Posted on July 3rd, 2009 by Becca Pulliam
Friends Johanne Bougie & Michael Bourne - photo by BP
As the Programming Coordinator for the FIJM since 2000, Johanne starts with the visions of the Artistic Director and others and contributes her own deep, detailed knowledge of musicians worldwide, then — over many months — works her magic to create more than 120 ticketed events, filling almost a dozen halls from the smallest to Symphony Hall for twelve days running. Until this year, Johanne tracked her progress with colored post-its affixed in boxes on a grid on her office wall, but this year she advanced to a spreadsheet on a screen. Technology has not damped her fabulous personal style. She books artists from around the planet into spaces that are ideal for them, on the days when they can come, with a minimum of bunch-ups and conflicts and a maximum of creativity. Johanne says it’s like shopping — start with a vision, find out what’s available, fall in love with it and then put the pieces together into an outfit. Bravo, Johanne!
She remembers some FIJM favorites in this clip.
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Filed under: Jazz Alive | No Comments »
Posted on July 3rd, 2009 by Joshua Jackson
It was clear by the amount of press (guilty!) at the Salle de Gesu last night that Esperanza Spalding has become quite the sensation. I’m not sure if there was a language issue, but Espy tried to her best to engage the audience right from the start. Not happening. But Spalding could not be denied.
Anyway, checkout the first two songs from the show.
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For comparison purposes, we heard Esperanza at the (now defunct) IAJE in Toronto, before her record officially released. We also recorded Esperanza at the J&R Music Festival. As Nate Chinen correctly observes, you can definitely hear the process of maturation taking hold. A few hundred performances, press interviews, high profile network television gigs etc will do that.
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Posted on July 2nd, 2009 by Andrew Meyer
One of the features airing on the WBGO Journal airing Friday night, 7:30 on July 3, 2009 is an interview with Terry Trilling-Josephson, the widow of Barney Josephson. Drawing on interviews she did with her late husband, Terry has put together a new book about his life and Cafe Society, the groundbreaking Manhattan nightclub which broke down the barriers between the races in the 1930’s, on stage and in the audience. In addition to the interview which airs on the Journal, here’s an hour-long special featuring the full interview with Terry and including musical selections from some of the jazz and blues artists who played Cafe Society or the club that marked Barney Josephson’s return to the New York music scene, The Cookery.
Andrew Meyer
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Posted on July 2nd, 2009 by David Tallacksen
Guitarist and singer Susan Tedeschi’s first public performance was in a Broadway musical. Since, she’s turned towards blues and soul, using her powerful voice to open for the likes of John Mellencamp and Buddy Guy. She’s also married to guitarist Derek Trucks of The Allman Brothers Band. When they play together, they go by the band name ‘Soul Stew Revival.” Susan talked to Michael Bourne this afternoon, listen to the interview:
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Susan plays tonight with Buddy Guy. We’ll have coverage of that tomorrow, stay tuned!
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Posted on July 2nd, 2009 by Joshua Jackson
Trumpeter Eriz Truffaz is largely unknown to the American audience, but he has quite a following in Montreal. Last night, he played the Salle de Gesu with a pianist, tabla player, and Carnatic singers from India. They played music from Benares, one of his three new CDs.
Hear some of the show:
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I spoke with Erik Truffaz about his Rendezvous collaborations - Benares, Mexico, and Paris. Pretty fascinating stuff.
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