“Into the Morning” with the Progressive Sounds of Riverside – Shrine of New Generation Slaves

When my son Andrew told me a several years ago that I should listen to more prog rock, one of the  bands I listened to was Riverside from Warsaw, Poland and I really enjoyed their music. Yesterday I  put their 2013 release Shrine of New Generation Slaves on the iPhone and listened briefly and I listened again today and boy I think I like their music more than before!! Here’s some quick background from ProgArchives: Despite not being the biggest progressive rock powerhouse of Europe, Poland have certainly sprouted great and interesting progressive bands since the heyday of progressive rock, being the biggest…

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Jazz Guitar from Graham Dechter – Takin’ It There

At number 48 on the Roots Music Report Jazz Chart this week sits the latest release from jazz guitarist, Graham Dechter, Takin’ It There.  The first track on the album is titled “Road Song” Hum, could this be Wes Montgomery’s “Road Song”? After the first few notes, it was obvious that it was!! Here’s a bit about the Takin’ It There from AllMusic…. ….Guitarist Graham Dechter’s follow-up to his strong debut recording is another fine effort, utilizing the same rhythm section, consisting of pianist Tamir Hendelman, bassist John Clayton, and drummer Jeff Hamilton. Unlike many young instrumentalists, Dechter isn’t one to…

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Today in Music – Oct 26, 1956 – Vibist Marc Wagnon is born – Happy Birthday Marc!!

As I looked over the birthdays today at All About Jazz the first one that caught my eye was another vibist or vibraphonist (it is an either) Marc Wagnon. But then I got distracted by the career of Eddie Henderson and didn’t take time to write about Marc!! and once again my wife posted this on my timeline on Facebook and claims it relates to me! Now where were we, oh yeah Marc Wagnon – here’s what some folks think about Marc “Forward-thinking composing supported by spectacular musicianship.” John Barron, allaboutjazz.com “this is an exemplary set that delivers the goods on…

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The Music Safari finds – 2013 Prog Rock in Greece – Until Rain – Anthem to Creation

Today the Music Safari lands in Greece – Thessalonki, in particular, where we meet – Yannis Papadopoulos,  Theodore Amaxopoulos, Lefteris Germenlis, Bill Gkagkavouzis and Alex Hughes, who collectively form the extremely good and young progressive metal band Until Rain.   Actually, the current band differs slightly from the onethat was formed in  2004 by then 14-year old schoolmates, Orestis FIKOS (Bass), Lefteris GERMENLIS (Keyboards) and Alex HUGHES (Drums).The change came between their debut album “The Reign of Dreams” released in 2009 and the follow-up album  Anthem to Creation released in 2013 (which by the way was released on my wedding anniversary August 23rd)….

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Today in Music – Oct 22, 1973 – Nick Andrew is born: Discovering Nick leads to a Music Filled Morning!!

When I looked down the list of musicians who were born on this day the first  one that caught my eye had the same first name my first son – Nick, Then I looked at his last name and it’s my second son’s first name Andrew now I was really intrigued! A look at his instrument, the electric guitar sealed the deal ! I was going to check out Mr Nick Andrew.  My first stop was his website, where I read….. Nick is a remarkably accomplished guitarist who takes ‘Fusion’ to another level with his range encompassing the full spectrum…

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Lunchtime Hammond -B3 Music from Brazil’s Hammond Grooves and Jimmy Smith!!

So the other day when I was looking for YouTube videos of Eddie Harris, I came across the jazz trio Hammond Grooves from Brazil. Since I live in a town that has a large, and very important to the community, Brazilian population the band being from Brazil caught my attention. And that it was an organ trio also raised my curiosity! Since the band is from Brazil the information on online at the usual locations was sparse. I did find the band on Twitter and then found there website and their Facebook page. The only problem was that all the…

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Today in Music – Oct 22, 1957 – Happy Birthday – Canadian Jazz Artist Jane Bunnett

A while back I discovered the music of Canadian jazz musician Jane Bunnett, like usual it was on a night that I was looking for new music and boy did I listened to Cuban Rhapsody  featuring both Jane and pianist Hilario Durán. and if you’ve never heard it give it a listen it’s great! Anyway, today I get to wish her a Happy Birthday Jane was  born on October 22, 1956 and is a Canadian soprano saxophonist, flautist and bandleader known for her Afro-Cuban jazz melodies. In addition to her primary instruments, Bunnett also plays the trompeta china, a Cuban wind instrument of Chinese origin. Born and educated in Toronto, she trained…

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Yesterday in Jazz: – Oct 20, 1934 – Eddie Harris was born!

So the more I investigate the world of jazz music, I have come to the realization that what I know is like the tip of the iceberg, and there’s a whole lotta of iceberg below that tip!!  Like yesterday, it was Eddie Harris’ birthday, now I can’t fault myself for not knowing that it was his birthday, that may only be known to his most ardent fans. But I really should know more than his name and he is a jazz artist. When I read that he had a hit with his cover of the theme from Exodus, that sounded…

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Yesterday in Music – Oct 20, 1957 – Happy Birthday – Anouar Brahem!

The second name on today’s list of jazz musician birthdays at All About Jazz was Anouar Brahem. The thing that caught my attention about Anouar was the instrument he was holding an Oud! Time out let;s first explore the Oud before finding out about Mr Brahem. From Wikipedia: The Oud  is a pear-shaped stringed instrument commonly used in Arabic, Hebrew/Jewish, Greek, Turkish, Byzantine, North African (Chaabi, Classical, and Andalusian),Somali and Middle Eastern music. Construction of the oud is similar to that of the lute.[2] The modern oud and the European lute both descend from a common ancestor via diverging paths. The oud is readily distinguished by its lack offrets and smaller neck. It is considered an ancestor…

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Today in Music – Oct 20, 1956 – British Jazz Guitarist Martin Taylor is born!

Among the jazz artists who are celebrating their birthdays today is guitarist Martin Taylor. Taylor was born on October 20, 1956 and is the son of bassist William ‘Buck’ Taylor. After listening to his father play the music of the Quintette du Hot Club de France, Martin became inspired by the legendary guitarist Django Reinhardt. “Buck” set Martin’s career path early in his life, giving him his first guitar at the age of four, by the age of eight Martin was playing in his father’s band and at fifteen he quit school with the intent of becoming a professional musician….

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