Miff Mole

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Creative Music April 10, 2014 10pm - Midnight

Blog Name:Progressive Nights

Blog Author:Miff Mole

Posted on:April 10, 2014

O man. So involved with this show that Legal had to interoffice memo (as a verb) to remember Program Notes. It has not been uneventful.
  1. The shape of the first hour brings to mind that Liverpool is rolling and everyone else is hanging on, if that. Yeah, talking to you, Arsenal. But the shape, moving forward at every opportunity and asking questions, as they say. Questions need to be answered, or the answer will be provided. Trios expanding into sections and creative music...provides the answers.
  2. The second hour satisfied my basic parameters for Free Time. Something Must Happen. Almost always catches me looking the other way when the reaction is internal like physical/mental rather than perception or emotion. Anthem For The Moment by Dennis Gonzalez did that. Took the net away. Thanks man.
  3. John Scofield Uberjam Deux at UCSD Sunday night. check it
Thanks for listening.

Creative Music April 4, 2014 10pm - Midnight

Blog Name:Progressive Nights

Blog Author:Miff Mole

Posted on:April 3, 2014

I could review the many ways that creative music and jazz are redundant or at least a hair split. Maybe another time, if necessary. The point is that within the realm there is a niche, a tributary, a tangent, that is of but not within what you might regularly experience on Jazz 88.3. For programming purposes I call it Creative Music. And it's snug in the Progressive Nights zone. Be sure to check The Speakeasy to hear this and many of the shows on Jazz 88.3.
  • Horace Tapscott, then "John Coltrane" from Mister Billy Higgins (ecd 22061-2). I'm in heaven.
  • Kendra Shank and John Stowell are coming to the Museum of Making Music on April 19th.
  • "Orange Outline" by Franz Kline."When I paint a picture, I don't know every line in advance, but I know in general what I'm about."
  • Free Time was as much about texture as it was about technique. One of those I have a feel for, the other I can appreciate.
  • Epistrophy, any way, shape, or form.
mole out

Two Things At Once

Blog Name:Progressive Nights

Blog Author:Miff Mole

Posted on:March 27, 2014

Welcome to Progressive Nights, the dynamic programming direction in the late post meridian zone on Jazz 88.3 and jazz88.org. It seems like everyone is running from anything even vaguely approaching modern or avant garde...or Jazz, for that matter. Meanwhile, Jazz 88.3 is actually committing space and energy to current and historical developments in Modern Jazz Music. Monday through Thursday nights, 10pm to midnight. Progressive Nights.

This is Miff Mole and I'm going to real time bullet list my show for 3/27/14. Not everything, but enough to get a feel for what's going on.
  • Right now it's 9:47pm, Barry is playing The Rich and The Poor by Keith Jarrett. It is definitely setting a mood in my music brain program list.
  • Opened with guitarist Joel Harrison's String Choir, music by, or inspired by, Paul Motian. (footnote: two things at once ain't easy)
  • Bassist Keith Witty and drummer Damion Reid are a molten flow for the Jonathan Finlayson piece "Circus."
  • Omission of detail does not reflect any particular agenda or preference. Voice activated blog would be great until the on-air mic is mistakenly cued by the operator and comedy ensues.
  • Michael Formanek and Jim Black were dangerous on "Thin Skin/Dangerous Crustaceans."
  • "Voices" from Bill Dixon's Intents And Purposes is familiar and provocative at the same time. The focus and execution is staggering, but that's what creative music does. (footnote: something else that ain't easy)
  • Listen to the show at The Speakeasy. It will be there by Sunday.
Peace

Thelonious Monk

Blog Name:Jazz 88.3 Blog

Blog Author:Miff Mole

Posted on:October 11, 2009

Since I'm not a professional writer it's easy to dismiss anything I might type about Thelonious Monk. I have no particular insight into his career or his life. Nothing to reveal about "'Round Midnight" or his singular style on piano. Instead of typing, let me try telepathy.

I'm not going to tell you that you're going to love Monk's music. Maybe you've already made up your mind. Do a quick personal inventory. See if there's a little room for something fun and serious, something surprising and traditional. Go ahead, give it a shot.

With a computer it's easy to dig in. Spell it right the first time, "Thelonious Monk." Then listen, especially the solo stuff. Read some of the history or stories about Monk. Watch a documentary. At least watch until you find the scene on a bus in Copenhagen, I think, when Johnny Griffin shows his new pants to Monk. So worth it.

Stay with it.