Welcome to the blog of Dennis J. Woodyard - Journeyman Artist, and Dragonfly Entertainment. Former TV animation producer/director, storyboard artist, character designer, writer, concept artist, Flip book designer, and other professional credits.
Again, I missed Sunday Music Muse Day post last week, I just got distracted with my Inktober drawings. On the plus side, I listened to these this two great straight ahead jazz CDs while I was drawing. Both share the fact I saw separate film documentaries on these jazz legends. First up is the Clifford Brown and Max Roach Quintet At Basin Street. Drummer Max Roach was a giant among giants in the jazz world. In watching the PBS American Masters show, Max Roach: The Drum Also Waltzes, I learn of the importance of his musical partnership with Clifford Brown their strong influence of their quintet on the jazz world. I was glad to find this CD soon after viewing the PBS show. It really added a deeper perspective to the enjoyment of listening to it.
My second selection is Ron Carter Stardust. This Blue Note lives up to the label's sterling reputation in jazz recording. The master jazz bassist leads a stellar group of sidemen through a very enjoyable session. The film Ron Cater: Finding the Right Notes can also be found on PBS. The film and the CD are well worth seeking out.
This Tuesday is Halloween, so let's hope for pleasant weather for all our trick or treaters, of all ages. Be safe and enjoy.
This Sunday Music Muse Day is in tribute to the great Ron Carter, the legendary premier I actually jazz bassist. It actually started with airing of the movie documentary, Ron Carter Find the Right Note, on PBS. It was a great profile of Carter careers, offering revealing insight into a truly inspiring human being and genius musician. This film is a must-see for anyone interest in music and especially jazz fans.
I was thinking while watching the film, I'd like to hear whole versions of the music featured throughout it. Bop Shop Record had a copy of the soundtrack in their new release section, which I snapped up immediately.
Just by chance, I also came upon a another golden find, Ron Carter and Jim Hall Telepathy, this is a two disc CD set of two recordings of this stellar guitar/bass duo, Live at Village West (1984) and Telephone (1986), record live at the Concord Pavillion, August 1984. These are intimate sessions, of subtle warm and interaction. They're a pleasure to the other Carter/Hall I have.
Again, I highly recommend seeing Ron Carter Finding the Right Notes film. It's very emotionally moving. Enjoy.
We had nice weather this Sunday Music Muse Day, made more enjoyable with a short to the Brighton Farmer's market to catch part of the jazz music set by friends, Bob Snieder and Mike Melito, with Jimmy Highsmith, a local saxophonist. We hadn't seen Bob and Mike in over year. Lisa and I picked some lunch from food truck to take back home. At home, I played today's selections, a sort of double play with Ron Carter in common, while I worked on my Inktober drawing for today. First up, Jim Hall and Ron Carter Duo Alone Together. This is just a classic 1973 Milesstone Records released album that should be in any jazz lover's collection. I never owned the original vinyl record, but remember taking it out of the Lincoln Center Music Library in NYC. I'm not sure I appreicated the quiet beauty of it in my mid-twenty, my Jazz Fusion period. I'm happy to enjoy it now, helped by listening to the music of Bob and Mike.
My next selction, Bill Frisell, Ron Carter, Paul Motian, is trio session from 2006. Again, there is an enjoyable mix of what I call "Jazz Americana" in Bill Frisell music, that is just a pleasure to listen to and enjoy. The playing of veterans Ron Carter on bass, and Paul Motian on drums, make this a outstanding CD.
Today's Sunday Music Muse Day offering picks up from purchases I made last week, but I wanted time to give them a good listen. First up is a group, and new CD, that is getting a lot of airplay on my local jazz station, Jazz 90.1, Snarky Puppy and Metropole Orkest - Sylva. the release is actually a CD + DVD package of a recording and filmed live performance in the Netherlands. Wikipedia states Snarky Puppy is a "fusion band" that "features a collective of nearly 40 musicians". This is a very interesting and engaging CD with music that almost defies categories, it just exists on own merit. Sometimes it sound like a soundtrack to a complex movie you haven't seen, but want to. I found I enjoyed it best by listening to the CD as one suite, and not just tracks. More enjoyable is the performance on the DVD. It was truly incredible watching interplay of this large ensemble of Snarky Puppy and Metropole Orkest. Snarky Puppy has played the Rochester International Jazz Festival recently. I remember their keyboard player, Cory Henry, dropped in the after-hours jam session. I definitely will have to catch them live the next time they're in the area.
Here's a video of one of the tracks. Youtube has the full concert.
The next selection is a nice find, Dexter Gordon - The Other Side of Round Midnight. This CD is music done for movie Round Midnight, which Dexter Gordon starred in. I haven't seen the movie since the week it open in NYC, in 1986, but I remember enjoying it, so I'll have to check it out again soon. In a lot of ways it reminds me of my father's last days in Paris. The CD is loaded with living legends of jazz, like Ron Carter, Herbie Hancock Billy Higgins, John Mclaughlin, Wayne Shorter, the late Tony Williams, and many more. This CD is a great companion the movie.
Here is the trailer for Round Midnight, (too bad it's such poor quality)
The next selection took some time getting through, with pleasure, of course. Miles Davis - Young Miles, a 4 CD set of Miles first five years of recording 1945-50. Since I picked up on Miles Davis at his Bitches Brew stage, I'm always playing catch up on the his earlier recordings. This set really help full a gap in my musical education.
My last selection is a another nod to local talent, guitarist, Bob Sneider, and Paul Hofmann, pianist, titled "Interconnection". It is a nice mix of a few standards, and originals by Bob and Paul, the center piece being Paul Hofmann's "Jazz Suite for Guitar and Piano". The interplay between these talented musicians is just wonderful. I'll be listening to this for years to come.
Here taste of the Jazz Suite.
Be sure to check these out, if you have the chance. Enjoy.
