sounds of New York
Aruan Ortiz, Anthony Coleman, Vijay Iyer, Solo Piano Impressions for Herbie Nichols (1919-1963, pianist, composer), live, New York, 2019
One-word review of Aruan Ortiz’s opening set: Wow!
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lagniappe
random sights
other day, Chicago
more
Susan Alcorn (1953-, pedal steel guitar), Nels Cline (1956-, guitar, electronics), Chris Corsano (1975-, drums, electronics), live, New York, 2016
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lagniappe
random sights
yesterday, Chicago
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reading table
As the Zen master Shunryu Suzuki Roshi said, life is like getting into a boat that’s just about to sail out to sea and sink.
—Pema Chödrön (1936-), When Things Fall Apart (1997)
like nobody else
How about time-traveling to 1961 Paris?
Blossom Dearie (1924-2009, vocals, piano), “C’est le Printemps” (“It Might as Well Be Spring,” R. Rodgers, O. Hammerstein II; adaptation, J. Sablon), “Plus je t’embrasse” (“Heart of My Heart,” B. Ryan; adaptation, Max François), live, Paris, 1961
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lagniappe
art beat: other day, Museum of Modern Art, New York
Isa Genzken (1948-), Rose II (2007)
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reading table
The youth walks up to the white horse, to put its halter on
and the horse looks at him in silence.
They are so silent they are in another world.—D. H. Lawrence (1885-1930), “The White Horse”
sounds of New York
Reverend Gary Davis (1896-1972), “Death Don’t Have No Mercy,” live
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lagniappe
random sights
yesterday, Chicago (Columbus Park)
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reading table
Clear skies ring with the honk of wild geese
On deserted hills, leaves whirl in the wind
Twilight on a smoky village road
Carrying an empty begging bowl and walking home alone—Ryōkan (1758-1831), translated from classical Chinese by Ryūichi Abé and Peter Haskel
passings
Charles Wuorinen, composer, June 9, 1938-March 11, 2020
Flying to Kahani (2005); Orchestra of the League of Composers (C. Wuorinen, cond.), live, New York, 2016
In 2011, jazz composer Carla Bley called Mr. Wuorinen ‘the greatest composer working.’ And the proudly poly-stylistic composer John Zorn, who has worked in forms ranging from klezmer to punk rock, recently called Mr. Wuorinen ‘a true artist whose intense and uncompromising vision produced work of remarkable beauty and drama.’ ‘He never wrote an insincere note in his life,’ Zorn continued. ‘He was a powerful role model and I loved him dearly.’
—Tim Page, obituary, Washington Post, 3/14/20
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lagniappe
random sights
early yesterday morning, Oak Park, Ill.
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John Coltrane Quartet (JC, 1926-1967, tenor saxophone; McCoy Tyner, 1938-2020, piano; Jimmy Garrison, 1934-1976, bass; Elvin Jones, 1927-2004, drums), live (“Vigil,” Naima,” “My Favorite Things”), Belgium (Comblain-la-Tour), 1965
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lagniappe
random sights
other day, New York
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radio
Today WKCR (Columbia University) celebrates the birthday of cornetist Bix Beiderbecke (1903-1931)—all Bix, all day.
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reading table
In the dark we disappear, pure being.
—Stanley Plumly (1939-2019), from”Wight”
passings
McCoy Tyner, pianist, December 11, 1938-March 6, 2020
John Coltrane Quartet (JC, 1926-1967, tenor saxophone; MC, piano; Jimmy Garrison, 1934-1976, bass; Elvin Jones, 1927-2004, drums), “Impressions” (J. Coltrane), live (TV show), San Francisco, 1963
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lagniappe
art beat: other day, Museum of Modern Art, New York
Henri Matisse (1869-1954), Dance (I), 1909; Jeannette, c. 1910
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radio
Today, Ornette Coleman’s birthday (b. 1930), it’s all Ornette all day on WKCR (Columbia University).
what’s new
Greentea Peng (aka Aria Wells), “Ghost Town” (A. Wells), 3/4/20
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lagniappe
art beat: yesterday, Museum of Modern Art, New York
Jackson Pollock (1912-1956), One: Number 31, 1950 (detail)
sounds of New York
Robert Dick (bass flute), Stephanie Griffin (viola), Gamin (piri), live, New York, 2/29/20
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lagniappe
random sights
yesterday, Oak Park, Ill.
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reading table
Now spring has arrived
on a mountain with no name
in early morning haze—Matsuo Basho (1644-1694), translated from Japanese by Sam Hamill
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This I could listen to all day.
Steve Reich (1936-), Music for Mallet Instruments, Voices, and Organ (1973); Alarm Will Sound, live, New York, 2004
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lagniappe
random sights
yesterday morning, outside Chicago (Salt Creek Trail)
music clip of the day 