Thursday, May 29, 2008

THE SAX PACK

www.thesaxpack.com


Image from www.sandersonmusic.com


The Sax Pack consists of famous saxophonists Jeff Kashiwa, Kim Waters and Steve Cole, the only one I haven't done a post on yet. Jeff Kashiwa approached Kim Waters and Steve Cole with the idea of touring as The Sax Pack in 2003 and they've been touring together ever since. Red tape from the recording companies kept a CD from coming out but this one was finally released in March 2008. It took long enough!

Friday, May 23, 2008

BRANFORD MARSALIS

Wikipedia.org
www.branfordmarsalis.com


Image from www.schindelbeck.org

Branford Marsalis in a big name in jazz known for playing tenor and soprano sax, and is the founder of the Branford Marsalis quartet. He comes from a family of well know jazz musicians - his father Ellis (pianist) and he is the oldest of his famous brothers Wynton (trumpet), Delfeayo (trombonist) and Jason (drummer).

Quoting from Wikipedia: "After Hurricane Katrina, Harry Connick Jr. and Branford Marsalis came up with a plant to help restore New Orleans's musical heritage. Habitat for Humanity and New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity, working with Harry Connick Jr. and Branford Marsalis announced December 6, 2005, plans for a Musicians' Village in New Orleans. The Musicians' Village will include Habitat-constructed homes, with a Ellis Marsalis Center for Music, as the area's centerpiece. The Habitat-built homes will provide musicians of modest means the opportunity to buy decent, affordable housing."

Check out my other block for a post on his brother, trumpeter Wynton Marsalis.



PAUL CARR

Paul Carr - Myspace
Paul Carr Jazz.com


Image from http://www.allaboutjazz.com

Paul Carter is someone I stumbled upon over at All About Jazz. He only has two CD's out and I can't find a lot of information on him to share since in the scheme of jazz history he's relatively new. Still, I think he's well worth taking a listen to and maybe his style, being referred to as "Texas tenor", is right up your alley. Sorry that I can't find a video clip but click on his Myspace page link to hear a few samples of his sax appeal. You can also click on the CD Now links below to hear samples of his two CD's. Just click on the "Listen to Samples" link under the picture of the album cover

Musically Yours - Remembering Joe Henderson

Just Noodlin

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

JAZZ CRUISE 2008

I thought I posted my photos and short videos that I took on the jazz cruise I went on at the beginning of this year. I can't believe I didn't do that here so I'm going to rectify that now but I'll just post the sax players or this post will be too long. If you've never been on a jazz cruise GO! I had such a great time I still smile whenever I think about it. I thought it was a little expensive for a cruise but the music was so worth it and I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Boney James





Marion Meadows




Paul Taylor




Michael Paulo






Saturday, May 3, 2008

COLEMAN "HAWK" HAWKINS

(November 21, 1904 – May 19, 1969)
Wikipedia


Image from http://www.concordmusicgroup.com

Colman Hawkins, or "Hawk" is said to be the first important and influential jazz musician to use the sax. His style was swing and big band but he was also very influencial in the development of bebop. He's played with and recorded with some other great names such as Sonny Rollins, Dizzie Gillespie, Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane.

This is the man with his horn.