Sunday Music Muse Day - Dexter Gordon Quartet, Geni Bertoncini with Mike Mainieri, Michel Moore and Corsello

This Sunday Music Muse Day finds me enjoying two solid jazz sessions. First, Dexter Gordon Quartet At the Subway Club 1973.  Dexter Gordon is well known as an "expatriate" jazz musician living and working in Europe, at a time when America offer them less opportunities to work. He's also famously known for the movie Round Midnight, for which Gordon was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor after which he returned to U.S. to much acclaim. These live recordings as marvelous example of his playing. I remember liking Round Midnight, as it reminded me of my father's experience of moving to Paris after the death of Duke Ellington, and staying until his own death there in the late 80's. The jazz life could hard, and beautiful. at the same time.

Next up, is Gene Bertoncini Reunion, with Mike Mainieri (Vibes), Michael Moore (Bass), and Joe Corsello (drums). This 2012 session is the reunion of guitarist Bertoncini player with the players he first met and played together with in the 1970's, in various combos.  They formed a strong and lasting musical bond. The strength of the bond and friendship show sin their excellent interplay.  Well worth a listen, often.

It's been a changeable couple of day, cloudy, rainy, then sunny, then overcast again.  Perfect weather to just cool out and listen to some good music.  Enjoy.

Sunady Music Muse Day (Covid Edition) John & David Sneider, Gene Bertonciini

This Sunday Music Muse Day find me fighting the ever present Covid-19 virus (first time).  It's been a week and I'm still testing positive, but I must say all things considered, I'm having a mild case, so far. More like a bad cold. Rest and hydration seems to being doing the trick. Luckily, before being forced to quarantine, I get these two jazz gems to help me get back to health.  First, John & David Sneider Sneid Remarks, a family affair from the members of one of the most talented musical families I have come across.  They are of course related to guitarist and Eastman School of Music instructor Bob Sneider, and Bob's talent son Ben Snieder, who just give his Senior recital at Eastman school.  I had the pleasure of hearing, meeting, and talking to John and David at Bobs's gigs from time to time.   Sneid Remarks is an impressive outing of this father-son trumpet duo presenting a set of all originals. I'll be spending a lot of time with this CD. David's tune, "Freedom Tunnel" is already being a favorite of mine. One last note, the cover photo and design is pure jazz classic imagery. Good job, guys. Buy this CD by all means.

Next is Gene Bertoncini Body and Soul, an excellent 5-star rated solo CD the great guitarist, with a stellar career as a leader, sideman, and educator, included teaching at the Eastman School of Music.  This 1999 recording session first of two solo recordings, the second was "Quiet Now" (2015), which I have, also.  The music is truly positive medicine for my "body and soul" right now. Well worth a listen.

Again, these are two gems, not to be missed.  Hopefully, I'll all recovered by the Christmas day.  Thanks, again, for all the well-wishes.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Gene Bertoncini, Jame Blood Ulmer, Pierre Bensusan

This Sunday Music Muse Day find us in the northeast still recovering the effect of the smokey air caused  by the massive Canadian forest fire.  The effects of climate became a reality for everyone.  With a warning to stay in doors for many, it might have been a good time to settle in with some good music. This week I offer three different players from the spectrum of guitar music. First up Gene Bertoncini Quiet Now, a solo jazz guitar CD, featuring some classic jazz tunes from great jazz composers. This is one CD I'll be revisiting often.

Next is James Blood Ulmer, Memphis Blood - the Sun Sessions. This CD really intrigued me, since I know as an avant-garde jazz guitarist whose music can be challenging to most casual listeners.  Here he's going back to his blues roots with tunes by blues masters Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, and John Lee Hooker.  If you like raw down home blues, this is worth a listen. Vernon Reed,of the black rock group Living Color, joins him on guitar, and produced the session.

My third selection is a CD by Pierre Bensusan, simply titled "2". Bensusan is French acoustic guitarist/singer, whose music I was introduced to by my Paul Kovit back in NYC in the 80s.  I even attended a Bensusan club date in NYC., with Paul.  His music is definitely on the folk side of things, but he's an excellent guitar player. His vocals are all in French, so I can't give an opinion on the lyrics.

We're hoping for a little rain to help clear the air in the region. Keep your fingers crossed and keep listen to good music.

Sunday Music Day - Clay Jenkins, Gene Bertoncini, Ike Strum, and Redman, Mehldau, McBride, Blade

This Sunday Music Muse Day finds us celebrating Easter Sunday with family on bright sunny afternoon.  It also a good time to enjoy some good tunes from two groups of musicians who it seems couldn't come up with a group name.  First up is Clay Jenkins Gene Bertoncini Ike Sturm Joy, a trumpet, guitar, bass trio. Trumpeter Clay Jenkins is a member to Trio East with drummer Rich Thompson. I've seen Trio East often, and look forward to seeing them again, soon. The wonderful session is collections of well known tunes and an original by Jenkins, and guitarist Gene Bertoncini.  Worth a listen.

My second selection is Redman Mehldau Mcbride Blade - RoundAgain, as in Joshua Redman saxophones, Brad Mehldau piano, Christen McBride bass, and and Brian Blades drums. This is killer CD that the tune Floppy Diss is getting major air play on Jazz 90.1.  Again, well worth a listen.

It is Easter Day, so I  keeping this short and sweet.  Enjoy.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Gene Bertoncini & Steve Greene, Keith Jarrett, Gary Peacock and jack DeJohnette

This Sunday Music Muse Day finds us enjoy a blank of fluffy snow and very cold morning.  Just the recipe for a these jazz choice to warm the heart.  First up is guitar duo Gene Bertoncini and Steve Green Gene with Green. This CD offers a selection of jazz standards played excellently by Bertoncini on nylon string classic guitar and Greene in steel string archtop guitar. They have a local contact as they meet at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester (Steve studied with Gene), forming a lasting friendship.  I'v had the pleasure of seeing Steve Greene play with the White Hots as will as having his Steve Greene Trio CD.  I hadn't seen Gene Bertoncini, yet, but hope he'll come the Rochester jazz festival, sometime.

To round out this quiet morning, Keith Jarrett, Gary Peacock, Jack DeJohnette, Somewhere CD.  Another fine Live set on the ECM label.  Maybe it's a sigh of mellowing out in my old age, but I'm finding myself exploring a lot more piano trio music, than I used to.  Keith's music hits the spot as long his 'nee...nee...nee" vocalizing doesn't distract from the playing (sorry Jarrett fans, that drives me nuts).

All in all, it's a nice way to spend the day.  Enjoy