Charlap Puts Modern Spin on Gershwin

Simone Biles Opens Up About Mental Health in Powerful New Ad Empowering Us to 'Take a Pause'

The ad showcases the 27-year-old confronting the immense pressure and expectations that come with being a world-class athlete. We see her training, visualizing, and ultimately silencing the noise to rediscover her passion. “For years, I was only celebrated for my wins, and now it’s like for being a human, for being vulnerable,” Biles shares in the voiceover. Read More

New Leader of Jesse Jackson's Civil Rights Organization Steps Down Just Months on the Job

The Rev. Frederick Haynes III tells The Associated Press that he submitted his resignation on Tuesday as president of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. He says the decision came “after a time of prayer and consultation.” Haynes mentioned “challenges that continue to exist,” but did not elaborate. Jackson announced in July that he would step down from the organization he founded more than 50 years ago and introduced Haynes as his… Read More

NORTHWEST NEWS

Grants Pass Anti-Camping Laws Head to Supreme Court

Grants Pass in southern Oregon has become the unlikely face of the nation’s homelessness crisis as its case over anti-camping laws goes to the U.S. Supreme Court scheduled for April 22. The case has broad implications for cities, including whether they can fine or jail people for camping in public. Since 2020, court orders have barred Grants Pass from enforcing its anti-camping laws. Now, the city is asking the justices to review lower court rulings it says has prevented it from addressing the city's homelessness crisis. Rights groups say people shouldn’t be punished for lacking housing.

Four Ballot Measures for Portland Voters to Consider

Proposals from the city, PPS, Metro and Urban Flood Safety & Water Quality District.

Washington Gun Store Sold Hundreds of High-Capacity Ammunition Magazines in 90 Minutes Without Ban

KGW-TV reports Wally Wentz, owner of Gator’s Custom Guns in Kelso, described Monday as “magazine day” at his store. Wentz is behind the court challenge to Washington’s high-capacity magazine ban, with the help of the Silent Majority Foundation in eastern Washington.

OPINION

Loving and Embracing the Differences in Our Youngest Learners

Yet our responsibility to all parents and society at large means we must do more to share insights, especially with underserved and under-resourced communities. ...

Gallup Finds Black Generational Divide on Affirmative Action

Each spring, many aspiring students and their families begin receiving college acceptance letters and offers of financial aid packages. This year’s college decisions will add yet another consideration: the effects of a 2023 Supreme Court, 6-3 ruling that...

OP-ED: Embracing Black Men’s Voices: Rebuilding Trust and Unity in the Democratic Party

The decision of many Black men to disengage from the Democratic Party is rooted in a complex interplay of historical disenchantment, unmet promises, and a sense of disillusionment with the political establishment. ...

COMMENTARY: Is a Cultural Shift on the Horizon?

As with all traditions in all cultures, it is up to the elders to pass down the rituals, food, language, and customs that identify a group. So, if your auntie, uncle, mom, and so on didn’t teach you how to play Spades, well, that’s a recipe lost. But...

"BILL CHARLAP PLAYS GEORGE GERSHWIN"
Blue Note
*****

Pianist Bill Charlap and his dynamic rhythm section of Peter Washington and drummer Kenny Washington take on 10 golden George Gershwin compositions.
They don't do them all alone, however, as they are joined by alto saxophonist Phil Woods, tenorman Frank Wess, trumpeter Nicholas Payton and Slide Hampton on trombone.

The groove hits right away on the opener, "Who Cares," a trio-only arrangement. The horns get their first turn on "Somebody Loves Me." "Liza" is played at breakneck speed with a brief horn unison intro followed by the trio, featuring some stunning brush work by Kenny Washington.

Phil Woods stakes out "Bess, You is My Woman" with his opening solo. Charlap is gentle and melodic in his follow-up. It's hard to imagine a prettier interpretation of that Gershwin classic.

"DIZZY GILLESPIE-CHARLIE PARKER, TOWN HALL 1945"
Uptown
****

This is a remarkable recording on many counts. The year was 1945, a watershed year for bebop and for the relationship forged between Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker.

The recording's original acetate tapes were only just recently re-engineered and put on CD. The two giants are blowing unrestricted by the usual time limits of 2 ½ to three minutes per tune. The result is the exposure of the depth of their chops as they turn in a 7:05 version of "Bebop." Parker was late for the gig, so substitute Don Byas is heard first on tenor. After his and Gillespie's solos, Bird arrives and his is also heard. "Night in Tunisia" follows, with both Parker and Gillespie turning in epic performances.

A very hip rhythm section of pianist Al Haig, bassist Curley Russell and drummer Max Roach do what they do best. Big Sid Catlett replaces Roach on "Salt Peanuts" and "Hot House." "Groovin' High" and "Fifty-Second St. Theme" are also included.

Aside from the first 30 seconds or so of the first track, the sound is ideal — far better than many of the two star's subsequent releases.

"ELLA FITZGERALD AND LOUIS ARMSTRONG FOR LOVERS"
VERVE
*****

This is a love story — of two famous style-setting musicians singing their love of music.

Both Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald are in their prime as they perform 11 standards which should trip many memories. "Let's Do It (Let's Fall in Love)" is one tune minus Fitzgerald. We hear Armstrong's vocal and then his trumpet solo. He is supported by pianist Oscar Peterson, guitarist Herb Ellis, bassist Ray Brown and drummer Louie Bellson. That group is reminiscent of a Jazz at the Philharmonic rhythm section.

Solid gold numbers include "The Nearness of You," "Stars Fell on Alabama," "Moonlight in Vermont," "Under a Blanket of Blue" and more.

"TRIBUTE"
MANHATTAN BONES
Creative Jazz
***

Four excellent trombonists salute brass instruments on this nine-cut exploration of some legendary works.
J.J. Johnson's "Sutter-Bug" provides the beginning. The bones recreate his solo from that 20-bar blues with aplomb. Another standout is "Hum," a Bob Brookmeyer composition which features a tribute to Clark Terry, whose solo was a key ingredient on the Brookmeyer-Terry recording, "Tonight."
"Caravan," written by Juan Tizol when he was with Duke Ellington, gets a long treatment, 9:22, and some special hand percussion. Jim Ridl, piano; Mike Mc Guirk, bass; and drummer Andy Watson comprise the rhythm section.