Sunday Music Muse Day Buddy Rich Big Band, Dizzy Gillespie Ken Burns Jazz, Jazz 90.1 Holiday Party

This week's Sunday Music Muse day finds me fighting a cold, nothing serious, just annoying. But to help relieve being dragged out by it, I have two selections I won in a raffle at the Jazz 90.1 Holiday Party, my member-supported jazz station, held for staff, volunteers and supporters.  Lisa and I are volunteers  for the "Jazz 90.1 Street Team" which mans info booths at events and concerts around town, promoting the station.  There was good company, good food and good music by Paradigm Shift, a local group.

 The first selection is The Buddy Rich Big Band Big Swing Face.  Buddy is a legendary drummer and band leader, know for having a hard swinging band, and this knocks your socks off. 

I have one other Buddy Rich CD, The Roar of '74. which my father played percussion (congas) on.  My grandfather always claimed he was friends with Buddy Rich and wanted to take me to his self-named club in NYC, back in the 70s, but the never happened.

The other is selection is Dizzy Gillespie - Ken Burns Jazz, a complication of Gillespie tunes, only three were featured in the Ken Burns Jazz box set. Dizzy is of course a legendary jazz innovator credited with creating Bebop. 

My "Three degree of Separation" moment with him is he sent my grandmother word of my father's illness, which led to me visiting Sam in Paris before he died.  I've never got to met Dizzy, but he's always had my thanks.

Now back to fighting my cold with dayquil, nightquil, and jazz. Stay healthy.

Belated Sunday Music Muse Day - Paradigm Shift, Vijay Iyer Trio, and Brad Mehldau Trio

Due to the Memorial Day weekend, I'm a day off on my Sunday Music Muse Day post. This time up, three new purchases from my local music shop Hi-Fi Lounge, two of which have local connection. First, there is Paradigm Shirt - Shifting Times CD. They're a local organ trio I've heard on Jazz 90.1 radio, and I've seen their concerts listed in the local papers, but I hadn't had a chance to hear them live. I'll be sure to correct that.

Second, is the Vijay Iyer Trio - Break Stuff. Iyer hail from Freeport, NY, which is near Rochester, and he is one of the hottest young pianist performing today. I like this CD more than the last one of brought of his. This one is more accessible to me.

 Finally, there is the Brad Mehldau Trio - Anything Goes CD. This set showcases covers of various well known tunes in a very different renditions.

 Considering myself a guitar-centric music lover, I try to step outside that comfort zone with these piano and organ based groups. They're worth checking out. Enjoy