Sunday Music Muse Day (A day Late) Bill Frisell, Gerry Gibbs

Here's my Sunday Music Muse Day post, a day late. First up, Bill Frisell: Orchestras.  This is the latest release by one of my favorite guitarist.  I think of his music as  Neo-Amerciana, It always reminds me of a blend of jazz, folk, and American composer Aaron Copland.  This is a recording Frisell's trio with Thomas Morgan on bass, and Rudy Royston on drum performing with two full orchestras, the Brussels Philharmonic and the Umbria Jazz orchestra, orchestrated and arranged by Michael Gibbs. I'm really enjoying hearing old Frisell favorites of mine arranged for orchestra. It would be cool if the Bill Frisell came to Rochester and performed this with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra.  One can dream.

My second choice is Gerry Gibbs Thrasher Dream Trio with leader Gibbs on drums, and legends Kenny Barron on piano, and Ron Carter on drums.  It doesn't get better than this for power trio. This is actually the fifth release of Gerry Gibbs I have. I like his eclectic choice of material.  Besides sessions like this he does concept projects,  like his "Gerry Gibbs & Thrasher People -Weather or Not", an interpretation of Weather Report music, with Alex Collins on piano, and Hans Glawisching on bass.  Any Gerry Gibbs Dream Trio is well worth picking up. (I couldn't figure out if Gerry Gibbs was related to Michael Gibbs, the arranger on the Bill Frisell CD)

So, that's it for my day late post. Be sure to find some good music to enjoy, whatever your taste.  Peace.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Gerry Gibbs, Snarky Puppy.

This Sunday Music Muse Day find our area experiencing varying weather from quick moving thunderstorms under severe storm warning to period period bright sunshines.  I'll be enjoying these CDs during it all.  First up is Gerry Gibbs Thrasher Dream Trio We're Back.  It's a concept album of Jazz Interpretations of his favorite R&B tunes from the 60's and 70's, including several by Steve Wonder, and Earth, Wind, and Fire.  I can't say I'm totally into this but it's an enjoyable casual listen.  It may lean too far toward smooth jazz for my taste.

Next is Snarky Puppy Immigrance, a solid outing from this musicians collective the blurs the boundaries of jazz and Alternative Rock.  There are always some interesting musical ideas in their music.  Worth checking out.

Rain or shine, listening to good music is the way to go.  Enjoy.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Joey Alexander, Gerald Wilson, Gerry Gibbs Thrasher Dream Trio

This week's Sunday Music Muse day selections are the result of attending the Jazz90.1 annual Evening of Wine, Jazz & Art, at the Artisan Works. an art gallery here in Rochester, NY.  My wife and entered a silent auction for station tote bag filled with CDs.  The name of the CDs weren't listed listed at the time of the bidding, so you had to trust in the good taste Jazz90.1 planner.  I'm happy to say we weren't disappointed.  I'll feature three of the CD this CDs this week and the remaining next week.

First up is Joey Alexander My Favorite Things, the 11 year old overnight sensation's first CD.  All the incredible praise and reviews calling this child prodigy a genius, is well deserve.  Within the first 2 minutes of hearing him play, your jaw will drop at realization the such mature, confident playing is coming from one so young.  Just amazing.

Next is Gerald Wilson Orchestra Detroit, a tribute to has home town, by the late bandleader who died in 2015 at the age of 96.  In September 2009, Wilson conducted his eight-movement suite "Detroit", commissioned by the Detroit Jazz Festival to mark its 30th anniversary.  This is swinging big band and wonderful tribute to Wilson long and storied career.

Finally, there is Gerry Gibbs Thrasher Dream Trio is the drummer/leader's third going with this trio.  Quoting Dan Bilawsky from all about jazz,  "the focus toward pop-ish material from the '50s and '60s—the work of Bacharach, Henry Mancini, Michel Legrand, and others of that ilk—and put an audience in front of the band, recording live at Systems Two Recording Studio. Guests are part of the package again—now it's trumpeter Roy Hargrove and vocalist Cassandra Wilson, each appearing on a few tracks—and they help to add another wrinkle or two to the project without drawing focus away from the trio."  It's interesting that it's a live session where given just lead sheets. and no pre-concert rehearsal time. Talk about pressure, but the end results sounds great.

That's it for this week.  Enjoy.