In other sad news, we report on the passing of guitar legend Herb Ellis (Aug. 4th, 1921 - Mar. 28th, 2010). The impact of his work in many situations but perhaps most famously as a long-tenured member of pianist Oscar Peterson's trio with bassist Ray Brown is still felt today. Though it is a sad duty, we present one of our In Memoriam spreads with remembrances from those who knew and loved this great artist. And for those readers who might be in Los Angeles on May 8th, a huge tribute concert will take place at the Beverly Hills Hotel.
But jazz keeps going; that is its strength. Our coverage this month includes features on guitarist Pat Metheny (On the Cover), who brings his certainly unique Orchestrionics 'band' to Town Hall; bassist Eddie Gomez (Interview), playing two weeks at Blue Note in memory of his former boss Bill Evans and a rare two-night appearance by seminal Detroit saxophonist Faruq Z. Bey (Artist Feature) at Issue Project Room. Our Megaphone this month is by Clean Feed Records label head Pedro Costa in advance of that imprint's annual festival. And of course more CD reviews and concert listings than you can shake a springtime-blooming stick at.
We'll see you out there...