Charlie Burnham Interview

Charlie Burnham is an accomplished American violinist, singer, and composer celebrated for his imaginative and eclectic style. Burnham traverses multiple genres, including bluegrass, folk, free jazz, blues, classical, and chamber jazz. His innovative use of the wah-wah pedal on the violin adds a distinctive flair to his performances. Burnham first gained prominence through his contributions to James "Blood" Ulmer's Odyssey album, highlighting his versatility and skill. The ensemble from that project later formed Odyssey the Band. Throughout his career, Burnham has been a pivotal member of several notable groups and artists, like Living Colour, Cassandra Wilson, String Trio of New York, 52nd Street Blues Project, Hidden City, We Free Strings, the Improvising Chamber Ensemble, and the Kropotkins. He has also recently recorded new music with Eureka Shoes, showcasing his continual evolution as a musician.

Beginning as an informal gathering of friends and now blossoming into a fully-fledged collaborative band, Eureka Shoes’ Beautalina (Adhyâropa ÂR00079) soars aloft on gorgeous 3-part harmonies, delicate acoustic textures, and world-class songcraft. Eureka Shoes features award-winning songwriter Jean Rohe, acoustic music stalwart Skye Soto Steele, and omni-genre multi-instrumentalist Charlie Burnham. Rounded out here by the virtuosic bass of Rashaan Carter, Beautalina is an enduring testament to the power of music to unite, communicate, and elevate.

Eureka Shoes Beautalina

https://open.spotify.com/album/1bH16X7J5KU6YNJgDbEVL2?si=t0YsU9C7RVehdGdwc6hpdg

Kurt Rosenwinkel, a Philadelphia-born jazz guitarist, is renowned for blending genres and using guitar effects innovatively in jazz. His latest release, The Next Step Band (Live at Smalls, 1996), revisits the music from his acclaimed 2001 album The Next Step and features longtime collaborators Mark Turner, Ben Street, and Jeff Ballard. In addition to his album, Rosenwinkel has published Kurt Rosenwinkel’s Ultimate Book of Compositions, which includes scores, tabs, and commentary on his extensive work. He founded his label, Heartcore, in 2016 to release Caipi and take control of his career, likening the label's creation to playing a "record company" video game. His current projects include arranging for the Jazz at Lincoln Center Big Band, collaborating with Wynton Marsalis, and recording a Brahms interpretation following the success of The Chopin Project.

Summary

Brian Bromberg, a virtuoso bassist, honors the legacy of Scott LaFaro with his latest album, LaFaro, and a series of live performances. LaFaro, who tragically died at 25, was a groundbreaking bassist with the Bill Evans Trio, inspiring Bromberg's tribute. Initially reluctant to take on the project due to the pressures of honoring a jazz legend, Bromberg eventually embraced it after realizing LaFaro's profound influence on his playing. Bromberg also shares personal connections to jazz greats like Stan Getz, with whom he played, and Bill Evans, a missed opportunity from his youth. His career spans collaborations with top artists and an eclectic solo catalog ranging from traditional jazz to contemporary styles. Known for his versatility on upright and electric bass, Bromberg defies genre boundaries, seeking to deliver heartfelt, high-quality musicianship in every project. His performances and music continue to celebrate innovation and jazz's rich history. https://njjs.org/magazine/

Mike Torres is a guitar student of host Jay Sweet and a Vietnam veteran (Air Force). In this discussion, Mike talks about the impact of music during the war and the songs that meant the most to him.

Mike's List of Songs:

1. Sky Pilot The Animals

2. After the Gold Rush. Neil Young

3. Longer Boats. Cat Stevens (In memory of my good friend Tom Pat Widmer

RIP)

4. Miles From Nowhere. Cat Stevens

5 Pride of Man. Quicksilver Messenger Service

6 Stairway to Heaven. Led Zeppelin

7. Easy Livin. Uriah Heep

8. Any Eagles or Pink Floyd

9. Money. Pink Floyd

10. Smoke on The Water -Deep Purple

11. We're an American Band. Grand Funk Railroad

12. As Long as I Can See The Light. CCR

13. Free Bird. Lynyrd Skynard

14. Radar Love. Golden Earring. (This was our shop's standard)

15. My Woman From Tokyo. Deep Purple

30- The Who -A Quick One (Reaction Records in the UK and Decca in the U.S )

Released December 9, 1966, Recorded August 30- November -1966

The Who's A Quick One (1966) is the band's second studio album and marks a significant step in their evolution. The album showcases the individual songwriting talents of each member: Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey, John Entwistle, and Keith Moon, with Townshend emerging as the standout composer. The title track, "A Quick One, While He's Away," is a nine-minute mini-opera that foreshadows Townshend's later work on Tommy and is a clear highlight of the album. Known for its eclectic mix of styles, the album reached No. 4 on the UK Albums Chart but only No. 67 in the U.S. Despite not being universally considered their best work; the album was instrumental in solidifying The Who's reputation as one of the most innovative rock bands of the 1960s. The single "Happy Jack" also saw success, peaking at No. 3 in the UK and No. 24 in the US, marking the band's first significant American chart presence. A Quick One is significant for showcasing the growth of a band that would become one of the most celebrated in rock history.

Curated Spotify Playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7I6dzYc5UJfko8unziRMWf?si=02cb54f0a19e4e3c

Album on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/album/6f4mqM3RNAfO1t6XeeUa8P?si=hOzPkblNQOOI_qBFxhiXvw

Album on YouTube https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL47ACAF82B659E0AE&si=0i0zYZV_fSunEtx2

Buster Williams, a legendary jazz bassist, composer, and instructor, has played on numerous records with iconic musicians like Herbie Hancock, Chet Baker, Art Blakey, and Stan Getz, among others. Known for his work as both a sideman and a bandleader, Williams continues to inspire audiences with his performances and compositions.

On September 28th, he will perform with his quartet at the Middlesex County Jazz Festival in New Brunswick. The quartet features Lenny White on drums, Steve Wilson on saxophone, and Brandon McCune on piano. The concert will showcase a repertoire primarily composed of Williams' original compositions. Interest in Williams grew after the 2019 documentary "Buster Williams: Bass to Infinity" highlighted his extensive career and personal journey. Now 82 years old, Williams remains dedicated to his craft, continually exploring the "infinite possibilities" of music. https://middlesexcountyjazzfestival.org/

https://busterwilliams.com/

(S3-#29) Cream- Fresh Cream (Reaction)

Released December 9, 1966. Recorded July-November 1966

Cream, formed in 1966, was one of the first supergroups. It consisted of three highly regarded musicians from the British blues and rock scenes: Eric Clapton (guitar, vocals), Jack Bruce (bass, lead vocals), and Ginger Baker (drums). Their debut album, Fresh Cream, released on December 9, 1966, blends blues covers and original compositions, showcasing the band's blues roots and groundbreaking sound.

Fresh Cream includes a mix of original songs and blues standards like "Spoonful," "Rollin' and Tumblin," and "I'm So Glad." The album succeeded commercially, reaching number 6 on the UK charts and 39 in the US. Notable tracks include "I Feel Free," featuring strong vocal harmonies, and "Toad," one of the earliest rock tracks to feature a drum solo.

Following the album's release, Cream quickly became one of the most influential bands of the late 1960s, known for their virtuosic performances and innovative blend of blues, rock, and psychedelic music. Despite their success, internal tensions led to the band's breakup in 1968, after which each member pursued a successful solo career. Cream's legacy endures as a pioneering force in rock music history.

Curated Spotify Playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7I6dzYc5UJfko8unziRMWf?si=0b46147790924bfb

Album on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/album/6iyKqDoL9pRSHUsDBYemlB?si=w0brXwJpR7SYxs1uN2-NkA

Album on YouTube https://youtu.be/tsrmxWcodd0?si=iFbTG0RAwPPcQ6d1

#28-Buffalo Springfield-Self-Titled

Original Released October or December 1966? Without “For What It’s Worth,” then Re-released in March 1967 - Recorded between July 18-September 11-1966 (ATCO)

Buffalo Springfield's self-titled debut album, initially released by Atco Records in late 1966, introduced the world to the band's distinctive blend of folk, rock, country, and psychedelia. The original release, recorded between July and September 1966, lacked a major hit but gained significant attention after a March 1967 re-release added the protest anthem "For What It's Worth." Inspired by the Sunset Strip riots, this song became a defining track of the 1960s.

The band was formed in Los Angeles in 1966 and featured Stephen Stills, Neil Young, Richie Furay, Bruce Palmer, and Dewey Martin. Their music was marked by rich harmonies, shifting lead vocals, and layered guitar work. The album's tracks explore themes of self-reflection and relationships, with standout songs like "Nowadays Clancy Can’t Even Sing" and "For What It's Worth."

Despite their brief existence, Buffalo Springfield made a lasting impact on music. Internal conflicts and lineup changes led to their breakup in 1968. Afterward, members pursued successful careers: Stills with Crosby, Stills & Nash, Young as a solo artist, and Furay with Poco. Their legacy remains as pioneers of a sound that influenced rock music for years.

Full Album YouTube : https://youtu.be/1eD-8NTwP9I?si=omLhl8gszwcGg-hI

Full Album Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/1qRA5BS78u3gME0loMl9AA?si=f5a282e8f75c4b46

Curated Playlist Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7I6dzYc5UJfko8unziRMWf?si=4559f6bc82dc47e3