The theme for the May 5, 2013 edition of Johnny D’s Jazz Journal is “Sueños: The Cinco de Mayo Show”. “Sueños” is Spanish for “dreams,” and in this case it refers to 19th-century Mexico’s dreams of freedom following centuries of domination by Spain and France; coincidentally, the word sueños also kept popping up in the titles of the songs I was auditioning for this show, so it became a recurring motive.
Like many people, and perhaps a little more than most, I was deeply saddened to hear of Richie Havens’ passing on Monday, April 22. I can remember when 72 seemed ancient, but today when someone, especially someone of note, passes away at that age it seems premature. I knew that Richie had been fighting health problems because several years ago I contacted him to see if he wanted to participate in a theatrical concert (Primal Twang) I was co-producing here in San Diego. He wasn’t feeling well at the time, and it didn’t work out. I didn’t speak with him again.
Jazz 88.3 and the Parent Music Advocacy Group present percussionist, Poncho Sanchez for (2) concerts: Friday, May 31, with his Latin Jazz Band, and Saturday, June 1, as a guest of the Grossmont Union High School District Honor Jazz Band. Both concerts begin at 7pm, and all-ages are welcome. To top it off, our own Chris Springer of Latin Grooves will emcee both concerts! It's all taking place at the West Hills Theater of Performing Arts at West Hills High School in Santee. For ticket information, click here.
Top 10 Countdown of the Jazzweek.com Jazz Album Chart, Monday, April 29, 2013: No. 1 for a second week on the JazzWeek Jazz Chart is Giacomo Gates Miles Tones: Sings The Music Of Miles Davis (Savant); the CD is again also the most reported (53 stations). Most added (+23) and the biggest gainer (+82) is Christian McBride & Inside Straight People Music (Mack Avenue). The highest debut of the week (No. 30) is Tommy Flanagan | Jaki Byard The Magic of 2 (Resonance).
What New at Jazz88.org?! Just the NEWS straight from the pages of Jazz88.org!
Coming up on TNJT (here's where a calendar would fit in nicely)...
Lots of great NEW names in the 2013-04-29 Adds To the Jazz 88 Music Library and we'll be debuting them all this Monday, April 29, 6-8PM PT on The New Jazz Thing with Vince Outlaw! The full list is after the split, but here's 11-year old Jazzer Emily Bear with her original tune for Quincy Jones, "Q", from her New disc "Diversity"...
Anthony Smith: San Diego Vibest, Pianist, Bandleader, Writer has a new disc out "Connections, Vol 1 & 2" and a CD release party Saturday, April 27, 2013 8PM at 98 Bottles featuring Mike Wofford, Holly Hoffman, Peter Sprague, Danny Weller, AND Duncan Moore (WHAT A LINEUP!), so we'll be chatting about all of that and more TONIGHT in Hour 2 of the New!
2013-04-22 Adds To The Jazz 88 Music Library: We've got a great list of New music being added to the Jazz 88 Music Library this week including San Diegan's Gilbert Castellanos and Anthony Smith.