For the roads that you walk
They’re paved with our blood
We were here before
And we’re staying for good
I’ve lived in cabins
I’ve lived in sheds
I’ve lived in trains so full you can’t lay down your head
I’ve fixed your tractors
I’ve fixed your trucks
I’ve worked with folks so down they couldn’t fix their luck
Oh, but I think that it’s time
You realize this place ain’t yours, but mine
For the roads that you walk
They’re paved with our blood
We were here before
And we’re staying for good
Last night, after getting back from a marvelous Fred Frith/Tom M. duo set at The Stone and before I launched into my nightly Dead hour, I came upon an email from a promotion person named Katy Henriksen. The above song was linked there and it mentioned that if you dug Johnny Cash, Woody Guthrie or Waylon Jennings, then you should check out this song by Josiah Flores. I was intrigued and watched the video three times in a row. I was knocked out by this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMjMUGeuChs) and moved by this song. Mr. Flores is a Mexican/American singer-songwriter and he has deep roots in the migrant/farming system that has taken place in California for hundreds of years. Ever since the beginning, the US has been a nation of immigrants. Except for Native Americans, all of us came here from another country. Either our parents, grand-parents or someone before them. All immigrants have struggled through many odds to be here and the way we adjust and join together is what makes us who we are. My parents and my consciousness of growing up in the 1960's taught to Love and Respect everyone no matter what their backgrounds are/were, we are in this together, we are all part of the human family. I've never used racial or religious slurs since those are the words of the ignorant. Protest music has always rang true to me since its seeks justice for those of us who deserve it. Read the above words and check out the video and see if you don't agree with the way it is laid out.
Last week, Bruce Springsteen had this to say while on tour in Europe: "In my home, the America I love, the America I've written about, that has been a beacon of hope and liberty for 250 years, is currently in the hands of a corrupt, incompetent and treasonous administration," he said. "Tonight, we ask all who believe in democracy and the best of our American experience to rise with us, raise your voices against authoritarianism and let freedom ring." Sadly, this is an honest observation of what is going on with current administration. A number of other pop stars/singer/songwriters have aded to the chorus: Neil Young, Bono, Taylor Swift and others. Remember that we are a nation made up of immigrants and no matter what they try to tell you, most of the immigrants are not our enemies. Only racists, fascists, anyone guided by Greed rather a moral compass and extremists who won't tolerate anyone's view by their own, those are the enemies of a True Democracy. Please go out support those who want unite and enrich our spirits and not those who only care about enriching themselves. Peace and Love, MC-BruceLee
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THE DMG 34th ANNIVERSARY IN-STORE CONCERT CELEBRATION CONTINUES with:
Tuesday, May 27th: RELATIVE PITCH RECORDS: 6:30 - three 30 minute sets
1st Set: CHUCK ROTH - Guitar / ROBBIE LEE - Reeds & Assorted Oddities
2nd Set: MAGGIE COX - Bass / ROBBIE LEE
3rd Set: CHUCK ROTH / MAGGIE COX / ROBBIE LEE
Sunday, June 1st:
6:30: SCRT: ANDY HAAS - Sax & Effects / DAVID GROLLMAN - Percussion, Balloon, Vocal / SABRINA SALAMONE - Violin
7:30: RYAN SIEGEL - Solo Alto Sax
8:30: RICHARD BONNET - Guitar
VISION FEST - June 2nd - June 7th - no in-store sets that week
Tuesday, June 10th:
6:30: CHET DOXAS / OLE MATHISON - Sax Duo
7:30: s0nic 0penings: patrick brennan - alto sax / JASON KAO HWANG - Viola / HILLIARD GREENE - Contrabass / MICHAEL TA THOMPSON - Drums
8:30: AYUMI ISHITO / KATE MOHANTY - Reeds Duo
9:30: CRAIG FLANAGAN / NORMANDY SHERWOOD / KEVIN SHEA - Drums
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THIS WEEK'S NEW GEMS BEGIN WITH:
JOHN ZORN // STEVE GOSLING / SAE HASHIMOTO / JORGE ROEDER / CHES SMITH plus IKUI MORI - Fantasma (Tzadik 9323; USA) Zorn’s compositions for classical soloists with rhythm section are among the most successful and powerful meetings of classical and jazz ever conceived—completely notated virtuosic scores for classical players augmented by improvisers who illuminate the music with surprise, support, and an imaginative unpredictability. Mining this magical world since 2010, the project reached its apotheosis in the acclaimed 2021 release “Heaven and Earth Magick.” Here that same quartet divides into different groupings to present a varied and dramatic program of new music at its complex, mischievous best. Joined by electronic wizard Ikue Mori on one track, “Fantasma—Illusions from a Surrealist Mirror” is an endlessly imaginative and compelling new project of dynamic cross-genre music from Downtown magus John Zorn.
CD $16
TO ALL JOHN ZORN & TZADIK LABEL FANS: The following CD has been delayed:
JOHN ZORN // BRIAN MARSELLA / JORGE ROEDER / CHES SMITH - Impromptus (Tzadik 9322; USA) CD $16
I know that this disc is listed on the Tzadik website as "available" but this is not true and no one knows when it will finally be released. We will list it in the weekly DMG Newsletter as soon as we know copies are in stock.
DAVE LIEBMAN / BILLY HART / ADAM RUDOLPH - Beingness (Meta Records 031/fk 024; USA) Featuring Dave Liebman on soprano sax & wood flutes, Adam Rudolph on handrumset, congas, djembe, thumb piano, tarija, dakha de bello, percussion & processing and Billy Hart on drum set. Recorded live at The Stone in March & April of 2023. Legendary saxist (for Miles Davis & Elvin Jones) Dave Liebman and percussionist extraordinare have been working together for the past few years in a 3 trios with three different guests on each of their recordings: Hamid Drake, Tyshawn Sorey & Tatsuya Nakatani. Three very different drummers with Billy Hart being yet another unique drummer. Dave Liebman and Billy Hart have also worked together at length in the past in different projects most notably a great ongoing quartet called Quest and some sessions with Miles Davis in the seventies.
Although this is a live set, the sound on this disc is especially warm, inviting and studio-like in sound. Mr. Rudolph does a fine job of processing the sound, superb overall sonically. Mr. Liebman has most mesmerizing sound on his soprano, sly, quietly cosmic with riveting percussion simmering in solemn waves underneath. On "Pathways" the interplay between Liebman's cerebral soprano and Hart's sizzling groove is something else, completely connected as one with Rudilph also adding his limber layers of congas. If you've checked out Adam Rudolph live (at his Stone residencies) or chacked him out on YouTube, you know he has a unique setup with six conga drums, assorted hand percussion and a sampler. I love the sound(s) he gets on his kit which is often most hypnotic, rhythmic and orchestral. A few of these pieces features several layers of percussion, always united as one organic well-integrated sound. Liebman's soprano is well captured, warm, enticing with a bit os sly (room) reverb. Im like the way the trio take their time and often strip things down to a skeletal yet suspenseful sound. What makes this disc special is the way it casts a spell over all who listen. It is somewhat dark and overcast today with mucho drizzling. That cool vibe in in the air and it is also in this music, cool and warm at the same time. Another gem from my man Adam Rudolph and his wisely selected collaborators. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $14
JOE MORRIS & ELLIOTT SHARP - Realism (ESP-Disk 5084CD; USA) Joe Morris's recording career began in 1983 and has made him one of the most revered avant-garde jazz guitarists. Down Beat magazine dubbed him "the preeminent free music guitarist of his generation," while The Wire magazine called him "one of the most profound improvisers at work in the U.S." His revelatory 2012 book Perpetual Frontier/The Properties of Free Music (Riti Publishing) is a detailed and rewarding accounting of his approach to improvisation. He has been on the faculty in the Jazz and Contemporary Improvisation Department at New England Conservatory of Music since 2000. This is his fifth album as guitarist on ESP-Disk': two as leader, two in Fay Victor's SoundNoiseFUNK, and now this unique duo. Elliott Sharp began recording in 1979 and has continued prolifically adding to his discography ever since, working fluently in genres ranging from blues and jazz to free improvisation and modern classical composition. A cornerstone of the downtown NYC music scene and collaborator with musicians from around the world, he has extended the vocabulary of the guitar in ways that led Guitar Player magazine to include him in its 30th anniversary issue's list of "The Dirty Thirty: Pioneers and Trailblazers." (He also plays saxophone.) His 2019 book IrRational Music (TerraNova Press) is a crucial document of his work that goes beyond biography into musical philosophy. Realism is his first album released on ESP. Recorded and mastered by Jim Clouse, Park West Studios, Brooklyn, NY on July 17, 2023. Mixed by Elliott Sharp and Jim Clouse at Park West Studios on August 1, 2023. Produced by Steve Holtje for ESP-Disk'.
CD $13
LARRY OCHS / JOE MORRIS / CHARLES DOWNS - Every Day --> All the Way (ESP-Disk 5106; USA) This is the first to be released of a series of albums ESP started recording in 2023 combining artists who hadn't worked together before. In this case, saxophonist Larry Ochs teams up with the Flow Trio rhythm section of drummer Charles Downs and bassist Joe Morris. They meshed magnificently on their first encounter! Larry Ochs, co-founder in 1977 of ROVA Saxophone Quartet, was born in New York City but has long been based on the West Coast, specifically the Bay Area. He has also been a member of the Glenn Spearman Double Trio, Maybe Monday, the John Lindberg Ensemble, What We Live, The International Creative Music Orchestra, and Room, along with many other collaborations. ESP-Disk has previously released albums featuring Ochs by ROVA, Jones Jones, and his duo with Donald Robinson. Joe Morris, guitarist and bassist, studied with ESP-Disk legend Lowell Davidson. Morris formed his first trio in 1977 and began his recording career in 1983, with well over 50 albums as a leader and many more as a collaborator, including albums on ESP-Disk under his own name and with Flow Trio and Fay Victor's SoundNoiseFUNK -- and a guitar duo with Elliott Sharp. He's also the author of the crucial book Perpetual Frontier/The Properties of Free Music and on the New England Conservatory faculty. Charles Downs, the senior member of the trio, is also known to jazz aficionados as Rashid Bakr, the performing name he used while drumming in various Cecil Taylor groups and elsewhere. He's also been in groups including Ensemble Muntu, Other Dimensions in Music, Flow Trio, and What You May Call It, and has recorded with Billy Bang, Glenn Spearman, Jamie Saft, Ras Moshe Burnett, William Parker, Arthur Doyle, Sabir Mateen, Joe McPhee, and many more.
CD $13
STEVE SWELL / SYLVAIN KASSAP / BENJMAIN DUBOC - Edges (Rogue Art ROG 143CD; France) "How else to begin than by diving in, letting yourself be submerged, drifting as if weightless. And where does it start? With thirty seconds of breath, suspended between apnea and respiration, with Crinière; I'm reminded at once that the bow's manes come -- I'm told -- from the best horses in Mongolia. We recognize you, Kassap, for your rhythm, for the way you suck in the sky right from the start, it's as if you turn on the ignition, then your engine revs up - and us with it -- and the road opens up today to Marseille as it once did to Kishinev. And then it tapers off, almost expires, sets off again, with your passengers who are more than just passing through, and comes to an end all the same, because at some point you have to stop, and set off again. A trombone and drums join the double bass and clarinet. Steve Swell, Chad Taylor, Benjamin Duboc, Sylvain Kassap, you compose a quartet. Edges, in the plural, the edges, the margins, I don't mind, but extended to the whole territory, you explore them without missing a beat, they give the title and it's our good fortune to be able to follow you, for eleven pieces. The album closes with a composition by Steve Swell', 'Periscope (for Perry Robinson),' clarinetist and traveler extraordinaire. I really like this underside, which goes slowly, or not, because it sometimes goes roughly, these fragments of sonic fabric, this geological petticoat, these Texture #3 and Texture #7, these two sovereign improvisations (919 and 991), this kind of basso continuo, this more or less unpredictable aside that is the very essence of life. This record is anything but providence, and yet it still bears something resembling it, not what it cannot foresee or prepare for, but what it does provide and makes us less helpless. With great surges and shatters, is it the beginning of a brighter tomorrow, and if so, how? The question and the answer can only be suggested, and I always remember that everything is moving at an unbelievable speed." --Rogueart
CD $16
ELIJAH SHIFFER with KEVIN SUN / DMITRY ISHENKO / COLIN HINTON / SAM DAY HARMET - City of Birds - Volume 2 (Star Jelly 004; USA) Featuring Elijah Shiffer on alto sax & compositions, Kevin Sun on tenor sax, Dmitry Ishenko on contrabass, Cilinj Hinton on drums plus guest Sam Day Harmet on mandolin (for 2 tracks). This is the fourth disc from Downtown alto saxist Elijah Shiffer and the second one from his ongoing bird songs project. Like his first volume, Mr. Shiffer, a serious bird watcher, has taken the voices, behavior and folklore about certain NYC birds and used them as inspiration for his compositions here. Each piece was inspired by 1-4 different birds. Mr. Shiffer uses the same quartet here as on Volume 1 with the addition of mandolinist Sam Day Harmet who has collaborated with Shiffer in another project. "East Pond Reel / Web-Footed Reel" has both saxes Shiffer's alto and Kevin Sun 's tenor playing strong spirited solos over the great groove of this fine rhythm team. Both saxes are trading lines back and forth throughout the entire exuberant song. Although it is hard to tell which each bird song, behavior or folklore is found in each piece, the music itself is consistently intriguing. Both of these saxists sound great tone-wise as well as the melodies they are playing. The only things that sound bird-like to me are certain quirky bent-note melodies that either or both saxists play at certain points within a certain song. When I read the inclosed notes, I do see or hear how a certain birdsong has been used, slowed down and/or modified somehow. Both Mr. Shiffer and Mr. Sun are song, spirited and ever-inventive saxists, hence both get many chances to express themselves, play often difficult arrangements with many compelling twists and turns and inspiring solos. Mr. Shiffer's writing and playing often shows his understanding and influence of bebop and the blues. Whether knowing about the influence of birdsongs here is not as important as the fact that the music and playing is consistently powerful and engaging. This disc stands tall as one of the best Downtown quartet efforts of recent memory. I look forward to checking out this group live. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $12
SOPHIE AGNEL - Song (Relative Pitch Records 1217; USA) Featuring Sophie Agnel on solo piano recorded at Instants Chavires in 2022 and in 2024. Over the past few years I've come to appreciate the piano playing of Sophie Agnel more and more. I've heard several recordings of Ms. Agnel playing in duos and trios with: Phil Minton, John Edwards & Steve Noble, Daunik Lazro, Joke Lanz & Michael Vatcher and with Sunny Murray. I reviewed a trio disc with her, Joke Lanz (turntables) and Michael Vatcher (drums) from a couple of years ago and thought it was great. Plus I caught Ms. Agnel in a duo with saxist John Butcher at Victo last year (2024) and thought that set was most extraordinary (check out the disc on the Victo label). According to Relative Pitch label-head, Kevin Reilly, Ms. Agnel didn't want to record a solo piano session until she was ready and is seems as if she is quite ready.
Ms. Agnel plays both inside the piano and on the keyboard. There is a the voice of her mother, Mauricette Millot, who is a noted opera singer, which Ms. Agnel samples and which adds an otherwordly, ghost-like quality to the proceedings. Ms. Agnel's music is often very focused and quite intense, rumbling waves of notes at the low end of the piano. Keith Tippett used to also hit those low end rumbles which often reminded me that the world was/of coming to an end and Ms. Agnel coaxes a similar sound from her piano. For "Song 3", Ms. Agnel mutes certain strings inside the piano, thus giving the piano an odd. percussive, some spooky sound. Ms. Agnel has a unique way of coaxing strange sounds from the piano, most often quite effective while also a bit unnerving. On "Song 5", Agnel rubs the strings inside the piano to most eerie effect. On "Song 6", it sounds like Ms. Agnel is using an ebow or something similar to the strings, the effect of which is most hypnotic. Although each piece is effective at creating its own unique sound/scene/place, at time sit is difficult to tell what instrument is actually being played. Ms. Agnel samples her mother's operatic voice for the last piece, bringing things together as a theme which seems to run throughout the entire disc. It is as is this is the voice within the machine which is being drowned out by a dark, rumbling spirit. Hmmmmm. Will humanity survive?!? - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $13
PHAROAH SANDERS With SONNY SHARROCK / LEON THOMAS / SONNY FORTUNE / LONNIE LISTON SMITH/ SIRONE / BILLY HART / et al - Izipho Zam (My Gifts) (Strata-East / Mack Ave. 1973325.2; USA) Pharoah Sander saxes and percussion, with Sonny Sharrock guitar, Sonny Fortune alto sax, Howard Johnson tuba, Lonnie Liston Smith piano, Cecil McBee and Sirone bass, Leon Thomas vocals, Chief Bey african drums, Billy Hart and Majeed Shabazz drums, Net Bettis and Tony Wylie percussion. "Two years after the death of his mentor and boss, John Coltrane, and just before signing his own contract with Impulse!, Pharoah Sanders finally got around to releasing an album as a leader apart from the Impulse! family. Enlisting a cast of characters no less than 13 in number, Sanders proved that his time with Coltrane and his Impulse! debut, Tauhid, was not a fluke. Though hated by many of the jazz musicians at the time -- and more jazz critics who felt Coltrane had lost his way musically the minute he put together the final quintet -- Sanders followed his own muse to the edges of Eastern music and sometimes completely outside the borderlines of what could be called jazz. That said, Izipho Zam is a wonderful recording, full of the depth of vision and heartfelt soul that has informed every recording of Sanders since. Guests include Sonny Sharrock, Lonnie Liston Smith, Chief Bey, Cecil McBee, Sirone, Sonny Fortune, Billy Hart, Howard Johnson, and others. The set begins with a gorgeous soul tune in "Prince of Peace," with Leon Thomas doing his trademark yodel, croon, and wail as Smith, McBee, and Hart back him and Sanders fills the gaps. Next is "Balance," the first blowing tune on the set, with the African drums, the modal horns, and Sanders' microtonal investigations of sonic polarity contrasted with Johnson's tuba, leaving the rhythm section to join him as Sharrock and Smith trade drone lines and Sanders turns it into a Latin dance from outer space about halfway through to the end -- it's astonishing. Finally, on the 28-minute title track, the band members -- all of them -- begin a slow tonal inquiry, a textured traipse into the abyss of dissonance and harmonic integration, with Thomas as the bridge through which all sounds must travel on their way to the ensemble. From here, percussion, bells, whistles, Sharrock's heavily chorded guitar -- all provide rhythm upon interval upon tonal figure until the horns enter at about 12 minutes. They move slowly at first and gather force until they blast it right open at 20 minutes and the last eight are all free blowing and an endurance ride for the listener because, with four minutes left, Sanders leads the band in a gorgeous lyric ride that brings together all disparate elements in his world and ours, making this track -- and album -- an exhilarating, indispensable out jazz experience." - Thom Jurek, AMG
CD $16
STANLEY COWELL - Musa - Ancestral Streams: Solo Piano (Strata-East/Mack Ave 1974325.2; USA) Featuring stunning solo piano work by Strata-East co-founder Stanley Cowell, Musa: Ancestral Streams is a landmark album in jazz, celebrated for its intimacy and innovation. Recorded in 1974, it stands as one of the most significant solo piano albums of its time, blending jazz with classical, African, and Eastern influences. Cowell’s pioneering use of both electric and acoustic piano expands the expressive range of the instrument, creating a deeply personal and spiritual experience. Musa: Ancestral Streams is a cornerstone of the Strata-East discography, reflecting the label’s commitment to artistic freedom and genre-defining works. It not only highlights Cowell’s extraordinary vision as a musician but also exemplifies Strata-East’s role in championing boundary-pushing, artist-produced records.
For the first time ever, this pioneering solo work from the famed pianist will be available on CD and digital platforms, as well as on 180-gram vinyl. The digital release features an alternate take on the classic “Travelin’ Man” as well as 3 additional never-before-released bonus tracks. Pressed at Record Technology Inc. (RTI) and mastered by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio, the vinyl edition comes in high-quality, glossy tip-on gatefold jackets. It also includes new liner notes by Nate Chinen and never-before-seen photos, making this release a must-have for jazz enthusiasts and collectors alike.
CD $16
BACK IN STOCK:
JOHN COLTRANE with McCOY TYNER / JIMMY GARRISON / ELVIN JONES - Afro Blue Impressions (Pablo 34605-2; USA) Featuring John Coltrane on tenor & soprano saxes, McCoy Tyner on piano, Jimmy Garrison on bass and Elvin Jones on drums. Recorded on tour in Europe on November 2nd of 1963 in Berlin and on October 22nd of 1963 in Stockholm. This is an essential reissue that was first released on LP in 1977. This 2 CD reissue includes three bonus tracks, over 30 minutes of music not found on the original LP.
2 CD Set $14
THE TRIO with JOHN SURMAN / BARRE PHILLIPS / STU MARTIN plus MIKE OSBORNE / ALAN SKIDMORE /CHICK COREA / et al - Incantation: The Dawn Recordings (Esoteric Eclec 28635; UK) The Trio features John Surman on baritone & soprano saxes & bass clarinet, Barre Phillips on contrabass and Sty Martin on drums. Esoteric Recordings are pleased to announce the release of a remastered 2 CD anthology comprising all the recordings made for the Dawn label by the ground-breaking Progressive Jazz ensemble, The Trio. Coming together in 1969. All three musicians had earned fine reputations for excellence in the Jazz world and had a desire to push musical boundaries in their work and had a desire to appeal to the emerging "progressive" music scene. Performing on bills with rock acts such as Captain Beefheart and Yes, The Trio signed to Pye Records' newly formed progressive imprint, Dawn Records in 1970. Their self-titled double album was produced by Peter Eden and released in July of that year. Aimed squarely at a progressive audience, The Trio was critically acclaimed. The 1971 album Conflagration saw the three musicians joined by a host of celebrated musicians for the sessions at Pye Studios in Marble Arch, London. Notable guests included Chick Corea, Dave Holland, John Marshall and Mark Charig among others. This new 2 CD anthology has been re-mastered from the original Dawn Records' tapes and includes a booklet with an essay by Sid Smith featuring exclusive interviews with John Surman, Barre Phillips and producer Peter Eden. “I bought a copy of the double Trio album when I was living in London & attending college in the fall of 1975. Three albums I bought, which were all released in 1970, are the Crown Jewels of British Progressive Jazz from that era: Soft Machine ’Third’, Keith Tippett Group’s ‘Dedicated to You But You Weren’t Listening’ and The Trio’s self-titled 2 LP debut. John Surman has long been my favorite baritone saxist and is in a class of his own. Both of those Trio albums are astonishing, Free Cosmic Music at its very best! I’ve played these albums over & over & over and they still completely blow my mind! There is also a third session included here called ‘Conflagration’ in which the trio are joined by the cream British Out/Jazz giants which is also just incredible. If you do not already own these, then grab them quickly before they disappear once more.” - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
2 CD Set $22
LP SECTION:
MARION BROWN with JEANNE LEE / GUNTER HAMPEL / DANIEL LEROUX / STEVE McCALL - In Sommerhausen (Moosicus M 1219LP; Germany) "Alto saxophonist Marion Brown was an initially underrated hero of the jazz avant-garde. It was only after he moved from Atlanta to New York and joined John Coltrane that audiences and critics took notice. Dedicated to discovering the far-reaching possibilities of improvisational expression, Brown possessed a truly lyrical voice. In the early seventies, he played with Anthony Braxton, Andrew Cyrille, Bennie Maupin, Jeanne Lee, and Chick Corea, among others. On this recording, he was accompanied by the German jazz musician Gunter Hampel (composer, vibraphonist, saxophonist, flutist, pianist, and bass clarinetist). His son Djinji remembers his father by saying, 'The way he played sounded like his speaking voice, the way he held his horn reminded me of the way he held my hand, the way he walked was in the same rhythm as his songs, and then everything made sense. His music was first and foremost who he was. It was the purest expression of his soul, and everything he did had the same gentle power as his music. He was truly one with his art; there was no separation between the two.'"
LP $35
BOOK Section:
VAL WILMER - As Serious as Your Life: Black Music and the Free Jazz Revolution, 1957-1977 (Serpent's Tail 9781788160711; UK) [432 pages. Paperback edition] "As essential now as when it was first published in 1977, As Serious As Your Life celebrates jazz with passion and conviction. Covering the dynamic period 1960-1976, Valerie Wilmer powerfully evokes a remarkable revolutionary musical era that continues to inspire generations of musicians. Valerie Wilmer evaluates the musical careers of both the famous names of the time -- Albert Ayler, Ornette Coleman, John Coltrane, Pharoah Sanders, Sun Ra, and Cecil Taylor -- and those of less well-known artists. It is her unique approach -- placing the 'new jazz' in its political and social context -- that makes As Serious As Your Life a classic of jazz criticism. Wilmer tells the story of how a generation of revolutionary musicians established black music as the true vanguard of American culture."
I read first read this book right after I graduated college in 1977. I had been attending dozens of loft jazz shows in Downtown NYC & in Soho, checking out the many avant/jazz musicians who became heroes and inspiration before working my way into the Downtown Scene which started (for me) around 1979. I've always dug this book and have read it several times since I first got my hands on it. I had heard the female British journalist had had a hard time dealing with sexist and racist attitudes when she was living here and documenting the Loft Jazz Scene during this period. I've been reading her work on jazz, blues, etc for years since and have long admired her diligence and clear-minded writing. It's time for me to read this book once again and if you haven't read it ever or in a long time, you should do the same. I am so glad that it is back in print! Thank you Ms. Val Wilmer! - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
Book [432 pages, paperback] $20
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ATTENTION ALL CREATIVE MUSICIANS OUT THERE, Around the world.
If you have a link for some music that you are working on and want to share it with the folks who read the DMG Newsletter, please send the link to DMG at DMG@Downtownmusicgallery.com
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THE STONE RESIDENCIES - FRED FRITH - MAY 21–23
LEGENDARY COMPOSER/GUITARIST FRED FRITH RETURNS TO THE STONE WITH FOUR DUO CONCERTS WITH DRUMMER/PERCUSSIONISTS ACROSS THREE NIGHTS—COME TO THEM ALL!!
PLEASE NOTE—TWENTY FIVE DOLLARS PER SET!
5/21 Wednesday
8:30 pm - DUO - Fred Frith (guitar) and a special guest drummer - TWENTY FIVE DOLLARS
5/22 Thursday
8:30 pm - DUO - Fred Frith (guitar) Nava Dunkelman (percussion) - TWENTY FIVE DOLLARS
PLEASE NOTE—TWO SETS ON FRIDAY MAY 23
FRED FRITH PRESENTS TWO CONCERTS OF DUETS WITH DRUMMERS!
SHOWS AT 7PM AND 830PM—TWENTY FIVE DOLLARS PER SET
THE NEW SCHOOL WILL BE CLOSED ON SATURDAY MAY 24 FOR MEMORIAL DAY SO THE STONE IS PRESENTING TWO SETS OF MUSIC ON FRIDAY MAY 23!
5/23 Friday
7 pm - DUO - Fred Frith (guitar) and a special guest drummer - TWENTY FIVE DOLLARS
8:30 pm - DUO - Fred Frith (guitar) Billy Martin (drums) - TWENTY FIVE DOLLARS
THE STONE RESIDENCIES / BEN GOLDBERG / MAY 28–31
5/28 Wednesday
8:30 pm - Trio - Hilliard Greene (bass) Kenny Wollesen (drums) Ben Goldberg (clarinet)
5/29 Thursday
8:30 pm - Trouble Trouble - Myra Melford (piano) Danny Lubin-Laden (trombone) Ben Goldberg (clarinet)
5/30 Friday
8:30 pm - Stumble Upon - Angelica Sanchez (piano) Carmen Quill (bass) Brian Chase (drums) Ben Goldberg (clarinet)
5/31 Saturday
8:30 pm - Quintet - Michael Coleman (synthesizers) Luke Bergman (pedal steel guitar) Kenny Wollesen (electric vibraphone) Hamir Atwal (drums) Ben Goldberg (clarinet)
THE STONE is located in
The New School at the Glass Box Theatre
55 West 13th Street - near 6th ave
LIVE MUSIC
wed-sat - music at 8:30pm
ADMISSION - $20 per set
unless otherwise noted
cash only payment
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THE SHAKUHACHI 5
Featuring:
Akihisa Kominato, Akihito Obama, Ken-Ichi Tajima,
Kizan Kawamura, and Reison Kuroda
Shakuhachi Vogue – A Visual Concert
Friday, May 16 at 7:30PM
Followed by a Private Gathering for Artists and Members
A Leading Japanese Instrumental Quintet's North American Debut Concert
At The Japan Society
Located at 333 East 47 Street, between First and Second Avenue, accessible via the 4/5/6 train at Grand Central Station or the E train at Lexington and 53 Street. our box office at 212-715-1258. The box office is open Monday through Friday, 11:00am to 6:00pm
Visit japansociety.org/performing-arts for more information
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ESP-Disk’ Concert Series:
May 23 (Friday) at 8pm:
Thollem McDonas: Set 1: solo piano; Set 2: trio with bassist Hilliard Greene and drummer Marc Edwards
Thollem released a brilliant solo piano album last year on ESP, Infinite-Sum Game.
At Loove Labs, 58 North 6th Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
June 13 (Friday) at 8 p.m.
Joe Morris & Elliott Sharp -
Release concert for their mind-boggling guitar duo album Realism, due in late May on ESP.
At Loove Annex, 238 North 12th Street in Greenpoint, Brooklyn
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THIS NOTE COMES FROM MY GOOD BUDDY JOEL HARRISON, Gifted Guitarist and Organizer. His yearly concerts at LPR have been a highlight for myself and other Guitar Freaks…
Dear Guitar Enthusiasts … There's a lot going:
—MIDWESTERNERS: please take note of the below dates. I'm lucky to be playing with two of the greatest B-3 organ players alive, and fantastic drummers as well. https://joelharrison.com/shows/
—On March 14 AGS (Alternative Guitar Summit) recordings releases ANUPAM SHOBHAKAR'S LIQUID REALITY, a tour de force on double neck guitar that fuses Indian music, jazz, and rock. If you like John McLaughlin this is for you. Preorder here: https://agsrecordings.bandcamp.com/
—We have uploaded some GREAT NEW PODCASTS to the AGS youtube channel with Ben Monder, Redd Volkaert, and more to come. Please check it out.
https://www.youtube.com/@alternativeguitarsummit
—For a couple of years I have been working on a major piece entitled "Burn Pit." The orchestration is jazz big band and a 16 person chorus. The subject matter is the deadly toxic burnpits from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that killed or sickened hundreds of thousands of military personnel. To fulfill my obligation to the NY State Council on the Arts and the Governors Office of NY, from whom I received a generous composition grant, I have posted a video discussing and playing excerpts from this work here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulyk1Pgrym8
Don't forget to sign up for our summer camp! Kevin Eubanks, Vernon Reid, Kurt Rosenwinkel, John Scofield...come on! https://www.alternativeguitarsummitcamp.com/ - Joel Harrison
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NEW VIDEOS from GUITAR MASTER HENRY KAISER:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgcxTkoIgQI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAWxt3EJSPw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcvoYygehqE
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From CHRIS CUTLER:
Formerly of HENRY COW, THE ART BEARS, NEWS FOR BABEL & RECOMMENDED RECORDS (ReR) has been creating an ongoing series of podcasts called the Probes series. I am often fascinated at listening to each of these as Mr. Cutler does an incredible job of showing a deep history of Creative Music in the 20th century & beyond. I usually listen to these on the train to NYC that I take to get to work each day. The most recent Probes (#37) was released earlier this year, here are the links:
https://rwm.macba.cat/en/research/probes-37
https://rwm.macba.cat/en/research/probes-36