Skip to content

Author: John Chacona

Jazz Weekend: May 20-21

Friday: Jonathan Barber and Vision Ahead at Bop Stop

One of the most talked about releases of 2021 was put out by Philadelphia-born drummer Johnathan Blake, son of jazz violinist John Blake. But Blake isn’t the only drummer named Jonathan with the initial B. and a new release. The other drummer is Jonathan Barber will play Bop Stop on Friday with his Vision Ahead band to support “Poetic” released last Friday.

Comments closed

Born In A Log Cabin: AlbaTrio Celebrates the Release Of Their Debut CD

AlbaTrio
from left: Tommy Lehman, Anthony Taddeo, Tim Lekan

If you pick up a copy of AlbaTrio‘s eponymously titled new recording at Sunday’s release party at Bop Stop—and you should—you’ll hear an impressive showcase for trumpeter Tommy Lehman, bassist Tim Lekan and percussionist Anthony Taddeo. But listen closely and you might sense the presence of an uncredited fourth voice: the spacious yet intimate ambience of Strong Cabin in Lake Metroparks near Madison, Ohio.

Comments closed

Ellington Is Forever

 

This is the most valuable object I own, an autographed photo of the Duke Ellington Orchestra given by Ellington to my father after one of the three engagements my dad presented in Erie, Pennsylvania between 1931 and 1933. I can’t tell you how much it means to me that my dad knew Ellington, and that I have touched this object that was once inscribed by the hand of genius.
On the 123rd anniversary of his birth–and every day–Ellington is forever.
Comments closed