Recommended reading: Week 53

Here’s a taste of what’s going on out there, straight from the Google Reader: –Taylor Barnett wrote a great essay about free improvisation at RVANews. He cites his experience in Devil’s Workshop Big Band, and a great clip accompanies the essay. Referring to the opening of every set at Bogart’s Back Room, he says, “The […]

December 5, 2008; 12:00 PM • by Dean Christesen

Here’s a taste of what’s going on out there, straight from the Google Reader:

–Taylor Barnett wrote a great essay about free improvisation at RVANews. He cites his experience in Devil’s Workshop Big Band, and a great clip accompanies the essay. Referring to the opening of every set at Bogart’s Back Room, he says, “The ‘Free Tune’ was like a trust exercise, but instead of falling backwards into each other’s arms, we jumped into the musical abyss, having faith that we would either remember how to fly, or be caught by someone else who had.” Live Together, Die Alone: The Value of Free-Improvisatio

–Roberto Curtis reviewed Jason Arce’s Simplicity in the Commonwealth Times. Alum Jason Arce’s ‘Simplicity’ anything but

–The Grammy nominees were released. Looks like a repeat of last year’s phenomenon won’t be happening due to a noticeable absence of jazz artists in the “Album of the Year” category. Back to reality this year. There is a lot of good stuff on these lists, though, if you’re into that kind of thing. The 51st Annual Grammy Awards Nomination List – Jazz

–RVANews’ Eight Track competition is still going on. This round sees Scott Burton (Glows in the Dark), Mermaid Skeletons, Now Sleepyhead, and Murk One battling it out for top honors. They pride themselves in “no voter fraud” (or something like that) over there, so vote as much as your heart desires. RVANews – The Eight Track

–Last week’s Style Weekly featured local musician Coby Batty, who in his long and established music career has performed with John Zorn, Don Cherry, and Ralph Carney. Style Weekly – Return of the Fugs

–The VCU View briefly reported on a VCU Jazz trip to Qatar that included myself, Director of Jazz Studies Tony Garcia, and three other students. VCU News Center – VCU jazz studies students travel to Qatar to perform in quintet

—howirichmond.com gives a tutorial on the best ways to navigate the city. Says the site’s creators, “howirichmond.com was created to help fellow Richmonders solve the puzzle of public and alternative transportation. Richmond already has a great framework of public transportation opportunities for everyone. Our goal is to help you find what works best for you and your lifestyle by serving as the glue that holds all of these opportunities together.”