Dogg's Jazz Musings

Well, I'll take Jackson's green light and start a thread here designed to let me blow some notes re: the local jazz scene. I definitely will not be out on the town every night trying to do an exhaustive survey, so any and all contributions are very welcome. In addition, info pertaining to other musical genres would be nice (go slow on the C & W please;) Most of the jazz I see happens at Notorious and Thelonious. These places will often book bands to play once a week for a month or more. So, if you catch a band, your impressions posted here, can provide some info for others thinking about taking in the same band later on. In other words, you are just not jacking off, but providing a service. And another point, my spanish is still very limited, so I rarely venture to La Nacion, or Clarin. This is a definite drawback as regards monitoring the local music scene. If any of you spanish speakers / readers know of upcoming events some of us are ignorant of, please chime in.

Thanks-Dogg

Great thread topic. As a dedicated jazz fan I have been to Notorious several times and will do Thelonious soon. I hope that any responders who recommend artists or events will as best they can briefly describe the jazz genre that will be played - e. G. - straight ahead, smooth jazz, bop, acoustic, blues, fusion, etc.

Felicidades DB for the Jazz thread.

This morning, 27/07/06, there's a great article in Buenos Aires Herald reprising Ray Barretto who died last February and continuing on into contemporary offerings of Afro-Latin jazz. His last recording has been released, "Time Was -Time is", and available locally. The BAH has become a staple read not just because it's in English but great articles and insights into the inner workings of Argentina, pungent reporting on the U. S., plus the charming events section which makes a city of 8 million seem all very local. Music reviews are available it seems weekly.

Moving on, the article by Miguel Bronfman reports on "El Club del Disco" [url]www.clubdeldisco.com[/url], launched to distribute Argentine music from independent labels. They celebrate one year tomorrow at a place I've never heard of No Avestruz, Humboldt 1857 with Ezequiel Borra (new album release plus new music) and also on Saturday the 29th with Puente Celeste ("one of the most eclectic, versatile and intense groups on the scene") 9:30 pm for both.

This weekend Thelonius goes with 3 different trios, Machline-Herrera-Lapouble (standards plus originals) on Friday the 28th at 10 pm, Cavalli-Otero-Tarzia (standards plus originals) Saturday the 29th, Tres Bien Ensemble (originals plus wide repertoire) on Sunday the 30th. Salguero 1884. 10 p. M.

Also Notorius, continuing the Latin jazz theme, with Mariano Diaz, Spain based pianist and composer, as quartet performing original compositions "in a straight ahead, modern jazz style" plus standards. Next Mondays, 8-1 and 8-7, at 9.30 pm. Callao 966.

A pretty rich ticket starting tomorrow night. Would be great if anyone who goes reports on the styles of music.

I bounced around Palermo some last night. First, I checked out Ezequiel Borra at a restaurant / theatre space name of NoAvestruz in Palermo Hollywood (Humboldt 1857-I'll start a thread on this place elsewhere) Borra's show was sponsored by El Club del Disco, which is a local organization invested in promoting independent argentine musicians. He plays acoustic guitar / sings and was backed by a stand up bass, electric guitar and a percussionist who also doubled on coronet. Impressive but hard to categorize. Jazzy, folky and the vocals were reminiscent of Jeff Buckley. A very talented bunch, though I didn't understand a word of the lyrics. Avant-gardeish place is NoAvestruz with a combination of beatnik types, tweedy cognoscenti and what appeared to be a veggie menu. No smoking.

Then on to Thelonious to see the midnight show billed as "blue / break / beats" guitar trio. They have played there every Friday night at midnight in July. Pretty entertaining but a short show after the main event earlier. Guitarist, stand up bass and standard drum kit. Kind of Wes Montgomery meets Danny Gatton. Again, very talented young guys. The guitarist had an old hollow body Gibson and looked like he had done nothing in life other than study and play guitar in between chainsmoking Marlboros. I believe he had every lick down from that style of guitar playing, and impressive, but no real style of his own. The bassist and drummer good as well, though the drummer had this affected "I'm into it" look on his face throughout, that was irritating. Youda' thought he was getting his balls licked instead of playing drums.

Summary-I continue to be impressed by the amount of young musical talent in BA. It's everywhere, and cheap to listen. NoAvestruz was 10p and the Thelonious late show 5p. I don't know what some of y'all do in the many hours before the best club mongering kicks in, but there is alot of music out there.

Dogg

Per the Buenos Aires Herald today, the Dave Holland Quintet will be in BA September 27 at Teatro Coliseo, Marcelo T. De Alvear 1225 at 9:30 pm. I saw them in Montreal three years ago and they were outstanding. Chris Potter is great on tenor sax. Has anybody been to the Teatro Coliseo?

Also, some chick singer, accompanied by a cellist and pianist is at No Avestruz Saturday night. Reportedly doing american songbook tunes of the jazz variety. Sounds interesting, and is a very different venue. See the thread for this place under bars / restaurants.

I can't wait to see Dave Holland again. He has been great every time I ever saw him. The first time was in Boston with the guitar quartet of Kevin Eubanks, Marvin "Smitty" Smith, and Steve Coleman. The last time I saw them was with the new group with Steve Nelson on vibes and Kevin's brother Robin on trombone at Carnegie Hall on a double bill with Wayne Shorter. They were really amazing. I was shocked to turn on the Arts and Entertainment Channel on cable a couple of weeks ago and realize that they were actually showing a live performance of that same band in Europe. You would NEVER get something like that on regular T. V. In the states. I was at Thelonius the other night and the piano player who was playing told me about a late night jam session somewhere but I was pretty drunk and I don't remember the name of the place. Has anyone been there before?

[QUOTE=Doggboy]Per the Buenos Aires Herald today, the Dave Holland Quintet will be in BA September 27 at Teatro Coliseo, Marcelo T. De Alvear 1225 at 9:30 pm. I saw them in Montreal three years ago and they were outstanding. Chris Potter is great on tenor sax. Has anybody been to the Teatro Coliseo?

[QUOTE=Big Bob 7] I was at Thelonius the other night and the piano player who was playing told me about a late night jam session somewhere but I was pretty drunk and I don't remember the name of the place. Has anyone been there before?

Big Bob,

I heard from a fellow monger about a jam session at a place called Pedraza. Reportedly a house on Manuela Pedraza, 2 blocks west of Cabildo in Belgrano. I have not checked it out.

I checked out the Thelonious website today, and with my shitty espanol, it appears they are temporarily closed due to "municipal reasons". My bet is noise problems with neighbors, but who knows.

It isn't closed, but the live music is suspended. My guess would be fire code problems and not noise.

Anyone happen to catch the Zo'loka? Trio at No Avenstruz (Humbolt 1857) this past Saturday?

Nice write up beforehand in the Buenos Aires Herald. I wanted to go, but got diverted.

SL

[QUOTE=StrayLight]Anyone happen to catch the Zo'loka? Trio at No Avenstruz (Humbolt 1857) this past Saturday?

Nice write up beforehand in the Buenos Aires Herald. I wanted to go, but got diverted.

SL[/QUOTE]I got diverted also. It did sound interesting.

Last night tomorrow, Thursday, to catch this German opera written in 1928 which captured the new jazz age, the music and the promise of the new America for Europeans.

You'll likely have to cop a ticket and a seat from someone selling at the door, but vale la pena. That's how I got mine at 120 p and great location, mezzanine, row 11 on the aisle no less. Teatro Colon.

Every Monday in September @ 9 pm at La Trastienda Blacarce 460.

Bass Player and composer Mariano Otero has formed a 13 piece orchestra billed as "exciting".

These can be great venues a la Charlie Mingus big band in Manhattan and Pearl's in San Francisco.

Every Saturday in September at Clasica why Moderna @ 10 pm Callao 892

Fats Fernandez trumpet player "one of the most beloved Argentine jazzmen of all time" blows Porteño blues.

Bacchus says check it out

Finally made it to La Trastienda last night to catch this 13 piece orchestra doing original jazz works. 15 pesos is the get, a very good medium sized club with tables and table service for drinks.

And these young guys plus the older drummer are ripping good. If you love jazz, if you love jazz as played in the northern hemisphere, if you love the idea of catching inflections of latin music in jazz, if you love harmonies and brass solos you shouldn't miss this. Otero is the band leader and plays stand up bass.

Every Monday in September at 9 pm, Balcarce 460. Suggest you arrive by 8:15 to get good position, but even if late I don't think there's a bad seat in the house.