BB 8

business blast; gigs in MN and CA

[be there or be square]

August 31: trio with Anthony Cox and Kevin Washington at Crooners in Fridley, MN (Minneapolis)

DTM: Interview with Anthony Cox

September 1: solo piano at Piedmont Piano Company (Oakland, CA)

Over the past weekend, Walter Smith III was talking about Johnny Griffin's substantial solo with Thelonious Monk on "Rhythm-a-ning"

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Thanks to Darcy James Argue for suggesting we watch epic masterpiece Army of Shadows at Film Forum last week, where it was on display as part of a Jean-Pierre Melville retrospective.

I have seen several Melville films dealing with crime; Le Cercle Rouge is a favorite. All those Melville crime films have all been stylized and essentially glamorous. (On topic: RIP the exceptionally glamorous Alain Delon.)

Army of Shadows is quite different. This tale of the French Resistance during WWII might be the least glamorous war film I’ve ever seen. Lino Ventura is reserved yet charismatic, heading up a cast of other remarkable faces. The music is subtle and the overall feel is uniquely French. Recommended.