Jazz on this holiday weekend’s Record Store Day

The record collectors among you who can’t resist going out on Black Friday should stop by your local independent record shops. They need the business far more than any of the big box stores. Plus, it is the Black Friday edition of Record Store Day.

Looking Ahead: Southwest Florida jazz preview

The area jazz scene is heating up for its winter-spring season when most of the snowbirds are back in Florida. Here’s a preview of some of the more interesting jazz events in the Sarasota to Naples territory from now through February. 

Dave Glasser on carrying forward the grand traditions in jazz

New York-based Hot House magazine has published my profile of alto saxophonist Dave Glasser in its December issue. The bebopper who is keen on making sure new generations of players understand and appreciate the rich tradition of jazz as their musical voices evolve.

Multi-faceted jazz from a true multi-instrumentalist

Paul Duffy brings new meaning to the category "multi-instrumentalist." For his South County Jazz Club quartet gig today, he played tenor sax, guitar, trumpet and flute and sang. But he did just fine with his arsenal, backed by pianist Matt Bokulic, bassist Joe Porter and drummer David Pruyn at the Venice Art Center. Duffy had a soprano sax in his kit but didn't use it with the day's repertoire. He didn't bring his bagpipes this time.

Insights into the improviser's art

Pianist Tommy Goodman shared his insights today on jazz improvisation, or as some musicians quite correctly call it, spontaneous composition. "The answer to the mystery of where it all comes from is experience. There is a lot of stuff to absorb," Goodman said. "It takes 10 or 12 years of playing five nights a week to become a skilled jazz player."

Roberts' jazz band bubbles with saxes

Jim Roberts

Pianist Jim Roberts was based in New York when he first performed for the Charlotte County Jazz Society at the nonprofit's first full-fledged concert back in 1991. Flash ahead 22 years from that trio date. Now based in Orlando, Roberts returned to the CCJS again Monday night for an Artists Series concert featuring his sextet, which quite appropriately uses the name Saxtet.

CDs of Note - Short Takes

Taking a closer look at new CDs by Gerry Gibbs, The Miami Saxophone Quartet and Bill O'Connell...