Sunday Music Muse Day - Steve Brown / Guillermo Bazzola, John Stein

The Sunday Music Muse Day marks the opening weekend of the Rochester International Jazz Festival. I'm looking forward to catching some of the performances.  In the meantime, here's two guitar offerings to act as a warm up.  First, John Stein Lifeline, a compilation of 20 + years of Stein's recordings. After buying my first John Stein CD back in 2019 , I wrote, "quick online search reveals he is a "Internationally renowned jazz guitarist... born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri USA ...His talent for and love of music ultimately earned him a faculty position at Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he is a Professor in the Harmony Department.  John Stein is an experienced teacher, clinician, recording artist, and author. John has performed as a leader or a sideman with some of the world’s finest jazz acts, and his compositions and performances cover the spectrum of jazz styles."  He has 14 releases to his credit, still I've never come across him before. " Well, counting this 2 disc set I have sixof his CDs , and will continue to seek out more. His being a jazz guitar instructior and performer reminds me of my friend Bob Sneider, will be was busy this performing the RIJF, in several venue., including MC at the after hours jam seesion. Check the festival schedule to seek him out. Maybe someday, there's be a John Stein-Bob Sneider festival gig.

My second selection is semi-shot in the dark.  Steve Brown / Guillermo Bazzola - Jazz Guitar Duo, Una Penquena Alegria. Although, I do have another CD by Guillermo Bazzola I bought without hearing of him before. I sampled a cut at the Bop Shop Record store and thought was worth a try.  I did enjoy it, so this was also worth a chance.  Steve Brown was also another guitarist I wasn't familiar with, but this duo recording makes me want to hear more of his music.

Again, if you have a chance, go out and support our local jazz by attending a couple of the many performances of the RIJF.  There are always plenty of free events on Gibb Street, renames "Jazz Street", and at Parcel 5, across the Sibley Building on Main St.  See you there.