WBGO Blog

  • Live Blog: Cedar Walton Trio at the Village Vanguard 12.17.08

    December 17, 2008. Posted by Joshua Jackson.

    Add new comment | Filed under: brooklyn, cedar walton, Live Chat, Live Music Blogging, photos, showtime

    Cedar Walton Trio Sign at Village Vanguard
    See some photos.

    8pm
    We're an hour from showtime.  Earlier today, I visited Cedar Walton at his home in Brooklyn.  I'll post the interview with the complete wrap-up of our time at the Vanguard tonight.  Stay tuned.

    8:03pm
    Not a full house expected tonight.  Could be that the recession is starting to put a dent in recreation budgets.  Not a good sign for jazz.

    8:06pm
    Epoch Films is shooting a Heineken commercial in the Village Vanguard tomorrow.  Keep an eye out for that in the near future.  Real musicians will not be a part of the shoot.  Just actors.  They have reserved all parking spots on both sides of the club.  As you might know, parking spaces in NYC are a premium, so the neighbors are none too thrilled about finding a spot for their cars.

    8:19pm
    Bassist David Williams is the first member of the trio to arrive tonight.  More later.

    8:47pm
    Drummer Lewis Nash just arrived.  He recently finished recording a studio date for Willie Nelson with Joe Sample, Christian McBride, and guitarist Anthony Wilson.  Willie sings standards!

    8:50pm
    Still no leader...Cedar Walton, paging Cedar Walton???

    8:51pm
    Cedar must have heard the page.  And he was looking for parking...

    9:01pm
    "Cedar's Blues" opens the show, and the trio is swinging mercilessly.

    9:11pm
    "Dear Ruth," an original composition dedicated to Cedar's mom.  She was a piano teacher.  She must have been a good one!

    9:19pm
    Lots of original compositions so far.  This one is "Sixth Avenue."  Funky.

    9:30pm
    This is "Back to the Holy Land," I think.  Cedar is calling songs on the fly.

    9:51pm
    Sorry for the long break in action.  We're listening to "Time After Time."  This is such a great trio.  Plenty of chemistry.

    9:58pm
    "Body and Soul" with a samba beat.  I just heard a reference to "Mona Lisa" go by...

    10:06pm
    A little Christmas Music, anyone?  With some blues for good measure.

    © 2008 WBGO

  • Ballard/Delgado Apartment for Sale

    June 10, 2008. Posted by Joshua Jackson.

    Add new comment | Filed under: apartment, broker fee, brooklyn, guachos, honey, Jazz Community, jeff ballard, moving to spain, village vanguard, WBGO Community Events, windsor terrace

    Apartment for Sale
    We're soundchecking Los Guachos at the Village Vanguard right now.
    I just learned that Jeff Ballard and his honey, Lourdes Delgado, are moving.
    To Spain. There's only one catch - they need to sell their apartment in Brooklyn.
    So if you or someone you know is in the market for a 2BR pad in the
    Windsor Terrace section of Brooklyn, here's the listing.
    Let me know if you buy it, so I can collect my broker fee.
    Kidding.
    -Josh

    © 2008 WBGO

  • Pianist Ronnie Mathews

    May 5, 2008. Posted by Joshua Jackson.

    Add new comment | Filed under: barry harris, brooklyn, cancer, Jazz Community, keyboard, methodist hospital, music, Notes, park slope brooklyn, peace, pianist, ronnie mathews, sheila anderson, wbgo

    Ronnie Mathews

    Ronnie Mathews, a pianist who has contributed so much to jazz, is terminally ill. He is battling pancreatic cancer at First Methodist Hospital in Park Slope, Brooklyn. WBGO's Sheila Anderson visited yesterday, as did Mathews' friend, the pianist Barry Harris. Harris brought a keyboard, and played some music for the ailing Mathews.

    If you would like to leave a message for Ronnie Mathews, you may do so. His home number is 718.783.4073. Messages will be delivered to him in the hospital.
    WBGO and the jazz community send Ronnie Mathews wishes for strength and peace during this difficult time.
    -Josh

    © 2008 WBGO