Part 3 in a series of shows exploring the connections, both musical and imaginary/philosophical/spiritual, between jazz and Indian music. Featuring music by Shakti, Horace Silver, and more!
Congratulations Justin and Radhika!
This week we feature the music of tenor saxophonist Albert Ayler. A towering and enigmatic figure who made waves in the late 60s by taking the “free jazz” advances of Ornette Coleman even further out, Ayler’s music is actually as soulful and deep as it is intellectual or “out”. We’ll listen to tracks from several periods of his career, from his early days as an “inside” player, to his historic trio recordings with Gary Peacock and Sunny Murray, to his later work with larger groups.
This week we explore the connections between jazz and Hawaiian music. From the history of the electric guitar to the swinging sounds of Martin Denny’s jazz-tinged exotica, Hawaiian musical culture has nourished the mainland, and vice versa, for longer than you might expect. Helping us bring the spirit of aloha to the Friday Riff today will be our special guest, Dr. Revell Carr, scholar of many musics: American popular music, Hawaiian music, and maritime music, among others. Dr. Carr, an ethnomusicologist recentlly of UCSB and bound for UNC Greensboro, will discuss the history of Hawaiian music and it’s complex interactions with American pop culture, including jazz.
Today we feature a special live performance (a first for The Friday Riff!) by local “Gypsy Jazz” group, Les Gendarmes du Swing! In anticipation of their forthcoming album and performance at Muddy Waters the same evening, we’ll enjoy the sounds of 1930s-era Paris swing, in the tradition of Django Reinhardt. Don’t miss it!
Check out Les Gendarmes on the web at http://www.gendarmesduswing.com