Author: Mike

According to the Jazz institute of Chicago:

“The 25th Annual Chicago Jazz Festival opens with a special tribute concert on Thursday, August 28 at the Symphony Center (220 S. Michigan Avenue). It will also feature extended hours, 11 a.m.–9:30 p.m. in Grant Park, Friday–Sunday, August 29–31. The Jazz Club Tour, sponsored by the JIC, returns Wednesday, August 27.

While details of the final lineup are still under negotiation, the following acts are expected to appear: McCoy Tyner Big Band; “The Message Lives: A Tribute to Art Blakey,” featuring the Branford Marsalis Quartet and the Jazz Messenger Alumni All-Stars; the Dave Holland Big Band; the Elvin Jones’ Jazz Machine; Jane Bunnett and the Spirits of Havana; Ken Vandermark; Freddie Cole; and Karrin Allyson.“

Rumor has it that Roscoe Mitchell is also scheduled to perform.

According to ECM, AEoC will be at Yoshi’s in Oakland CA Oct. 30 – Nov. 1. These guys rarely play live anymore, so this may be one of the last chances to see them perform. The date has been confirmed by Yoshi’s calendar.

From Jazzwise Magazine:

“Bassist Miroslav Vitous, formerly of key jazz-rock group Weather Report, is to release an as-yet-untitled album with a supergroup for the German ECM record label. He’s to work with guitarist John McLaughlin, formerly of the 70s Mahavishnu Orchestra; Norwegian saxophonist Jan Garbarek, whose 70s work included My Song with Keith Jarrett; drummer Jack deJohnette, who was on Miles Davis’ era-defining Bitches Brew, and pianist/keyboardist Chick Corea, leader of jazz-rock group Return to Forever. Vitous has not been active on the jazz scene for some years, recording a solo project for ECM back in the mid-80s but little has been heard of him internationally since. As a founder member of Weather Report, co-led by Wayne Shorter and Joe Zawinul, he recorded on the group’s eponymous debut recorded in 1971 and was also on I Sing the Body Electric, Live in Tokyo, Sweetnighter and Mysterious Traveller. The Czech born-player, who is 55, moved to the United States in the mid-1960s and worked with Herbie Mann and Miles Davis before becoming a member of Weather Report. The album is expected in October.“

I guess this could go either way…

Glass has written an article on Andante about 20th century music and how his work fits in.

The Guelph Jazz Festival has announced its lineup for Sept 3-7. Highlights include Steve Lacy, Evan Parker, Myra Melford, Mark Dresser and others.

A fairly detailed tour schedule for Frisell is available at his site, along with recent releases, reviews, and more.

An all-star tribute to Irving stone will take place at the Tonic in New York.

Blurb: “SATURDAY JULY 5TH at TONIC
107 Norfolk Street
(Between Delancey & Rivington)
212-358-7501

This show will be recorded for a double CD set on Tzadik. Money from the show and from CD sales will go into an Irving Stone Trust. A grant will be set up with money awarded yearly to selected musicians. Suggested Donation – $10“

Here’s one that must have existed under the radar for some time: the Encyclopedia of Electronic Music, which contains entries on a large number of artists, with discographies, descriptions and links. Nice job.

The Iridium Jazz Club in New York has a very impressive lineup of shows coming up. Highlights include the Carla Bley Big Band, David S. Ware, The Henry Grimes Quintet, Steve Lacy, Ahmad Jamal, a Dolphy tribute, and more.

Print magazine Signal to Noise has a set of online archives available with articles focusing on William Parker, Cecil Taylor, Sonny Murray, DJ Spooky and Matthew Shipp, and more.