Sunday Music Muse Day - Booby Hutcherson, Jaco Pastorius

This sunny Sunday Music Muse Day find me highlighting two CDs I picked on our short trip to Saratoga Springs, NY and a little R&R, this past week..  First up is Bobby Hutcherson Un Poco Loco, was recording originally released in 1980 on the Columbia label, but no exact recording dated is listed. It has leader Hutcherson on vibes & marimba, leading a quintet, each playing electric and acoustic instruments, with John Abercrombie on guitars, George Cables on pianos, Chuck Domanico on basses, and Peter Erskine drums, and percussion.  This inclusion of Abercrombie and Erskine made picking this up a no-brainer. The late guitarist, Abercrombie, remains one of my favorite musicians.  Erskine also ranks hight as a favorite from his work with Weather Report and post-WR trio work as a leader. I like the sound of the vibes and marimba, so this is enjoyable session, with Jack DeJohnette's "Silver Hollow" being a standout tune.

Next up is Jaco Pastorius Ultimate. There isn't much I can add that hasn't been said about the late Jaco Pastorius since his playing defined the jazz-fusion bass playing with his bands as a leader, his playing with Weather Report and work as a side man with artists like Joni Mitchell.  The music speaks for itself. This CD is a nice overview of his work. I intentionally grouped these CDs together because Peter Erskine played with Jaco in Weather Report.

So, looks like spring has finally arrived, so enjoy.  Peace.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Herb Ellis, Gene Bertoncini.

This Sunday Music Muse day features two stellar veteran masters of the jazz guitar. First, Herb Ellis An Evening with Herb Ellis.  This is a live recording from 1995 quartet performance, that sound as fresh, laid back as you can imagine.

Next up, is Gene Bertoncini Acoustic Romance.  This is mellow trio set with Gene, on guitar, Akira Tana on drums and Rufus Reid on bass. This might just the thing for a quiet escape from the chaos of current events.  I must admit, I'm rather embarrassed, I've discovered Gene Bertoncini playing since 2020, a little after I moved to Rochester, after picking up a CD he did with guitarist Steve Green, who I'd seen playing with the White Hots at a Jazz90.1 event.  Since then, I've picked up any Bertoncini CD I've come across, five so far, and counting.

So, in closing, be kind to yourself, find the time and space to be at peace with music to help lead the way.  Take care.

Sunday Music Muse Day. - Steve Lacy with Sam Woodyard, Lorraine Feather

This Sunday Music Muse Day, finds me relating a wonderful personal story of music collecting. A new release by the late, great Ella Fitzgerald was coming out this week.  It is a live recording date in my father, Sam Woodyard, and other Ellington sidemen accompanying her on Los Angeles date (more details later, when I receive the CD).  In any case, I went to Bop Shop Record store to purchase a copy.  Owner, Tom Cohn, didn't have it, yet, so I order three copies.  One for myself, and two to donate to Jazz90.1, my local listener supported jazz station.  (I also volunteer with them.)  Jazz90.1 is having their spring fund drive. They can offer the two copies to sweeten their gift package of a new supporter.   My slight disappointment in Ella CD not being there, ended with an unexpected find.  My first selection, Steve Lacy The Door. This is a recording I've heard of, and wanted for a long time. It has the last session my father played on, four months before he died.  Sam played on the last cut of the CD, "Virgin Jungle", a Duke Ellington tune, Sam probably played with the band.  The cut is unique in that there are two drummers and two saxophonists on it.  The added bonus is Sam's pictured with Steve Lacy on the back cover.

My next selection is Lorraine Feather The Green World.  I was introduced to Lorraine by Derrick Lucas, program director at the Jazz90.1 radio station at a CD release event at the Before Your Quiet Eyes Book store in Rochester, host owner Ken Kelbaugh. Sorry to say I missed most of Lorraine's talk, due to attending the protest yesterday.  Lorraine is the daughter of the famous jazz writer Leonard Feather, giving her a connection to Duke Ellington, socially.   But, I did purchase a sighed copy of her latest CD, although her music is totally new to me. My understanding is she's primarily known as a singer and songwriter.  Her promo flyer says: "Feather has been compared to Tom Waits,  Kurt Weill, Jon Hendricks, and Laurie Anderson". After several listenings, I can relate to the comparisons, especially Laurie Anderson.  I'd add she also reminds me of singer/pianist Patrica Barber. The Green World is deep, and dense music experience, worth diving into.

So, that's this week's Sunday Music Muse Day, on a weekend that might be a turning point in our country's political history. Stay safe, and stand tall. Peace.