latest addiction

present from my daughter -- Stefon Harris - "Evolution". track one, "Nothing Personal" is how this album first caught my attention on cable radio -- hyper, funky and instantly likable. but the tune that I really became addicted to is "Red-Bone Netti Bone" -- great energy, rythm on the *solo section* starting with Stefon. knocks me out. also like "For Him, For Her".

j4jazz

...in NYC this week and have enjoyed great music for the past 3 nights
- Dave Binney Group at 55 Bar. David Binney - Alto Sax, Craig Taborn - Keyboards, Thomas Morgan - Bass, Dan Weiss - Drums -- and a guest trombone player on the last tune but I didn't catch his name. outside -- very creative -- all members of the group were great but I especially liked the drummer, Dan Weiss -- funky, evolving, building, rock-solid, varied percussion on the set (sticks? utensils? not sure). 55 Bar - cozy, christmas lights, bar length bar on one side. Kai was taking notes. Care to share your impressions, Kai?

- jazz vocalist Kurt Elling at Birdland -- Kurt is a poet with great energy and passion. He was backed by a very solid group (2 of his regulars plus a new drummer) - Lawrence Hopgood - Piano, Rob Amster - Bass, Willy Jones (I think) on Drums. Birdland -- upscale, white table cloth linen and candles, tiered for easy viewing, very nice jazz venue. impress your date if they've never been to a jazz show.

- Avishai Cohen Group with Jason Lindner @ FatCat -- incredible show
This is Avishai Cohen the trumpet player, not the bass player. Great group with Jason Lindner (keyboards), Omer Avital (bass), Avishai Cohen (trumpet), Lionel Loueke (guitar). I was especially blown away by guitarist Lionel Loueke. Check this dude out. He can play it every which way. pulls you in whether he's soloing or comping. I liked "African Suite". They also played a version of "Mediation on 2 Chords". Jason told me after the show he's got a new CD coming out. Stay tuned to www.jljazz.com. This was my first visit to FatCat -- bar with pool tables, ping pong, people playing chess, scrabble, web-surfing, and an elongated living-room lounge of sorts where you can trip out on jazz with these new breed pioneers.