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Posted by MF DU on 2006-05-05 12:47:59 +0000

I so wish I could go to Montreal for one of these... Any possibility of getting The Roots to guest with These guys? looks like an awesome fest... Most of the time I agree with you about unexciting good Boston jazz programming (or at least the really good events seem way too sporadic), however In Boston's defense (from a musical stance - not an alcohol provision stance), there are a few bright lights in Boston: obviously Boston is the home of the New England consevatory and Berklee and that will draw quality musicians frequently. Also, the ICA shows through the Boston Creative Musicians Alliance (BCMA) - Most of their gigs are listed at Twisted Village's website under Boston Improv list and have included gigs from Cecil Taylor, Tim Berne, Instant Composers Pool, Han Bennik, Peter Brotzmann, Ken Vandermark, Dave Douglas etc. In addition, there is an insanely good Boston group called the Fringe that plays every Monday (I think it used to be @ the Cantab lounge, but I cant remember if they are still there or at a different Boston club.) The sax player who played at my wedding studies with the Fringe's George Garzone... Also, I did see The Art Ensemble Of Chicago as a part of the Boston Globe Jazz Festival @ Berklee in 1999. (Although its 2006 now folks - time to step it up!) Lester Bowie had taken ill and was unable to perform, but it was still a motherfucker of a show...

Posted by buzzorhowl on 2006-05-05 12:50:34 +0000

MF DU = in the house!

Posted by dawnbixtler on 2006-05-05 13:06:35 +0000

Also in defense of Boston, the best four or five Jazz shows I have ever seen were at Wally's on Mass Ave, though 'Bad Hat' was pretty sick in the Gamut Room at Middlebury. Maybe I only like jazz in a space the size of a living room...

Posted by jbcardinale on 2006-05-05 13:21:18 +0000

I actually wasn't commenting on the Boston jazz scene at all. Also, there's Either/Orchestra, an 11 piece jazz band, who played at the Ethiopian Jazz Festival and just had a very successful gig in Paris, have four dates at the Lily Pad, formerly Zeitgeist Gallery. I was commenting on the fact that Boston could never block off four city blocks for 10 days, have beer and wine sales all day (I mean, the city was all uptight about drinking on St. Pat's Day). In Montreal there's plenty of security, but it's laid back. Yes, it sucks we don't have a jazz festival anymore. Cubanismo! on the Esplanade was great. I saw AEOC @ Knitting Factory in 2001 when there were only three left. Amazing & Transcendent.

Posted by cdubrocker on 2006-05-05 13:55:39 +0000

The Fringe are now at Lily Pad. Back in the day... Is there a Boston Globe Jazzfest this year? I looked online and could find nothing suggesting that there is one. Was there even one last year? If there was, I wasn't aware of of it. The BeanTown Jazz Festival happens on Columbus Street in late September - I read an item saying that Berklee is taking over the reins of that this year. It's too bad that it only lasts one night and one day. Years ago I saw a monster of a show on the Esplanade - Dave Holland, Jack DeJohnette, Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock. Holy crap, one of the best ever.

Posted by MF DU on 2006-05-05 14:03:41 +0000

Picked up the 'Song X' Metheney / O. Coleman reissue a while back... sick stuff...

Posted by MF DU on 2006-05-05 14:10:07 +0000

Back In The Day URL LINK: OH My GOD! Lets borrow C4RT's time machine - 1968 awaits!