Notes from the Net: Teo Macero passes away; Elling, King and Botti reviewed; Tom Scott in a tribute to Cannonball Adderley; and more

From all over the Internets right to your screen, here's the latest batch of short news items regarding musicians from St. Louis, recent visitors and coming attractions:

* It's something of a tradition here that, when possible, these compilations start with something about or related to Miles Davis. This time, there's sad news, as Davis' longtime record producer Teo Macero has died at age 82 after a long illness. Macero produced many of Davis' important recordings in the 1960s and 1970s, and his editing skills played a major role in shaping the finished form of albums like Bitches Brew and On The Corner. Here's a brief video in which Macero discusses his work with Davis:



* On a somewhat related note, veteran bassist Harvey Brooks, who has worked with musicians including Bob Dylan, Al Kooper, and the short-lived 1960s rock supergroup the Electric Flag, also was part of Davis' Bitches Brew sessions. In the video window below, you'll find a recent interview with Brooks which he discusses Davis and the making of Bitches Brew.



* A three-day "Miles Davis Jazz Summit" was held at Manhattan School of music, featuring a panel discussion moderated by Marcus Miller; a concert of Davis' small group music from the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s; and complete renditions of of the Gil Evans-arranged albums Miles Ahead and Porgy and Bess performed live at Zankel Hall in NYC by the Manhattan School of Music Orchestra with guest artist Dave Liebman on saxophone.

* There's also news about a couple of trumpet players who recently have visited St. Louis. From AllAboutJazz.com, a review of trumpeter Chris Botti's recent two-week residency at Bay Area jazz club Yoshi's. Botti played the Touhill Performing Arts Center in January.

* Meanwhile, trumpeter John Brunious, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band's leader and senior member, has passed away at age 67 after an apparent heart attack. The PHJB played the Argosy Alton Casino just last month. Brunious' musical friends and colleagues planned a traditional New Orleans jazz funeral for the trumpeter.

* Nate Chinen of the New York Times reviews a joint performance at NYC's Allen Room by singers Kurt Elling, who's played Jazz at the Bistro a couple of times in recent years, and Nancy King, who has recorded for the St. Louis-based MAXJAZZ label.

* Saxophonist Tom Scott, who will be in St. Louis in April for the Greater St. Louis Jazz Festival, is one of the key players on Cannon Re-Loaded, a new CD paying tribute to the late saxophonist Cannonball Adderley.

* Another group of recent performers at the Bistro, The Bad Plus, just played the Portland Jazz Festival in Oregon. The Festival apparently did well both artistically and financially with a substantive and adventurous lineup that included shows from Cecil Taylor and Ornette Coleman, lending credence to yr humble editor's perennial contention that such events need not be watered down to be financially viable. Veteran jazz journalist Howard Mandel adds his perspective on the Portland fest in this blog post.

* Lastly, speaking of financial viability, here's some food for thought in an election year. Due to the often uncertain financial and employment prospects for professional musicians, many jazz performers are among the 50 million Americans who lack health insurance; this article from the New York Times looks at the plight of two working NYC musicians who lack coverage and recently have been stricken with serious illnesses, while Secret Society composer/blogger Darcy James Argue offers cogent and sensible commentary on the subject.

(Edited 2/26/08 to fix a typo.)