tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37421498.comments2023-06-17T09:54:13.134-04:00Jazz ChroniclesJames Halehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18337378839588913083noreply@blogger.comBlogger280125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37421498.post-55830294400748101552014-12-16T15:53:36.885-05:002014-12-16T15:53:36.885-05:00Nice article, just wondering if you have read Raf...Nice article, just wondering if you have read Rafi Zabors The Bear Comes Home ,although it is (I think haha) fiction it magically captures the spirit of Jazz ....CraigCraignoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37421498.post-86530317363855527852014-12-10T13:21:39.122-05:002014-12-10T13:21:39.122-05:00Wonderful to read this "origin" entry fo...Wonderful to read this "origin" entry for its defining of the critic's quest: to appreciate, delineate and share. Thank you. <br />Greg Mastershttp://www.cronybooks.net/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37421498.post-10162493374795357082013-10-29T09:27:09.006-04:002013-10-29T09:27:09.006-04:00And if all I have are the memories of those "...And if all I have are the memories of those "hits", the songs that moved me as a teenager, then that's enough. But for me, it's not just that someone who wrote cool songs that I loved as a 15-year old has died. It's that he was an artist who expanded my ideas of what is normal, allowed, OK. "Transformer", all on its own, does that. It says, "See these outsiders? Well they're not much different than you."<br /><br />I thank Lou Reed for creating an important part of the soundtrack of my youth. I admire him for continuing to explore and innovate musically.<br /><br />Thanks James.WHY "THE REST IS SILENCE"?https://www.blogger.com/profile/09305412002602584045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37421498.post-38585614870513425522013-10-21T17:14:59.734-04:002013-10-21T17:14:59.734-04:00I always admired his drumming, so propulsive and c...I always admired his drumming, so propulsive and complex yet never cluttered. But, more I was passionate about his composition – a bridge between rock and "jazz" sensibilities, melodies and vamps that rode on top of his rhythmic cadences with so much sense, delight and purpose.Greg Mastersnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37421498.post-63037928789491046362013-08-15T08:37:57.629-04:002013-08-15T08:37:57.629-04:00This is fantastic!This is fantastic!Tobyhttp://bestrecumbentexercisebikes.us/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37421498.post-38651835896560339442013-07-15T18:49:22.764-04:002013-07-15T18:49:22.764-04:00I was at that show in Ottawa in '75. A classic...I was at that show in Ottawa in '75. A classic.snowcaphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15601034003371818029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37421498.post-86670963345955278862013-06-26T01:18:00.151-04:002013-06-26T01:18:00.151-04:00Hey James,
Thanks for the nice review. Glad we w...Hey James,<br /><br />Thanks for the nice review. Glad we were able to dispel the Toronto "myth". I was never aware of it, probably because I've lived here for 30+years. It most certainly is a myth.<br /><br />Thanks again for your support.<br /><br />Mikemikemurleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11713793598639545453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37421498.post-73165232032600243012013-06-02T12:46:27.352-04:002013-06-02T12:46:27.352-04:00Craig: That was my path of CT discovery as well.Craig: That was my path of CT discovery as well.James Halehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18337378839588913083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37421498.post-35872795635750065922013-06-01T02:23:40.379-04:002013-06-01T02:23:40.379-04:00I've come to Cecil Taylor from the backwards d...I've come to Cecil Taylor from the backwards direction -- that is, starting with his wide-open stuff and only now discovering his earlier albums. <br /><br />I've gone and listened through Looking Ahead now for the first time, and it's fun to hear Taylor's clusters adhering to a swing (albeit a loosely defined one - I like Dennis Charles' touch on "Of What.") Great post, thanks.CraigMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02680084698442809204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37421498.post-58628521917383481402013-01-14T11:09:17.268-05:002013-01-14T11:09:17.268-05:00What a wonderful tribute. Jacques was a special ma...What a wonderful tribute. Jacques was a special man and a wonderful friend. We will all miss him. Rest in peace Jacques, you deserve it. Rob Cross, Ottawa, CanadaAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14599570135290136149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37421498.post-40171027791841821772013-01-11T08:07:02.545-05:002013-01-11T08:07:02.545-05:00Lovely James, you have captured something of his p...Lovely James, you have captured something of his positive presence and joyful spirit.<br /><br />His contribution to both the local and national jazz scenes cannot be overestimated.Robert Fontainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37421498.post-58786060136450213092013-01-03T19:27:51.416-05:002013-01-03T19:27:51.416-05:00great top 10 list, i'm definitely going to be ...great top 10 list, i'm definitely going to be picking up a few recommendations from thissir jorgehttp://sirjorge.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37421498.post-37376142603458534082012-12-06T13:26:40.294-05:002012-12-06T13:26:40.294-05:00This line's given me a smile today:
"[My...This line's given me a smile today:<br /><br />"[My Dad] said that Muddy Waters sounded like he had a headache, and was giving him one, too.'<br /><br />Fabulous.<br /><br />- GrantGrant Fleminghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17063618151468105846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37421498.post-12433843983875811022012-12-06T13:18:34.061-05:002012-12-06T13:18:34.061-05:00A lovely story beautifully told, James.
- GrantA lovely story beautifully told, James.<br /><br />- GrantGrant Fleminghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17063618151468105846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37421498.post-90170982294166416082012-12-05T20:35:26.589-05:002012-12-05T20:35:26.589-05:00Beautiful story! So great when the older masters d...Beautiful story! So great when the older masters don't compromise. They were great, and they still are...<br />Play that piana, Dave!<br /><br />Pat Beaudry<br />OttawaPathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10625642866574277851noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37421498.post-82536119664653241542012-12-05T20:15:50.609-05:002012-12-05T20:15:50.609-05:00Great memories!Great memories!Trevor Colehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13066231025933155874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37421498.post-36690320935143557532012-12-03T03:11:13.013-05:002012-12-03T03:11:13.013-05:00This blog is very nice and informative for student...This blog is very nice and informative for student who wants to read online. And want <a href="http://www.homework-assistance.com" rel="nofollow"> Homework Assistance Service</a>. And keep continue to sharing this helpful information with us.assignments webhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17610185021950231732noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37421498.post-89335434735723643102012-11-06T12:48:02.407-05:002012-11-06T12:48:02.407-05:00Great story! This article is full of inspiration a...Great story! This article is full of inspiration and the seemingly natural wisdom that those of older generations provide. Condolensces to your family. Thanks for sharing!<br /><br />MatthewMatthew A. Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09514648015253411455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37421498.post-33385348050622272492012-11-06T10:13:52.178-05:002012-11-06T10:13:52.178-05:00Hi James ---
I agree wholeheartedly with the sent...Hi James ---<br /><br />I agree wholeheartedly with the sentiment of this post. The Ottawa arts scene is going through some big changes right now. <br /><br />I would like to comment, however, on your point about Elmdale House keeping prices low to build their audience. Their beer was $8 a pint, for audience and performers alike.<br /><br />While I don't think that's the only reason that they're shutting down, I'll confess that paying a $5-$10 cover and paying $8 beer adds up fast for me. <br /><br />Thoughts?<br /><br />Craig Pedersenshhhhhhh.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10529683830103155873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37421498.post-32440791336478256212012-08-03T05:54:06.679-04:002012-08-03T05:54:06.679-04:00Motian played an important role in freeing jazz dr...Motian played an important role in freeing jazz drummers from strict time-keeping duties .. He was expert in his field, <a href="http://www.sagapomahal.com" rel="nofollow"><b>inspirational music</b></a>jamesmitgeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00119533461691903070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37421498.post-40897697668496437322012-07-12T10:33:52.734-04:002012-07-12T10:33:52.734-04:00Am in Ireland at the moment, but so saddened to he...Am in Ireland at the moment, but so saddened to hear about this closure. Dave Liebman's shows in the last couple years, along with Marc Copland, have been some of the best jazz this city has seen outside the OIJF. Returning home, 7/24, to a city without Paradiso, will be one of very mixed feelings. Thanks, Alex, for some great music and your tremendous support of international, national and local jazz...<br /><br />Best!<br />JohnJohn Kelmanhttp://www.allaboutjazz.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37421498.post-27979341193486014952012-07-08T11:34:19.549-04:002012-07-08T11:34:19.549-04:00I hear you, John, and believe me the point you mak...I hear you, John, and believe me the point you make is true throughout the industry. I make basically the same amount writing about the music as I did in 1978, when I started out, even though my overall income, derived from other types of writing, has increase about tenfold.<br /><br />For the record, the example of headliner fees multiplying comes from this article I wrote for the CBC Music website: http://music.cbc.ca/#/genres/Jazz/blogs/2012/2/Jazz-festivals-rising-costs-spark-program-changes<br /><br />The example cited to me by Catherine O'Grady, executive director of the Ottawa jazz fest, was for a bebop era musician who remains a poll topper today.James Halehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18337378839588913083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37421498.post-7600005324852637872012-07-07T15:16:07.616-04:002012-07-07T15:16:07.616-04:00For one thing, artists' fees (at least at the ...<i>For one thing, artists' fees (at least at the top end, i.e., those who can potentially fill Confederation Park) have increased by several hundred percent.</i><br /><br />my take is that this dates from the fusion era, when jazz artists found that they could demand and get fees commensurate with the rock guys, and the Wynton era, when fees in the same ballpark as classical concert recitalists became the norm among jazz 'stars.'<br /><br />lest your readers be misled though, it should be said that I and most other midlevel schlubs have certaintly <i> not</i> increased our fees, we're still making the same scale-or-close-to-it bread we always did. In fact it has become pretty much impossible to "tour" without some kind of subsidy, either canada Council (up there) or some local granting body, such as the Deep South Institute for the Humanities, who graciously underwrote travel expenses the last time I brought my New Orleans band to canada in 2008.<br /><br />Even these bright spots are fading though, as government funding at all levels shrinks, and "pay" in many clubs devolves to essentially indoor busking. New Orleans, supposedly a "music town," if full of gigs like this, generally some combination of the tip jar combined with a 'wage" that often amounts to 10 or 15 dollars an hour. seriously. Is it any wonder then that many musicians look to the road and festival gigs to top up the kitty in-season. And now even this is disappearing.<br /><br />Basically, people in general just don't want to pay for music anymore. I have no solution to this, only the sense that things can't continue this way.John Dohenyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13904152411585477081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37421498.post-18863097420459994342012-07-07T10:39:29.074-04:002012-07-07T10:39:29.074-04:00Ideally, a music festival should reflect the perso...Ideally, a music festival should reflect the personality of its artistic director (or team, if that's the approach chosen). While his vision was somewhat more limited than mine was when I was involved in booking the Ottawa Jazz Festival, Jacques Emond established a strong personality with festival-goers, and I can't count the number of times people told me they trusted him to book acts they needed to hear. Compliments don't come any bigger than that. I hold out big things for Petr Cancura, Jacques' successor.James Halehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18337378839588913083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37421498.post-32031132138079424492012-07-06T22:06:20.499-04:002012-07-06T22:06:20.499-04:00Aha! Sorry to bogart the thread, but you've de...Aha! Sorry to bogart the thread, but you've definitely hit on something about the usefulness of labels, James. Really, they are only good for marketing, in the best sense of the word, in that people are looking for something that sounds somewhat like this other thing they heard, only different. Now, we can all sneer at record store bins and their overly-generalised labels, but we need SOME way to compare.<br /><br />May I suggest something along the lines of what Amazon does? They track when other customers have bought the same thing you did, and show you what ELSE they bought. This is kind of a Darwinian method of choosing what else to listen to, and it really works well! <br /><br />Hmm, except for when I was helping out my son's elementary school production of "You're A Good Man Charlie Brown", bought the cast album on Amazon, and now am getting bombarded by suggestions for children's books, albums, and toys, even though my son has graduated high school now.<br /><br />Anyway, that's where a well-programmed concert series can really shine. Grouping similar kinds of bands together, year after year, can really build audience loyalty. James, I don't have to tell YOU this, but maybe somebody could slip a word in with the Montreal festival...Christopher Smithnoreply@blogger.com