New Music, Unexpected Finds, Old Books Rediscovered — All Savored Slowly. This Must Be August

Chano & Colina
Chano Domínguez y Javier Colina
(Sunnyside)

“Jazz is not a ‘what’ but a ‘how’,” once famously declared pianist Bill Evans, and flamenco, a jazz relative by history and feeling if not by family particulars, often suggests that too.
In Chano & Colina, a live recording, pianist Chano Domínguez, and bassist Javier Colina certainly make an elegant case for it.

Born and raised in Cádiz, the heart of Andalusia, Domínguez grew up with cante flamenco but also, he has often recalled, following bands such as Pink Floyd, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, and Soft Machine. Early on he was, in fact, a rocker, playing keyboards. Then he discovered jazz and Evans, Herbie Hancock, and Thelonious Monk.
He “got serious” about the piano in 1981.

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Jazz Artistry On Film And Live At The House — And Fun Too.

 

Open Land – Meeting John Abercrombie captures the essence of its subject in both its content and form. The documentary by Arno Oehri and Oliver Primus released on Friday, not only allows the guitarist to tell his story at his own pace, but frames it with uninterrupted long shots, unhurried interviews, and images of open spaces.

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Miami House of Blues, Jazz and Civil Rights

JesseJones

Jesse Jones, Jr., appearing The Hampton House, Miami, Friday.

 

When saxophonist Jesse Jones Jr. takes the stage at The Hampton House, Friday, as part of the “Jazz in the House” series, he will be putting the spotlight back on a remarkable piece of Miami history. Giants once walked around on this place, but time and economic and social changes turned splendor into dust — almost.

Dilapidated and slated for demolition in 2000, it was saved by the efforts of dedicated local activists, declared a protected historical landmark in 2002 and restored after a multimillion, mostly county-funded effort.
It opened reborn as the Historic Hampton House Cultural Center in May 2015.

Jazz was the sound of the original House. It’s only fitting that now, that the two-story yellow building in the corner of Northwest 27th Avenue and 42nd St. is back, jazz is calling.

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