Sunday Music Muse Day (2/2025) - February Jazzy Birrthday Celebrations, Bireli Lagrene

This first Sunday Music Muse Day, of the month, I'll start with my February Jazzy Birthday Celebration, honoring jazz musicians born in this month.  My first honoree is n my friend Rich Thompson.  I couldn't find how old he is, so let say 29 year old.  Enjoy.

Next up,  Bireli LaGrene Acoustic Moments.  This is a 1990 Blue Note release by ..". Lagrène (born 4 September 1966)  is a French jazz guitarist who came to prominence in the 1980s for his Django Reinhardt–influenced style. He often performs in swing, jazz fusion, and post-bop styles" - quote from Wikipedia. He played with all my favorite jazz guitarists, like John McLaughlin, Al Di Meola, and Larry Coryell. Bireli is still active today.  The echoes of Djando's legacy can still be heard as strong as ever in Berili's acoustic guitar playing.  My favorite tune on this CD is his rendition of Three View of a Secret, written Jaco Pastorius, when he performed with Weather Report. This is a great release to have.

So, I hear the groundhog saw his shadow, meaning six more weeks of winter, as if we needed anymore bad news. Try to keep your heads up, stay strong, and together we'll handle whatever lays ahead.  At least try to enjoy some good music. Peace.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Paradigm Shift, Paul Desmond with Jim Hall

This Sunday Music Muse Day find us a day before the presidential inauguration and the Martin Luther King Day observance.  The contrast between the men at the center of the events, could be more striking. My second selection will serve as the calm before the storm, but my first selection is more spirited.  As it sometimes happens, when I feature artist, one week, I just by chance find a CD related to the first.  In this case it's Paradigm Shift Street Expressionism, who's members  Mel Henderson (guitar), Gerry Youngman (organ), and Jared Schonig (drums, piano), were the personal on one of last week's selection, the Bill Tiberio Group.  Again, Paradigm Shift is a local Rochester jazz group, and I've seen them play several times in small venues.   It's always a fun and enjoyable experience.  It's a shame they don't release more CDs, but that the nature of the music business for small groups today. 

I offer my next selection as the "clam before the storm" of chaos that may follow the inauguration tomorrow.  Paul Desmond Glad to be Unhappy, here's the late legendary alto saxophonist, leading a 1963 session featuring the equally late legendary jazz guitarist Jim Hall. I knew Paul Desmond from his days in the Dave Brubeck group of "Take Five". I've come to really enjoy his post Brubeck recording. Glad to be Unhappy has to be his most mellow recording ever.  It's a totally calming experience, for all the right reasons.  I highly recommend it.

So, again, what every happens after tomorrow, let some good music help you through the days ahead. Working to together, we will survive.  Peace.