I wanted to tell you about an excellent CD I was listening to today.
Japanese drummer Takanori Niida has a project called “Life In The Big City”. Takanori has called in some of the finest on this outing.
Adam Holzman -Keyboards, Aaron Heick- Sax, Jon Herrington-Guitar, will Lee-Bass as well as James Genus-Bass, Tomo Fujita-Guitar.
Adam Holzman has contributed some very strong songs to this project, so check it out.
Also check out Adam’s work on the Mahavishnu Project’s latest release” Return to the Emerald Beyond” out on Cuneiform Records .
Both releases are highly reccommended.
Spoke to Tony Palkovic today. Tony is a guitarist and teacher and also does a great Jazz Fusion show on KSPCFM in Claremont California. You can hear Tony every Wednesday noon till 2 pm Pacific time or 5 to 7am Melbourne Australia time.
I envy Tony, as he has access to all the great musicians in LA ! He has regular guests as well as live music from the studio.
Make sure you check him out. If you listen to Bitches Brew on PBS FM you will definitely enjoy Tonys show.
Just spoke to Vinnie on the phone today to discuss our upcoming interview. He is heading off to New York and we will be hooking up in a week or so to record the interview..keep an eye out for the resulting podcast that will be availabe on this site as well as an upcoming special on my PBS radio show”Bitches Brew“
Vinnie Colaiuta introduced Tal Wilkenfeld, a young Bass player with a big future in music.
At 22 years of age Tal has impressed at every gig. Just recently in Melbourne with Chick Corea, and last night with Vinnie Coliuta and Geoffrey Keezer on Keys.
Music featured was from Tal’s debut CD “Transformation” which was launched in Melbourne. I met Tal and we discussed an upcoming interview/ podcast which we will be putting together very soon.
Not being a musician, my observations of her playing are of a very musical sounding player who seems to handle complex compositions with ease.
Personally given her youth Tal does not seem intimidated by the illustrious company she keeps. She seems comfortable whilst not overconfident.
Watch out for more from this amazing talent.
Moes House is the new one from the team of Brett Garsed,TJ Helmrich, Dennis Chambers, Scott Kinsey and Gary Willis.
Due for release on May 22nd.
As usual Garsed is stunning. Where does this guy hide? Chambers is still the groove master, Kinsey is just plain funky.
A great Drum Solo from Virgil Donati is also featured.
Listen to Bitches Brew next week Tuesday May 22nd for more from this great release.
You can order a copy from Abstract Logix.com.
Caught up with Vinnie Colaiuta. Vinnie will be talking to us next week when he returns from New Zealand after performing with Herbie Hancock. Stay tuned to Bitches Brew for a special on Vinnie.
Vinnie also returns to Bennetts Lane on May 15th and 16th to play with Tal Wilkenfeld (Bass) and Geoffrey Keezer (Keys).
I will not be missing this gig!
Congratulations to Frank Corniola on his birthday, the cake was great!
The secret was out, Chick Corea was performing at Bennetts Lane with his band.
With great anticipation we made our way to Bennetts Lane the home of Melbourne Jazz.
This was a memorable night and Chick was on fire! Frank Gambale was his usual relaxed amazing self. On acoustic and electric he just blew us all away.
Favourites from the seventies, the Electric Band days as well as a Thelonius Monk tune provided us with a totally satisfying night!
Antonio Sanchez was rivetting on the skins, I am sure he will be back in the not too distant future.
A very young looking Tal Wilkenfeld amazed us all with her chops and her maturity mixing it well with Chick.
This was indeed a night to remember!
8.30 pm Melbourne-Hamer Hall the Melbourne International Jazz festival is underway.
Herbie Hancock thrilled us all last night with a great mix of Jazz, Funk and Jazz Pop.
Vinnie Colaiuta was the anchor as always, Nathan East sang convincingly, Lionel Loueke, stunned us all with his percussive guitar and voice.
Surprise of the night was Chick Corea who stepped up to play the Miles classic Green Dolphin Street together with Herbie.
Congratulations to the Melbourne International Jazz Festival for a rousing start to the next 10 days!
During the Melbourne International Jazz Festival, Myself and Roy Johnstone interviewed Frank Gambale and Antonio Sanchez
Antonio was playing Drums with the Chick Corea Quartet
And of course Frank was also playing the Electric Guitar with the Chick Corea Quartet
Man I love my job…!!!!
