Maurice Ravel has been my favorite composer for many years. Studying his life and music has been a real passion for me. I have visited Ravel’s house (museum) in Montfort L’Amaury, which is 50 km from Paris, several times. I own 23 different books in English about Maurice Ravel’s life and music.
My favorite composer is and always has been Maurice Ravel (1875-1937). Samson Francois was a French concert pianist and, in my opinion, a great one. His Ravel and Debussy recordings are excellent and I also like his Chopin recordings. The EMI box-set of Samson Francois playing Maurice Ravel has some great moments.
Samson Francois (1924-1970) Read More »
I certainly don’t intend to get anyone riled up but I want to vent on a topic I have given a lot of thought to. In the realm of jazz guitar (and almost especially in the realm of gypsy jazz) it seems that some soloists think that simply stitching a series of well-executed prepared licks together constitutes a good “improvised”
My opinion (guitar improv) Read More »
I have been aware of Jim Hall for many years. Anyone interested in jazz guitar knows about Jim Hall. He was a very melodic, tasteful and measured player However, when I was in my late teens my taste ran toward players like Django and Pat Martino. Still, I always liked Jim Hall and knew that someday, with some maturity, I
Jim Hall (1930-2013) Read More »
I will be doing an extended interview with Francesca D’Alessio on KPOO-FM 89.5 Radio San Francisco at 9:00 PM CDT on Friday, July 24, 2105, 7:00PM Pacific. You can listen to it live by clicking this link — on Friday, July 24th at 9pm Central, that is 😉
Live Radio Broadcast KPOO Radio San Francisco July 24 2015 Read More »
Since Wes Montgomery passed nearly 47 years ago (June 15,1968) there has been very little “new and unheard” material released. But there is a “new” Wes Montgomery recording released this month. “In The Beginning” is now available on Resonance Records. It is a two CD set which is also available on 3 vinyl discs as well. When Buddy Montgomery (brother