Gina Wears a Cat’s Hat
While cleaning up our shed, Gina discovered four mice. One of the four didn’t make it out of the shed alive. Next: Gina starting to meow….
Jazzfest Berlin 50th Anniversary
The last time I saw Vincent Peirani, the brilliant accordionist on stage last Saturday with the legendary drummer Daniel Humair, was about a year or so ago and I didn’t dare ask him to have his hair cut. So it was a nice surprise when he went on stage shaven-headed. But sorry, this is mainly…
Happy Birthday Carmen Lundy
She just finished her European tour. I was lucky to catch up with her in Vienna. I’m still going back to her 1985 LP “Good Morning Kiss”. Her new one, “Soul To Soul”, is her best so far and one of the best recordings of 2014. Happy Birthday Carmen and many more to come!
Nine Weeks From LA To Berlin
Jazz festivals are always a get-together with a lot of friends and colleagues from all over but it was a bit of a surprise last night when I ran into Prof. Dr. Ilse Storb. I hadn’t seen her in many years – but she hasn’t changed at all. Except for a new leg! The 50th…
Melba Moore!
Gina wishes Melba Moore a very Happy Birthday. She is going to listen to 14 LPs and one 12″ today…..
Becca Stevens debuting Perfect Animal live in Berlin
If the dog’s nose is cold, then it’s feeling fine. Those were one of the sentences Becca Stevens told her audience in German last night at the A-Trane. Once again, after a couple of years, she was back with her band and this time around with several new songs on board. Her new album “Perfect…
Jakob Karlzon 3 and Manu Katché in Berlin
It was a welcome change of pace when Swedish pianist Jakob Karlzon sat down at his piano to play two solo pieces, both covers of well-known tunes. “Mad World” by Tears for Fears and “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” by U2 were more or less the only tracks at last night’s concert…
Archie Shepp replaces Benny Golson at Berlin Jazzfest
Benny Golson, the legendary saxophonist who was supposed to play two shows at this year’s 50th Berlin Jazzfest, is ill. He will be replaced by Archie Shepp: the important Avantgarde saxophonist will play the festival for the fifth time after his performances in 1967, 1983, 1995 and 2012. He’ll be at the Haus der Berliner…
Carmen Lundy in Vienna
When I found out that Carmen Lundy would be on a European tour, I knew that I had to see her somehow somewhere. As there were no German tour dates on the itinerary, my first thought was to fly to Paris to check her out at Duc des Lombards. It didn’t work out so Vienna…
Carmen Lundy in Vienna
I’m traveling to Vienna today to see two of my favorite musicians. Carmen Lundy is currently on a mini European tour to present her brilliant new album “Soul To Soul”. Accompanying her on the record and on the tour is pianist Patrice Rushen. Also on stage tonight: bassist Darryl Hall and drummer Jamison Ross. Carmen…