago. They're hoping for a release sometime this fall.

For more about the project, see:
http://www.artistshare.com/projects/project_experience.aspx?ProjectID=251&artistID=152&salesTypeID=6

On Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/ABBEY-LINCOLN-The-Music-Is-The-Magic/112784083431

C'EST SI BON LYRICS TRANSLATION....
C'est Si Bon (English Translation) Lyrics

It's So Good,
just Wandering Around,
arm In Arm, Arm In Arm,
and Singing Songs.
it's So Good,
to Whisper Sweet Words - ,
little Nothings,
but Little Nothing That Can Be
said Again And Again.

seeing Our Love-Struck Expression
the Passers-By In The Street Envy Us.
it's So Good,
to See Shining In Her Eyes
a Marvelous Promise
that Sendsa Shivers Up And Down My Spine.

the're So Good
these Little Thrills
that Are Worth More Than A Million
it's So Very, Very Good.

it's Good - Yes, It's Good
the Passers-By In The Street -
arm In Arm, Arm In Arm -
singing Songs -
what A Marvelous Promise
uummm - It's Good.

i'm Looking For A Millionaire
with Big Cadillac Cars
mink Coats - Jewels
as Big As Your Fist - You Know?

it's Good
this Little Feeling -
perhaps Someone With A Little Yacht, No?



aahhh It's Good -
it's Good - So Good-
you Know I'm Waiting For
someone Who Can Give Me
plenty Of Loot.

tonight? - Tomorrow?- Next Week?
dosen't Matter When.
uummm - It's So Good - So Good
it Will Be Very Crazy, No?
it's Very Good!

Mel Brown, Joff Lee, Tim Gilson. Live at Saltys

Ed Bennett with Carmen McRae at Ratso's, Chicago, 1976!

Join Ed Bennett for release of his latest CD called "EN ROUTE", at Jimmy Maks, September 3.

Sonny Rollins and "Worktime"

Sonny Rollins was sometimes called "Newk", which was the nickname of Pro baseball player Don Newcombe.