THE GIG

Quarry Hymns

Critics’ Choice: New CDs

Land of Talk, “Cloak and Cipher”

Since You Asked

Robert Stolarik for The New York Times

DeJohnette, Scofield, Lovano, Grenadier

The Falcon, Aug. 28

Lands of Lincoln

In Saturday’s Arts section: a critic’s notebook about the legacy of Abbey Lincoln, inspired partly by a coincidence of timing. (You’ll know what I mean if you read the notebook.) I compiled some other links in my previous post about Lincoln, days after her passing. But in the process of pulling this new piece together, I came across a few stray gems of footage or criticism, which I’m gathering here.

Sleepless in Seattle

The Seattle jazz scene, insofar as such a thing can be responsibly encapsulated, is the subject of this feature in Arts & Leisure, due out in print this weekend. A few days ago I also sat down for a conversation with Ben Sisario, for the NY Times Popcast (via the ArtsBeat blog).

My focus was on the high school, collegiate and post-collegiate level, where I see real changes taking place. (The photo above is from a scene depicted in the piece: Riley Mulherkar earning some comically expressive respect from a certain fellow trumpeter. Shaky video here.) I won’t expand much further on my basic thesis, since it’s all up in the piece. But some additional context might be nice. Shall we?

Bird Alone, Not Alone

Jazz Listings

Aug. 27 to Sept. 2

Branford at 50

You read that headline correctly: saxophonist Branford Marsalis was born half a century ago today. Some of us will want a minute to absorb that information. Take one if you need it.

Branford has a new album out this week with the Marsalis Family, which is naturally part of his claim to fame. That’s not what I want to talk about here, though. I’d like to talk about the specific achievements of Ellis’ eldest son: as a saxophonist, as a bandleader, and as a public figure besides. (Forgive me, folks, this may get a little personal.)

Built to Survive

Critics’ Choice: New CDs

JJ Grey & Mofro, “Georgia Warhorse”

Dog Days

Jazz Listings

Aug. 20 to 26

Mighty Proud

Chief

Joe’s Pub, Aug. 17

Solid Sounds

Solid Sound Festival

Mass MoCA, August 13 to 15