GA Russell

Key Off-Season Dates https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/21/key-2025-cfl-off-season-dates-you-need-to-know/ https://3downnation.com/2025/01/21/cfl-unveils-key-dates-for-2025/ https://x.com/i/status/1881787135814144480 ***** Bo Lokombo has retired. https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/21/bo-lokombo-announces-retirement-from-pro-football/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/bc-lions-bo-lokombo-retires-after-10-cfl-seasons-1.2239569 https://3downnation.com/2025/01/21/canadian-lb-bo-lokombo-retires-after-10-seasons-in-cfl/ ***** GM and Head Coach contract status for each team https://3downnation.com/2025/01/21/how-long-each-cfl-head-coach-gm-is-under-contract-again/ *****

Jonah David Makes His Long-Delayed Recording Debut with "Waltz for Eli," Releasing February 28 on Swish Tap Records Recording Features Standards & Originals Performed by a Core Trio with Pianist Joel Sanford, Bassist Joe Bussey, Plus Special Guests Including Jake Stith, Anna Perkins, Jason Arce, Bryan Carrott, & Jeremy Pelt   January 21, 2025 Drummer Jonah David is already a fully formed and remarkably accomplished artist as he arrives in the jazz world with the February 28 release of his debut, Waltz for Eli, on Swish Tap Records. Produced with a core trio of pianist Joel Sanford and bassist Joe Bussey, plus an impressive array of special guests, David introduces himself with an infectious set of straight-ahead jazz tunes, delivered with aplomb and crisp precision. Indeed, one might even call it “military precision,” but that’s a bit on the nose. David is a career U.S. Navy Sailor as a musician, currently holding the rank of First Class Petty Officer and stationed in Hawaii. While he recorded Waltz for Eli in 2024, though, David was working as a percussion instructor at the Naval School of Music in Virginia Beach, VA, as well as a first-call drummer on the surrounding Hampton Roads jazz scene. “My duties as a Navy musician made producing this (any) project challenging,” David says in the album’s liner notes. “My goal was to create a Jazz aesthetic that is accessible to both connoisseurs and laymen…. Additionally, I aimed to cultivate a group of musicians who trust each other and could ‘speak’ their perspectives on the music.” Waltz for Eli is an unqualified success on both counts. The core trio’s take on Thelonious Monk’s “Rhythm-a-ning” evidences their synchronicity both emotional and rhythmic, Sanford and Bussey playfully locking in with David at the dead center of the beat. The addition of guest guitarist Jake Stith and tenor saxophonist Jason Arce on “Little Sunflower” gives that Freddie Hubbard standard a sinuous, scintillating edge; conversely, Bryan Carrott’s gorgeous vibraphone on “How Insensitive” (with Arce switching to flute) softens the bossa nova’s mien. Jeremy Pelt’s trumpet, meanwhile, puts a declaratory, yet inquiring, character into the original “Pretenderly,” and vocalist Anna Perkins colors “Waltz for Eli” and “Sunrise, Sunset” (from Fiddler on the Roof) with enigmatic romance. While the album has one other auxiliary musician, it wouldn’t be fair to call keyboardist Ettienne Stadwijk a special guest. No doubt that his Fender Rhodes irradiates “Sunrise, Sunset,” and his organ adds unexpected crunch to “The Genius”—but Stadwijk is also David’s co-composer on all of the album’s three originals, as well as his co-producer, and even helped with the arrangement of “Little Sunflower.” David credits Stadwijk as an important mentor earlier in his career. “Ettienne looked out for me and helped me develop my pop sensibilities,” he says. Still and all, Waltz for Eli remains David’s own statement, and a tremendously personal one, even as it was designed to accentuate both his own strengths and those of his accompanists. “It took time to grow this sound, to bring out each other’s strengths and get to know each other all over again,” David says. “But I couldn’t be happier with the way things came out.” Jonah David was born October 30, 1977, in South Orange, New Jersey, just outside New York City. His father had been an activist attorney in New Orleans, putting David at the intersection of two jazz hubs from birth. His introduction to jazz, and to the drums in particular, came from a Preservation Hall Jazz Band record in his father’s collection. The next phase came in middle school, when a band teacher gave him drumsticks and a copy of the seminal drumming book Syncopation by Ted Reed (to whom Waltz for Eli’s “The Genius” is dedicated). By high school it was settled: David was devoting his life to the drum kit. He quickly developed enough proficiency to start gigging; spent his summers at the Drummers Collective in Manhattan; and studied music at Rutgers University and the New School. From there, David went on tour with ska/reggae artist King Django and with the Brooklyn Funk Essentials (for which he was hired by Ettienne Stadwijk), then got a steady gig at Manhattan’s Nuyorican Poets Café, which led to the formation of the band Roots Tonic, the original backing band for Matisyahu. A difficult personal situation led to David enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 2010. He was stationed around the country—in Illinois, Washington State, and Maryland—and spent three years in Italy before becoming an instructor in percussion at the Naval School of Music in Virginia Beach. There he met Joe Bussey and Joel Sanford, who joined David in his regular trio in the Hampton Roads region (Virginia Beach/Norfolk/ Chesapeake/Hampton, VA). In 2024, they—along with his old friend Stadwijk—became the core ensemble for Waltz for Eli, his stunning debut album. Photography: Olivier Koning    EPK: Jonah David "Waltz for Eli"  Jonah David Web Site  

Sorry to hear about it, Jim. Get well soon!

Andrew Harris has agreed to become the Roughriders' running back coach. https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/20/andrew-harris-joins-riders-as-running-backs-coach/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/saskatchewan-roughriders-add-four-time-grey-cup-champion-andrew-harris-as-running-backs-coach-1.2238995 https://3downnation.com/2025/01/20/riders-hire-former-bombers-star-andrew-harris-as-running-backs-coach/ https://3downnation.com/2025/01/20/saskatchewan-roughriders-rb-coach-andrew-harris-wants-to-be-cfl-head-coach-or-gm/ ***** Off-season review https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/20/mmqb-3-teams-that-have-made-big-splashes-this-winter/ ***** Trevon Mason has signed with the Alouettes. https://3downnation.com/2025/01/20/montreal-alouettes-sign-former-hamilton-tiger-cats-dl-trevon-mason-one-other/ ***** The union is objecting to Lucheiz Purifoy's suspension. https://3downnation.com/2025/01/20/cflpa-strongly-protests-cfls-recent-suspension-of-veteran-db-loucheiz-purifoy/ ***** Schedule analyses https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/cfl-2025-season-opens-june-5-full-schedule-released/ https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/bc-lions-2025-schedule-breakdown/ https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/hamilton-tiger-cats/the-hamilton-tiger-cats-2025-schedule-what-you-need-to-know/

Not as many interesting stories as I thought there would be. ***** The last Lew Archer story. I enjoyed it.

Ottawa Lansdowne analysis https://3downnation.com/2025/01/19/new-suites-no-roof-and-temporary-seating-plans-what-redblacks-fans-need-to-know-about-lansdowne-2-0/ ***** Sask analyses https://pifflespodcast.com/blog/riders-positional-breakdown-receivers-2/ https://pifflespodcast.com/blog/riderville-roundup-january-19/ *****

Lucheiz Purifoy had a bad day. First he was cut by the Elks. Then he was suspended for two games. https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/17/elks-release-american-defensive-back-loucheiz-purifoy/ https://3downnation.com/2025/01/17/edmonton-elks-give-all-star-db-loucheiz-purifoy-early-release/ https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/17/purifoy-suspended-two-games-for-violating-cfl-cflpa-drug-policy/ https://3downnation.com/2025/01/17/recently-released-db-loucheiz-purifoy-suspended-two-games-for-violating-cfl-cflpa-drug-policy/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/loucheiz-purifoy-cut-by-edmonton-elks-earlier-today-given-two-game-suspension-1.2237687 ***** Argos analysis https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/17/turning-the-page-defending-champions-set-sights-on-2025/ ***** Stampeders analysis https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/17/stamps-have-a-plan-to-get-back-to-the-post-season/ ***** Alouettes analysis https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/17/5-takeaways-from-jason-maas-winter-meetings-availability/ ***** Today's view count is 439,200. 1,900 in 22 hours?

THE CRITERION CHANNEL JANUARY 17, 2025 NOW PLAYING ON THE CHANNEL Celebrate David Lynch Please join us in saluting the life and work of an artist who not only changed cinema forever but also altered how we experience the world and showed us what it really means to dream. From now through the end of January, we’ve made the intimate documentary portrait David Lynch: The Art Life free to watch—no account necessary—as part of Celebrating David Lynch. If you have questions, comments, or feedback about the Criterion Channel, please reach out to channelhelp@criterion.com! We’d love to hear from you.

January 17 Big Sid Catlett - 1910 Eartha Kitt - 1927 Cedar Walton - 1934 Chris Montez - 1943 Francois Hardy - 1944 Robin Lumley - 1948 Mick Taylor - 1949 Cheryl Bentyne - 1954 Steve Earle - 1955 Paul Young - 1956 Susanna Hoffs - 1959 Cyrus Chestnut - 1963 Kid Rock - 1971 Zooey Deschanel - 1980

The league released the 2025 schedule today. The first exhibition game is Monday May 19, and Opening Night is Thursday June 5. https://www.cfl.ca/schedule/ https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/16/cfl-redtag-ca-announce-2025-schedule/ https://3downnation.com/2025/01/16/cfl-unveils-2025-schedule-highlighted-by-fewer-short-weeks-earlier-start-times/ https://3downnation.com/2025/01/16/ranking-every-cfl-teams-2025-schedule-reveal/ https://3downnation.com/2025/01/16/ranking-every-cfl-teams-2025-schedule-reveal/ https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/16/cant-miss-this-6-must-see-games-on-the-2025-schedule/ https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/16/3-under-the-radar-games-to-keep-an-eye-on-in-2025/ https://3downnation.com/2025/01/16/saskatchewan-roughriders-bookend-2025-cfl-schedule-with-season-opener-finale/ https://pifflespodcast.com/blog/a-deep-dive-into-the-riders-2025-schedule/ ***** Ottawa analysis https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/16/5-reasons-bob-dyce-redblacks-are-excited-for-the-2025-season/ ***** Winnipeg analysis https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/bombers-same-faces-different-outcome/ ***** Sask analysis https://pifflespodcast.com/blog/riderville-roundup-january-12/ ***** Brady Oliveira 2024 highlights reel https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/16/brady-oliveira-2024-cfl-highlights/ ***** The Argos have let go Jonathan Jones. https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/16/argos-release-lb-jonathan-jones-extend-ol-john-bosse/ ***** The Bombers paid Zach Collaros his $100,000. off-season bonus, so that means he will be back next year. https://3downnation.com/2025/01/16/bombers-qb-zach-collaros-collects-100000-offseason-roster-bonus/ ***** This thread's view count today is 437,300; an increase of 19,800 over the past 55 days (360 per day). That seems high to me. I have noticed about 300 every two days.

Perceptions Trio Charley Rose / Silvan Joray / Paulo Almeida To release The Wicked Crew CD AND DIGITAL FORMATS AVAILABLE ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2025. SENSE – MUSIC RELEASE CLUB, SENSE_CRPT01 (FUGA / BIG WAX) www.senseartists.com Charley Rose - saxophone and effects Silvan Joray - guitar and effects Paulo Almeida - drums Founded in Basel (Switzerland) in 2019, Perceptions Trio brings a fresh and captivating energy to the jazz scene. Their first album as a band, The Wicked Crew, features eight original compositions by the trio’s three members—Charley Rose (France), Silvan Joray (New York City / Switzerland), and Paulo Almeida (Brazil)—along with two improvised tracks. Mostly centered on beautiful, simple melodies and enhanced by imaginative use of electronic effects, the music offers an unusual yet inviting listening experience. Each composition on The Wicked Crew reflects the distinct personality and influences of its composer, giving the album a rich palette of colors. Charley Rose blends the energy of jazz fusion and pop with expressive melodies. Silvan Joray, on the other hand, offers compositions that are meditative and contemplative, characterized by their serene beauty. Paulo Almeida brings introspective pieces, marked by rhythmic freedom, also known as “rubato“, where elasticity in the rhythm creates a sense of flow and spontaneity. Together, their compositions and improvisations seamlessly integrate these influences, resulting in a cohesive creation. Perceptions Trio with Joray, Rose, Almeida © Victor Hege With his creative use of effect pedals, saxophonist Charley Rose steps beyond the traditional role of a lead instrument to also become an accompanist by crafting chords, bass lines, and atmospheric textures. This approach transforms the saxophone into a multifaceted instrument, providing harmonic and rhythmic support while also contributing striking sonic layers. The guitarist, Silvan Joray, complements this by stretching the limits of his role, blending extended harmonies with unusual textures and using effects to play solos that are both virtuosic and evocative.Grounding the trio is drummer Paulo Almeida, whose playing fuses jazz with the rhythmic complexity and vitality of his Brazilian roots. His dynamic energy ties together Perceptions Trio’s adventurous approach, adding both drive and nuance to their unique sound. The album opens with “Radio Goose Bumps,” a high-energy, fusion-influenced piece where Charley and Silvan dazzle with virtuosic solos, setting the stage for the album's dynamic journey. In “Ubarto,” a simple melody serves as the song's backbone, evolving with expressive improvisations that keep listeners hooked. “Perceptions” takes a meditative turn, with a lyrical melody and a mesmerizing sax solo; the guitar's unwavering eighth-note pulse feels like the gentle turning of a potter’s wheel, holding everything together until it unexpectedly halts at the end. The stark and contemplative “Andromeda” is a freely improvised piece, reflecting on the impartial vastness of the universe. The title track, “The Wicked Crew,” is an exhilarating showcase of the band’s mastery of effects. Synth-like saxophone chords provide the foundation, a guitar synth solo flows fiercly alongside responsive drumming, and an energetic sax solo with octave effects brings it to a climactic close. “Lit Candles” begins with a heavenly sax intro, only to descend into darker, introspective textures supported by low, rumbling sounds and gongs before rising into a chorale-like conclusion. In “Sombra,” the flexible pulse and an unconventional melody lead into an extensive drum solo and a guitar exploration featuring a slide. Perceptions Trio with Joray, Almeida, Rose © Victor Hege “Flash Lights and Sewers Explorations” lives up to its vivid title, taking listeners on a gripping journey through shadowy depths before facing an ominous force. “Peaceful Departure” offers a heartfelt homage to Silvan’s grandfather, weaving a delicate, touching narrative. Finally, “Nebulosa” closes the album with an ambient, freely improvised reflection on the beauty and mystery of space, leaving listeners in a contemplative stillness.  Acclaimed drummer and vibraphonist Jorge Rossy, who has recently heard the trio live, says: "A Perceptions Trio concert is an inspiring and unforgettable experience. The trio creates a unique and immersive sonic world, where each member of this musical 'equilateral triangle' shines as a gifted composer. Their narratives captivate with unexpected twists, and their music is full of vitality, humor, and sophistication. Listening to them is a delightful journey for the ears that sparks the imagination, leaving the audience feeling enriched and uplifted.” TRACKS 01. Radio Goose Bumps (Charley Rose) 5:36 02. Ubarto (Silvan Joray) 5:50 03. Perceptions (Silvan Joray) 6:20 04. Andromeda (Improvised) 3:51 05. The Wicked Crew (Charley Rose) 6:38 06. Lit Candles (Paulo Almeida) 4:09 07. Sombra (Paulo Almeida) 5:38 08. Flash Lights and Sewers Explorations (Charley Rose) 6:23 09. Peaceful Departure (Silvan Joray) 5:00 10. Nebulosa (Improvised) 3:32 Produced by Charley Rose, Silvan Joray, and Paulo Almeida. Recorded by Patrik Zosso at Idee und Klang Studio, Basel (January 9, 2023). Mixed and Mastered by Patrik Zosso. ABOUT Charley Rose Charley Rose, saxophonist and composer, founded the Charley Rose Trio in 2016, releasing his first album on Déluge in 2018 and his second on Menace in June 2023. Since 2018, he has been part of Benoît Delbecq's Multiplexers, a cornerstone of contemporary jazz. Charley has performedworldwide with festivals, such as Montreal Jazz Festival, Jazz in Marciac, Cervantino Festival in Mexico, Jazz in Goa, North Sea Jazz Festival, Jazz à la Défense and many others. Known for blending jazz, rock, and free improvisation, he explores innovative techniques and collaborations. Name Pronunciation: https://www.allaboutjazz.com/musicians/charley-rose ABOUT Silvan Joray Silvan Joray is currently based in New York City. His latest album Updraft has gained critical acclaim across the world, including the New York City Jazz Record and Jazzwise (UK) who described him as „one of the most exciting young jazz guitarists on the international scene.” Silvan has performed at prestigious jazz festivals around the world, including the Krakow Summer Jazz Festival, Jazzfest Kolkata, Mumbai Jazz Festival, Madras Jazz Festival, Offbeat Jazzfestival Basel, and International Jazz Festival Bern, and has toured in Germany, Norway, Poland, Spain, and Israel. Name Pronunciation: https://www.allaboutjazz.com/musicians/silvan-joray ABOUT Paulo Almeida Paulo Almeida is a Brazilian drummer, percussionist, and composer known for his melodic approach and strong Afro-Brazilian rhythmic influences. With four albums released and a fifth on the way, he has performed worldwide alongside artists like Hermeto Pascoal, Dhafer Youssef, and Jorge Rossy. A graduate of the Conservatory of Tatuí, he also participated in the Focusyear Band in Basel, led by Wolfgang Muthspiel. Currently, he teaches at the Jazzcampus University in Basel while collaborating on various projects across Europe. Name Pronunciation: https://www.allaboutjazz.com/musicians/paulo-almeida For more info, please visit: www.perceptionstrio.com. Perceptions Trio with Almeida, Rose, Joray © Victor Hege

Free Agent analyses https://3downnation.com/2025/01/15/star-pending-free-agent-lb-wynton-mcmanis-omni-important-for-toronto-argonauts/ https://www.cfl.ca/2025/01/15/free-agency-most-wanted-a-dominant-pass-rusher/ ***** Ed Hervey says that he will not begin contract negotiations with Geno Lewis until after Lewis becomes a free agent, so that everyone can see about what he is worth. https://3downnation.com/2025/01/14/i-will-not-pay-him-300000-eugene-lewis-questions-leads-to-ed-hervey-rant/ ***** SFU has officially decided to end its football program. https://3downnation.com/2025/01/15/simon-fraser-university-finalizes-decision-to-axe-football-program/

I received today this email, which is referred to as a "corrected" version. Mack Avenue Music Group Announces Partnership with Strata-East Records Strata-East: The Legacy Begins Digital-Only Anthology Available February 21, 2025 The digital-only anthology Strata-East: The Legacy Begins, available February 21, 2025, celebrates the revolutionary spirit of one of the most influential artist-owned independent jazz labels in history. This anthology, a partnership between Mack Avenue Music Group and Strata-East, brings together iconic tracks that embody Strata-East’s commitment to artistry and creative freedom. Featuring the explosive brilliance of Charles Tolliver and Stanley Cowell, the soulful expressions of The Heath Brothers, Charlie Rouse, Shamek Farrah, Pharoah Sanders, and more, the collection showcases cult classics from the label’s deep catalog while honoring the extraordinary artists who shaped its legacy. This release not only marks the launch of the partnership between Strata-East and Mack Avenue Music Group but also delivers the label’s highest-quality audio anthology and is available digitally for the first time. A reflection of Strata-East’s dedication to spiritual jazz and social consciousness, this compilation invites listeners to rediscover classics or experience them anew. Strata-East: The Legacy Begins celebrates the timelessness of this music while marking the start of an exciting new chapter. "Strata-East Records is very proud to be partnering with Mack Avenue Music Group, whose passion, values, total commitment, and deep love for the music, mirror ours," Tolliver said. "This is an exciting time and together with Mack Avenue we can’t wait to bring you, our fans around the world, new essential high-quality masters of the Strata-East catalog. We’ve gone back to the origins so that you can totally immerse yourself in this great music, the emotions, artistic and creative freedom that exemplifies Strata-East. There is a lot more to come and to be announced, so stay tuned!” Will Wakefield, Senior Director of A&R for Mack Avenue Music Group, said: "We are excited to partner with Charles, Ched, and the Strata-East team to bring this beloved music to the world with the highest quality audio and care taken to preserve its purest form. We can't wait for everyone to hear what we have coming." Specializing in avant-garde and post-bop jazz, Strata-East’s notable albums include Tolliver's Music Inc, Cowell’s Musa: Ancestral Streams, Charlie Rouse’s Two is One and Billy Harper's Capra Black. Strata-East addressed social and political themes resonant with the Black Arts Movement. Its pioneering approach to artist rights has inspired generations of musicians and independent labels, cementing its place in jazz history. Strata-East's roster featured timelessly influential musicians who intertwined music with spoken word in response to their cultural moment. This includes Sanders, known for his spiritual and avant-garde explorations that inspired a shift in mainstream jazz offerings. Despite its short period of recorded music output, Strata-East's commitment to artistic freedom and high production standards earned it a revered place in jazz history. Its pioneering approach to artist rights and control has inspired generations of musicians and independent labels, contributing to a vibrant and diverse musical landscape. More information to come in the following weeks. Strata-East co-founder Charles Tolliver performing at LPR for Winter Jazzfest 2025. | Photo by Lev Radin Strata-East: The Legacy Begins Mack Avenue Music Group/Strata-East · Release Date: February 21, 2025 For more information on Strata-East, please visit: www.serecs.com  # # #

January 16 Irving Mills - 1894 Ethel Merman - 1908 Bob Bogle - 1937 Ronnie Milsap - 1943 Jim Stafford - 1944 Sade - 1959 ***** Dizzy Dean - 1910 Joe Horn - 1972

January 15 Gene Krupa - 1909 Captain Beefheart - 1941 Ronnie Van Zant - 1948 ***** Frederick Stanley - 1841 Andrea Martin - 1947