Fathers & Sons

The acorn never falls far from the tree. Sons are are inheritors of the Father's spirit, to know the Son is to know the Father.

I was thinking about how i got interested in Jazz music...and I have to credit two sources my Father and my best friends Father. My dad enjoyed life, he enjoyed entertaining and he enjoyed music...not just Jazz but he did keep it on the playlist...Don Byas, Cannonball Adderley, Freddie Hubbard to name a few.

My best friend Chris Howard...now his Dad REALLY loved Jazz music, he was in my mind a reniassance man, I looked up to him and said that is what being "sophisticated" means. A one time Jazz radio host and owner of a massive Jazz album (that Chris and I would drool over) he was part of my inspiration for wanting to get into radio and host a Jazz music program...I guess it is my way of paying it forward.

So this show is dedicated to the Father's and to the Sons. Dedicated to Dan Howard in particular, and to all male role models who are like the "Trees" and the boys who look up to them like the "Branches" - both growing tall, straight and strong from the same "Root"...in this case Jazz.

Enjoy,

Brian "Katzpheno" Phoenix

featuring:
Cassandra Wilson - "Seven Steps" (1999)
The Avi Rothbard Quartet - "Going Somewhere" (1999)
Nicholas Payton - "Sun Goddess" (1999)
Bobby Watson & Horizon - "Homemade Blues" (1990)
Dexter Gordon - "Darn That Dream" (1964)
Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers - "Thermo" (1962)
Cannonball Adderley - "One Man's Dream" (1961)
Billy Childs - "The Hunted" (2005)

Behind The Moonbeam...

What lies behind the moonbeam? What visions does such a question conjure? The moon reflecting the light that shines upon it in a glow that mystifies the viewer.

Moon glow...moon blue...the moon quarter, half or full...the man on the moon...MOONPIE!! OK just making sure you're paying attention. The point is this the moon is romantic, so what lies behind the moonbeam - is the same thing that lies behind romance...intrigued?

Then pay attention to this week's podcast and perhaps all questions shall be answered.

Enjoy,

Brian "Katzpheno" Phoenix

featuring:
Stefon Harris - "The Velvet Couch" (2003)
4 Sight - "Parabola" (1998)
Dizzy Gillespie - "Behind The Moonbeam" (1975)
Terence Blanchard & Ivan Lins - "Valsa Mineira" (1996)
Steve Khan - "Eyewitness" (1983)
rad. - "So Complete" (2000)
Pat Metheny Group - "Red Sky" (1995)
Geri Allen - "In The Middle " (1987)
Don Byron - "Bernhard Goetz, James Ramsuer & Me" (1999)

The Entertainer.

A well worn classic, re-worked to supreme groovy-ness by a man who has been missing in action for 8 years. A few more standards thrown in here and there and you have the makings of a very enjoyable Jazz music program. Who could ask for any thing more? Not I said the King!

Happy Father's Day Weekend to all you Kings out there...just remember one thing, "Keep Jazz In Your Life- Not Strife, And Everything's Gonna Be All Right!"

Enjoy,

Brian "Katzpheno" Phoenix

featuring:
Betty Carter - "All I Got" (1988)
Wynton Marsalis - "Lover" (1991)
Marcus Roberts Trio - "The Entertainer" (2009)
Gromko. - "Nature Boy" (2007)
Joshua Redman - "Streams of Consciousness" (1996)
Branford Marsalis Quartet - "Jack Baker" (2006)
Kenny Garrett - "Back Where You Started" (1999)
Lee Konitz - "Lover Man" (1989)

Straight, No Chaser!

"What it'll be pal..?" Sometime you are better off with..."The usual - straight, no chaser..." Our lives can get complex..information overload it's called...do this, go here, google me, twitter her, facebook, my space...I need space...hard drive - overdrive. Somehow we know it is all unnecessary - but yet we persist.

Welcome to your getaway..your oasis...the calm in the storm...your usual. Familiar faces and sounds...Jazzism Volume 12.2 will sooth the savage beast and put you on the straight and narrow...no chaser needed.

Enjoy,

Brian "Katzpheno" Phoenix

featuring:
Miles Davis - "Straight, No Chaser" (1958)
John Coltrane - "Mr. PC" (1960)
Nicholas Payton - "Back To The Source" (1998)
Cassandra Wilson - "Angel" (2002)
Chick Corea - "Bud Powell" (1997)
Benny Green & Russell Malone - "Ask Me Now" (2003)
Carmen McRae w/ The WDR Big Band - "Suddenly in Walked Bud" (1998)
Count Basie & His Orchestra - "Corner Pocket" (1956)
Ron Carter - "Will You Still Be Mine" (1974)
Kenny Kirkland - Midnight Silence" (1991)

Memorial Day '09

Happy Memorial Day to all those who are serving or who have served...remember.."all gave some, some gave all".

In tribute I offer this episode of Jazzism for those about to get their "Jazz On"...so they may "Jazz It Up" just a little harder...."Katzpheno" style.

Enjoy,

Brian "Katzpheno" Phoenix

featuring:
Dee Dee Bridgewater - "This Is New"
Bard Mehldau Trio - "London Blues"
Jeff "Tain" Watts - "Sigmund Groid"
Charles Fambrough - "Earthlings"
Roland Kirk - "Domino"
Donald Byrd - "Clarion Calls"
Dianne Reeves - "Comes Love"
Gary Burton - "Country Roads"
Sonny Rollins - "GOD Bless The Child"

JAZZ GUMBO!

New Orleans is the birthplace of this music we so lovingly call Jazz...it is also a city that blends many cultures, French, Spanish, English and African to name a few. These divergent peoples brought their spirit and energy, tastes and styles and a representative food emerged called "Gumbo".

I call this episode of Jazzism "Gumbo" because as I went about picking the music for the playlist...I added a bit of this n that and stewed it to perfection...just like a good pot of Jazz.

Enjoy,

Brian "Katzpheno" Phoenix

featuring:
Kenny Garrett - "Straight Street"
Eliane Elias - "Impulsive"
Joshua Redman - "Beyond"
Larry Coryell - "Cedars Of Avalon"
Deborah Cox - "Blue Skies"
Miles from India Band - "So What"
Diana Krall & Terence Blanchard - "Let's Get Lost"
Chucho Valdes - "Carida Amaro"
Esperanza Spaulding - "Ponta de Areia"

Blue.

In certain African cultures music is depicted by color. To my mind this makes sense for we in western cultures depict our mood by color and music is related to mood. I would say Jazz music is blue...but not just blue all shades and hues of blue. Deep, dark, light, radiant, greenish, purple too.

Blue by the way is my favorite color/music. Hope it is your too.

Enjoy,

Brian 'Katzpheno" Phoenix

featuring:
Nicholas Payton - "Triptych" (2008)
Don Byron - "Leopold, Leopold" (2004)
Ronny Jordan - "Blues Grinder" (1992)
Ron Carter & Joe Henderson - "117 Special" (1974)
Terence Blanchard - "Simplemente Simon" (2000)
Jason Moran - "Body & Soul" (2002)
Miles Davis - "Hand Jive" (1968)
Geri Allen - "Bed-Stuy" (1992)

Happiness Flu.

I think I have the influenza...but I'm not sick. I'm in that place, that space where everything just seems to click. You know what I mean...You've been there.

You stroll out the door with a bop, and a smile on your face...your morning commute has the right pace, you're not late, not too early - just on time. You find the perfect parking space and your coffee and pastry are served to perfection (did I mention the sun was shining too).

The end result of all of this is you find yourself undeniably happy...before you know it others around are happy too...that's it...you've been infected and now others are infected too...you caught and have spread the Flu. The CDC wants to talk to you...you failed to heed the warnings, "stay indoors, cover your mouth when you giggle, no hugging strangers..." Your Happiness might cause an epidemic - sounds good to me!

I think I know how this all started...you've been listening to Jazzism (a katzpheno mix) haven't you? Keep it up...spread the Flu....The Happiness Flu(pork free)!

Enjoy,

Brian "Katzpheno" Phoenix

featuring:
Cyrus Chestnut - "Sharp" (1998)
Jacky Terrasson - "Parisian Thouroughfare" (2003)
Greg Osby - "Summertime" (2003)
Dave Holland Quintet - "A Seeking Spirit" (1999)
Cassandra Wilson - "Traveling Miles" (1999)
Ahmad Jamal - "The Last Day" (1987)
Branford Marsalis - 'Spartacus" (1990)
Cedar Walton - "Jacob's Ladder" (1978)