I'm using the power of the Internet to select the theme for my next recording with my band, Septology. I started this band with the idea of using a septet to perform seven part suites, and started with the seven days of creation, which was released on the album, In the Beginning. I've also written and performed suites based on Jonathan Lethem's seven short story collection The Wall of the Sky, The Wall of the Eye and H.P. Blavatsky's seven principles of man.

I'm getting ready to start working on a new recording with the group, and am trying to pick the next theme, but am having a tough time -- I need your help! I've narrowed the list down to seven that I'd really like to do, but can't pick one, and I'd like to hear from you.  I'll also take any suggestions you might have that aren't on the list, but I'll mention only that I'd like to stay away from a biblical theme, Jonathan Lethem, or a philosophical concept -- things I've already done. So here is the list of seven sevens:

• Seven Lucky Gods exist in Japanese mythology
• The number of basic principles of the bushido
• In Guaraní mythology, the number of prominent legendary monsters
• Seven Articles of the Constitution
• Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
  
• Harlan Ellison's short story collection I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream
• Seven Archangels - more from occult/magic information than Judeo-Christian background

Let me know -- post a comment! I won't make a decision until my Cabaret gigs are over in a couple weeks, so give me your feedback, and thank you!

Lots to talk about! Sorry to have been away from the blog so long, but I keep needing to take breaks and reinvent this thing. I've yet to officially launch the site as "completed", but it's coming soon, I promise -- almost there! I've been playing trombone and tuba in a three-ctiy production of "Cabaret" for the last month and going through the middle of May, and I'm having a great time on a great gig. I've met many talented people -- all of whom I hope to stay in contact with for many years to come. I've also had a great time documenting the process.  With my T-Mobile Dash and Kodak C813 for stills and video, I was armed at all times -- although I will admit in hindsight that I missed some great moments, only because I was too busy enjoying them! I'll be posting many more detailed posts about this gig in the coming weeks, but to wet your appetite, you can check out all my photos on Flickr, and here is a video of me doing my make-up:

www.flickr.com RedRaspus' Cabaret - San Jose photoset

In a big shocker Herbie Hancock wins Album of the Year Grammy for his album "River: The Joni Letters." Go Herbie!

Watch for my full 50th Grammy Awards coverage -- I'm writing three big posts for tomorrow, so check back at the end of the day Monday.

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It's official: Mega-List of Music Lists is a recurring feature here at Red Raspus: Musician in Seattle. Between my own usual clippings and some great links sent via e-mail, I've collected enough lists for a second edition.  As I said in the first edition of Mega-List of Music Lists, read at your own peril.

• Ten Non-Essential Jazz Platters
  
• Five Fantastic Debut Jazz Albums
• Three Greatest Living Musical Legends -- five versions
  
• 20 Worst Album Titles of All Time
• 23 Album Covers That Changed Everything
• Canonical List of Weird Band Names
• 10 Killer Versions of "Dark Star" -- check out #10
• 25 Biggest Wusses in Music... Ever
  

I haven't saved any for another edition, so if there is something you'd like to see here, post it in the comments.  Also, I'm thinking of writing some lists like this of my own -- what would you like to see?

How did I discover Sam Rivers? I can't really remember the exact circumstances, but in all likelihood it was either through researching Julian Priester and his discography, or possibly through his famous composition, Beatrice. I do know for a fact, however, that the first recording of his that I purchased was Fuschia Swing Song -- it was during my trip to Japan with Jay Thomas in 1999 that I found this classic Blue Note side on CD (it wasn't yet available in the US), and it stayed in my regular rotation for the rest of that year. His music is inventive, progressive, and challenging, yet deeply connected with the traditions of Coleman Hawkins and Sonny Rollins -- at least to my ears.  He's still out there causing trouble with his Rivbea All-Star Orchestra in addition to numerous small group dates every year.  All hail Sam Rivers! Happy Birthday! Enjoy the videos.

I grew up watching The Six Million Dollar Man and The Bionic Woman, so I felt a slight obligation to check out the new, revamped-for-the-present version of The Bionic Woman on NBC.  I was very pleasantly surprised, and I'll probably keep watching the show -- especially since you can watch complete episodes online for free from NBC -- but I couldn't help and smile at this suggestion about seven minutes in by bionic engineer Dr. Will Anthros to his girlfriend Jaime Sommers:

Dr. Will Anthros:   I'm thinkin' "Coltrane" if it's a boy, "Billie" if it's a girl.

I'm thinkin' writer/producer Laeta Kalogridis is a jazz fan...

www.flickr.com More of RedRaspus' photos tagged with madeinneworleans

Any music fan -- regardless of style -- would appreciate the completeness of this new box set, Made in New Orleans. In addition to the CD and DVD of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band that are the true centerpiece of the package, the set also boasts numerous additional memorabilia items from New Orleans and the history of Preservation Hall. And on top of that, each package is unique, with a sticker on the cellophane touting that no two sets are alike.  I had clipped an article from the Times-Picayune about this box set a couple of weeks back, but while browsing my local brick-and-mortar shop, I saw it on the shelf and knew I had to own it, if only for the collectible value, if not for the music and support it gives to New Orleans. So, here is an item-by-item detailing of everything in the box I purchased at Silver Platters today.

1. Preservation Hall Jazz Band -- Made in New Orleans: The Hurricane Sessions, CD and DVD
2. All-Access stage pass for Preservation Hall
3. Three photos from the Preservation Hall Jazz Band 1980 tour, two from London, one from the New Orleans Airport
4. 1977 receipt from P & J Brand Oysters for 1 gallon of "selects"
5. 1974 invitation to the Olympia Brass Band concert celebrating New Orleans
6. Current photo of One Eyed Jacks in the French Quarter
7. Mardi Gras doubloon for the Preservation Hall Jazz Band
8. 1960's photos of Preservation Hall co-founder Sandra Jaffe in the Preservation Hall office
9. Promotional photo of Creole George Guesnon
10. 8x10 Promotional photo of bassist Frank Fields
11. 1961 AFM contract for the Tuxedo Jazz Band
12. Blank stationary page from Sweet Emma Barrett
    
13. Business card for Creole George Guesnon
14. Business card for Kid Sheik's Storyville Ramblers
15. Booklet of Preservation Hall Portraits by Shannon Brinkman
16. Booklet on the history of the box set and recording project
17. Deluxe, full-color sticker of the Preservation Hall logo

If that doesn't do it for you, I don't know what you think a box set should be!  Be sure to visit my postings on Flickr for complete photos of all the items.

While most jazz history courses and books deal with the many great stride piano players like James P. Johnson and Fats Waller, the practitioners of boogie-woogie often seem to get little coverage and tend to be linked more with blues than jazz.  That said, today we celebrate the centennial of Albert Ammons. Father of jazz saxophonist Gene "Jug" Ammons, Albert Ammons was one of the leading piano players and composers in the boogie-woogie style of the 1930's, along with folks like Jimmy Yancey and Meade "Lux" Lewis.  A centennial concert was held yesterday in his hometown of Chicago, and as we always do on birthdays, here are a video of Albert Ammons performing with another boogie-woogie legend, Pete Johnson.

As I think I've probably said before, John Coltrane -- without question -- belongs in a select category of jazz musicians (along with the likes of Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker, and Miles Davis) who have profoundly changed and influenced improvisational style and technique. In recent years, countless books have been written about him, unreleased recordings and videos have been found and issued -- he's even received posthumous recognition from the Recording Academy and the Pulitzer Board. I talked a bit about him recently in reference to an article where Coltrane was a described as a "role model for today's celebrities", but I also recently found a fabulous article written by Coltrane himself on his own influences and development. I've probably listened to Coltrane's music as much as anybody over the years, starting with Giant Steps sometime in my junior high years, A Love Supreme and Blue Train among many others in college, and finally getting into Ascension, Om and so many more since then. It is with great reverence and humility that I say, Happy Birthday, John Coltrane -- your wisdom, dedication, and innovation are missed, but your spirit lives on. Enjoy the videos.

Whether you know him as Bill Smith, jazz clarinetist with the likes of Dave Brubeck and Orchestra USA, or as William O. Smith, classical and crossover composer and longtime faculty member at the University of Washington, it's time to wish them a happy birthday. I feel quite fortunate to have been able to study with Bill when I was at the UW in the 1990s -- I took a few years of composition private instruction with him, and we also explored twelve-tone jazz improvisation in a small combo. With a recording career that goes back to the 1946 and the Dave Brubeck Octet, Bill is one of those few guys that truly managed to develop two different careers as a musician. Bill Smith was, is, and continues to be an inspiration for me as a musician, and certainly a model for the kind of musician I have always wished to be: one equally at home as a composer and improvisor, within classical and jazz. Happy Birthday, Bill!