Manchester Born is now mixed and ready to go. Thanks to Nino and my brother Ara (my co-producers), they helped mix the album and have it sounding great. I can't wait to share it with everyone!

During a cigarette break however, I almost got bit by a rattlesnake! But thanks to Nino's snake "harnessing" expertise, I am completely unharmed. Nino Moschella: Snake Wrangling Extrodinaire & Soul Man #1. Thanks Nino.

Listening: to the rattle of a rattlesnake, Manchester Born (over & over again), Derek Keller, Bennink, & more Frank Wright. (One for John is beautiful!)

Labels: Artist Thoughts

I am gearing up for our concert this Thursday. Rhythms of Art is entitled Sound Directions and will feature duets with some of my favorite musicians: Nino Moschella, Tommy Delgado, Brian Hamada and more. These duets will be completely improvised but based on placards that I have designed using words\symbols to convey a certain vibe\feeling\emotion. The musicians won’t have access to these placards until the moment they walk on stage. Hence the title: Sound Directions.

This Saturday, the trio will be headlining at the Heartland Festival in Livingston, California. We will be playing lots of music from the yet to be released new record, Manchester Born, in addition to a few new tunes. One of which, entitled The Battle, has been really fun to play with the trio and seems to be an audience favorite.

I’m spending the weekend with headphones on, listening to Frank Wright, Muhammad Ali, Alan Silva, and Bobby Few: one of the greatest ensembles ever. I just wish they were more records available of the group. Regardless, this music is helping with my broken heart after seeing Chuck Liddell lose his fight last night.

Listening: Center of the World

Labels: Artist's Thoughts

If you didn't already know, Light in the Attic just re-issued the classic Betty Davis records from the 70s. No not that Betty Davis.

All of them are great records and have always been a special part of my collection since I went searching for original vinyl years ago.

Betty was obviously ahead of her time, and timeless at the same time. Super-funky!

Betty was briefly married to Miles. Her influence was obvious on Miles, and it return I'm sure.

Check them out. They put a smile on my face today after hearing an idiotic review of the new Bad Plus record on the syndicated radio show Listen Here in which Ethan Iverson was compared to Liberace. Ridiculous! The album is great by the way, in case you haven't checked it out yet.

Recent Listening: Chris Corsano, Brotzmann, Death Ambient, Ikue Mori, Frank Wright (Center of the World), Hemophiliac, and Derek Keller

Labels: Artist Thoughts

Taking up all my free time is listening to Anthony Braxton’s 9 Compositions (Iridium) 2006, which features his Ghost Trance Music. I’m not going to “review” to record or anything, just know that the set is exceptional and belongs in every collection music.

There are 9 CDs, a DVD, and lots of literature to check out. And while your being blown away by Braxton’s newest, check out Taylor Ho Bynum’s website (www.taylorhobynum.com), which features lots of great music, and a very thoughtful blog. Bynum plays cornet in Braxton’s ensemble but also, did a great duets record with Braxton as well that I love very much. All of Bynum’s writing is great, but what comes to mind immediately is a post from February 7, 2007 that I liked very much.



Listening to (other than forging through the Braxton set): Clouddead, Hemoplhiliac, Indigo Trio on Greenleaf Music, Komitas, Brotzmmnn\Bennink, & Paal Nilsson Love.

Labels: Artist's Thoughts

This is the second installment of various questions that have I received via email and the answers I provided back to each one. Some questions are repeated often, other times the questions are so interesting I can’t help but want to share them with the readers of this blog. All questions are reprinted with permission from their original authors.

I read in an interview with you that you were writing an Opera. Is that true? What is the story based on? Is it a jazz Opera?

Yes, I have been working on an opera for a while. No, it is not a “jazz” opera however it does utilize improvisation. I have no deadline for it, so I’m taking my time. It is not based on any existing story. The current storyline is mine, and like most tragic stories, it is about unrequited love.

I really like your music for One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. I didn’t even know you did electronica. Do you plan on doing any more?

Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed that score. Yes, I’ve been learning how to use the computer as an instrument and plan on dedicating the summer to really invest my time in learning the computer programs. I really love electronic music! Over the next few months, I’ll be working on an experimental solo electronic record. Hopefully a late 2007, or early 2008 release.

What is your favorite jazz magazine?

I don’t really care for any of them. Occasionally, there will be some good stuff, like the Anthony Braxton article in the new JazzTimes. But then usually something I read will anger me, like Jessica Williams’ thoughtless comments on her Before & After quiz. Her comments regarding the Myra Melford track she was played were out of line and thoughtless. I have written an article about my thoughts on this but haven’t posted it yet…maybe soon.

But as far as magazines go, The Wire, is a great magazine with great writing. This month’s issue has a really good article on Evan Parker.

Do you listen to Hiphop? Who do you like?

Yes. I’ve been checking out Clouddead and some of Anticon’s artists (I love Dosh’s records); it’s some of the music regardless of genre that I’ve heard in a while. Also, I really like some DJs like DJ Krush and DJ Shadow of course.

Whatever happened to your “Blacksmith Brother Music Download series” that you were gonna have on your myspace page. Your website said it would be ready in January. Is it still gonna happen?

I am still very interested in having the download series. I underestimated how much work it would take but Blacksmith Brother Music is approaching a fresh new chapter that I’m very excited about. I have new management now and look forward to lots of new changes coming soon. Look for the download series soon!

Are you going to another season as Musical Director for the Fresno Art Museum?

I’m currently working towards making that decision and negotiations are underway. If I do return, it will be an abbreviated season consisting of no more than 4 Rhythms of Art concerts and two special event concerts. Thanks for your interest.


I have been eagerly waiting your new CD. Is it ever going to come out?

Other than mixing and mastering, the record is complete. It’s called Manchester Born and features the trio with Brian and Kevin. I am currently in negotiations for its release. I am very proud of the record.

I really like when you play solo piano at your concerts at the Fresno Art Museum! Will you ever record a solo piano CD?

Thanks. Solo piano is a really difficult medium; however I do feel that I do have something original to say now with my solo playing. I will be recording a solo piano recording this month with hopes for a 2007 release.

What living musician inspires you the most right now?

There is no way to select just one but below are names that immediately come to mind, but I know I’m forgetting so many:

Paul Motian, Anthony, Braxton, Peter Brotzmann, Bill Dixon, John Zorn, Steve Reid, Ornette Coleman, Dave Douglas, Han Bennink, Kieran Hebden, Uri Caine, Wayne Shorter, Thom Yorke, Joe McPhee, William Parker, Cecil Taylor, Herb Robertson, Andrew Cyrille, Roscoe Mitchell, Muhal Richard Abrams, Mike Patton, Fred Frith, Matthew Shipp, Keith Jarrett, Wadada Leo Smith, Evan Parker, Marilyn Crispell, Yuka Honda, Ikue Mori, Susie Ibarra, Mark Dresser, Gerry Hemmingway, Joey Baron, Bill Frisell, Dosh, Clouddead, Battles, Aphex Twin, Myra Melford, Cuong Vu, Henry Threadgill, Misha Mengleberg, Capsar Brotzmann, ok I'm gonna stop now

That’s all for now:


On the record player lately: Sun Ra, Steve Reid, Stevie Wonder, John Gilmore, Ethiopiques #6, Squarepusher, Dizzy Reese, & Amnesiac B-Sides

Labels: Artist Thoughts