WBGO Blog

  • IAJE Evening 3 - NEA Jazz Masters and Christian Scott

    January 12, 2008. Posted by David Tallacksen.

    Add new comment | Filed under: IAJE 2008

    Tonight's activities ran the gamut: first up was the NEA Jazz Master Awards Concert. David Baker (himself an NEA Jazz Master) led the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra through some great Quincy Jones tunes and arrangements, and Kurt Elling joined them on some Sinatra favorites. Throughout, all six newly-inducted Jazz Masters were honored (being introduced by the likes of Nancy Wilson, Jon Hendricks and others), and the concert concluded with Paquito D'Rivera, Candido Camero and Joe Wilder joining the band for the classic Walkin'.

    NEA Jazz Masters concert

    Then, it was on to see Christian Scott, who's no stranger to WBGO - he's performed live on WBGO from NJPAC, and done a studio session as well. The average age of the audience for Christian Scott was markedly younger than that of the Jazz Masters concert. But so was the average age of the performers. While the NEA Jazz Masters represent what has gotten Jazz to where it is, I'd like to think Christian Scott and his contemporaries represent the future. And it's an exciting direction. Take a listen to the studio session that Christian did, I think you'll agree.

    Christian Scott at IAJE 2008

    - David Tallacksen

    © 2008 WBGO

  • Beyond IAJE - a look around Toronto

    January 11, 2008. Posted by David Tallacksen.

    Add new comment | Filed under: Diversions, IAJE 2008

    Falafel

    Sox and Undies

    tower

    cloudy

    bright

    © 2008 WBGO

  • IAJE Day 3 - North Carolina Central University With Branford Marsalis

    January 11, 2008. Posted by Joshua Jackson.

    Add new comment | Filed under: IAJE 2008, Jazz Education, Live Music

    Branford Marsalis and NCCU

    Since Branford Marsalis moved to Durham, North Carolina some years ago, he has become a major proponent of the local jazz scene. He joined the North Carolina Central University Jazz Ensemble today, under the direction of Ira Wiggins (his 21st year as Director of Jazz Studies at NCCU). The young talent was already swinging pretty heavily before Branford joined them. They played Oliver Nelson's arrangement of "Down by the Riverside," from the Jimmy Smith and Wes Montgomery Dynamic Duo recording. Check it out below:

    NCCU - Down By The Riverside

    Branford Marsalis and NCCU 2

    When you're a North Carolina jazz unit, it makes perfect sense to play music from one of your state's native sons. Especially when you have saxophonist Branford Marsalis, an outspoken devotee of John Coltrane. Here's John Fedchock's arrangement of a Coltrane ballad, "Central Park West":

    NCCU and Branford Marsalis - Central Park West

    Branford Marsalis and NCCU 3

    The set ended with another Coltrane original, "Giant Steps." NCCU's two Artists-in-Residence, Branford Marsalis and Joey Calderazzo, join the students on Frank Foster's arrangement.

    NCCU with Branford Marsalis and Joey Calderazzo - Giant Steps

    - Josh Jackson

    © 2008 WBGO