OK, the taxes have been paid; the checks are in the mail. Time for some enjoyment; time for YOU. As it so turns out, today's YOUR day: both Bennie Maupin's Early Reflections (review) and the Crypto 10th Anniversary comp Assemblage, 1998-2008 (review) are out-out-OUT. Why not treat yourself? I mean, we already have copies...
We caught Mr. Maupin with his awesome (as in "awe-inspiring") new band at their much-publicized gig at Catalina's last Friday. (Check out a review here.) This killer ensemble -- pianist Michal Tokaj, bassist Darek Oles, percussionist Munyungo Jackson, drummer Michael Stephans -- performed cooking versions of ER's "Escondido" and "Inner Sky." But the highlight (at least in Your Humble Blogger's ears) was when Bennie brought out the lovely and bewitching Polish folk singer Hania Chowaniec-Rybka (flown in from Warsaw!) to improvise on extended versions of "ATMA" and "Spirits of the Tatras." The proud Poles in the audience (and there were quite a few -- Solidarność!) cheered loudly and pounded their tables. One can only imagine the turnout this weekend when Mr. Maupin closes out Crypto's 10th Anniv. celebration at The Jazz Standard in New York. Unlike last year, YHB will not be attending, but I'd like to put out the call for anyone in the 5 Boroughs who plan on attending any of this week's concerts to post any of your experiences on our "Comments" board. We won't even correct the spelling. Honest!
Maestro Maupin will be busy elsewhere soon on another cool project with recently-relocated-to-UCLA Mr. James Newton, showcasing the music of L.A. native son Eric Dolphy with vibraphonist Jay Hoggard, drummer Billy Hart, and our own Darek Oles. (It's pronounced "Dah-rek," not "Deh-rek" -- and don't ever make that mistake boyo.) The ensemble will play at the upcoming Heraldsburg Jazz Festival and record an album for old friend ECM. What's particularly exciting about "Celebrating Eric Allan Dolphy" -- besides the titanic talent involved, of course -- is that the group will be resurrecting music left behind by Dolphy when he embarked on his 1964 tour of Europe with the Charles Mingus sextet. (And, as we know, didn't come back.)
Last weekend, we tuned into NPR's Off Ramp with John Rabe and stumbled upon "My Teacher Alma," which profiled the great pianist/teacher Alma Hightower. It's short but sweet, and a nice intro for those interested in a bit of Black L.A. musical history.
