Quote of the Day:
Listen or thy tongue will
keep thee deaf.
~Indian Proverb
Current Local Weather:
Freeeeeezing Cold Sunny Days
with Relaxation Showers and No
Deadline to Speak Of
Currently on my iPod:
Keep it Loose, Keep it Tight
Amos Lee
(Jeremy Facknitz)
Listen or thy tongue will
keep thee deaf.
~Indian Proverb
Current Local Weather:
Freeeeeezing Cold Sunny Days
with Relaxation Showers and No
Deadline to Speak Of
Currently on my iPod:
Keep it Loose, Keep it Tight
Amos Lee
(Jeremy Facknitz)Dear friends and family and my family of friends,
Yes, it's the end of the year. Thank goodness. It's been a hell of a life-changing, mood altering season of growing and learning and living to the fullest I can possibly live. I wish you were here. Right here. Next to me. The couch is now sinking in from where I have sat too many nights, at this time of the night, writing my thoughts, both good and bad, down for all to read either now or much, much (posthumously) later. Details on where to find my diary to come in a blog later. MUCH later.
Yet the one thing good about closing out a year this great is the recap of it. This is an act that nourishes my already healthy ego and also helps me keep things in perspective. Any time I get impatient with my own progress or with a goal that seems all too distant, I can go back and read the recapping of a year that passed by at break-neck speed and changed my life. But the recap of this year will happen during my new years blog. This blog...which isn't too late or early enough is a recap of all the great music that's been put out this year. Many of these artists are strangers to the mainstream for now. MANY MANY of them have busted their wallets and their ass to promote themselves and have succeeded in small ways.
As usual, I want to help out. Help them in anyway I can. I believe that music is the best gift you can give anyone. Whether it be escorting a friend to a phenomenal performance or just gifting a few iTunes to a friend who is in need of a boost, a lift of the mood and funk they're in at that moment. Music stays with us wherever and whenever we need it. Think back to some of your fondest memories growing up...I remember Culture Club tunes and Aha's "Take On Me" playing in the distant background. I remember where I was the first time I heard Maria Schnieder's music. That moment changed my life. Music is by far, one of the most potent and powerful aphrodisiacs and mood destabalizers/stabalizers ever created by humans. Hell, even the birds know the power of a great tune! It can land them a mate and or ward off an enemy.
So, this Christmas or even in the next year and coming years, take this into account. Make it your resolution, if you're the type to make such claims, to ignore the Top 40 list and go with the indie folks, the jazz underground, the singer/songwriters who write more poetry than most poets I know and those that are probably eating Ramen Noodles right now instead of steak just to make it between gigs.
Here's a LONG list (My 50 picks) of folks to start with. Some of these folks I know personally. Some of them I have listened to their stories over and over in an attempt to get it down on paper. Some I have never ever met and maybe never will, but I feel I know them very well through their words and lovely melodies. Either way, ALL of these folks are worth getting to know and supporting. Show some love... got it? Now, without further ado, here's the list:
**each artist and name of the album is also a link...please buy the music from the artist on their site. This ensures that the artist receives all the proceeds from the sale. **
Yours in Music, Mischeif and Mayhem,
Cicily
OH. And need I even say it? HAVE YOU BOUGHT YOUR COPY of the New Face of Jazz? No? Shame...shame...Reserve it soon before they're all gone.
And if you're interested in reading the Author's Note and an excerpt from the beautiful Vocalist/Bassist, Esperanza Spalding, Go Here: www.newfaceofjazz.com
Yes, it's the end of the year. Thank goodness. It's been a hell of a life-changing, mood altering season of growing and learning and living to the fullest I can possibly live. I wish you were here. Right here. Next to me. The couch is now sinking in from where I have sat too many nights, at this time of the night, writing my thoughts, both good and bad, down for all to read either now or much, much (posthumously) later. Details on where to find my diary to come in a blog later. MUCH later.
Yet the one thing good about closing out a year this great is the recap of it. This is an act that nourishes my already healthy ego and also helps me keep things in perspective. Any time I get impatient with my own progress or with a goal that seems all too distant, I can go back and read the recapping of a year that passed by at break-neck speed and changed my life. But the recap of this year will happen during my new years blog. This blog...which isn't too late or early enough is a recap of all the great music that's been put out this year. Many of these artists are strangers to the mainstream for now. MANY MANY of them have busted their wallets and their ass to promote themselves and have succeeded in small ways.
As usual, I want to help out. Help them in anyway I can. I believe that music is the best gift you can give anyone. Whether it be escorting a friend to a phenomenal performance or just gifting a few iTunes to a friend who is in need of a boost, a lift of the mood and funk they're in at that moment. Music stays with us wherever and whenever we need it. Think back to some of your fondest memories growing up...I remember Culture Club tunes and Aha's "Take On Me" playing in the distant background. I remember where I was the first time I heard Maria Schnieder's music. That moment changed my life. Music is by far, one of the most potent and powerful aphrodisiacs and mood destabalizers/stabalizers ever created by humans. Hell, even the birds know the power of a great tune! It can land them a mate and or ward off an enemy.
So, this Christmas or even in the next year and coming years, take this into account. Make it your resolution, if you're the type to make such claims, to ignore the Top 40 list and go with the indie folks, the jazz underground, the singer/songwriters who write more poetry than most poets I know and those that are probably eating Ramen Noodles right now instead of steak just to make it between gigs.
Here's a LONG list (My 50 picks) of folks to start with. Some of these folks I know personally. Some of them I have listened to their stories over and over in an attempt to get it down on paper. Some I have never ever met and maybe never will, but I feel I know them very well through their words and lovely melodies. Either way, ALL of these folks are worth getting to know and supporting. Show some love... got it? Now, without further ado, here's the list:
**each artist and name of the album is also a link...please buy the music from the artist on their site. This ensures that the artist receives all the proceeds from the sale. **
- Singer/Songwriter: Jeremy Facknitz, Music from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
- Jazz Drummer/Funny Guy: Matt Wilson , That's Gonna Leave A Mark
- Composer/bassist: Ben Allison, Think Free
- Composer/Bassist: Chris Tarry, Live at the Birds Eye, Switzerland
- Jazz Saxophonist/Composer: Ricky Sweum, Pulling Your Own Strings
- Jam Band/Funky Tastemakers: Rudder, Matorning
- Jazz pianist/Composer: Vijay Iyer, Histrocity
- Jazz pianist/Composer: Matthew Shipp, Harmonic Disorder
- Trumpeter/Composer: Dave Douglas, Spirit Moves
- Jazz Saxophonist/Composer: Joe Lovano, Folk Art
- Singer/Songwriter Group: As Tall As Lions, The Circles EP
- Jazz Bassist: Christian McBride, Kind of Brown
- Jazz Trumpeter: Roy Hargrove, Emergence
- Jazz Pianist/Composer: Robert Glasper, Double Booked
- Singer/Songwriter/Folk: The Bird and the Bee, One Too Many Hearts
- Singer/Songwriter: Regina Spektor, Far
- Jazz Composer/Saxophonist: Chris Greene, Merge
- Contemporary Drummer: Paul Wertico, Impressions of A City
- Jazz Vocalist: Kurt Elling, Dedicated To You
- Jazz Bassist: Stanley Clarke, Jazz in the Garden
- Jazz Vocalist/Songwriter/Composer: Allan Harris, Dedicated to You, Allan Harris Sings Nat King Cole Christmas
- Jazz Vocalist/Poet/Composer/Mover-Shaker: Rene Marie, Slut Energy Theory
- Jazz Saxophonist/Composer: Woody Witt, Seasons Ago
- Jazz Trumpeter/Professor/Composer: Alan Hood, Just A Little Taste
- Jazz Trumpeter/Composer/Classical Trumpeter: Suresh Singaratnam, Lost in New York
- Jazz Saxophonist/Composer: Jake Saslow, Lucky 13
- Jazz Vocalist/WonderWoman: Melody Gardot, My One and Only Thrill
- Jazz Composer/Leader: Darcy James Argue, Secret Society Presents: Infernal Machines
- Jazz Saxophonist/Composer: Seamus Blake, Live in Italy
- Jazz Composer/Saxophonist: Jeremy Udden, Torchsongs
- Jazz Bassist/Composer: Janek Gwizdala, Live at the 55 Bar
- Uh, no category-group/ear candy: Slavic Soul Party, Taketron
- Jazz Vocalist/Songwriter: Karrin Allyson, By Request, The Best of Karrin Allyson
- Jazz Pianist/Composer/Great conversationalist: Jim Beard, Revolutions
- Jazz Bassist/Composer: Joe Martin, Not By Chance
- Jazz Guitarist/Wonderfingers: Pete McCann, Extra Mile
- Jazz Composer/Guitarist/Visual Artist: Miles Okazaki, Generations
- World Music Extraordinaire: Ballake Sissoko, 3MA
- Jazz Guitarist/Composer: Jonathan Kreisberg, The South of Everywhere
- Jazz Composer/Film Score Genius/Trumpeter: Terence Blanchard, Choices
- Jazz Saxophonist/Composer/text buddy: Noah Preminger, Dry Bridge Road
- Jazz Trumpeter/Poet/Soulwriter: Nicholas Payton, Into the Blue
- Jazz Bassist/Fatherfigure/Educator/Composer: John Clayton, Brother to Brother
- Singer/Songwriter Vocalist: Jonah Smith, Lights On
- Jazz Guitarist: Bobby Broom, Bobby Broom Plays For Monk
- Jazz Composer/Pianist/Leader: Michel Camilo, Caribe (Live DVD/CD)
- Jazz Pianist/Composer: Dan Cray, Over Here, Over Heard
- Jazz Organist/Composer/Magic Soul Man: Pat Bianchi, East Coast Roots
- Jazz Pianist/Composer/Educator/Arranger: Bill Cunliffe, The Blues and the Abstract Truth
- Composer/Arranger/Film Scorer/Bad Ass Supporter/Friend/Big Band Guru: Gordon Goodwin and his Big Phat Band, Act Your Age
- Of course, I've left out everyone else. So, if you're reading this and you're getting upset with me because you weren't included then do something about it! If you want to be added to the list, just email me at newfaceofjazz.com with your CD name, web address etc. I'll be happy to add.
Yours in Music, Mischeif and Mayhem,
Cicily
OH. And need I even say it? HAVE YOU BOUGHT YOUR COPY of the New Face of Jazz? No? Shame...shame...Reserve it soon before they're all gone.
And if you're interested in reading the Author's Note and an excerpt from the beautiful Vocalist/Bassist, Esperanza Spalding, Go Here: www.newfaceofjazz.com
1 comment:
Wow, Cicily, it's take me weeks to go through your list to check out these musician. As a previous all-black-all-the-time and almost all-Ramen-all-the-time (with occasional iceberg lettuce and button mushrooms thrown in) musician, I thank you. My training was in Classical but I am learning to "get" jazz more these, thanks to my being married to a jazz lover.
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