Space is the Place for My Jazz Journeys

Sometime during the late 60's I was turned on to a cut from an ESP compilation album that definitely caught my  attention. It was from bandleader, Jazz musician, and philosopher Sun Ra, someone I had never heard of.  When I heard his stuff, though, I'm like, "...who is this cat"? I remember thinking, "...wow, you either get this cat, or you don't". Well, I got it. That's what you get from Sun Ra who, with at least a thousand songs to his credit,  from 1934 to 1993, he has been called the twentieth centuries' most prolific Jazz composer.


To quote Sun Ra, "...if you find earth boring, just the same old same thing, c'mon sign up with Outer Space Ways, Incorporated". That line from his 1967 release, "We Travel the Space Ways". After having been introduced to Jazz at age eight, I was in my early twenties when I first heard this artist. I am a lifelong fan.

I caught up to Sun Ra's Solar Arkestra twice. Once in Seattle in the early 90's before his death, and in 2008 in Durham, NC, I saw the Arkestra under the direction of  the incomparable Marshall Allen. Last I heard the Arkestra had played to enthusiastic throngs at the 2011 Melbourne Jazz Festival, continuing to keep Sun Ra's legacy alive.

I continue to be in awe of Sun Ra as I hear more of his work more than forty years on.

For more info go to, www.elrarecords.com

The Best Jazz Club I've Never Been to

I grew up listening to Jazz in Cleveland, Ohio. I remember seeing several clubs in town, like The Jazz Temple, when I was too young to get in. As I got older, I left for college, and eventually moved out of town. But before I left, one club, the Nighttown opened in Cleveland Heights, near the campus of Case, Western Reserve University. Having made very few trips home in the last three decades, I have never found the opportunity check out this venue. My loss.

The Nighttown is a first class spot. Vogue Magazine had this to say about it, "The late night Cleveland crowds head to The Nighttown, a dimly lite Jazz bar, where everyone from Wynton Marsalis to The Count Basie Orchestra, has graced the stage. Also, for the ninth straight year, The Nighttown has been named one of the best Jazz clubs in the world by Downbeat Magazine.

So, this post is a plug for the best Jazz club in my home town, and I have recommended it before. That recommendation was to my brother a couple of years ago when I read somewhere that Jazz pianist, Amina Figorova, from Azerbaijan, would be performing at The Nighttown, for free. I was a fan of hers since my days as host of the Evening Jazz program at 90.7fm wncu in Durham, NC. I told my brother that if I were in Cleveland I go to see her even if it wasn't free. He and and my sister-in-law went and enjoyed it immensely.

If you plan to be in Cleveland during the holidays, check out The Nighttown. You might just see world percussionist Jamey Haddad, or sultry song stylist Vanessa Rubin, both are scheduled to be on the bill this month, and both are highly recommended

For more news on the Nighttown go to, http://home.ezezine.com/640_2/640_2-2012.12.23.14.45.archive.html  

Freddie Hubbard, Live at the East Town

I had been following the work of the great trumpeter, Freddie Hubbard, since the sixties. But, hadn't seen him live before his 70's date at the East Town Hotel in East Cleveland, Ohio. My college room-mate's father owned the East Town, and I was offered a free pass. As a broke, Jazz loving college student I jumped at the opportunity.

Of course, Freddie achieved popularity in 1970's through his association with CTI Records, particularly with his release of Red Clay. But, it was during the bebop, hard bop and post bop periods of Jazz that he was first recognized for his contribution to new perspectives in modern Jazz, playing with 'Trane, Ornette Coleman, and other greats.

But, this was the 70's and Miles Davis was setting the tone, not only in music, but also in appearance with a vast array of clothing styles. This was Miles's Bitches Brew, On The Corner period. Many young lions had worked with Miles, and later joined Freddie as Miles had moved on.

Hubbard won a Grammy in 1972 for his First Light release.

So, it was only at this point in time, early 70's, that I was able to see him. It was vintage stuff that night from Freddie, but I was very surprised to see him on stage dressed in a sparkling, bright silver jumpsuit, with matching platform-heeled boots, and "spaced out" sunglasses. I'll never forget that sight. Freddie had clearly taken a page from Miles's wardrobe inventory.

 RIP: Freddie Hubbard