Bryan and Rob are unable to convene at the secret jazz bat cave OR the KCSB studios this week so we’ll re-air our show featuring saxophonist Oliver Lake, in conversation with UCSB Professor George Lipsitz.
Today we sample a variety of recent and not-so-recent music including Vinny Golia, Ken Hyder, and more!
The Lobero Theater will feature the music of guitarist Bill Frisell and drummer Joey Baron on Saturday, Jan. 12th. Today’s show will be a retrospective of their work; together, as members of groups, and as leaders of their own groups. We’ll hear music from a wide range of projects from these two innovative and witty musicians.
Pianist and composer Abdullah Ibrahim, or, as he was known before converting to Islam, Dollar Brand, is perhaps the most innovative and well-known African jazz artist. While in exile from his native South Africa during the 60s, Duke Ellington heard Ibrahim’s trio and he was soon collaborating with a host of American and European jazz artists and releasing a stream of profound and swinging albums. We’ll listen to a selection of his solo work and his collaborations with musicians ranging from Elvin Jones to his recent recording featuring jazz trio and string orchestra.
This week we listen to a variety of music by multi-instrumentalist Eric Dolphy. Known for his work with Charles Mingus and John Coltrane, Dolphy was universally praised as one of the most innovative and original jazz musicians of the the post-bop era. We’ll hear music from his work as a sideman and from several of his recordings as a leader.
This year we bring you another edition of the festive sounds of Derek Bailey, to commemorate his passing a few years back on xmas day. Enjoy the ride! We’ll hear some of the usual supsects–Tony Oxley, Susie Ibarra– but also people you might not have expected to play with Bailey. . . like Pat Metheny.
Happy Festivus! Happy free improv day!
In the early years of jazz, “Hot Jazz” was all the rage; a more “authentic” version of the music that was already spinning off into various popular forms. Today, since it’s getting “cold” in Santa Barbara, we’ll listen to music that’s still hot but comes from cold climates. Focusing on the famous “ECM sound” of Scandinavian artists like Jan Garbarek, as well as musicians from the Northern United States and Canada, today’s show will be ice cold!
Today we celebrate the birthday of the great songwriter, singer, and multitalented artist Tom Waits, who from the start of his career has infused his music with a jazz aesthetic. Often performing with jazz artists ranging from Pete Christlieb to Marc Ribot to Matt Brubeck (Dave’s son), Waits is a perfect example of a musician who brings many influences from the rich background of American music and makes something totally capitivating (and often very funny!). We’ll listen to selections spanning his career.
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!