RVAjazz 2008 Year In Review

Today marks RVAjazz’s first birthday! It’s been a great year full of amazing music, and it’s been an honor to try and cover everything that’s been going on in our city. The year in review is a collection of RVAjazz articles from the past year; some are favorites of mine, and some just mark important […]

December 3, 2008; 5:00 AM • by Dean Christesen

December 2007
Fight the Big Bull was signed by Clean Feed records. Richmond ex-pat Darius Jones came back with his group Little Women, while Glows in the Dark (a relatively new band at this point) opened. Billy Williams compared DC and RVA before playing at Twins in the District.

January 2008
VCU scheduled and canceled a master class by vibraphonist Stefon Harris. We learned that Bogart’s was bought out and would be relocating. Emre Kartari’s Good Day Bad Day minimized boundaries at ADA Gallery after Brian Jones’ Ballads Quartet opened.

February
Ilad played at Ipanema, sharing their thoughts with us beforehand. Adam Larrabee hit Bogart’s and Commercial Taphouse in one entertaining weekend.

March
We were grateful as the new Infuzion club began to book more and more music per night, but wondered how long it would last (see August). VCU Jazz Faculty Trio gave a memorable recital and workshop, focusing on communication and flexibility. Brian Jones started distributing his music digitally via Monkeyclaus, and we looked at his recording mentality and upcoming releases.

April
Fight the Big Bull announced two gigs in Chicago, one of which would be performed with Ken Vandermark. Matt White referred to Vandermark as an “old rich uncle.” Branford Marsalis Quartet performed at St. Christopher’s and I took a front-row seat to the action.

May
Taylor Barnett discussed his new album before the release party at The Camel. Jason Stein’s Locksmith Isidore from Chicago hit The Camel with Bryan Hooten’s Ombak. Upper East Side Big Band epically covered The Beatles’ Abbey Road in its entirety at The National. Ombak heated things up this Summer, temporarily taking over Fight the Big Bull’s bi-weekly spot at Cous Cous.

June
Glows in the Dark released their first album, and a glowing review followed. The Thompson & Grace Balcony Concert Series was born, and Glows in the Dark was the first to test the balcony’s weight limit.

July
Scott Burton began his very cool and influential “Ten Questions with…” series on his Glowing Realm blog. Brian Jones and J.C. Kuhl covered A Love Supreme at Thompson & Grace. Jason Arce released his debut record and celebrated with No BS! at The Camel.

August
Infuzion closed due to financial issues (see March). Fight the Big Bull returned to Cous Cous after a summer off and alternated weeks with Ombak.

September
Fight the Big Bull released Dying Will Be Easy on Clean Feed Records. Brian Jones’ Musicircus honored John Cage. Fight the Big Bull went to D.C. for the Sonic Circuits Festival and we got a preview of the set at Cous Cous.

October
The 2nd Street Festival celebrated culture and community in Jackson Ward. Near Earth Objects was born and Nathan Goodwyn talked about the band’s take on jazz. Mingus Awareness Project brought together a slew of amazing musicians for a great cause. Before the event, Doug Richards and Brian Jones and Jon Godston talked about the Project. Halloween brought the Big Bull’s reprise of Thriller, partying, and a parade.

November
The Statesmen of Jazz brought history and character to VCU’s stage, and an eerie Glows in the Dark played the music of John Carpenter. We reviewed Mingus Awareness Project’s Richmond.

December
RVAjazz was acknowledged as an Up and Coming Blog in Richmond by Outside.in. RVAjazz turned 1!

< br />Now that you’ve conquered that chronicle of RVAjazz’s past year, go explore some fantastic Richmond blogs that also turned 1 year old in the past month or two:
RVANews
Tobacco Avenue