The Friday Riff

Jon Nathan, director of the UCSB Jazz Ensemble, pays a quarterly visit to the Friday Riff to tell us about this Sunday’s concert, featuring the UCSB Jazz Ensemble, combos, and guest singers in an evening of music made famous by the Count Basie Orchestra. We’ll listen to some of the music that Basie’s band swung out from the the 30s onward, featuring some of the star players in that band (Lester Young, to name just one!). We’ll also hear some music by other ensembles continuing the tradition of large group music in jazz, which goes beyond what usually gets classified as the big band swing genre.

The UCSB Jazz Ensemble presents its Fall Quarter Concert on Sunday, December 2, 2007, 7 PM, Lotte Lehman Concert Hall.

On our Thanksgiving show we’ll forget about the stuffy Pilgrims for a while and listen to some more music by jazz musicians with Native American roots. Featuring sounds of Mary Redhouse, Jack DeJohnette, and more!

Also: Bryan and Rob give thanks to all who pledged their support for the Friday Riff during the fall pledge drive. We couldn’t do it without you!

Pianist, composer, arranger, and educator Mary Lou Williams is frequently credited for her contributions to jazz, yet she is too often portrayed as either a token woman genius in the male canon, or as a nurturing, motherly figure who helped the male beboppers blossom. Today we’ll take a listen to some of her music, and to her absolutely amazing piano playing. Simply put, Mary Lou Williams had the talent and imagination that few jazz musicians had, be they male, female, black, white, or blue!

It’s that time of year again. Time for Rob and Bryan to pitch the benefits of community supported radio in the form of KCSB – the very station that allows The Friday Riff to broadcast on its airwaves. Call 805-893-2424 and make a donation to KCSB, and keep enjoying the music, discussion, and general zaniness of the The Friday Riff.

You can also donate online via PayPal or Network for Good. Pledge your support TODAY!