Longineu Parsons' Top 10 Jazz Albums

"...a mutant offspring of Lee Morgan and Woody Shaw... Funky fresh, overdue yet right on time."
                                             - Tom Terrell (JazzTimes)

 A Jacksonville native and Tallahassee resident, Longineu Parsons has been wowing jazz critics all over the world for decades; from his extended stint with Sun Ra, performances or recordings with the likes of Philly Joe Jones, Nancy Wilson, Cab Calloway, Nat Adderley, Cecil Taylor,  Joe Williams, Herbie Mann, Frank Foster, Mal Waldron, Sam Rivers & many more; to being a soloist with the Jacksonville Symphony, Palm Beach Pops, Tallahassee Symphony, Augusta Symphony, Gainesville Symphony et al.

Recently returned from performances in Paris, Longineu will be headlining the winter concert of the North East Florida Jazz Association this Sunday (1/20/13) at the Daytona Museum of Arts & Sciences. For details & tickets visit NEFJA (tickets are available at the concert). 

With a masters in classical trumpet & a position at Florida's A&M University, Longineu's top 10 list is a study in the deeper things of jazz, even capturing Art Blakey at his most profound. In keeping with his own musical personality - there are overlooked gems as well as cornerstones of America's premiere art form. Every entry is an example of eloquence and the height of expressive playing!

1. Miles Davis - Bitches Brew "This recording brings together the cultural and musical elements of that time. It's not a demonstration of technique but a real artistic statement. Every note that Miles played was exactly right, nothing wasted."

2. John Coltrane - Africa Brass

3. Sun Ra - Heliocentric Worlds

4. Sarah Vaughan - Brazilian Romance

5. Bird & Diz - Jazz at Massey Hall

6. Louis Armstrong - Any Recording is in the top 10

7. Art Blakey - Free For All

8. Duke Ellington - Far East Suite

9. Ornette Coleman - The Shape of Jazz to Come

10. McCoy Tyner - Enlightenment Suite

The upcoming concert is a must-see for jazz lovers and students of the art. Also check out Longineu's release "Tribal Disorder" on his own label, and visit his website here. Thank you Longineu for taking the time from your heavy teaching & performing schedule to be a part of our poll! - PC Jazz 

Jazz in June

The closing concert for NEFJA's 2012 season did not disappoint! Doug Carn, Calvin Newborn & Michael Carvin came out of the gates charging - supplying an afternoon of soulful summer jazz in what turned out to be an intimate and  refreshing performance. Below is a clip of Calvin starting to tear it up during the first number.

right to left - Doug Carn, Calvin Newborn, Michael Carvin

Carn & Carvin played with a fire and empathy immediately calling to mind their days together in the '70s;  breathing vigor into standards like I'll Remember April & Body and Soul.  Doug's effortless authority over the hammond and equally adept bandleading skills set the standard, while Carvin's ingenuity and backdrop were nothing short of an education.


Calvin Newborn - a late fill-in for Calvin Keys (recovering from heart surgery) also commanded a stage presence worthy of his legacy. Although at times he struggled to keep up with the faster tempos, he was never short on high quality melodic ideas and nuances, flowing to the point where Doug & Michael broke out in uncontrollable smiles and chuckles of glee.

Doug & Michael burst into smiles over Calvin's triumphs!

Set two saw the addition of Ray Callender on trumpet and Doc Handy on the congas, both playing skillfully and artfully on two Lee Morgan numbers as well as Pensativa by Clare Fischer. The afternoon was capped off by a compellling drum solo on a tune Carvin hadn't played before; a solo that had the audience rapt and on the edge of their seats in delight. 

L-R - Doc Handy, Doug Carn, Ray Callender, Calvin Newborn, Michael Carvin

Although church prevented an early arrival to catch it - a special treat was added to the beginning of the show with a performance by Lee & Sally Quick with Jay Messick. Thanks to NEFJA for a stellar season of jazz in NE Florida! - PCJ

Jay Messick packing up!

Sally & Lee Quick - jazz troupers!

Upcoming Doug Carn Organ Trio concert!!

 

Press play on the audio player above to enjoy classic organ jazz by Doug Carn while you read!

Three artists all famous for their association with the 1970's Black Jazz record label - Doug Carn, Michael Carvin & Calvin Keys, will be reuniting for a sizzling summer concert of blissful organ trio jazz, Sunday June 3rd at the Daytona Museum of Arts & Sciences in a concert presented by NEFJA. 

A familiar name here in Northeast Florida; the exceptional talents of Doug Carn are known all over the world - not just for playing with artists like Lou Donaldson, Stanley Turrentine, Shirley Horn, Earth, Wind & Fire, Nat Adderley and more recently featured on albums by Cindy Blackman and Wallace Roney; but also for his own releases. Several of these are part of an important jazz movement in the early 70's presented on the Black Jazz record label.

Doug Carn's 1971 release "Infant Eyes" on Black Jazz label.

Not only have these recordings reached cult status among jazz aficionados and collectors alike, but are also acknowledged as an important watershed in jazz music, "combining a  looser feel with a political mood that emphasized peace, love and independence...alive—and free of restraint and compromise." (jazzwax.com). The Black Jazz catalog forms a stunning chronicling of the African-American urban experience and outlook of the era. This purity and emotion was in stark contrast to the note-y, noodle-y fusion music then dominating the market.

Doug's 1973 release featuring Jean Carn - "Revelation"

As a surge of appreciation for these albums now dominates the internet on jazz & soul-jazz blogs & forums, and as the Black Jazz catalog has recently been purchased and the label re-booted, Doug Carn has been making appearances all over the world with several of his label mates from back in the day. This is essentially the jazz equivalent of a rock band like Cream's recent reunion & tour, and not to be missed if you take your jazz seriously. 

L-R: Michael Carvin, Calvin Keys, Doug Carn

Shows have already hit Yoshi's in Oakland and Dizzy's Coca Cola Club in NYC, and upcoming gigs include a weekend at world-renowned Ronnie Scott's club in London with Jean Carn. Floridians will have their chance on Sunday June 3rd 2012 at 2:30 pm to experience these three legends bringing their message of strength and love on into the new millennium and beyond. Get your tickets over at the NEFJA website (phone and mailed check options available). - PCJ

Palm Coast Podcast to Launch Soon!

Our first podcast is almost complete! Episode 1 will feature jazz music from two Palm Coast residents, as well as a few from Ormond Beach, Daytona and even Orlando. The lineup includes Ray Guiser, Mark Chiriboga, Frank Capek and Robert Harris - and the styles are a pleasant mix of contemporary jazz, straight-ahead and top-notch smooth. There's so much talent around - can't fit it all in one show!


If you're a NE Florida jazz musician or know one with original music on a studio-quality recording, contact us at palmcoastjazz@gmail if you'd like to be considered for an upcoming podcast. We'll even stretch the boundaries a little if it's good stuff!


We're aware the calendar is working only intermittently. We've contacted the app designer; if things don't improve by next week we'll move to different calendar software - thanks for your patience!


Don't forget to tell your jazz-loving friends about us - and go catch some live music! Thanks for stopping by - Kenny

Here We Go!

Welcome to the new companion blog of our Facebook page "Palm Coast Jazz". We'll put the overflow here - more music, more pics, reviews of new cds by area musicians, videos and even interviews.

When it comes to getting attention and jazz, the more the merrier. If you'd like to contribute, blog, review shows or take pictures/video of shows, review music, interview a musician - you are very welcome! Just drop an email at palmcoastjazz@gmail.com and tell us how you'd like to contribute, and we'll set you up.

Just getting started here while we're so busy with so many things, so for right now the jazz calendar for events in and near Palm Coast, FL is over on the Facebook page. Please don't forget to 'like' us when you are there; those numbers help us and the cause in more ways than you might think!

Thanks for stopping by, support live music and be sure to visit the Florida jazz artists websites we have listed on the right hand side of this blog. Lots of good music and fun stories, and all great people!

All the best! - Kenny

ps - be on the lookout for a podcast with hot jazz from Florida musicians, coming very soon!