Category Archives: Music News & Info: Rock, Jazz, World Music, etc.

LA Phil tweaks Creative Chairs: Adès, Joy to take over for Adams, Hancock in composer/creative and jazz roles; Estrada gets new Latin music title
Appointments / Auditions & Appointments / Los Angeles Philharmonic / Music News & Info: Classical / Music News & Info: Rock, Jazz, World Music, etc.

LA Phil tweaks Creative Chairs: Adès, Joy to take over for Adams, Hancock in composer/creative and jazz roles; Estrada gets new Latin music title

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This morning, the Los Angeles Philharmonic announced changes and additions to its (ever-expanding) artistic leadership team. The new moves will become effective at the start of the 2027/2028 winter season, coinciding with the launch of incoming Music Director Daniel Harding’s tenure. These include: Thomas Adès, Creative Chair for New Music Silvana Estrada, Creative Chair for … Continue reading →

Ranking the Top 10 Hollywood Bowl concerts I saw this summer
All Reviews / Los Angeles Master Chorale / Los Angeles Philharmonic / Music News & Info: Classical / Music News & Info: Rock, Jazz, World Music, etc. / Reviews 2021/2022

Ranking the Top 10 Hollywood Bowl concerts I saw this summer

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While I’m excited to be returning to Walt Disney Concert Hall tonight, I’m bummed that my 2022 Hollywood Bowl summer is now officially over (wipe away a tear . . . sniffle, sniffle). So before we move on to the 2022/23 indoor season, let’s take a moment to reflect on how awesome the summer has … Continue reading →

A chat with Arturo Sandoval about tonight’s holiday concert at Walt Disney Concert Hall
Interviews / Music News & Info: Rock, Jazz, World Music, etc.

A chat with Arturo Sandoval about tonight’s holiday concert at Walt Disney Concert Hall

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Arturo Sandoval returns to Walt Disney Concert Hall tonight to help everyone get into the holiday spirit in his own Latin-infused jazz style. Last week, funk/jazz musician Matt TC Lucas and I had the pleasure to chat with the legendary trumpeter about the concert and more. Here is much of that conversation: ————— CK Dexter … Continue reading →

Kamasi Washington thrills in powerful and inspirational Hollywood Bowl concert
All Reviews / Music News & Info: Rock, Jazz, World Music, etc. / Reviews 2020/2021

Kamasi Washington thrills in powerful and inspirational Hollywood Bowl concert

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Music is in very good hands whenever Kamasi Washington is around. Last week at the Hollywood Bowl, the Los Angeles native showed off his artistic depth and breadth to go along with undeniable technical virtuosity and bold creativity. He led his band through an evening’s worth of his eclectic yet approachable compositions that showed his … Continue reading →

VIDEO: New Order’s “Blue Monday” turns 35 today; here’s Orkestra Obsolete’s inventive re-interpretation
Music News & Info: Classical / Music News & Info: Rock, Jazz, World Music, etc.

VIDEO: New Order’s “Blue Monday” turns 35 today; here’s Orkestra Obsolete’s inventive re-interpretation

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Thirty-five years ago today, New Order released their seminal New Wave dance hit, “Blue Monday.”  The song — along with its iconic packaging for the 12″ vinyl single as an over-sized floppy disc — represents a key moment in time for the band, the clearest  indication that it had moved beyond its more austere roots … Continue reading →

A chat with Arturo Sandoval: the legendary musician talks about the state of jazz, sharing it with younger generations, the importance of Arban, and much more
Interviews / Music News & Info: Rock, Jazz, World Music, etc.

A chat with Arturo Sandoval: the legendary musician talks about the state of jazz, sharing it with younger generations, the importance of Arban, and much more

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The multi-talented Arturo Sandoval, best known as a jazz trumpeter, is in the middle of a four-day residency at The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills.  He plays a concert tonight, but the bulk of the “Sandoval Jazz Weekend” at The Wallis is devoted to showcasing and engaging young jazz talent … Continue reading →

Foo Fighters, MTT, and the LA Phil (AKA how I’m spending my weekend)
Los Angeles Master Chorale / Los Angeles Philharmonic / Music News & Info: Classical / Music News & Info: Rock, Jazz, World Music, etc.

Foo Fighters, MTT, and the LA Phil (AKA how I’m spending my weekend)

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It’s been a fun and interesting week.  I’ve been spending a few days in Las Vegas  for the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show,  checking out the endless forest of 100″ 8k super-mega-ultra-uber-HD TVs, robots that sing and/or play beer pong, and acres of other mind-blowing/mind-numbing technology that will grace our homes, offices, and bodies (“wearable technology” … Continue reading →

VIDEO: “Word Crimes” is brilliant
Humor / Music News & Info: Rock, Jazz, World Music, etc.

VIDEO: “Word Crimes” is brilliant

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A tip of the hat to Shannita Williams (LA Opera’s Associate Director of Communications, Social Media) for pointing me towards “Weird Al” Yankovic’s latest release, “Word Crimes,” an absolutely spot-on ode to proper grammar and word usage, set to the tune of Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines.” I’m a little sad he didn’t skewer “very unique” in his rant, and … Continue reading →

A chat with Ben Jaffe about Preservation Hall Jazz Band’s past, future, and interesting partnerships in their present
Interviews / Music News & Info: Classical / Music News & Info: Rock, Jazz, World Music, etc.

A chat with Ben Jaffe about Preservation Hall Jazz Band’s past, future, and interesting partnerships in their present

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Preservation Hall Jazz Band returns once again to Southern California tonight, this time for their inaugural visit to the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre.  This makes about a half-dozen visits to the area since they released That’s It!, their first-ever album devoted exclusively to new compositions (notwithstanding the special editions that include some live versions of classics such as … Continue reading →

VIDEO: The best combination of music, beer, and technology ever devised
Beer / Drink / Music News & Info: Rock, Jazz, World Music, etc.

VIDEO: The best combination of music, beer, and technology ever devised

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Yesterday was Canada Day (aka “Canada’s Birthday”), and I trust my Canadian friends spent the day doing appropriately Canadian-ish things — you know, like singing “O Canada” and drinking an appropriately Canadian alcoholic beverage. With that in mind, the good folks at Molson Brewing honored Canada Day by sharing the most ingenious and wonderful kind … Continue reading →

VIDEO: Bruce Springsteen covers Lorde’s “Royals”
Music News & Info: Rock, Jazz, World Music, etc.

VIDEO: Bruce Springsteen covers Lorde’s “Royals”

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Bruce Springsteen singing Lorde’s hip-hop-influenced pop tune “Royals?”  Believe it.  As a matter of fact, both song and singer hold up very nicely, thank you very much. Actually, it makes perfect sense that the quintessential blue-collar bard from New Jersey would cover the working-class 17-year old girl from New Zealand to offer this unlikely take on the anthem which thumbs its … Continue reading →

Music Video: the only rock song I know that features a harpsichord is . . .
Music News & Info: Rock, Jazz, World Music, etc.

Music Video: the only rock song I know that features a harpsichord is . . .

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“Golden Brown” by the punk/new-wave/post-punk band, The Stranglers, from their 1981 album, La Folie. In addition to the liberal use of harpsichord, you’ve gotta love the time signature alternating between 6/8 and 7/8 in the main riff.  Given that the song’s title refers to obsession with heroin, a girl, or both, the occasionally disjointed rhythm is perfect. You have … Continue reading →

Sway for me on a Mardi Gras day (because Preservation Hall Jazz Band says so)
Music News & Info: Rock, Jazz, World Music, etc.

Sway for me on a Mardi Gras day (because Preservation Hall Jazz Band says so)

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In honor of Fat Tuesday 2014, I offer you the magnificent Preservation Hall Jazz Band with one of the oldest Mardi Gras songs around: “Tootie Ma is a Big Fine Thing.” In fact, since I’m feeling generous, here are two different versions of “Tootie Ma . . . ” The video above features a pared-down … Continue reading →