My virtual friends (is anyone out there?!)
This year has been a challenging one
So challenging that my life is upside down right now.
For those who feel being in the same shoes
or those who had it worse
and those who did well no matter what...
may the gods bless us all and bring us peace
and well being for 2010.
Despite all my loses I admit that 2009 has been
a tremendous learning experience. I just wish I
had such lesson two decades ago, when there was
plenty of time to turn things around in a more
productive matter. But I bow to the gods with grace
and even if I feel like saying 'thanks, but no thanks!'
I truly thank them for the experience of being alive
and more aware.
Happy New Year!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Born in Newark : Ike Quebec Abrams
Ike Quebec Abrams was an accomplished dancer and pianist, he switched to tenor sax as his primary instrument in his early 20s, and quickly earned a reputation as a promising player. His recording career started in 1940, with the Barons of Rhythm.
Later on, he recorded or performed with Frankie Newton, Hot Lips Page, Roy Eldridge,[2] Trummy Young, Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Carter and Coleman Hawkins. Between 1944 and 1951, he worked intermittently with Cab Calloway. He recorded for Blue Note records in this era, and also served as a talent scout for the label (helping pianists Thelonious Monk and Bud Powell come to wider attention) and, due to his exceptional sight reading skills, was an uncredited impromptu arranger for many Blue Note sessions.
Due in part to struggles with drug addiction (but also due to the fading popularity of big band music), Quebec recorded only sporadically during the 1950s, though he still performed regularly. He kept abreast on new developments in jazz, and his later playing incorporated elements of hard bop, bossa nova, and soul jazz.
In 1959 he began what amounted to a comeback with a series of albums on the Blue Note label. Blue Note executive Alfred Lion was always fond of Quebec's music, but was unsure how audiences would respond to the saxophonist after a decade of low visibility. In the mid-to-late 1950s, Blue Note issued a series of Quebec singles for the juke box market; audiences responded well, leading to a number of warmly-received albums.
Quebec's comeback was cut short by his death from lung cancer. In his grave at Newark's Woodland Cemetery one can find the following inscription:
"BLUE NOTE RECORDING STAR IKE QUEBEC ABRAMS, A JAZZ LEGEND. AUG. 17, 1918 - JAN. 16, 1963" inscribed in upper case. There is also a picture of a Saxophone engraved in his tombstone.
Later on, he recorded or performed with Frankie Newton, Hot Lips Page, Roy Eldridge,[2] Trummy Young, Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Carter and Coleman Hawkins. Between 1944 and 1951, he worked intermittently with Cab Calloway. He recorded for Blue Note records in this era, and also served as a talent scout for the label (helping pianists Thelonious Monk and Bud Powell come to wider attention) and, due to his exceptional sight reading skills, was an uncredited impromptu arranger for many Blue Note sessions.
Due in part to struggles with drug addiction (but also due to the fading popularity of big band music), Quebec recorded only sporadically during the 1950s, though he still performed regularly. He kept abreast on new developments in jazz, and his later playing incorporated elements of hard bop, bossa nova, and soul jazz.
In 1959 he began what amounted to a comeback with a series of albums on the Blue Note label. Blue Note executive Alfred Lion was always fond of Quebec's music, but was unsure how audiences would respond to the saxophonist after a decade of low visibility. In the mid-to-late 1950s, Blue Note issued a series of Quebec singles for the juke box market; audiences responded well, leading to a number of warmly-received albums.
Quebec's comeback was cut short by his death from lung cancer. In his grave at Newark's Woodland Cemetery one can find the following inscription:
"BLUE NOTE RECORDING STAR IKE QUEBEC ABRAMS, A JAZZ LEGEND. AUG. 17, 1918 - JAN. 16, 1963" inscribed in upper case. There is also a picture of a Saxophone engraved in his tombstone.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Something's Coming
Something's Coming was the musical held in Hillside, NJ this past weekend, at the Hillside Catholic Academy Gym.
Something was different this year, the empty chairs outnumbered those occupied. The Hillside's Autumn play is normally packed. This time though, the players were less than a bunch and the audience just about the same.
I confess that I actually enjoyed it more than previous acts. It felt just right, bluesy, almost falling apart holding only by a thin string of emotions and it was all about life, bad times and plenty of hope.
Congratulations!
Something was different this year, the empty chairs outnumbered those occupied. The Hillside's Autumn play is normally packed. This time though, the players were less than a bunch and the audience just about the same.
I confess that I actually enjoyed it more than previous acts. It felt just right, bluesy, almost falling apart holding only by a thin string of emotions and it was all about life, bad times and plenty of hope.
Congratulations!
Friday, October 30, 2009
Bluesman in the life of the mind, and a jazzman in the world of ideas
Philosopher, civil rights activist and professor Cornel West has described himself as a "bluesman in the life of the mind, and a jazzman in the world of ideas." He talks with Neal Conan about his memoir, Living And Loving Out Loud.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
"Born in Newark!" - Wayne Shorter
Wayne Shorter was considered "the idea man" behind Miles Davis's legendary 60s quintet, and the tenor and soprano sax player brings this creative input to the Hancock - Shorter quartet. Since that era Shorter has continually proved that he is one of the top reed-men in contemporary music.
Born August 25, 1933, in Newark, New Jersey, Shorter served in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1958. He then began working with pianist Horace Silver and as his reputation in New York City grew, Shorter found himself performing with the Maynard Ferguson band. This lead to a stint with Art Blakey that lasted from 1959 to 1963, by which time the saxophonist was clearly established as a newcomer to watch.
Through his solo career and his work with Weather Report, Shorter helped to redefine the new hybrid of music that borrowed from a variety of forms, from jazz and rock to classical and electronic.
Wayne Shorter is well known as a great saxophonist. Above all, he will always be know in the history of music as a stunning compose...
Born August 25, 1933, in Newark, New Jersey, Shorter served in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1958. He then began working with pianist Horace Silver and as his reputation in New York City grew, Shorter found himself performing with the Maynard Ferguson band. This lead to a stint with Art Blakey that lasted from 1959 to 1963, by which time the saxophonist was clearly established as a newcomer to watch.
Through his solo career and his work with Weather Report, Shorter helped to redefine the new hybrid of music that borrowed from a variety of forms, from jazz and rock to classical and electronic.
Wayne Shorter is well known as a great saxophonist. Above all, he will always be know in the history of music as a stunning compose...
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Joseph S. Lewis III to display work at Newark, NJ, gallery In January 2010
Joseph S. Lewis III, dean of the School of Art & Design at Alfred University, is among the 24 artists whose work is included in “24 Solo Projects” at Rupert Ravens Contemporary gallery, 85 Market St., Newark, NJ, through Jan. 16, 2010.
Lewis has eight large photographs included in the exhibition.
Dean of the School of Art & Design at Alfred University since June 2005, Lewis will complete his tenure at the school in March 2010, when he becomes dean of the art school at University of California at Irvine. He is widely regarded an artist, arts educator, administrator and writer.
Lewis has eight large photographs included in the exhibition.
Dean of the School of Art & Design at Alfred University since June 2005, Lewis will complete his tenure at the school in March 2010, when he becomes dean of the art school at University of California at Irvine. He is widely regarded an artist, arts educator, administrator and writer.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Newark in 3D - A Centennial Film Commission by Marylou Tibaldo-Bongiorno and Jerome Bongiorno
From September 22, 2009 through January 10, 2010 - These award-winning, Newark-based filmmakers will create a black-and-white, 3D film about present day Newark that is a homage to the 1920 avant-garde film Manhatta which documents a day in the life of Manhattan and which plays on continuous loop in the Museum's American art galleries. In New Work, the Bongiornos will capture the hidden beauty and dignity of Newark from sunrise to sunset, from its river entry, trains, business districts, work sites, cemeteries, smoke stacks, port and transit hubs.
Follow this link to > Listen to Museum Podcasts
Follow this link to > Listen to Museum Podcasts
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Did you know there was once a train station on Chestnut st. Newark ?
It was more or less where McDonalds is today, on rt21
President Lincoln was in Newark twice, the first time on his way to Washington after he became president, traveling in this carriage pushed by white horses through Broad Street onto Chestnut Street, Newark to catch the train.
The second time was after his death on the way home. His body had to be moved off the train and traveled by carriage to Jersey City to catch another train that would take him home....
Article taken from Jerseyintime
President Lincoln was in Newark twice, the first time on his way to Washington after he became president, traveling in this carriage pushed by white horses through Broad Street onto Chestnut Street, Newark to catch the train.
The second time was after his death on the way home. His body had to be moved off the train and traveled by carriage to Jersey City to catch another train that would take him home....
Article taken from Jerseyintime
Friday, October 23, 2009
Welcome to Newark, 105.9 WQXR
On October 8 WQXR, the only classical station in metro new york and one of the oldest in the country became a public radio by merging with WNYC Radio.
I had to adjust my radio dial from 96.3 to 105.9
The station is now based in New York and (get this) Newark!
It sounded really good hearing Terrance McKnight saying WQXR Newark and New York!
There were goose pumps in my skin the first time I heard it!
With two great radio stations based now in Newark, WQXR and the Jazz station WBGO I feel that we have finally arrived.
Newark is now in the ears of the upper middle class and the very rich. It is good for us and it gives us a positive stat.
The New York Times was the previous owner of WQXR and this business transaction involved WNYC and Univision's WCAA. This last one gets the old dial 96.3 and a much better reception than before.
Although WQXR will travel up the dial to 105.9 from 96.3 FM, WNYC officials were clear that much of its music would remain safe and on the traditional side in an effort not to alienate its longtime listeners. But the station hopes to attract new listeners more accustomed to the public radio sensibility and online listening.
I had to adjust my radio dial from 96.3 to 105.9
The station is now based in New York and (get this) Newark!
It sounded really good hearing Terrance McKnight saying WQXR Newark and New York!
There were goose pumps in my skin the first time I heard it!
With two great radio stations based now in Newark, WQXR and the Jazz station WBGO I feel that we have finally arrived.
Newark is now in the ears of the upper middle class and the very rich. It is good for us and it gives us a positive stat.
The New York Times was the previous owner of WQXR and this business transaction involved WNYC and Univision's WCAA. This last one gets the old dial 96.3 and a much better reception than before.
Although WQXR will travel up the dial to 105.9 from 96.3 FM, WNYC officials were clear that much of its music would remain safe and on the traditional side in an effort not to alienate its longtime listeners. But the station hopes to attract new listeners more accustomed to the public radio sensibility and online listening.
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