Amazing May

Photo by Lauren Serpa. Cameron Ralston (bass) is a member of Ombak, Fight the Big Bull and Glows in the Dark in addition to other groups. In December RVAJazz always recaps the events of the previous year. This May, so much awesome stuff has happened that it is worth looking back now. Goodbye Dean – […]

May 27, 2011; 6:00 AM • by Aaron Williams

Photo by Lauren Serpa.
Cameron Ralston (bass) is a member of Ombak, Fight the Big Bull and Glows in the Dark in addition to other groups.

In December RVAJazz always recaps the events of the previous year. This May, so much awesome stuff has happened that it is worth looking back now.

Goodbye Dean – May 2011 began with a two part interview officially saying goodbye to RVAJazz founder and editor Dean Christesen. (Part 1/ Part 2) After Graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University with a degree in jazz drum set performance more than a year ago, he is moving to Chicago to attend Columbia College. There he will study artist management and undoubtedly do some big things for jazz in Chicago. His spirit will remain in the city as he continues to work with Spacebomb Records.

Ombak – On May 4th, Ombak released their much anticipated sophomore record: Fan Bricks. Almost two years after Framing the Void caught the ears of everyone in Richmond and beyond, their newest record has certainly disappointed no one.

Sounds of the South – For the second time, Richmond’s Fight the Big Bull teamed up with Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon, Megafaun and Sharon Van Etten to perform Sounds of the South. Originally performed at Duke University, their second performance found them performing for a massive crowd in Cincinnati, Ohio. The collaboration resulted in a re-imagination of songs recorded by ethnomusicologist Alan Lomax in his early travels.

ASTW Presents | Sounds of the South @ MusicNOW ft. Megafaun, Fight The Big Bull, Justin Vernon & Sharon Van Etten from A Story Told Well on Vimeo.

Glows in the Dark @ Friday Cheers: Friday Cheers is one of the largest music events in Richmond. On May 20th jazz took over as Glows in the Dark went electric and played their Mondo Italia Dance Party music.

Glows in the Dark – On May 24th, Glows in the Dark released their 2nd full length album: Beach of the War Gods. Months ago, Dean Christesen sat down and talked over the entire album with Scott Burton creating RVAJazz’s second Deep Dish.

No BS! Brass music video – If a picture is worth 1000 words, No BS! Brass’ new music video is worth a million:

Bryan Hooten launches website – Yesterday Richmond slide hero Bryan Hooten launched his website in preparation for his solo trombone album. This is in addition to the Ombak website.

No BS! Brass @ Friday Cheers – Tonight No BS! Brass takes the stage on Brown’s Island from 6-9 as part of Friday Cheers. Only a week after Glows in the Dark performed, it is safe to say Richmond jazz musicians are making things happen on the big stage.

With still a few days left, May 2011 is a month to remember in Richmond.