WBGO Blog

  • Digging on Dexter

    February 27, 2008. Posted by Joshua Jackson.

    Add new comment | Filed under: 4am, basie band, Birthdays, copenhagen, daniel humair, dexter gordon, drummer, Encounters, george gruntz, guy pederson, loose walk, Masters, montmartre, musicians, param name, piano guy, rahsaan roland kirk, Real Life Stories, saxophonist, sonny stitt, time off, tivoli gardens, wbgo, www youtube

    It's the birthday of saxophonist Dexter Gordon, who holds a special place in the hearts of many people at WBGO. Perhaps no one here knew him better than our station mother, Dorthaan Kirk. Here's a story she just told me:

    I met Dexter when I was touring Europe with Rahsaan Roland Kirk's band. Rahsaan loved Dexter, so I knew the name and the music before I ever met him. Anyway, we had some time off, so we went to Copenhagen. We saw an early concert at Tivoli Gardens with the Basie Band, then we joined some of Basie's guys and headed for the Club Montmartre. Copenhagen was Dexter's home, and he played that club all the time.
    I remember so much about that evening. Dexter was wearing a blue jean suit. It was definitely the 70s! At the end of the night, it's 3 or 4am, and all of the musicians are at the bar. I'm keeping to myself, mostly, while all the guys are carrying on. Long, tall, and handsome as can be, Dexter walks out of the kitchen, comes right up to me, and says, "Who are you?" I was practically speechless, which you know never happens...
    From that night on, Dexter always called me "Miss Rahsaan." I sure do miss him.

    Here's Dexter playing Sonny Stitt's "Loose Walk" in Amsterdam, with a Swiss trio - George Gruntz piano, Guy Pederson bass and drummer Daniel Humair:

     

    © 2008 WBGO

  • Jaleel Shaw

    February 8, 2008. Posted by Angelika Beener.

    Add new comment | Filed under: ascap foundation, Birthdays, blown away, composer award, happy birthday, international jazz competition, jaleel shaw, Jazz Alive, Jazz Community, jazz composer, Jazz Education, kendrick, Live Music, recipient, thelonious monk, young lions

    jaleel.jpg

    This is another up-and-coming artist that I'm really excited about. Jaleel Shaw is one of the most talented and interesting young players that has come along in the latest wave of young lions. I first met Jaleel around 2002 - he was a finalist in the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition that year as well. I was completely blown away by this cat. This year, he is a recipient of the ASCAP Foundation Young Jazz Composer Award, along with another great young talent, Kendrick Scott.

    Check him out

    Oh, and Happy Birthday too!

    © 2008 WBGO

  • One love!

    February 6, 2008. Posted by .

    Add new comment | Filed under: Birthdays, Discovery, Listening Post, Notes, Real Life Stories

    Robert Nesta Marley was born on this day (Feb 6) in 1945 in Jamaica, W.I. His friends called him Bob. He died in 1981. Simple math will tell you that he barely got a chance to live. But the music he crammed into his 36 years will outlive all of us.

    If all you know about Bob Marley is "I shot the Sheriff," I urge you to dig deeper. The man was one of the most eloquent and sensitive songwriters ever. Whether he was singing about the oppression of hate or the deliverance of love, his lyrics were simply - true. Marley is Dylan is Lennon and McCartney is Jagger and Richards and then some. But, as hip as those cats were, they still couldn't break it down like Bob.

    "I-and-I no come to fight flesh and blood, but spiritual wickedness in high and low places; so while they fight you down, stand firm and give Jah thanks and praises! I-and-I don't expect to be justified by the laws of men. Oh, You may find me guilty but truth, truth will prove my innocence. When the rain falls, it don't fall on one man's house. Just remember that!"

    You don't have to be a Rasta to dig that! Happy Birthday, Bob. This world misses you, bro. - David Cruz

    © 2008 WBGO