J A Z Z 

T H I S I S S O M E T H I N G.

T H I S I S N O T H I N G.

Y O U M U S T L I S T E N B E T W E E N T H E N O T E S.

J A Z Z G I V E T H

A N D 

J A Z Z T A K E T H A W A Y.

the l u n a r landings were fake,

Tin Foil Hat Dave

(it's just dave in a tin foil hat)

It's always a pleasure to have you with us for our brief weekly jaunt into the world of Jazz. 

(Stick with me here - we are going backwards from the end of the show to the beginning.)

The Greg Hatza ORGANisation was the caboose for the show today. As the name visually implies, Greg plays the organ. But in addition to being quite skilled on instruments with keyboards, he can also play the tabla drum (used commonly in Indian classical music) as well as the Urhu (a chinese 2 stringed instrument). But what's more is he is a certified bad-ass. He has studied multiple martial art styles over the last 40 years and is a martial arts instructor too. 

From NYC, I played a cut from the Groove Collective's debut self titled album from 1994. A very funky tune w/ an excess of energy. This album landed at #20 on the US jazz charts when it dropped. Members of GC have worked with Prince, 2pac, Sugar Hill Gang, D’agelo, Steely Dan, Curtis Mayfield, Pharaoh Sanders among many others. The name of that specific track was Rahsaanasong.

Turkish/ Canadian guitarist Orhan Demir leading the eponymous Ohan Demir Trio with 'Heavy Mental'. It's from a unique album called Guitar Plus (1998) which I would not recommend to a casual jazz fan. Not that it's without merit, but it rides the experimental freeform line pretty hard and can be a challenge to listen to from front to back (IMHO).

And Ed Hamilton kicked it off with a very smooth jazz jam called 4 A.M. Blues. It is featured on Ed's debut record Planet Jazz. Its another 'experimental' album or sorts - more palatable than Guitar Plus - but there are a lot of non jazz influences in there. Kinda cool actually. But, Ed actually had a hard time getting signed to a label, despite his talent, because of the experimental nature of this record. 

Well, to quote Marc Jacobs-

"أجد دائما الجمال في الأشياء الغريبة وغير الكاملة - فهي أكثر إثارة للاهتمام."

And with that, Imma fuck right off till next week. Keep being you.

yer pal,

Pelé's Ghost

(just kidding. It's Dave.)

'Tis I, the Duke of Groove, to serve you a feast of delicious organs. Not animal (nor human regretfully) organs, but HAMMOND B3 organs. Yes my dear friends, it is a show celebrating the majestic Hammond B3 Organ in the wonderful realm of jazz. First manufactured by Laurens Hammond & John M. Hanert in 1935, this electric organ has given jazz a robust, thicc, and cushy sound to our beloved jazz and has been replicated by numerous companies & artists ever since. 

Our first course is from one Freddie Roach. Not the renowned boxing coach (sorry fans of the 'Sweet Science'), but from Bronx born Hammond connoisseur, Freddie Roach. From his 1996 release, The Soul Book, we heard 'One Track Mind'.

Moving on to Trudy Pitts with her organ-take on the Brubeck classic "Take 5". She started out in higher education at Temple University & Julliard and a brief Broadway tour, before really getting her jazz career going. She was very active on the jazz festival circuit over her 50+ year career. On top of being a very solid organist, she also sang a bit too. 

Brother Jack McDuff also featured in the show today. Born Eugene McDuff in Champaign, IL, he started his foray into jazz on the bass before moving to the organ in the late 50's. Really going hard for the hammond in the 60's in the hard bop & soul jazz scenes too. In his later years, he dropped his "brother" moniker and took up the mantle of "captain". I dig it, man.

And Don Patterson wraps up this week's hammond extravaganza. Donald Duck was the tune. 

Philly based and an artist with a lot of potential, but unfortunately, Don is in the ranks of great jazz minds whose careers were cut short by drugs. Despite an early demise, he managed to make 21+ albums in his 12 years in jazz.

Be well and keep being yourself-

Ted Cruz in a Speedo

(aka dave)