Recent Links :: 29 June 2015

Louis Armstrong: At The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong, Ricky Riccardi talks about Louis Armstrong's 1950 recording of "La Vie En Rose." (The song is available on the album, Satchmo Serenades, which can be purchased from Amazon.com.)

Count Basie: At JazzWax, Marc Myers discusses Count Basie's September 18, 1965, appearance on the BBC's "Show of the Week."

Anthony Braxton: At All About Jazz, Francesco Martinelli reviews Anthony Braxton's performance at the 2015 Turin Jazz Festival.

Ornette Coleman: A large number of articles about Ornette Coleman have appeared since the artist's death. The most recent include the following:

• At All About Jazz, Matt Lavelle remembers his interactions with Coleman.
• Blouinartinfo Blogs discusses "the puzzle Ornette Coleman left us."
• Do the Math discusses the connection between Ornette Coleman, who died on June 11, and Gunther Schuller, who died on June 21.
• The Free Jazz Collective provides a list of over 170 versions of Ornette Coleman's "Lonely Woman."
• The Free Jazz Collective reflects on Ornette Coleman's work.
• At Jazz Beyond Jazz, Howard Mandel lists 10 albums that show Ornette Coleman's musical evolution.
• At Rifftides, Doug Ramsey reflects on the "traditionalism" of Ornette Coleman.

John Coltrane, Eric Dolphy: Tim Niland reviews the album, The John Coltrane Quartet Featuring Eric Dolphy — So Many Things: The European Tour 1961, at Music and More. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Miles Davis: The Daily Beast shares a track from the soon-to-be-released Miles Davis album, Miles Davis at Newport 1955-1975. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Eric Dolphy: On June 20, his birthday, Eric Dolphy was Jazz Musician of the Day at All About Jazz.

Bud Powell: At The International Review of Music, Devon Wendell reviews the album, Sonny Stitt, BudPowell, J.J. Johnson. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Fats Waller: At About Last Night, Terry Teachout shares a 1943 clip of Fats Waller performing "Ain't Misbehavin'."

Robert
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Recent Links :: 22 May 2015

John Coltrane, Miles Davis: At All About Jazz, K. Shackelford reviews the play, "Miles & Coltrane: Blue."

Keith Jarrett: At All About Jazz, Karl Ackermann reviews the Keith Jarrett album, Creation. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

John McLaughlin: According to JazzTimes and All About Jazz, John Mclaughlin will release a new album, entitled "Black Light," this fall.

Thelonious Monk: At The New Yorker, Richard Brody reviews the new Thelonious Monk box set, The Complete Riverside Recordings. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Sun Ra: According to Billboard, Minimal Group will release a new series of remastered, reissued, and unreleased recordings by Sun Ra this fall.

Sun Ra: At Pitchfork, Andy Beta discusses Sun Ra and his 1974 science-fiction film, "Space Is the Place." (Purchase the CD/DVD/book from Birdman Records.)

Wayne Shorter: Ben Ratliff reviews Wayne Shorter's May concert at Lincoln Center at The New York Times.

Wayne Shorter: Natalie Weiner interviews Wayne Shorter for Billboard.

Bessie Smith: NPR's All Things Considered interviews Queen Latifah about her role as Bessie Smith in the HBO movie, "Bessie."

Bessie Smith: At The Daily Beast, Ted Gioia discusses the career of Bessie Smith.

Fats Waller: On May 21, his birthday, Fats Waller was the Jazz Musician of the Day at All About Jazz.

Robert
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Happy Birthday, Fats Waller

Jazz pianist Fats Waller (1904-1943) was born on May 21, 1904, in New York City. Jazz critic Richard S. Ginell said that Waller was "one of the greatest pianists jazz has ever known" and "also one of its most exuberantly funny entertainers" with an "extraordinarily light and flexible touch."

Waller was a protege of the great stride pianist James P. Johnson, an influence on painists from Earl Hines to Art Tatum, an incredible commercial success, and the author of popular songs such as "Honeysuckle Rose", "Ain't Misbehavin'" and "Squeeze Me."

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends Waller's album, Fats Waller Piano Solos, 1929-1941 (Bluebird). Unfortunately, that album is only available in vinyl at Amazon.com, and Jim Determan recommends as an alternative Turn on the Heat — The Fats Waller Piano Solos (RCA), which is available on CD from Barnes & Noble.

Waller performs "Ain't Misbehavin'" here:

Robert
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Recent Links :: 9 April 2015

Louis Armstrong: At The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong, Ricky Riccardi discusses Armstrong's 1930 recording of "I Can't Believe That You're in Love with Me." (The song is available on the album, The Big Band Sides, 1930-1932, which can be purchased from Amazon.com.)

Miles Davis: The Riverbender reports that the ground has been broken for a statue of Miles Davis in Alton, Illinois.

Billie Holiday: Jazz singer Hilary Gardner discusses the influence of Billie Holiday at her blog, Hilary Gardner: Ad Alta Voce.

Billie Holiday: NPR's Fresh Air jazz critic Kevin Whitehead shares his thoughts on Billie Holiday's style and influence.

Billie Holiday: At NPR's Jazz Night in America, John McDonough discusses Billie Holiday, calling her "a singer beyond our understanding."

Billie Holiday: The Booklist Reader shares a list of books about Billie Holiday.

Billie Holiday: Chris Robinson reflects on Billie Holiday at cuepoint.

Billie Holiday: According to All About Jazz, the Philadelphia Music Alliance will celebrate Billie Holiday's centennial and make the singer the first 2015 inductee on the Philadelphia Music Walk of Fame.

Billie Holiday: On April 7, her birthday, Billie Holiday was the Jazz Musician of the Day at All About Jazz.

Carmen McRae: On her birthday, April 8, Carmen McRae was the Jazz Musician of the Day at All About Jazz.

Wes Montgomery: Resonance Records announces the release of a 26-track collection of Wes Montgomery tracks from 1949 to 1958. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Fats Waller: At Jazz Lives, Michael Steinman discusses Fats Waller as a jazz singer and shares a video of "I'm Always in the Mood for You."

Robert
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Recent Links :: 28 February 2015

Ornette Coleman, Sonny Rollins, Fats Waller: According to The Jazz Line, the following jazz albums and songs will be inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2015:

• Ornette Coleman's The Shape of Jazz to Come. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Sonny Rollins's The Bridge. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Fats Waller's "Jitterbug Waltz." (The song is available on the album, Fats Waller 1942-1943, which can be purchased from Amazon.com.)

John Coltrane: Open Culture discusses John Coltrane's album, A Love Supreme, which was released 50 years ago, in February 1965. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Herbie Hancock: At Investors.com, Scott S. Smith highlights Herbie Hancock as an innovator.

Clifford Brown, Bill Evans, Wes Montgomery, Charlie Parker: At All About Jazz, Roger Crane provides a list of recordings of jazz musicians performing jazz with string sections. The albums include:

• Clifford Brown: With Strings. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Bill Evans: Bill Evans Trio With Symphony Orchestra. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Wes Montgomery: Fusion! (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Charlie Parker: With Strings. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Robert
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Recent Links :: 24 December 2014

Louis Armstrong, John Coltrane, Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett, Bud Powell, Sonny Rollins: NPR's A Blog Supreme announces the results of its 2014 jazz critics poll. Among the top releases are:

• Louis Armstrong, The Columbia and RCA Victor Live Recordings. (Purchase the box set from Mosaic Records.)
• John Coltrane, Offering: Live at Temple University. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Chick Corea Trio, Trilogy. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Keith Jarrett and Charlie Haden, Last Dance. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Keith Jarrett, Charlie Haden, and Paul Motian, Hamburg '72. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Bud Powell, Birdland 1953. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Sonny Rollins, Road Shows, Vol. 3. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Ornette Coleman, Sonny Rollins, Fats Waller: According to All About Jazz, the Grammy Hall of Fame has added 27 recordings, including:

• The Shape of Jazz to Come by Ornette Coleman. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• The Bridge by Sonny Rollins. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• "Jitterbug Waltz" by Fats Waller. (The song is available on the album, The Very Best of Fats Waller, which can be purchased from Amazon.com.)

John Coltrane, Keith Jarrett: At Let's Cool One, Larry Appelbaum lists his favorite releases of 2014, including:

• Offering by John Coltrane. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Last Dance by Keith Jarrett and Charlie Haden. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Ella Fitzgerald: At Prison Public Memory, Russ Immarigeon discusses Ella Fitzgerald's incarceration as a 15-year-old girl at the New York State Training School for Girls in Hudson, New York.

Bill Evans: At All About Jazz, C. Andrew Hovan reviews the Bill Evans album, The Complete Village Vanguard Recordings, 1961. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Robert
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RIP, Fats Waller (1904-1943)

Jazz pianist Fats Waller died of pneumonia on December 15, 1943, near Kansas City, Missouri, on a train trip from Hollywood to New York. He was just 39 years old. His remains were cremated and scattered by air over Harlem.

Waller was a protege of the great stride pianist James P. Johnson, an influence on painists from Earl Hines to Art Tatum, an incredible commercial success, and the author of popular songs such as "Honeysuckle Rose", "Ain't Misbehavin'" and "Squeeze Me."

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends Waller's album, Fats Waller Piano Solos, 1929-1941 (Bluebird). Unfortunately, that album is only available in vinyl, and Jim Determan recommends as an alternative Turn on the Heat — The Fats Waller Piano Solos (RCA), which is available on CD from Amazon.com.

Waller plays his perhaps his best-known composition, "Ain't Misbehavin'," here:

Robert
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Recent Links :: 22 May 2014

Clifford Brown, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk: According to Jeff Tamarkin at JazzTimes, Blue Note Records has announced four new releases in its “Blue Note Select” collections: multi-CD sets from Clifford Brown, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and Thelonious Monk.

Miles Davis: At All About Jazz, Ian Patterson reviews the Miles Davis album, Miles At The Fillmore - Miles Davis 1970: The Bootleg Series Vol. 3. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Erroll Garner: At About Last Night, Terry Teachout shares a video of Erroll Garner playing "Earl's Dream."

Sun Ra: At NPR's A Blog Supreme, Patrick Jarenwattananon discusses the career of Sun Ra and lists his five "essential" tracks.

Sun Ra: At NPR's Morning Edition, Joel Rose discusses Sun Ra and shares a video of his tune, "Saturn." (The song is available on the album, Sun Ra and His Arkestra: Greatest Hits, which can be purchased from Amazon.com.)

Sun Ra: Tim Niland shares links to several Sun Ra articles at Music and More.

Fats Waller: On his birthday, May 21, Fats Waller was the Jazz Musician Of The Day at All About Jazz.

Robert
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Happy Birthday, Fats Waller

Jazz pianist Fats Waller (1904-1943) was born on May 21, 1904, in New York City. Jazz critic Richard S. Ginell said that Waller was "one of the greatest pianists jazz has ever known" and "also one of its most exuberantly funny entertainers" with an "extraordinarily light and flexible touch."

Waller was a protege of the great stride pianist James P. Johnson, an influence on painists from Earl Hines to Art Tatum, an incredible commercial success, and the author of popular songs such as "Honeysuckle Rose", "Ain't Misbehavin'" and "Squeeze Me."

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends Waller's album, Fats Waller Piano Solos, 1929-1941 (Bluebird). Unfortunately, that album is only available in vinyl at Amazon.com, and Jim Determan recommends as an alternative Turn on the Heat — The Fats Waller Piano Solos (RCA), which is available on CD from Barnes & Noble.

Waller plays his composition, "Honeysuckle Rose," here:

Robert
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Recent Links :: 12 January 2014

Herbie Hancock: According to Jeff Tamarkin at JazzTimes, Herbie Hancock has been named the 2014 Norton Professor of Poetry at Harvard.

Ornette Coleman, James P. Johnson, Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk, Jelly Roll Morton, George Russell: At Gramophone, Philip Clark discusses the intersection of classical music and jazz. Among his examples are:

• James P. Johnson's "Yamekraw." (The song is available on the album, The Original James P. Johnson: 1942-1945, Piano Solos, which can be purchased from Smithsonian Folkways.)
• Jelly Roll Morton's "Black Bottom Stomp." (The song is available on the album, Jelly Roll Morton: 1926-1930, which can be purchased from Amazon.com.)
• Thelonious Monk's "Brilliant Corners." (The song is available on the album, Brilliant Corners, which can be purchased from Amazon.com.)
• Charles Mingus's "Pitecanthropus Erectus." (The song is available on the album, Pithecanthropus Erectus, which can be purchased from Amazon.com.)
• Ornette Coleman's "Forms and Sounds." (The song is available on the album, Forms & Sounds, which can be purchased from Amazon.com.)
• George Russell’s "Concerto for Billy the Kid." (The song is available on the album, Jazz Workshop, which can be purchased from Amazon.com.)

Fats Waller: Jazz Lives shares a video of the Fats Waller tune, "Have a Little Dream on Me." (The song is available on the album, Have a Little Dream on Me, which can be purchased from Amazon.com.)

Robert
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Recent Links :: 16 December 2013

Cannonball Adderley, Duke Ellington, Herbie Hancock: At Ottawa Citizen, Peter Hum lists "Ten Gift Ideas for Jazz Bookworms," including:

• Walk Tall: The Music & Life of Julian “Cannonball” Adderley by Cary Ginell. (Purchase the book from Amazon.com.)
• Duke: A Life Of Duke Ellington by Terry Teachout. (Purchase the book from Amazon.com.)
• You’ll Know When You Get There: Herbie Hancock and the Mwandishi Band by Bob Gluck. (Purchase the book from Amazon.com.)

Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller: At The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong, Ricky Riccardi recalls the WNEW radio broadcast of a jam that included Louis Armstrong and Fats Waller.

Anthony Braxton, Keith Jarrett: According to JazzTimes, the NEA Jazz Masters concert on January 13 will be broadcast live on the Web and will include 2014 NEA Jazz Masters Anthony Braxton and Keith Jarrett.

Miles Davis: At All About Jazz, Jeff Winke discusses Miles Davis's album, Birth of the Cool. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Wayne Shorter: Anthony Dean-Harris lists his favorite albums of 2013 at NextBop.com. His list includes Wayne Shorter's Without a Net. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Robert
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Christmas Jazz :: Fats Waller, "Winter Weather"

From the album "Fats Waller: The Complete Collection, Vol. 11," available on CD from Amazon.com.

Robert
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RIP, Fats Waller (1904-1943)

Jazz pianist Fats Waller died of pneumonia on December 15, 1943, near Kansas City, Missouri, on a train trip from Hollywood to New York. He was just 39 years old. His remains were cremated and scattered by air over Harlem.

Waller was a protege of the great stride pianist James P. Johnson, an influence on painists from Earl Hines to Art Tatum, an incredible commercial success, and the author of popular songs such as "Honeysuckle Rose", "Ain't Misbehavin'" and "Squeeze Me."

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends Waller's album, Fats Waller Piano Solos, 1929-1941 (Bluebird). Unfortunately, that album is only available in vinyl, and Jim Determan recommends as an alternative Turn on the Heat — The Fats Waller Piano Solos (RCA), which is available on CD from Amazon.com.

Waller plays his perhaps his best-known composition, "Ain't Misbehavin'," here:

Robert
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Recent Links :: 8 December 2013

Dave Brubeck: On his birthday, December 6, Dave Brubeck was the Jazz Musician of the Day at All About Jazz.

Chick Corea, Eric Dolphy, Charles Mingus, Art Tatum, Fats Waller: At NextBop.com, Ben Gray does a marvelous job of discussing covers of the Fats Waller tune, "Jitterbug Waltz," including those by:

• Chick Corea. (The song is available on the album, Past, Present, & Futures, which can be purchased from Amazon.com.)
• The Charles Mingus Sextet with Eric Dolphy. (The song is available on the album, Cornell 1964, which can be purchased from Amazon.com.)
• Art Tatum. (The song is available on the album, Solo Masterpieces, Volume 3, which can be purchased from Amazon.com.)

John Coltrane: At All About Jazz, Nenad Georgievski analyzes the John Coltrane album, Live at Birdland. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Robert
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Recent Links :: 13 November 2013

John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker: Open Culture shares animated sheet music for Miles Davis's "So What," Charlie Parker's "Confirmation," and John Coltrane's "Giant Steps."

Miles Davis: Miles Davis Online reports that the Miles Davis movie will begin filming in the summer of 2014.

Miles Davis: Miles Davis Online also reports that BiFrost Pictures will finance and produce the Miles Davis movie, "Kill the Trumpet Player."

Miles Davis: In The New York Times, Larry Rohter discusses the business of preserving Miles Davis's legacy. Miles Davis Online reacts to that article.

Duke Ellington: At All About Jazz, C. Michael Bailey reviews the re-mastered Duke Ellington album, The Ellington Suites. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Cecil Taylor: According to JazzTimes, Cecil Taylor has been awarded the Kyoto Prize, Japan’s highest private award for global achievement.

Fats Waller: The New Yorker has a piece about Fats Waller's lost musical, "Early to Bed."

Robert
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Recent Links :: 22 October 2013

John Coltrane, Miles Davis: The radio program, In the Groove ... Jazz and Beyond, shares cuts from the John Coltrane Quartet and Miles Davis.

Duke Ellington: At Brain Pickings, Maria Popova discusses Tony Teachout's book, Duke: A Life of Duke Ellington. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Dizzy Gillespie: On his birthday, October 21, Dizzy Gillespie was the Jazz Musician of the Day at All About Jazz.

Jelly Roll Morton: On October 20, his birthday, Jelly Roll Morton was the Jazz Musician of the Day at All About Jazz.

Fats Waller: Jazz Lives shares a video of Fats Waller performing "I Believe in Miracles."

Robert
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Recent Links :: 21 May 2013

• Louis Armstrong: Ricky Riccardi discusses Louis Armstrong's 1938 recording of "When the Saints Go Marching In" at The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong. (The song is available on the album, The Complete Decca Recordings of Louis Armstrong (1935-1946), which can be purchased from Mosaic Records.)
• Dave Brubeck: At Jazz Backstory, Monk Rowe discusses the Dave Brubeck song, "Unsquare Dance."
• Chick Corea: At JazzTimes, Russ Musto reviews the recent Chick Corea concert in New York City.
• Duke Ellington: New Jazz United shares an audio of Ray Nance with Duke Ellington playing "Just Squeeze Me."
• Keith Jarrett: At All About Jazz, John Kelman reviews the album, "Somewhere," by Keith Jarrett, Gary Peacock, and Jack DeJohnette. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Fats Waller: On May 21, his birthday, Fats Waller was the Jazz Musician of the Day at All About Jazz.

Robert
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Happy Birthday, Fats Waller

Jazz pianist Fats Waller (1904-1943) was born on May 21, 1904, in New York City. Jazz critic Richard S. Ginell said that Waller was "one of the greatest pianists jazz has ever known" and "also one of its most exuberantly funny entertainers" with an "extraordinarily light and flexible touch."

Waller was a protege of the great stride pianist James P. Johnson, an influence on painists from Earl Hines to Art Tatum, an incredible commercial success, and the author of popular songs such as "Honeysuckle Rose", "Ain't Misbehavin'" and "Squeeze Me."

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends Waller's album, Fats Waller Piano Solos, 1929-1941 (Bluebird). Unfortunately, that album is only available in vinyl, and Jim Determan recommends as an alternative Turn on the Heat — The Fats Waller Piano Solos (RCA), which is available on CD from Barnes & Noble.

Waller plays his composition, "Honeysuckle Rose," here:

Robert
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Recent Links :: 12 May 2013

• Louis Armstrong: Ricky Riccardi discusses Louis Armstrong's 1933 recording of "Dusky Stevedore" at The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong. (The song is available on the album, The Complete RCA Victor Recordings, which can be purchased from Amazon.com.)
• Clifford Brown, Charlie Christian, Fats Waller: At Groovenotes, Kevin Kniestedt discusses a planned film, "They Died Before 40," which includes Clifford Brown, Charlie Christian, and Fats Waller.
• Miles Davis: At Rolling Stone, R.J. Cubarrubia discusses plans by Jimi Hendrix, Miles Davis, and Paul McCartney to record together in the late 1960s.
• Benny Goodman: Jazz Lives shares a video of Benny Goodman playing with Buddy Rich, Jimmy Rowles, Bucky Pizzarelli, and Jack Six on the Merv Griffin Show in 1979.
• Keith Jarrett: On May 8, his birthday, Keith Jarrett was the Jazz Musician of the Day at All About Jazz.
• John McLaughlin: Guitarist John McLaughlin just announced his first U.S. tour in three years, according to Jeff Tamarkin at JazzTimes.

Robert
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Recent Links :: 20 December 2012

• Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett, Charles Mingus: Peter Hum's "Best Jazz of 2012" list at the Ottawa Citizen includes:
  • Chick Corea and Gary Burton's October concert with the Harlem String Quartet at the Centrepointe Theatre as one of the top concerts of 2012.
  • Keith Jarrett's Sleeper as one of the top discs of 2012. (Purchase at Amazon.com.)
  • Charles Mingus's The Jazz Workshop Concerts 1964-65 as one of the top reissues of 2012. (Purchase at Mosaic Records.)
• Miles Davis: According to Miles Davis Online, Don Cheadle is "still pursuing" the Miles Davis biopic.
• Miles Davis: Miles Davis Online recalls the "We Want Miles" exhibition that toured Paris, Montreal, and Brazil in 2011 and wonders if the exhibition will come to the United States.
• Duke Ellington: At All About Jazz, Carl L. Hager begins a long discussion of American politics by recalling Duke Ellington's Presidential Medal of Freedom Award from Richard Nixon in 1969.
• Bill Evans: John Weatherman discusses the Bill Evans album, Waltz for Debbie, at the head in. (Purchase Waltz for Debbie from Amazon.com.)
• Flecther Henderson: On December 18, his birthday, Fletcher Henderson was the Jazz Musician of the Day at All About Jazz.
• John McLaughlin: John McLaughlin was on the cover of the January 2013 issue of Downbeat.
• Fats Waller: Vintage Music has a tribute to Fats Waller on the 69th anniversary of his death. (In Spanish)

Robert
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