Great Live Moments - Vanguard Jazz Orchestra

April 15, 2008. Posted by Joshua Jackson.

Add new comment | Filed under: brandford, dennis irwin, dick oatts, earl gardner, fourth anniversary, gary smulyan, gifted composers, jason jackson, Jazz Alive, joe mosello, Listening Post, Live Music, luis bonilla, max gordon, mel lewis orchestra, pit bands, ralph lalama, studio professionals, ted rosenthal, valentine s day, vanguard jazz orchestra, village vanguard, wbgo

Thad Jones and Mel Lewis created one of the most enduring rituals in New York. They started a big band in 1966, one that included some of the most gifted composers and improvisers in the city, many of whom were making their living as studio professionals or in Broadway pit bands. Max Gordon at the Village Vanguard booked them for three consecutive Monday evenings, and the rest is history. Both Jones and Lewis are gone, but the spirit of their music (as well as the original compositions and arrangements from their bands) continues with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra.

Every February, the VJO plays a weeklong showcase at the Vanguard. On the thirty fourth anniversary of the band, WBGO recorded the group on Monday night, of couse. As it happened, that was Valentine's Day, 2000.

We'll feature "Samba Con Getchu," a composition from Bob Brookmeyer, one of the early members of the Thad Jones - Mel Lewis Orchestra. The VJO included Jay Brandford, Ralph Lalama, Dick Oatts, Rich Perry, Gary Smulyan, Saxophones / Glenn Drewes, Earl Gardner, Joe Mosello, Scott Wendholt, Trumpets / Luis Bonilla, Jason Jackson, John Mosca, Douglas Purviance, Trombones / Ted Rosenthal, Piano / Dennis Irwin, Bass / John Riley, Drums

Listen to Samba Con Getchu from the WBGO Archives.

© 2008 WBGO

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Live at the Village Vanguard - Adam Rogers Quintet

April 9, 2008. Posted by Joshua Jackson.

Add new comment | Filed under: adam rogers, baby steps, confluence, debut, drums, edward simon, favorite places, firsts, guitarist, Jazz Alive, jazz club, jeff tain watts, legendary jazz, Listening Post, Live Music, mark turner, music site, Places and Spaces, pleasure, scott colley, tain, tenor, village vanguard, wbgo

The Village Vanguard is is one of my favorite places in New York. With that simple statement, it gives me great pleasure to introduce WBGO's newest adventure. We're starting a monthly concert series from the legendary jazz club. Our eventual plan is to air the shows live on WBGO, and stream them simultaneously on NPR's Music site. Last night, we took the first of many baby steps.

Guitarist Adam Rogers made his debut as a leader at the Vanguard, and we recorded our initial show for this series. An evening of "firsts," so to speak.

Here's the basic information:
Adam Rogers, guitar
Mark Turner, tenor
Edward Simon, piano
Scott Colley, bass
Jeff "Tain" Watts, drums

Set List:
Long Ago and Far Away
Absalom
Sight
Phyrigia
Confluence

Recorded 4/8/08

Listen to the concert now.
Check out some photos I took during the soundcheck.

We also recorded the second set. Someday you'll get to hear that, too! Stay tuned to the blog for more information about WBGO's new series, Live at the Village Vanguard.
-Josh

© 2008 WBGO

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Kurt Rosenwinkel - Untitled Improvisation

March 13, 2008. Posted by Joshua Jackson.

Add new comment | Filed under: artistshare, Discovery, guitarist, jazz, Jazz Alive, kurt rosenwinkel, Listening Post, Live Music, music, solo improvisation, studio session, Studio Sessions, the remedy, village vanguard, wbgo

I talked to guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel yesterday, and he played some songs. Here's one of them:

Kurt recently released The Remedy, a two-disc collection of music recorded live at the Village Vanguard in 2006. Highly recommended listening.
Kurt is one of the most gifted voices in jazz. But don't believe me.
View the Kurt Rosenwinkel project at ArtistShare.
-Josh

© 2008 WBGO

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