Hiatus Listening & Watching: Podcasts & Artistic Video

Among the orders I have to follow over this hiatus, sitting still and lying down are among the top 10. So, I have been watching some television and poking around YouTube as well as other sites.  But, I have been also listening to podcasts.  I am hooked on Leo Sidran's "The Third Story" as he is not only a musician but also a fine interviewer.

This morning, I checked out his interview with Duchess Trio, that delightful vocal group featuring Amy Cervini, Hilary Gardner, and Melissa Stylianou.  One learns a lot about how to keep a group together, about the history of each vocalist, and even an impromptu (sort of) performance.  Go to www.third-story.com/listen/duchess and check it out. While you're at the site, check out the other people he has interviewed (including his father, Ben Sidran).  There's a lot to learning from listening.

That should logically lead you to this: www.duchesstrio.com/harmonyandhijinks/. They are such engaging people, it's easy to sit and listen to several episodes at a time.  It's summertime, time for lazing about, time for enjoyment but, with all the political and social unrest at the moment, one might  feel as if frivolity is just wasted time.  It's not, nor should it ever be. If we lose our senses of humor and perspective, we run the risk of becoming one-dimensional and, frankly, dull.  So, my prescription would be "one episode per day. morning, noon, or night."



Here's a video to enjoy as well:



I started this series with a short set from the Vadim Neselovskyi Trio.  Here's a new video the Ukranian-born pianist posted this week from his January 2017 release "Get Up and Go" -  this track features the lovely voice of Sara Serpa:

Hiatus Watching & Listening (Part 1)

There are times when this blog slows down because of school or family visits but rarely a week goes by when I do not post a review or a notable gig happening in Connecticut.  But, I must step aside for what could be as long as two weeks. Lord knows, I have lots to review but.....So the plan is to upload videos and audio from artists with new albums and more -  just no reviews.

Here's the first installment!

We open with a live video featuring the Vadim Neselovskyi Trio.  Vadim's on piano, Dan Loomis on bass, and Ronen Itzik on drums and this was recorded in Bremen, Germany, exactly two weeks before the Trio appeared at The Side Door Jazz Club in Old Lyme, CT. I was there for the later gig and the musicianship blew me away!  So, watch the Trio having so much fun and make sure to turn up the volume.




Music Mountain in Lakeville, CT, has booked a fascinating summer of creative music for its "Twilight Concerts" series. On Saturday August 5, multi-reed artist and composer Ben Kono brings his Quintet to the lovely hall on the mountain. Kono, who plays in multiple ensembles and Broadway "pits", has been working on a work titled "Don't Blink" for the past several years (thanks to commissions from Chamber Music America and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.  Not sure who is in the Quintet for this gig but here's a live take from 2014 with band that features Pete McCann (guitar), Mike Holober (piano), Kermit Driscoll (bass), and Satoshi Takeishi (drums and percussion). 




For more information about the live show, go to musicmoutain.org.  To learn more about Mr. Kono, go to www.benkono.com.

Here's the opening track from saxophonist Ralph Bowen's new self-titled disk on Posi-Tone Records. Besides Bowen blowing hard on tenor saxophone, the band features Jim Ridl (piano), Kenny Davis (drums), and the rollicking drum work of Cliff Almond (especially on the track below). The album includes six-song "Phylogeny Suite" that has songs titled "A Rookery of Ravens", "A Venue of Vultures", and so forth (you'll need to look up "phylogeny").  The track below is not part of the suite but an invitation to and preview of the great sounds to come.

For more information, go to www.ralphbowen.com.

Here's a track from alto saxophonist John O'Gallagher, bassist Johannes Weidenmuller, and drummer Mark Ferber.  Whirlwind Recordings released "John O'Gallagher Trio: Live In Brooklyn" earlier this year (actually, late December 2016) and, somehow, it got buried under a pile of others recordings and student papers (excuses, excuses) - a review is forthcoming but here's a taste of what to expect from this exciting group.  Pay attention to fascinating interactions and powerful playing from all three.

For more information, go to www.johnogallagher.com.