The Bad Plus concert on NPR
I’m absolutely loving this live take from the Vanguard on New Year’s Eve. They play some awesome compositions by the band members – Ethan Iverson, Reid Anderson & David King -, Ornette Coleman, György Ligeti and more. A stellar show, I think even not so heavy jazz fans would appreciate. I wish I had been there…
Raadio 2 Jazzitup – New York Jazz & More
Raadio 2 stuudios on merevaade
Mina Raadio 2 jazzisaates Jazzitup Alari Oraval külas, mõndasid oma New Yorgi lemmikuid leide jagamas. Antud juhul tähendab sõna “more” Mark Guilianat, keda me seal põhiliselt kuulasime, ühest ja teisest küljest… 
A way to discover some “random” music
I was recommended this great site for discovering (mostly indie) music from all over the world (mostly US though). The idea is simple – people can put their music up there for curious listeners to discover. So musicians looking for self promotion should get their profile up. I think the idea of site is awesome. There should be some more happening jazz there, though. Or just some more interesting stuff. I get a little bored browsing all those singer-songwriters. I did find “Wonderwall” the Oasis song cover by Brad Mehldau trio, though, so there is hope
My username: Innuke. Feel free to fill me as the one who recommended the site
My list of Brooklyn Jazz Clubs
I made this list to sum up my discoveries of Brooklyn jazz and it’s now also up on Big Apple Jazz website (other jazz clubs in the city covered by Gordon Polatnick). Happy exploring 
Here’s the list:
Komeda Project Listening Party
I really like this album All About Jazz has on their site for free listening this week – REQUIEM by Komeda Project, a contemporary tribute to the music of renowned Polish composer/pianist KRZYSZTOF KOMEDA.
Featuring pianist/composer/arranger Andrzej Winnicki and saxophonist Krzysztof Medyna – the driving force behind Komeda Project, they say - with trumpeter Russ Johnson, bassist Scott Colley and drummer Nasheet Waits. I think it’s really killing. I wonder how long they’ll keep it up there.
What I heard in 2009
I guess it’s quite hopeless to count all, but I’m trying to list some people and groups heard in 2009, in no particular order: Bill McHenry, John Ellis, Davy Mooney, Nir Felder, Alas No Axis, Vardan Ovsepian, Tim Miller, Ari Hoenig, Jean-Michel Pilc, Femi Kuti, David Byrne, Arthur Kell Quartet, Loren Stillman, Dave Douglas, Marcus Strickland, Ernie Watts, Steve Laspina, Kurt Elling, Mike Moreno Group, Ben Monder, Logan Richardson, Matt Stevens, The 3 Cohens 6tet, Now vs Now, Greg Osby 6tet, Charles Lloyd, Chris Potter-Jason Moran-Eric Harland-Dave Holland, Jason Moran’s Bandwagon, Ben Monder, Aaron Goldberg, Larry Grenadier, Seamus Blake, Dave Allen, Aidan Carroll, Ben Williams, Matt Brewer, Matisyahu, Johannes Wiedenmueller, Justin Brown, Adam Niewood, Peter Bernstein, Mike Severson, Neil Persiani, Mark Kelley, Samuel Torres, Henry Hey, Omer Avital, Miles Okazaki, Phil Doyle, Nick Anderson, Trio da Paz, the Superpowers, Snafu, Manuel Valera, Diego Voglino’s jam sessions, McCoy Tyner trio with Gary Bartz, Maria Schneider Orchestra, John Hollenbeck, Christian Scott, Guillermo Klein y Los Gauchos, Marc Ribot, Tony Scherr, Kenny Wollesen, Kenny Garrett Group, Bill Frisell trio, Brad Mehldau, HEERNT, Tim Lefebvre, Mingus Big Band, Vanguard Orchestra, Jeremy Udden, John Scofield w/ Bill Stewart & Steve Swallow, Ingrid Jensen, John Escreet Project, Jason Rigby, Rich Perry, David Kikiwski, Jaleel Shaw, David Binney, Avishai Cohen’s Triveni, Gilad Hekselman, Joe Martin, Taylor Haskins & Recombination, Mike Stern, Leni Stern, Bill Frisell, Lage Lund, Abdullah Ibrahim & Ekaya, Wayne Krantz, Rudder, Lee Konitz, Mark Turner, Gretchen Parlato, Sara Serpa, Eric Revis, Tom Kennedy, Ethan Iverson, Ben Street, Dan Weiss, Paul Motian, Nasheet Waits, Obed Calvaire, Jeff Ballard, Jim Black, Jordan Perlson, Clarence Penn, Greg Ritchie, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Marcus Gilmore, Nate Smith, Billy Hart, Tommy Crane, Ted Poor, Jack deJohnette, Albert “Tootie” Heath, Tyshawn Sorey, Joey Baron, Mark Ferber, Keith Carlock, John Davis, Adam Cruz, Jared Schonig, Joe Strasser, Erica von Kleist, Brandon Ross, Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society, Ralph Alessi’s This Against That, Tony Malaby, Angelica Sanchez, Andy Milne, John Beaty, Douglas Bradford Group, Aki Ishiguro, Jonathan Kreisberg, Cedar Walton, Mara Rosenbloom Quartet, Tim Collins Group, Reuben Radding, Marc Copland, Nate Radley 4tet, Kenny Garrett Group, Brad Shepik Flat World trio, Thomas Morgan, Craig Taborn, Ziv Ravitz, Daniel Ori, Mike Baggetta, Tim Berne’s Los Totopos, Drew Gress, Josh Roseman, Taylor Eigsti, Orrin Evans, Aaron Parks, Joel Harrison Group, Donny McCaslin, Orlando LeFleming, Steve Cardenas, Ralph Alessi, Joe Sanders, Jon Cowherd, Roy Hargrove, Sachal Vasandani, Maria Neckham, Lars Dietrich, Andy Arnold, Moto Fukushima, Fieldwork, Viyai Iyer, Gerald Clayton, Ravi Coltrane, Joe Albano, Matt Snow Group, Claudia Quintet, Chris Speed, Chris Cheek, Landon Knoblock, Will Vinson, Lage Lund, Joege Roeder, John Abercrombie, Sean Jones Quintet, Jim Hall, Michael Rodriguez, Dan Tepfer, Gary Wang, Boris Kozlov, Mike Severson, Chris Lightcap, Chris Tordini, Ambrose Akinmusire, Ian Rapien, Jenny Scheinman, Ben Allison, Todd Sickafoose, Ellery Eskelin, John Hebert, Allison Miller, Brad Jones, Pete Robbins, Patrick Cornelius, Kristjan Randalu, Jochen Rueckert, Jason Lindner, Zack Lober, Eivind Opsvik, Uri Gurvich, Mandingo Ambassadors, Chauncey Yearwood’s Soul Sessions, Bjorn Solli, Andrew D’Angelo, Steve Wilson, Christian McBride, James Carter, Adam Rogers, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Medeski & Martin & Wood, Jeff Taylor, Meshell Ndegeocello, Renee Rosnes, Anat Cohen, Esperanza Spalding.
Me and Ben Monder, in front of 55 Bar
My favorite guitar player out of the lot was Ben Monder I also really liked Mike Moreno, Wayne Krantz, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Nir Felder, the young jazz cat, especially if he was playing with Mark G. I think Steve Cardenas might be one of those good underrated ones. My favorite bass player was definitely Ben Street. And Esperanza Spalding .
I guess in New York, for me, it was mostly actually all about the drummers – Mark Guiliana, Nasheet Waits. I also liked Dan Weiss, Ari Hoenig, Nate Smith, Tyshawn Sorey, Tommy Crane, Marcus Gilmore, Billy Hart, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Jochen Rueckert, Keith Carlock, Ted Poor, Obed Calvaire a lot, a lot, a lot.
Favorite jazz club – the Village Vanguard. I also liked the Jazz Gallery & Jazz Standard. And Tea Lounge & Rose in Brooklyn.
My favorite things i heard in 2009:
Me & Nasheet Waits @ Kettle of Fish
McCoy Tyner @ the Blue Note
John Scofield w/ BIll Stewart & Steve Swallow @ Madison Square Park
Ben Monder with Chris Lightcap & Ted Poor @ Korzo
Tony Scherr @ Jalopy Theater
Mark Guiliana’s Thing / now also know as Beat Music, various times @ Rose & Rockwood Music Hall
Brad Shepik with Bill McHenry & Mark Guiliana
Maria Schneider @ the Jazz Standard (1st set, Wednesday)
Jason Lindner Now vs Now @ Rockwood Music Hall
Avishai Cohen’s Triveni @ 55 Bar
David Binney Group @ Solo Kitchen Bar
Tim Berne’s Los Totopos @ McCarren Hall
Avishai Cohen with Jason Lindner & Nasheet Waits @ Rose
HEERNT @ Rose
Esperanza Spalding @ Carnegie Hall
And some gigs that I remember had really great live energy:
Mara Rosenbloom 4tet @ Korzo
Arthur Kell Quartet @ 55 Bar
Tim Collins Group @ Smalls
John Escreet Project @ Jazz Standard
David Binney Group @ 55 Bar & then Solo Kitchen Bar
Mike Moreno Group @ the Jazz Gallery, second set
Matt Brewer with Aaron Parks, Steve Cardenas, Ila Cantor, Tommy Crane @ Tribeca Center
Friday night groove music @ St Nick’s Pub
John Escreet Project @ Drom
Jonathan Kreisberg Group @ Solo Kitchen Bar
John Ellis Group @ Solo Kitchen Bar
the Superpowers @ Zebulon
Fieldwork @ the Stone ( I remember hotness!)
Davy Mooney Quartet @ 55 Bar
Snafu @ Spike Hill
Jeff Taylor @ Rockwood Music Hall
Renee Rosnes @ the Village Vanguard
Brad Mehldau @ the Village Vanguard
Ambrose Akinmusire @ the Jazz Gallery
Lee Konitz/Mark Turner Quintet @ Iridium
Donny McCaslin Group @ the 55 Bar
Sunday night @ the 55 Bar
W/ Adam Cruz (drums), Joe Sanders (bass) and Ben Monder (guitar). Lot of people, I came for the second set and couldn’t even find a seat at first. Was a great gig Really enjoyed listening to Ben Monder again… I guess it was the last New York jazz concert for me this year, though, because I’ll be out of town for a while. Really don’t know when I’ll be back.
Ben Monder with Chris Lightcap & Ted Poor @ Korzo Konceptions
Chris Lightcap, Ted Poor, Ben Monder @ Korzo
Well that was something ridiculous, just unbelievable! Ben Monder on guitar, Chris Lightcap – bass, Ted Poor- drums. My New York jazz experience would have been much less without it… They had this totally scary control over the instruments, dynamics, sound and rhythm, and this magical alchemical togetherness as a trio, I was totally tripping into another dimension listening to them. They did Long Ago And Far Away, I’ll Remember April, a Cream song, some Jimmy Webb tunes – but to me it all sounded like Ben Monder’s music. Yeah, amazing what worlds a “jazz guitar” trio can conjure up. Never realized how good Chris Lightcap and Ted Poor were before yesterday. Korzo on Tuesdays is just great! I’m glad I heard this one.
Jeremy Udden’s Ethiopian Groove Project @ Le Grand Dakar
Jeremy Udden @ Le Grand Dakar
Was supposed to be with Mike Baggetta on guitar and Jorge Roeder on bass, but it was actually Dave Ambrosio (bass), Richie Barshay (drums), Pete Cancura (sax), Jeremy Udden (sax) and no guitar. But the music was pretty cool, Ethiopian groove . Jeremy Udden has a nice sound. Interesting restaurant in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, that one, they quite often have some great bands playing over there. I found out that the guy who books it is also the head chef. Well, the food and the booking is just delicious. But they could make it a little cozier for winter time, the room was a bit cold. To me the space feels like it might be a lovely place to hang in spring.
Mingus Big Band @ Jazz Standard & the Village Vanguard Jazz Orchestra revisited
Mingus Big Band @ Jazz Standard
Went to hear the Mingus Big Band @ Jazz Standard, finally . I’ve been curious about that one for a while. It was surprisingly packed over there, seems like Jazz Standard is doing great business. And they deserve it too – in my opinion they have one of the best bookings in the city, really great food, great service, nice atmosphere, very professional attitude, quite reasonable prices (with student discounts), none of that aggressive minimums policy. Which really makes it in many ways the best jazz club in NY. But I was a little disappointed with the actual big band. I enjoyed only a couple of the tunes. I thought quite a lot of it was actually disturbingly out of tune. And for some reason didn’t like the piano player, I thought he was showing some bad taste with all those elevator music clichés and not so classy christmas carols quotes. So I wasn’t as much into the whole thing. Boris Kozlov sounded great, though. And the lineup in general seemed pretty amazing: Scott Robinson, Donny McCaslin – tenor saxophone, Jaleel Shaw, Craig Handy – alto saxophone, flute, Lauren Sevian – baritone saxophone, Andy Hunter, Dave Taylor, Marshall Gilkes – trombones Kenny Rampton, Alex Sipiagin, Earl Gardner – trumpets, David Kikoski – piano, Boris Kozlov – bass, Jeff “Tain” Watts – drums.
Village Vanguard Jazz Orchestra
But yeah. I think as a big band they were also lacking a little with the dynamics and energy. So later on I went to hear the second set of the Vanguard for a fresh comparison between the two. I must say the Vanguard Orchestra sounded way better to me. They weren’t perfect either, though . The Vanguard was really packed as well, even the second set. Seems like the holiday season is favorable for big band music. Speaking of that, I really wish I could have heard Joe Henderson’s Big Band live. I don’t think I would have had anything critical to say about them!
Discovered an inspiring quote by Charles Mingus on Jazz Standard’s website:
“Most people are forced to do things they don’t want to for most of the time, and so they get to the point where they feel they no longer have any choices about anything important, including who they are. We create our own slavery. But I’m going to keep on getting through, and finding out the kind of man I am,
Edmar Casteneda & Ari Hoenig @ Smalls
through my music. That’s the one place I can be free.” (Charles Mingus [1922–1979], from a conversation with Nat Hentoff)
And then finally, saw Ari Hoenig @ Smalls with this interesting Columbian harp player Edmar Casteneda. Never heard seen or heard that kind of harp before, cool
