Billy Hart updates
Gig: Album: Birthday
Vinnie Sperrazza writes about the book, Oceans of Time: The Musical Autobiography of Billy Hart.
Nate Chinen discusses the new album, Multidirectional (along with comments on the posthumous Al Foster release) from SMOKE. (Nate also did the liner notes for the two records.)
I answer questions from Willard Jenkins about the book at the Independent Ear.
Jabali turns 85 on November 29. His longstanding quartet with Mark Turner, Ben Street, and myself will be at SMOKE next weekend, 28-30. The record is available on limited edition CD and LP.
It is coming on the jazz poll time of year. I received my first (of what will be many) ballots a few days ago, from the Francis Davis poll (which is one of the best). Billy's Multidirectional is on my Top Ten list for the Francis Davis and forthcoming polls. I also just reviewed the album for Stereophile. One ancillary virtue of Multidirectional is that it was recorded in Smoke with a live audience, as opposed to what the Smoke Sessions label sometimes does, which is record in an empty Smoke or a studio. I am interested to see where this album places in the 2025 polls.
Hey Ethan!
I'm a longtime Chicago Pianist/Fan (whom you've never met) who now lives in Switzerland. Going to a rather remote Jazz Venue (La Spirale) in Fribourg, Switzerland tonite to check-out The Aaron Parks Quartet with whom Billy Hart was supposed to play with (one of the MAIN reasons I wanted to hear the Band!). According to the program, Billy's not healthy enough to travel? In any case, I DEFINITELY wanna check-out Aaron! Anyway, wanted to congratulate you on Billy Hart's book which I recently read & think is VERY GOOD! Lucky you to play & work with one of the GIANTS of the past! That's it! Just wanted to check-in & let you know! Take Care! Al Blatter / Lausanne, Switzerland.