Fred Kaplan

I’m late in coming to the drummer-composer John Hollenbeck. (These things happen: so many records, so little time…) It wasn’t until a few months ago that I stumbled upon <I>Eternal Interlude</I> (on the Sunnyside label), the latest CD by his 20-piece Large Ensemble, which, had I heard it earlier, would have made it on <A HREF= http://blog.stereophile.com/fredkaplan/best_jazz_of_the_year_and_the_de… >my 2009 Best 10 list</A>. (Ditto, just to set the record straight, for <A HREF= http://blog.stereophile.com/fredkaplan/darcy_james_argues_secret_societ… ><I>Infernal Machines</I></A> by Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society, that other wondrous big band that escaped my attention.)

The pianist Hank Jones died on Sunday at age 91, ending one of the great jazz dynasties (his brothers were the drummer Elvin and the trumpeter-composer Thad) and taking out one more survivor of the generation that founded post-war jazz.

Some risky business is going on at the Blue Note, the posh jazz club on West 3rd Street in Manhattan.

The best new jazz album of 2010 so far: the Ryan Keberle Double Quartet’s <I>Heavy Dreaming</I> (on the Alternate Side Records label). I’ve played it a dozen or so times in the month since I received an advance copy. It’s infectiously joyous, except when it’s movingly melancholic, and it’s head-spinning, too.

In the we-all-make-mistakes department:

Consider this a wish list from someone who loves owning classic jazz albums reissued on clean, thick slabs of virgin vinyl, preferably cut at 45 rpm—but who’s weary of seeing the same titles pop up over and over again with each slightly new format (180g, 200g, single-sided 45, clarity, etc.). I understand the impulse: certain labels and titles have a mystique (e.g., Blue Note and <I>Blue Train</I>); they’re surefire winners; it’s an uncertain business, so go with the sure thing.

It’s been nearly a week since PBS’ broadcast of the White House concert of music from the civil-rights era, and its sounds and images keep popping up in my brain.