Sunday Session: January 4, 2015

Herbie Hancock

For your Sunday reading enjoyment and edification, some noteworthy items from the past week about jazz, creative music, and more:

* Five Awkward Conversations With Paul Motian (VinnieSperazza.org)
* John McNeil, A Trumpeter Robbed Of His Breath, Blows Again (WRVO.org)
* Saucy Newcomers, Graying Punk Rockers - Even With 54 Below and Joe’s Pub, Cabaret’s Future Is Unclear (New York Times)
* Mwandishi & More - A dream team supports the Jazz Foundation of America at the Apollo (Jazz Times)
* Repetitive pop songs 'more likely to be hits' (Telegraph UK)
* Ornette Coleman and New Vocabulary: Old friend; fresh context (Dark Forces Swing Blind Punches)
* East St. Louis Station Broke Out 'Rapper’s Delight' 35 Years Ago (StLouisPublicRadio.org)
* Steinway Bids Farewell To Its Historic Hall (NPR.org)
* Preserving American Roots Music Begins With Keeping The Lights On (NPR.org)
* An All-Year Season of Discontent in Jazz - Jazz’s Year of Complaint, Citing ‘Whiplash’ and The New Yorker (New York Times)
* Ken Burns Curates Jazz-Inspired Tour Through New Orleans (Down Beat)
* Standing Out From Their Crowds - Ensemble work highlights the burgeoning skills of saxophonist Jon Irabagon and guitarist Mary Halvorson (Wall Street Journal)
* D’Angelo Returns with Timeless Music, Topical Commentary (Down Beat)
* Herbie Hancock: A Life Of Possibilities (AllAboutJazz.com)
* Guitarist Jeff Golub Dies at 59 (Jazz Times)
* Uptown Records uncovers essential early work by pianist Lennie Tristano (Chicago Reader)
* U.S. Department of Transportation Issues Final Rule Regarding Air Travel with Musical Instruments (DOT.gov)
* Piano stores closing as fewer children taking up instrument (NBC Philadelphia)