passings
George Freeman (guitarist), April 10, 1927-April 1, 2025
Birth Sign,* 1970 (Delmark Records)
When, fifty years ago, I first heard this album, I thought it was wonderful. I still do.
*****
*1. “Mama, Papa, Brother” 2. “Cough It Up” 3. “My Scenery” 4. “Must Be, Must Be” 5. “Birth Sign” 6. “Hoss” 7. “My Ship”
George Freeman, guitar; Lester Lashley, trombone (track 4); Von Freeman (brother, MCOTD Hall of Fame), tenor saxophone (tracks 2-3, 6-7); Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre, tenor saxophone (track 4); Sonny Burke, organ (tracks 1–6); Robert Pierce, organ (track 4); Billy Mitchell, drums
sounds of Chicago
Rob Mazurek — Exploding Star Orchestra (RM [1965-], director, trumpets, bells, voice, compositions; Nicole Mitchell, flute, voice, electronics; Damon Locks, voice, words, samplers, electronics; Tomeka Reid, cello, electronics; Craig Taborn, wurlitzer electric piano, moog, electronics; Angelica Sanchez, wurlitzer electric piano, moog; Ingebrigt Håker Flaten, bass; Chad Taylor, drums; Gerald Cleaver, drums), live, Chicago (Adler Planetarium), 2023
**********
lagniappe
random sights
other day, Oak Park, Illinois

3n
MARO (voice, guitar, compositions) with Darío Barroso (guitar), Pau Figueres (guitar), live (studio), Washington, D.C., 2023
**********
lagniappe
radio
If, in these dark days, you need a reminder of just how great this country can be, you’re in luck. Tomorrow the folks at WKCR (Columbia University) will be celebrating the birthday of alto saxophonist Ornette Coleman (March 9, 1930-June 11, 2015), playing his music all day and all night. Then, on Monday, they’ll be doing the same with cornetist Bix Beiderbecke (March 10, 1903-August 6, 1931). Truly, a musical feast.
alone
Zosha Warpeha (Hardanger d’amore), “wakerobin,” 2024
Tomorrow night she’ll be performing at Chicago’s Constellation, as part of this year’s Frequency Festival.