To produce a mighty book, you must choose a mighty theme. No great and enduring volume can ever be written on the flea, though many there be who have tried it.

Jazz Appreciation Month

The Smithsonian has some very hip jazz posters for Jazz Appreciation Month. This year's poster is of Dave Brubeck.

Jazz Appreciation Month

Amazon.com tells me it is jazz appreciation month. This sounds good. Does anyone know more about it?

Jazz art. Here are some interesting pieces.

Highway Rider, Brad Mehldau

Listen to a very tasteful NPRreview of Brad Mehldau's new CD, "Highway Rider." Mehldau explains the conception of the recording in winsome ways. I just purchased this recording, and have not listened to it in depth as yet. When I do, I will try to write a short review.

I love Joshua Redman's short and highly articulate comments on Mehldau's playing. The man is intelligent in his playing and his speaking, as is Mehldau

"Interstellar Space" by John Coltrane and Rashad Ali

Howling,
Growling, but
Singing,
past the moon,
toward the Sun, beyond the Sun
toward heaven
shoots the duo soundings.

Flooding, flowing, dancing...
stunning.

Earth made rare
through soul,
seeking asylum beyond,
but in the midst it wails.

Wordless voices, choices
jutting out, and up, and out.

Notes: outstanding,
extraordinary,
extra-mundane.

Unconstrained by key
or harmony.

The pulsations
are revelations
and celebrations
of visceral cerebrations
through horn and drum,
never done, before
or since.

Heidi Schmidt at D'Vine Wine, February 20

Singer, guitarist Heidi Schmidt will perform Saturday, February 20, at D'Vine Wine (1660 Champa) in Denver. She will be accompanied by guitar and tenox saxophone. I reviewed her gig there with the same band in January on this blog and look forward to seeing her perform again.