clifford_thornton

I would agree.

yeah, Windham Hill is a whole 'nother story, since it was founded by the American steel string guitarist William Ackerman, who was inspired by John Fahey. The first release was given the catalog number C-1001, corresponding to the Takoma Records numbering system (he also reissued George Winston's solo piano debut, which was on Takoma, as well as then-new music by Takoma artist Robbie Basho). Windham Hill later became associated with "new age" but they really were doing something in an American folk-spiritualist tradition, musically, from the beginning.

👍👍

yes, there was a list published and I was trying to find it. EDIT: the site it was on is gone but here's the list via discogs: https://www.discogs.com/lists/Smooth-Jazz-Underground/373593?srsltid=AfmBOoqRsc7RuuBONGFaS0nj4voHYNipEiZeUw_0BiudtJ90Iew5olli

okay, right. Was "fuzak" a term for this stuff? I feel like I remember that being used in the 90s.

see, I always associate Grusin with smooth jazz but maybe he isn't. Obviously both Grover Washington and Mr. Gorelick can play! cdbaby/lofi cassette smooth jazz has some interest for weirdo collectors. It's not my thing, really, but I can understand the appeal.

Braxton has stated Desmond was an early influence, though he moved on from (or greatly expanded upon) that page in a lot of ways. When I interviewed him, he still spoke lovingly of Desmond.

there's degrees of commercialism, of course... I'd rather listen to Winelight than Kenny G, and even Pharoah Sanders and Byard Lancaster could get that "keen" over a disco beat. OTOH, I might throw in some of Bob James' "Explosions" in a free jazz segment of the course. I think one could include smooth jazz but there's a way to do it and not include utter schlock.

depends on what else is in the course. I think if I were teaching a course on the music, there might be more interesting and creative commercial jazz artists to spotlight. Even among the contemporary scene, I'd hold up James Brandon Lewis & The Messthetics, Vijay Iyer/Arooj Aftab, the late jaimie branch, and Natural Information Society as those who have crossed over a bit.

yeah, I'll definitely pick that book up.

I wanted to take a moment to update you on the Keefe Jackson "Trio" concert taking place next Sunday, March 1, at Tubby's Kingston, as you may have seen the flyers around town or online. We billed it as a trio because the fourth member of the group had to first be able to get into the country unscathed. Now that he's here, we can officially let you know that this will be a rare US concert of These Things Happen, which joins Keefe, Luke, and Mikel with Dutch pianist Oscar Jan Hoogland (he'll be playing an electric keyboard for this appearance). I was very impressed upon hearing their Astral Spirits debut a few years ago; they are touring in support of their latest, A Gentle Reminder, forthcoming on Chicago imprint Corbett vs. Dempsey. Keefe has this to say: "The music of These Things Happen lives in the spaces between Chicago and Amsterdam, composition and improvisation, sobriety and wild abandon, playfulness and innocence. Starting with classic pieces and originals from the Dutch and American jazz traditions, the group will digress, covering new ground: discover and ignore, grab and release, create and let go. While the Chicago musician comes to jazz naturally, the Dutch approach to this music has often been that of respectful game and play. With These Things Happen this contrast is one of sincere joy. The compositions of Misha Mengelberg stand next to those of Thelonious Monk, Herbie Nichols and originals." As before, doors are at 7 and the show starts at 8, $20 either at the door or in advance. I'll play records before and after as well. If you know someone who might want to attend, please feel free to forward this email. The more the merrier! And if you are unable to join us, please listen to and buy the musicians' work either via Bandcamp/online marketplaces or your local brick-and-mortar record store.

yes, Leo Wright, who would have been on Atlantic at the time.

Damn, what a life indeed. RIP.

He's also a Mellon Jazz Legacy Fellow. $100K will go a long way I presume.

wow. And a young Michael Bisio, to boot!

yeah, I have one and it does sound great indeed. This is interesting to read. I interviewed both musicians separately; each took credit for similar circumstances and stories. It was difficult to untangle and the truth was hard to land on.

oughta dig those out myself.

nice one.

yes, that side of him is pretty well documented. It is unfortunate that he was an abuser of women.

yeah, a family friend died from this a few years ago. It was pretty bad.

RIP. I was a little young to grasp the nuances of his message(s) at the time but do remember his oration on the campaign trail in 1992. https://www.npr.org/2026/02/17/963124454/jesse-jackson-civil-rights-leader-rainbow-coalition-dies

a classic! RIP. Always extraordinary onscreen.

yeah, I have the one with Claude Bernard, but have been looking for the one with Takagi for many years. Both are elusive.

good to know. I've never seen either in person, and will "keep an eye out" (though it's unlikely I'll run into them).