Free Mp3: Bill Evans - Body and Smoke Medley

Bill Evans
"Body And Smoke Medley" (mp3)
from "Very Early Volume 1"
(E3 RECORDS)

More On This Album

This is a jazz historian's Holy Grail! Here's pianist Bill Evans on vinyl acetate, from the age of 12. Presented in chronological order, this 15 track CD is just the first in a five volume series planned for release, along with some "best-of" releases and a final boxed set. This includes an introduction by Professor of Jazz History at UNO, Charles C. Blancq. A glorious 12 page booklet contains never before seen photos of Evans as a youth performer, as well as personal stories told by long time childhood friend, schoolmate and band mate, Connie Atkinson. Each recording is commented on by Evans' own son and producer of the album, Evan Evans. Album was transferred with care by legendary Joe Gastwirt, using HDCD, and pressed using the jitter free K2 laser.

25th Birmingham International Jazz Festival

July 3rd - 12th
Birmingham, UK

Over 10 jazz-packed summer days from July 3rd to the 12th Birmingham will become Jazz City UK, with more jazz per square metre than has New Orleans.

For programme and further info check:

http://www.birminghamjazzfestival.com

From Birmingham Jazz Festival 2008:

Dixieland Crackerjacks
Up A Lazy River

Bobby Watson - Appointment in Milano

RECORD OF THE DAY

This is a modern classic. In 1983 alto saxophonist from Kansas City Bobby Watson went to Milan to perform in a jazz club called "Le Scimmie". He played with a local trio, as it is common among jazz players when they tour around the world. It was the Open Form Trio: Piero Bassini on piano, Attilio Zanchio on bass and Giampiero Prina on drums (unfortunately Prina died in 2002).

Bobby Watson was so impressed by the sound he could obtain with the Italian trio that he decided to make a record. They reserved the recording studio in Milan for two days, but all pieces came out perfectly at first take on the first day so, as the studio had been paid in advance, the next day they recorded another album of standards: Round Trip.

One thing that impresses ma about Bobby Watson's music is that although it is very high level jazz, it is also "easy" to understand and he can reach many people.

Listen on iTunes



BOBBY WATSON
Appointment in Milano

1. Appointment in Milano
2. Ballando (Dancing)
3. If Bird Could See Me Now
4. Watson's Blues
5. (I'm) Always Missing You
6. Funcalypso.

Bobby Watson: Alto Sax
Piero Bassini: Piano
Attilio Zanchio: Bass
Giampiero Prina: Drums

Red Records, 1985

Therry Southern - Blue Movie

This is a very funny book. A faomus movie director who won many prizes, and a failed producer go to Lichtestain to make a high budget porno movie. Actually it is a ferocious satire against Hollywood. For the movie director the author was inspired by Stanley Kubrik: it seems that he had a dream of making a porno movie with Holliwood stars with the same techniques used in high budget movies.
Therry Southern (1924 - 1995) wrote succesful screenplays such as Dr. Strangelove, Easy Rider and Barbarella

Music for an apartment and six drummers

What happens when six drummers sneak into your house?

Massimo Urbani at Alexanderplatz Jazz Club in Rome

With this post I'm going to start showing you videos taken in Jazz Clubs around the world. This is the Alexanderplatz in Rome, probably the one I know best having been there many times.
This is the great Massimo Urbani, there is not date on the video but I guess it was shot around 'mid 80s.

Massimo Urbani Quartet
A Night in Tunisia
Alexanderplatz Jazz Club, Rome

Massimo Urbani - Alto Sax
Amedeo Tommasi - Piano
Marco Fratini - Basso
Giampaolo Ascolese - Drums