Sunday Music Muse Day - Ryo Kawasaki RIP, Lee Konitz - RIP

Sadly, this Sunday Music Muse Day find us remember two musicians who passed away in the past week. First up, I was very sad to hear about the passing Ryo Kawasaki ,jazz fusion guitarist. He was a great guitar player, and guitar synthesizer  pioneer.   I got to see him perform live several times in NYC in the 70s and 80s with his Ryo Kawasaki and the Golden Dragon group. The performances include elements of modern dance and giant puppetry,  Ryo lived and worked in NYC, so  I even ran into him playing video games in a arcade off Time Square.  I've been spending  today just playing his albums and CDs.  I'm trying to remember how I first got introduced to Ryo's music. I'm thinking it was article in the Village Voice, or Guitar Player magazine, or I picked up the 'Juice' album just for the cover art and his playing guitar synthesizer on it.  RIP Ryo, and condolences to his family and friends. 

These four albums featured Ryo's guitar synthesizer playing. Here's a link to to a fuller description of his gear,  it's really impressive. http://www.ryokawasaki.com/gs/

 The Gil Evans project was originally planned as collaboration with Jimi Hendrix.  But never realized because of Hendrix untimely death.  Gil Evan completed the project as a tribute to Hendrix with Ryo on guitar.

 Also, this week marked the passing of jazz saxophonist, Lee Konitz.  I had featured him in post about a year ago.  Again, my condolences to his family, friends , and fans.

As we note the passing of these musicians, we continue to honor their lives and memory being joying and appreciating what they share with us.  Enjoy.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Miles Davis Birth of the Cool , Medeski Martin and Wood - Last Chance to Dance Trance (perhaps)

This week's Sunday Music Muse Day post is short but sweet.   I dropped by the Hi-Fi Lounge, my local CD/record shop, and picked up these two CDs.  Miles Davis - Birth of the Cool.  Birth of the Cool really fills a major hole in my Miles Davis collection.  By all accounts this is another seminal Miles' grouping of musicians, like Gerry Mulligan, Lee Konitz, Max Roach, Kai Kinding and other, that went on to lead their own groups and define the West Coast Cool Jazz scene. I'm glad I found it.

 The other pick was the Medeski Martin and Wood - Last Chance to Dance Trance (perhaps) -Best of (1991-1996)  I must confess I have several CDs of these guys and I can't decide if I really like them on a consistent level.  That, said I still keep picking up their CD's, so there must be something their music that get my attention.  Enjoy