What On Earth is a Podcast??

Computers! Some folks take to them like a duck to water. Others find them intimidating and even overwhelming. But hey - you got this far! So we'd like to unravel the simple mystery of podcasts, by answering a few basic questions.

Drawing by Iwa Capobianco

Question:  What's a podcast?

Answer: A podcast is simply a radio-type broadcast that you can either listen to while surfing the web (streaming) or download to your computer, phone or other music device.

Question: Do I need an Ipod or special equipment?

Answer: Nope! All you need is an internet connection.

Question: How do I listen?

Answer: Well, the easiest way is to just click on the picture of the podcast that we post. It will start playing in a few seconds.

However, it will stop playing once you leave our Facebook page, so if you want to go back to Facebook or somewhere else on the internet, click on the link of the podcast instead of the picture (see red arrow in above illustration), this will open up the podcast in a new tab in your internet browser, and start playing. Now you are free to visit any page you like, while listening to awesome jazz! Then if you are interested in something you hear, you can click on the tab that opened up and look at our playlists; or if you're really bored, you can watch the waveform of the music go by! lol (Everybody does it once in a while.)

Question: What does it cost?

Answer: Nothing! Many podcasts, including ours, are free to listen to or download.

Question: How do I download a podcast?

Answer: Podcasts are in mp3 format, so you can download them and listen to them wherever and however you listen to your regular music mp3s! To download, click on the link to go to the podcast page (at podomatic.com), and scroll all the way to the bottom. You'll see in yellow letters the words "Download Episode". Just click on that, then select "save file" and click "ok". That's it!

Question: What is following/subscribing?

Answer: Some people "follow" our podcast so they can be informed when a new episode comes out. Podomatic sends them an email when our new podcasts are ready to be heard. In Itunes - it's called subscribing.

Question: I prefer Itunes. Can I get your podcast there?

Answer: Yes! Just type in Palm Coast Jazz into the search bar on Itunes and voila! For convenience, here is a link to our Itunes page.

Question: What are the advantages of a podcast?

Answer: Radio is awesome and there's nothing like listening to a live broadcast with friendly djs. However, there are quite a few advantages to podcasts. Here are some:

a) You can listen whenever you want, however many times you want. Unlike radio - you don't have to tune in at a specific time, and won't miss your show if you are out or have to work etc

c) If you like something you heard, you can just click on the progress bar to where it began, and listen to it again!

d) You can take it on the go: download it to your phone, tablet, mp3 player, etc and listen in the car, at the gym, on your walk...

e) Info!! On the podcast page we post a playlist, with all kinds of info: song title, artist, album, musicians on the track, a link to the artist's website and a link to the online store where you can purchase the song or album!


Question: This is a great idea - how can I help?

Answer: An easy way to help is to click the share button under our Facebook podcast posts, and share it on your own Facebook wall. This helps the music and the artists reach new listeners - our main goal!

If you have a company or business - we are always looking for sponsors for our podcasts, to cover bandwidth costs... if you would like to know more send us an email at palmcoastjazz@gmail.com. Individual, non-commercial sponsors are also welcome.

We hope we cleared up some of the mystique behind the name. All you need do is click and enjoy! If you haven't heard one yet - we've posted one below to get you started. :) - PCJ

CD Review - Jamie Ousley A Sea of Voices

Bassist Jamie Ousley has put out some very high quality material since 2008, but this is definitely his best: a kind of summation, gathering together and improving of all he had to say on his previous 2 excellent releases ("O Sorriso Dela" in 2008, "Back Home" in 2010). His already keen sense for appropriateness and when to do what seems to have reached a new pinnacle; his melodies are sturdier and gripping, and the new line-up seizes every opportunity for unity, flow and brilliant support. In particular, pianist Joe Davidian is perfect for Jamie's refined and sentimental brand of jazz. All three musicians bring just enough fire and virtuosity to give a sense of joy and contentment.

Joe Davidian

Jamie Ousley

Opening samba "Hymn of the Tides" (all songs have a water theme) is a perfect example of all these assets. Davidian states the promptly unforgettable melody, puts Jarrett amounts of thought into his own improv and then backs up Ousley's crystal solo with finesse; the always-present and flowing latin momentum provided by drummer Austin McMahon peaks at the end over a euphoric 2-chord vamp, while piano & bass exchange closing thoughts amid a wash of sizzling ride cymbal (mix & master job on the cd are both superb).

Davidian's intricate, straight-8 re-working of "How Deep is the Ocean" is welcome and refreshing, taking the standard to unforeseen modernity and emotion. The trio captivates and convinces while empathizing for the greater good; reminiscent (as is much of the album) of the Rubalcaba and Jarrett trio's at their most liberated and uplifting periods. A listener will have no trouble stopping everything to take it all in.

Austin McMahon

Along with Jamie's originals ("Steam" - a darkest-corner-of the-club swank-blues; "Loving Beauty" fittingly titled jazz waltz; "With You" - another Ousley samba-special complete with exciting piano crescendo & finish, and what can only be described as a remarkably great melody; "Holy Water" calm soul-gospel 6/8 featuring a brief and very well-recorded Ousley solo of note) are a Coldplay cover and a respectfully antiquated duo rendition of "Alfonsina y el Mar" with guest pianist Gabriel Saientz.

The icing on the cake are two back-to-back slices of eloquent Americana. A plaintive, soothing evocation of "Shenendoah" with vocalist Nanami Morikawa lending her beautiful mezzo-soprano to a verse each in English and Japanese (a proper dose of "World" sensibilities enfuse all of Ousley's releases). The ensuing bowed chorus also adds an Asian feel, and the harmonizing between the two performers is a high point of the disc. The syncopated latin 6 romp through "Rocky Top" will give you a new, happy outlook on life in our USA and you'll move somewhere in your body to the lilting percussion provided by Carlomagno Araya.

Finally, (as if you needed another reason to treat yourself to this marvelous disc); in an unselfish gesture, Jamie has allocated all proceeds of this successful cd (#8 on Jazzweek national radio chart) to Sunshine State Interfaith Power and Light, who are dedicated to mobilizing faith communities in Florida to care for creation. - PCJ

listen to & pick up your copy at:
CD Baby
Itunes

Shenole Latimer @ the New Smyrna Beach Regional Library 4/14/12

Kenny & Shenole in '07

New York saxophonist Shenole Latimer stopped in New Smyrna Beach on his 2012 tour of the Southeast to re-unite with his former bandmate Kenny MacKenzie and his FL trio, at the Regional Library this past Saturday. It turned out to be an exciting night of originals by both Shenole & Kenny, as well as jazz favorites like "Green Dolphin Street", "Body & Soul" and even "Satin Doll". The video below is a tune by Kenny, from an album that featured both his trio & Shenole called "Closer to the Day". Thanks to Gloria Mariash for the footage, and to the NSB Library for putting on jazz shows like this one! - PCJ

Mark Chiriboga @ Three Dogs Grille

Palm Coast Jazz caught the 3rd set by Mark Chiriboga at the Three Dogs Grille on April 4th; just perfect for a winding down on a hump-day evening. The crowd was definitely enjoying the musical variety - slow torchy ballads on electric guitar with vocals, uptempo latin/flamenco on acoustic and flute on meditative pieces and soul jazz.

Mark's a laid-back performer: the sandals come off, and the music is on! A very pensive & moving vocal rendition of "My Funny Valentine" led things off. For solo sections, since he's playing alone, Mark will set up a groove on his guitar, into a looping device, and then start burning over it, sometimes grabbing his other axe and burning some more. He then got things moving with a latin number; I missed the name, but it was a toe-tappin' highlight of the set.

The result of Mark's music is an enjoyable, hazy euphoria in which one feels that the whole world doesn't have a care, if only for a few hours. As a guitarist Mark is impressive and fluent, and continues to reach and grow. A neat surprise was a medley that seemed to accidentally bump into "From the Beginning" - ELP's jazziest ballad; and after a verse or two the chance meeting was over.

If you missed Mark's show he will be back to the Three Dog's Grille for Mother's Day Brunch May 13th. You can also pick up a copy of his new self-titled album, filled with jazz and funky blues, and Mark at his best both vocally and on guitar! His wife Robin handed one off to me, you'll be sure to hear a cut in an upcoming podcast! Get yours at Itunes or CDBaby.

Mark just took the plunge and got himself a Facebook page! Please go have a visit, click that like button and show some love to a real nice guy! Thanks for stopping by our blog! - PCJ

Sybil Gage's Top 10 Jazz Albums

One of the many fortuitous things about living in Florida: you get to catch Sybil Gage live. She's a Cocoa Beach resident, from New Orleans via New York City. A powerhouse performer, she takes elements of nostalgia and jazz history and manages to make them current, relevant and personal - like you are living them with her. Her shows and albums combine classic New Orleans blues, boogie and second line with r&b soul, contemporary jazz ballads and jump swing; those in the know have compared her to Dinah Washington, Eartha Kitt, Pearl Bailey and Janis Joplin. Voted best musician in Brevard County for 2008 by Space Coast Magazine; she's the recipient of three ASCAP awards for Excellence in Performance and Songwriting.

Sybil performing live with Leon Olguin on piano

You can catch her live on Tuesday nights at Heidi's Jazz Club in Cocoa Beach; and you can pick up a copy of her latest #1 cd "NOLA Calling" on both cd baby and Itunes.

Her List! Sybil was one of the only vocalists to take part in our recent Top 50 Jazz Albums poll. Her list is fascinating, full of overlooked or forgotten jewels, along with a few refreshing surprises!

1. Al Jarreau - Look to the Rainbow (1977)  a turning point for me in my Jazz incubation, have not been the same since hearing this when it was first issued.

2. Aretha Franklin - Jazz to Soul recordings from 1960 to 1964 This is a delight to listen to , especially people who "don't like" jazz. This will bring you in.

3. Nancy Wilson - Live at the Coconut Grove (1965) A one woman show....stopper! It's all about Miss Wilson, not about the exercise of scatting , solos or the band.

4. Thelonious Monk - Misterioso (1958) Pure and simple Monk.

5. Carmen Mc Rae - Live at Bubba's (1981) Love this live CD because she is older, wittier and display's a devil may care attitude that is just right.

6. Rickie Lee Jones - Girl at her Volcano This is a pretty expensive Japanese import, well worth the 45 bucks, though. Jones presents quirky twists on standards and soaks them in melancholy.

7. Joni Mitchell - Mingus (1979) A beautiful abstract Mitchell interpreted with and for Mingus.

8. Carla Bley - Dinner Music (1977)  I only learned of Bley a few years ago and I am thrilled to be introduced to her music and talent.

9. Dave Frishberg - Dave Frishberg  I guess it's obvious by now I am a vocalist as well as a songwriter with a penchant for piano. Frishberg is among the superb.

10. James Booker - New Orleans Piano Wizard Live (1977) If you have never seen the divine madness of James Booker live, you missed it , but you can get a really good sense of his uncommon gift on this album.

You can also catch Sybil on the radio: her "Stormy Monday Show" airs on Saturday nights - streaming live on WMEL 1300 AM. Thank you Sybil for sharing your list with us!! - PCJ





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