A slice of Danish, Pizza-flambéd

[Quarky]

Oh dear......

Try the Cimbalom instead.....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b095q0dd

[Serial_Apologist]

Picking up on the idea of music being "for the people", the concert by Ramsey Lewis on JLU last night was woeful in the extreme. Whilst fully understanding the Gospel influence, this still did not explain the uninspiring interpretation of standards which ultimately owed more to cocktail music, especially when the synthesized strings kicked in. The whole effect was like listening to an episode of Dinner Jazz on Jazz FM. I can appreciate why this might have appealed to upwardly mobile elements of the community but it is something when the music is far more interesting for it's social context than the music itself. Curious to hear Ramsey make a statement about the music being art as the gig seemed to have little to do with art itself!

It is intriguing how the paucity of individuals in jazz to established a household name for themselves in music since the 1970s has led to the likes of Ramsey Lewis being booked by festivals in Europe as it becomes increasingly impossible to find big names to play at festivals. It is weird to hear someone like Lewis in concert because you can hear the antecedents of many of today's piano trios in his music as they too try to reach out to a popular audience. For me, Lewis is like an 1960's version of a trio like Go-Go Penguin who have similarly tapped in to popular culture and come up with music which can scarcely be considered jazz. I feel the same about Ramsey Lewis' efforts .

I couldn't agree more, Ian - I thought I was listening to a recording from Smooth fm in its heyday. I suppose whoever schedules JLU guests just has to go ahead when they've been "informed" as to their ***legendary*** status, so that by the time they've got them on, done the sesh and it's smiles all around, it's too late to do anything about it. Not that the BBC would have worried abougt taking post hoc action back in the 1960s, as we know from what happened to that genuinely legendary Albert Ayler session.

[Serial_Apologist]

Should have added that the Laura Perrudin track was extremely odd. There was a lot of over-dubbing and I wasn't convinced by her voice which seemed to me to sound like a second-rate Esperanza Spalding.

Again have to agree. That was a very commercial track, I thought. I'm glad I stayed on after the Ramsay Lewis, however, as what followed was imo much more interesting stuff to close the programme.

[Serial_Apologist]

It's now that kind of Festival...

"Now you know the history of the Montreux Jazz Festival, you'll understand its appeal to international music legends. But that's not all that Montreux is about. It's forever giving new, cutting-edge acts a break and showcasing younger artists who will, one day, replace its big-name headliners.

So alongside Youssou N'Dour, Ramsey Lewis Trio, Herbie Hancock, Grace Jones and Yello – and more recent breakthrough artists like Phoenix, Solange, Bonobo, The Lumineers and London Grammar – are a clutch of acts who'll be hoping to enjoy a similar stature in years to come. We've selected five to check out below. of Festival..."

I've got a friend who religiously goes there every year and she loves it. Ramsey Lewis was completely sold out and she thought he was superb. The Duke Bluesnik Contemporary Five, not so much.

BN.

I'd like to think whoever wrote that quote was being heavily ironic, because it's hard to read it as serious.

[BLUESNIK'S REVOX]

I think it was "Red Bull" puffery for the festival. And who they're sponsoring this week. Bull being the operative word. But these are now "music festivals" and "jazz" in the title is just their legacy strapline which also gives a scent of historical gravitas..."On the same stage as Miles Davis etc..."

It's a bit like me saying I was live on stage with Bobby Hutcherson and Billy Higgins..Well yes, but in the wings!

[Ian Thumwood]

I think it was "Red Bull" puffery for the festival. And who they're sponsoring this week. Bull being the operative word. But these are now "music festivals" and "jazz" in the title is just their legacy strapline which also gives a scent of historical gravitas..."On the same stage as Miles Davis etc..."

It's a bit like me saying I was live on stage with Bobby Hutcherson and Billy Higgins..Well yes, but in the wings!

I sometimes wonder how much more successful jazz festivals might be is they went totally hardcore with no pop , fusion or other acts that had little to do with jazz, My suspicion is that jazz fans would respect the integrity of promoters in this instance and maybe become loyal customers. The whole concept is difficult. Last week's jazz festival in Winchester did not import pop acts but there were populist acts such as the Ella tribute. I was unable to attend most of the gigs due to personal circumstances and only got to hear a pretty useful big band but I don't doubt that the festival approach does demand a lot of commitment from fans especially when put on outside the summer due to the largely male audience and the clash with the football season which generates a conflict in interest. Difficult to plump for the jazz when Saints have a good chance of beating Man Utd on the same day. A hard choice to make but having a season ticket does force your hand somewhat.

[BLUESNIK'S REVOX]

And do it goes....

"Swanage Jazz Festival has brought additional culture and revenue to the town for nearly thirty years. Please help us to continue!
Save Swanage Jazz Festival!

By Nigel Price...(Guitar/Coordinator)

Kickstarter web site for details of the appeal. They say they can't run in 2018 with the level.of funds they have plus the impact of VAT etc. So are appealing for funds/contributions from the public...