Sunday Music Muse Day - Joe Lovano & Dave Douglas, Fred Hersch & the WDR Big Band with Vince Mendoza.

This Sunday Music Muse Day finds me stretching concepts of art and music to make a connection to one of my choices. First up, Joe Lovano & Dave Douglas, Other Worlds.  It was the comic book like art on the CD that caught my interest at once. I've heard of saxophonist Joe Lovano from his work as a co-leader and sideman on other CDs I have.  So, Other Worlds was worth a try.  Again, the art reminded me of my idol, Jack Kirby, the late legendary comic artist, and creator of so many Marvel, and DC comic characters.  Today would have be Jack Kirby's 195th birthday,  Many comic book nerd friend, and myself,  have been posting tributes to him, all day. The music is Post Bop and adventurous. Well worth a listen.  The cover art was done by Dave Chisholm, a Rochester artist, who has done several graphic novels focusing on jazz musicians.   Ads for them pop up in my Facebook feed, often. 

My next selection, Fred Hersch & the WDR Gig Band, Begin Again, arranged and conducted by Vince Mendoza, was also more a pick for the CD graphic, more than the musicians.  Although, I had seen Fred Hersch name before, I could say I remember the musical context.  Plus, I've heard of the WDR Big Band. The bigger draw for me was Vince Mendoza who I know from an ECM CD with John Abercrombie, Animato, also Mendoza has written tunes played by the Peter Erskine trio on ECM.  Mendoza wrote my favorite tunes on the Erskine CDs.  Begin Again has modern big sound, that is enjoyable, but nothing really stands out to me.  It's still worth a listen.

So, I hope today finds you in fine spirits, in these chaotic times.  Enjoy.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Vince Mendoza, Whirligig with Paul Kovit.

This Sunday Music Muse Day finds us preparing for Thanksgiving, which may prove to be more stressful and confusing in these day of rising covid-19 surge and post-election chaos. Lets use music to get us through these crazy days.  First selection is pulled from an artist featured in my November Jazz Birthday Celebration video, Vince Mendoza.  John Abercrombie Animato features Vince Mendoza as composer and on synthesizers, with Jon Christensen on Drums and percussion.  Mendoza composed six of the eights on this CD.  It's Mendoza's composing the caught my ear with tunes of his on some Peter Erskine trio sessions, especially the tune, Esperanca on the Peter Erskine As It Is CD.  The Abercrombie Animato CD is very subdued, like whispered elegance, and a floating musical mystery, perfect for a cloudy moody afternoon.

Here's version of of Esperanca played by other group, not as good as the Erskine version, but well done.

Esperança (Vince Mendoza) - Emilio Mendonça Trio

My second selection is a connected to my Paul Kovit & Audience of One video posts, which featured the solo recording of friend's playing I recorded on Sony Walkman back in the 1980's.  I shared the videos with Paul and he loved.  After years of being out of touch we caught up over  a Zoom meeting. He told of the group he was in, Whirligig. I admit England, Irish Traditional folk music is not something I'd seek out, but Paul introduced and give me better understanding of music of Richard Thompson and Fairport Convention.  He also introduced me the music French acoustic guitarist Pierre Bensusan (we attended a concert of his in NYC).  Paul sent me a CD of the group, Whirligig.  He played guitar, mandolin, vocals composed some tunes, and toured with them in the 90's.  Whirligig Spin will be a welcomed and treasured addition to my music collection. I hope I can encourage him to pick up the guitar again.

Happy Thanksgivings to all. Stay Safe, stay healthy, and wear a mask.