Sunday Music Muse Day - Bill Frisell, Gilad Heselman, CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival

Since I saw Bill Frisell Trio at CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival, last night, it's a not brainer that I pulled out several Bill Frisell CDs to enjoy to today.  With Bill was Tony Scherr (bass) & Kenny Wollesen (drums).

I'll feature one, Good Day Happy man, because it has a favorite tune of the wife, Lisa, 'Poem for Eva'. I introduced Bill Frisell's music to my mother-in-law, during a visit last year.  She like it so much I gave her a copy for a Christmas present. Frisell's really can be enjoy by any generation.

The young guitarist Gilad Hekselman was playing at the jazz festival, also, but he was scheduled the exact time and day as Bill Frisell.  So, Bill had to be my first choice. Lisa and I, thought that if Frisell sold out we could to see Gilad Hekselman instead.  We actually considered going to the second Hekselman show, but two $30 a ticket shows in one night wasn't in out entertainment budget. So, I had to console myself with listening a a current release of his, Ask for Chaos.  Hopefully, he return to the Jazz festival sometime.

Lisa and I will be back at the festival next weekend as volunteers for the Jazz 90.1 radio booth,  on Gibb Street. Saturday 7 - 9pm.  If you come down, drop by and say hello.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Gary Burton, Egberto Gismonti

This Sunday Music Muse Day find us celebrating Father's Day.  I had the well wishes of my wife and sons to warm my heart on this rather cool, overcast day.  I played these ECM selection to brighten the mood.  Gary Burton The New Quartet  is CD reissue of classic from the 1973. Somehow, I missed it the first time around.  This features guitarist Michael (Mick) Goodrick, follows in a spot held by Larry Coryell, and Pat Metheny in earlier Burton groups. This is great addition to my music collection.  This is one of the recent bunch of ECM reissue releases of their catalog. My only complaint is there are no liner notes to give more context to the music.

Next is Egberto Gismonti Selected Recordings, a 2004 release of various tunes from Gismonti many ECM albums.  I really enjoy Gismonti's music as it introduced me to another side of Brazilian beyond Bossa Nova, the more rural folk music of Bahia.   I can't call this a "best of " since a lot of my favorite tunes aren't included.  But, it is still a good collection and worth having.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Father's Day.  Enjoy.

Sunday Robot - B3Bop - Intruder

This is video from a series of Robot Sunday sketches. Robot Sunday is informal drawing prompt channel I do with to artists. Last fall I design a little robot and started using it in my Robot Sunday drawings. I named it "B3Bop" (Bebop, like the jazz style) and progressed to doing mini-storyline over several sketch. So i thought to turn this latest series into a video.

Here's the last page (this week sketch)

I may go back and do the other sketches.

For now, enjoy.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Steve Khan, John Scofield

On this bright and sunny, near perfect summer day, after a productive morning of attending to the lawn, cleaning the car, and weekly grocery shopping, I'm enjoying the sounds of long time favorite guitarists.  First up, Steve Khan The Green Field, a 2006 release that was his first solo release in ten year, although he was busy with other projects as a sideman.  One reviewer described it as "latin tinted progressive jazz" (Greg Prato of Allmusic). I would agree, but found it not as focus as his earlier solo sessions.  One minor disappointment is the lack of Folon cover art.  Still, it was great to find this CD.

 Here are some of his earlier covers. This would be excellent set to pick up.

My second treat of the day is John Scofleld A Moments Peace.  A nice laid back collection of tunes played with Scofield unmistakable guitar tone.  He's one of a handful of guitarists you can recognize with just a hearing a few notes. I've been a fan since the '70s and this outing welcomed addition to my collection.

It been pleasant day with pleasant music.  I can't ask for more.  Enjoy.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Andy Summers, Grant Green

Today Sunday Music Muse Day finds me diving into a backlog of new purchases.  First up is Andy Summers Green Chimneys, The Music of Thelonious Monk, and as the title states it a collection of all Thelonious Monk tunes.  This is an early companion to another DC "Peggy's Blue Skylight" that was all Charlie Mingus tunes he released two years later..  In the Liner notes Summers relates how, as a teenager, he saw Thelonious Monk perform in England and how it have a massive impact on him.  Although best known as a member and guitarist for the Police, with Sting and drummer, Steward Copeland, Summers deep jazz root shows in his solo work after the Police.

My second selection is Grant Green Grantstand on the classic Blue Note label.  This 1961 session is tasty sample of soul-jazz groove of the era with fun, straight-ahead playing.

My post is short and sweet this week, but music leaves a lasting impress. Enjoy.

"Everything old is new again." - Gretsch Corvette and the Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute

Here's a case of 'everything old is new again'.  Gibson has released a new series of guitars, the 2019 Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute $999, that looks actually like my Gretsch Corvette made in 1961, which was a Gretsch knock off of the original Les Paul Junior. The Gretsch Corvette was my first guitar that I bought from a guy in 1974 for $60 with with an amp. I badly added a tele pickup to mine back in the 70's (I think the 60's telecaster pickup is worth more than my guitar, at this point). I lost the original pick guard and wooden bridge to age, and just had those replaced and repaired at Berunzio guitar shop last year or so. I still haven't progress above rank hobbyist in my playing but it's nice having my first guitar around.

 There are many of reviews on youtube.  Check them out.