Author's Note

As stated, here is first bit from literary effort, Iron Lions:

AUTHOR'S NOTE
This is a work of fiction.
Butthe chgaracters and the scenarios depicted in the following
pages spring from my fervent desire to present a different
reality for jazz/improvised music, first and foremost in my
home country, but also in other parts of the world where
mindless, soulless, pre-packaged pop reigns and where ignorance
is worn like a badge(or a designer logo).

Preachy, I know, but that is the wellspring of this work,
and I cannot help but acknowlegdge it.

there will always be those who for whatever reason, won't
appreciate much less be passionate about jazz. Uniformity
in musical tastes is not noly unrealistic but unwelcome.

But for too long, I feel, the balance has been tipped in
favour of the artificial(Of course, jaz isn't the only "real"
music out there, just the one I most identify with). All I
seek to do is restore some diversity, or at least a sense
of diversity.

This is a work of fiction. But the characters and
scenarios are out there, folded into the recesses
of our ephemeral pop culture.

They just need a little help to emerge.

Reid Inna Babylon

Reid Anderson of The Bad Plus
Originally uploaded by ercu.

Why, its Reid Anderson of the Bad Plus(as if), pefroming at local club Babylon during the Istanbul Jazz festival

Guess Who

Reid Anderson of The Bad Plus
Originally uploaded by ercu.

From our man in Istanbul, ercu, this shot from the Istnabul Jazz Festival. A clearer shot to follow.

Here We Go Again

At this rate, we have more hurricane posts than music posts before the season ends (officially) in November.
Emily is rushing towards the south coast, with more rain for already waterlogged areas promised as early as tonight.
Still, we're thankful. Keeping our heads up

Post no. 101 - Battle of the Bands for Jamaica

Word out of the Griot Music enterprise of guitarist/composer/
publisher Seretse Small is tha he has secured the Jamaican
franchise for the 2005 renewal ofthe Global Battel of the Bands.
Billed as the biggest live championship for popular music, the event
was first staged in november last year, involving bands from 16
countries. The websiste, gbob.com lsists only 2 rules: no covers,
and no pre-recorded music.
Small and Griot Music will put out more details shortly on
the Jamaica leg ofthe contest.

Meanwhile, under his impresario hat, Small is trying to continue
his "Art of Caribbean Music" live series, which has produced
several outstanding showcases over the past few months. "We're
trying to get [saxophonist] Dean Fraser and Luther Francois as the headliners but we're having difficulty tying Dean down to a date

Jaco's "Gospel"

Fresh out the mailbox is a copy of "Gospel for JFPIII:
A Tribute to Jaco Pastorius" courtesy of the folks at
Moonjune Records[moonjune.com] On first spin, it sounds
like a suitably adventurous tribute to the late great
bass maestro, including contributions from steel pan
virtuouso Othello Molineaux as well as Gil Goldstein
(an accordion take on "Punk Jazz") and Jaco's son,
Felix among many others. Check it out if you can

Lou Donaldson

Lou Donaldson
Originally uploaded by Misterjazz.

I'm trying to beef up the photo quotient of Jazzofonik and this is a particularly "beefy" shot of sax great Lou Donaldson, courtesy of misterjazz, a member of my Jazzhedz Group at Flickr

d'roofpic2

d'roofpic2
Originally uploaded by mike e.bop.

Drummer Jeremy Ashbourne of the jazz/pop group Wide Grin in action at D' Roof

The 1st Twelve months

Happy Birthday to us!
In July last year, we put up our first posts,
and here we are, one year, two hurricanes, and
many jazz performances and recordings later.
Again many thanks to all visitors, supporters
and jazz fans in general as we steam ahead

"Iron Lions" Now a Novel

On further reflection, the planned jazz biography
Iron Lions, will now take the form of a novella,
focuissing on a band of young jazz players in the
present context, but with references to the Jamaican
jazz giants of past and present.

Beginning next week, jazzofonik readers will see
the Prologue, plus excerpts of the first seven[7]
chapters, exclusively on this blog, in addition
to our regular posts. Looking forward to your
comments.

A "wet kiss" from Dennis

Not make fun of Cuba Cayman or the U.S. Gulf coast, but
it seems hurricanes "vacation" off the Jamaican coast,
pick up strength and move on. Not as dramaticaly as Ivan
last year, Dennis skirted the NE coast of Jamaica and at
alst update is now packing 150mph winds.

Fortunately no wind damage for us but buckets of rain
over the last two days. Still overcast right now and
nitlelife still mostly on hold

Have a great weekend

Max ill

More sad news from the US jazz front. Unconfirmed word is
that 82 -y.o. master drummer and bebop pioneer Max Roach
is suffering from some form of dementia and is now in
a managed care facility. This is a sad follow-up to
my previous post concerning saxophonist Michael
Brecker. Prayers to family and friends of Max Roach

An unwelcome "blowin' session"?

As the fringes of what is now Hurricane Dennis come ashore, nightlife is, naturally, on hold, including Jazzofonik Wednesdays at The Deck. A number of other shows and events have either been postponed or cancelled.
all being well, I'll have more on Friday