Kevin,

Wasn't that "Baritone Madness" evening smokin' - not just the musicianship, which was outstanding, but the great arrangements. Same can be said of the DIVA Jazz Orchestra - some very,...

There are two separate facebook pages/petitions and hopefully, they will merge. One is specifically addressing Eric Jackson's "Eric in the Evening" show and the other addresses both Eric and Steve...

Dear Friends,
Aaron Vega is the 14 year old son of Jazz trumpet great, Ray Vega, and Miriam (Cookie) Vega. Earlier this summer we learned that Aaron was going to have to return to a hospital in NY...

Uh-oh...just read that Minton's closed again sometime in 2010 and last thing I could find was that a British company bought the Hotel Cecil/Minton's. Extra thankful I visited Minton's back in 2007. ...

Ron,

I would have loved to barge in on your mini-Santa Monica party!

I'm enjoying all of your pictures, especially of Alaska.

Marla

I was there and agree with everything you report, bigtiny. I especially loved the interplay between Sanchez and Burton. A great concert and homecoming for all 4 musicians.

I've heard some good advance reviews from friends on this and thanks for the reminder to pick this one up!

Memorial Service for Gerry Niewood on March 2 in Glen Ridge, New Jersey -

Memorial Service

Gerry Niewood died on February 12, 2009. He was 65. Memorial Services will be held at Glen Ridge...

Hi Mary,

Yes, a close friend of both Jeanie and Coleman's.

Take care,
Marla

I, too, heard from a reliable source that Freddie Hubbard did pass away.

Marla

Hi Ron,

I have the Rollins and Evans single DVDs from Series III and Alan Dawson's performance on both is beyond outstanding! Rollins is magnificent and Bill Evans is lyrical and plays...

During the 1980's I vacationed in L.A. about 3-4 times per year. There were a few local "hangs" at that time, including Alfonse's, The Money Tree, Chadneys. Donte's shortly after I started making...

Vocalist Ernie Andrews will be featured at the Marblehead Jazz Festival on Saturday evening, August 9. He'll be backed by the Brad Hatfield Qt. (featuring bassist John Lockwood, drummer Yoron Israel...

Valerie,

Thanks for the corrections; I feel bad when I incorrectly spell a name and the parking restriction until 7 p.m. is also very important!

Marla

A Celebration of Gerry Wiggins' life will be held on Monday, July 28 from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Details as follows:

Monday, July 28, 2008 - 6:30 P.M. - 10:30 P.M.

@ the Nat Holden...

Thanks, Ron and Valerie.

Ron,

Wig was consistently surprising as a musician; one of the things I loved about him and his playing, especially live, his playing could have such humor - might make...

Here is a remembrance from his young granddaughter, Marissa and I thought it was quite touching and wanted to share:

My grandfather Gerry Wiggins just passed away on Sunday, June 13th, in Encino....

Wig's Obituary in Today's L.A. Times:

http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/

Please note that Wig is also survived by a daughter, Sandy.

The bassist in the picture is the late Bob Maize. ...

Thanks, Mary, though it is doubtful he will just because it is a very, very rare video. More Philly Joe has surfaced recently, but just on youtube and I think the rarer the jazz video, the more...

Ira Gitler's Jazz Masters of the 40's and Jazz Masters of the 50's books are invaluable resources regarding the bebop era as they are mostly oral histories/interviews with the jazz legends...

With all this talk about one of my many jazz heroes, I decided to go through my archives and found this audio/radio from Europe, given to me by someone in Europe. I'd be happy to share as this music...

Fabio,

Your generosity is appreciated. I do have #5 and it is a gem - (if this is the one I have) - rare Oscar Pettiford footage, Charlie Shavers with Ben Webster, which is priceless).

Marla

Hi Pete (how are you)?

Yes, I have wonderful and free software available at videolan.org and that plays just about every possible audio and video format. Also, the very inexpensive Coby brand DVD...

Uptown, to date, has not released these two gems as CDs, though there has been talk...

There is a CD of Dameronia live in Paris with the great Kenny Washington doing an exceptional job of "sitting...

Well, Fabio, as I said above, I do wish you well! In fact, if I ever get to Italy, we will meet for a glass of wine :).

Marla