A.J. Murphy, September 2002 — Image by kenne
Round About Midnight
by Bob Kaufman
Jazz radio on a midnight kick,
Round about Midnight.
Sitting on the bed,
With a jazz type chick
Round about Midnight,
Piano laughter, in my ears,
Round about Midnight.
Stirring up laughter, dying tears,
Round about Midnight.
Soft blue voices, muted grins,
Excited voices, Father’s sins,
Round about Midnight.
Come on baby, take off your clothes,
Round about Midnight
“Desert Coltrane” — Image by Joy
Some years ago on one of our trips to New Orleans, Joy and I were walking in the French Quarter and decided to go in a resale store. That’s when I saw the John Coltrane t-shirt I’m wearing in above photo by Joy. The t-shirt has faded over the years, but I still wear it often to live music events, also just when I feel like it. Okay, so I set it up for this posting, which I had planned on in the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Coltrane’s, “A Love Supreme.”
In my teen years and early twenties I often would go to sleep listening to jazz on late-night Chicago radio. I still listen to a lot of radio, especially NPR where you can still find good jazz music. About ten days ago, I listened to and NPR story, 50 Years Of John Coltrane’s ‘A Love Supreme’. (A Love Supreme was recorded December 9, 1964.)
“I call it a sacred day for music fans, not just jazz fans. For people across musical boundaries and cultures — for Carlos Santana, Bono, Joni Mitchell, Steve Reich, Bootsy Collins, Gil Scott-Heron — hearing A Love Supreme was a revelation.” — Arun Rath
Many generations have and will continue to be influenced by the music of John Coltrane. If you let your soul listen you can hear his bluesy sound in the words and music of poets, singer-song writers and musicians:
Flirt with me don’t keep hurtin’ me
Don’t cause me pain
Be my lover don’t play no game
Just play me John Coltrane
— from Righteously by Lucinda Williams
#####
So, catch the blues train,
ride the drum beat’s edge,
see tomorrow’s vision,
somewhere,
somewhere around the bend.
Locomotion,
a blues riff ,
Coltrane changes,
somewhere,
somewhere around the bend.
— from somewhere around the bend by kenne
“People had channeled emotions into music before. But no one had ever played the blues like this.
It’s the same message we get from the blues: Even in struggle and suffering, we sing, because life is a blessing. As much as Coltrane made his saxophone cry — for his suffering, and the world’s — in A Love Supreme he’s telling us that the most important voice to raise is one of gratitude to the creator for the gift of life.” — Arun Rath
De Grazia Gallery In The Sun, Tucson
One of my favorite places in Tucson is the De Grazia Gallery In The Sun — I go there every chance I get to learn about and admire the work of Ted De Grazia. The gallery is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and houses six permanent collections of paintings that trace historical events and native cultures of the Southwest.
Having just learned of a new book, De Grazia – The Man and Myths, by James W. Johnson and Marilyn D. Johnson, I’m eager to buy it and learn more about De Grazia. In the following video, the authors talk about the making of their book.
Family Visiting the Gallery While In Tucson
The Gallery In The Sun is a must stop for family and friends visiting us here in Tucson.
One of my favorite Ted DeGrazia paintings — Tambolero
De Grazia’s art work overshadows his skills as a musician and composer. A trumpeter, De Grazia had a “big band” orchestra during the 1930’s, which help pay his tuition at the University of Arizona where he earned a Master of Arts with his thesis, “Art and its Relation to Music in Music Education.” One of my favorite De Grazia painting is that of a drummer, “Tambolero,” which brings to mind Steve Gadd, one of the most well-known and highly regarded session and studio drummers in the industry. If you like big band jazz, you will love the following video, Steve Gadd & The Buddy Rich Big Band: Basically Blue.
Miles Davis — Image by kenne
Birthday of a Giant!
Some years ago I thought it a little eccentric to throw birthday parties for Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson. But then, over time I have become very much a part of the annual events held by the Montgomery County Literary Arts Council. Now I ponder the need to celebrate the birthdays of other greats in the arts.
Since my brother, Tom, is always reminding me of the birthdays of his “heroes” (mine too), today I received a reminder that today is the birthday of someone who changed the face of music forever, Miles Davis — May 25, 1926 – September 28, 1991. So, what’s good for Whitman and Dickinson should also be for Davis. Maybe I have a new project?!
Although his genius influenced many, then in 1970 “Bitches Brew” was recorded and the music world has never the same since — now we have the world of “fusion!”
Miles Davis will always amaze the music world of generations to come. One of those people is my good friend, Rafael. Check out Rafael and his friends.
Oh, happy birthday Tom! (May 23rd) And, thanks for caring and sharing.
kenne
AJ Murphy — Image by kenne
Music is . . .
Music is what
enables me
in my work
soothes me
when I rest
reminds me
of images past
of dreams yet fulfilled.
It is not the words,
nor the beat,
nor the instruments,
nor the relationships —
It is the rhythm
of the moments
composed by
the silence in between.
— kenne
#####
Music is . . .
a moral law.
It gives soul
to the universe,
wings
to the mind,
flight
to the imagination,
and charm and gaiety
to life and to everything.
— Plato
(Image Source: Chicago Tribune)
Dave Brubeck, 1920-2012
Ed Cohn, Dave Palmer & Diane O’Rourke at the Tanuri Ridge Fall Fest, 2010 — Image by kenne
When I first met Ed Cohn, it didn’t take long before we were talking about jazz music and as newcomers to Tucson, where we could see live jazz. Ed and his wife Karyl were dedicated Tucson Jazz Society (TJS) volunteers. So, it was fitting that many Jazz musicians participated in the celebration of Eddie’s life, February 10, 2012 at the Sheraton on Grant Rd. Additionally, last night was the first in the Tucson Jazz Society’s “Jazz Under the Stars” series was an evening of traditional New Orleans-style jazz dedicated to Ed. I was able to record some of the February 10th event, which I edited into the following video.
kenne
“Old Pueblo Jazz” — Image by kenne
Glenn Gross — Image by kenne
As we get to know our neighbors in Tanuri Ridge, we are naturally sharing interests in our discussions. One talking point is music, and among those who love jazz are Ed and Karol Cohn. It was Ed and Karol, along with Malcolm Alexander that told us about Tuesday night jazz (See by Jazz on “Tuesday Night” posting) at the Sheraton and Sunday at the Old Pueblo Grille.(Photo Left: ArcoIris Sandoval)
Image by kenne
Joy and I haven’t had a lot of opportunities to see live music since arriving in Tucson, but that’s beginning to change. Some of our neighbors are members of the Tucson Jazz Society and last evening we were invited to go see a traditional jazz band at the Sheraton, which is location a couple of mile from our house. The music was excellent and the occasion provided a very good opportunity to meet people and make new friends.
This Tuesday night event at the Sheraton also showcases some of the areas young talent, which adds to the enjoyment of the evening.
kenne
Image by kenne
Sunday afternoon and here I am listening to music back in time – in my mind. The time is the sixties, a time of early romance, which has always had a music connection – especially blues and jazz. Nurtured by late night radio, the music was often a balance with loneliness providing a connection with the feeling that stirred my very being. Some of my favorite jazz musicians were the likes of Oscar Peterson, Ramsey Lewis, Dave Brubeck, Erroll Garner and Ahmad Jamal. 
So, as I set here on our deck watching the dance of flying insects, a vision seen only because of the late afternoon sun spotlighting the being, otherwise unnoticed to the eye, and listening to an NPR interview with Ramsey Lewis – Ramsey Lewis: Opening Jazz to All – the genenis of my flashback.
Loving the late night radio music, it was only natural to share my late night feelings with a date by going to the London House, a supper-club that was the place for jazz in Chicago. Located at the corner of Wacker Drive and Michigan Avenue. (Sadly, this great location on “magnificent mile” later became a Burger King restaurant.) Although above my means, I could think of no better place to spend a romantic evening. Looking back, I’m not sure if the romance was with the date or the music. However, knowing me, it was both.
kenne
AJ Murphy
In an earlier posting, I continued an annual recognition of Walt Whitman’s May 30th birthday. NPR has also reminded me that Benny Goodman shares the same birthday. Click here to lean more. Additionally, if you are into Jazz, you may also want to check out an NPR blog, “Take Five.”
Here’s one my favorite YouTube videos of Benny Goodman Quartet.
kenne
Birthday of a Giant!
Some years ago I thought it a little eccentric to throw birthday parties for Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson. But then, over time I have become very much a part of the annual events held by the Montgomery County Literary Arts Council. Now I ponder the need to celebrate the birthdays of other greats in the arts.
Since my brother, Tom, is always reminding me of the birthdays of his “heroes” (mine too), today I received a reminder that today is the birthday of someone who changed the face of music forever, Miles Davis — May 25, 1926 – September 28, 1991. So, what’s good for Whitman and Dickinson should also be for Davis. Maybe I have a new project?!
Although his genius influenced many, then in 1970 “Bitches Brew” was recorded and the music world has never the same since — now we have the world of “fusion!”
Miles Davis will always amaze the music world of generations to come. One of those people is my good friend, Rafael. Check out Rafael and his friends.
Oh, happy birthday Tom! (May 23rd) And, thanks for caring and sharing.
kenne
