Category Archives: Jazz

Behind the scenes with Bang on a Can’s Asphalt Orchestra

Posted on July 16, 2009 | 1 comment

Even though Midsummer Night Swing has only just begun its reign in Lincoln Center’s Damrosch Park, it’s not to early to start thinking about its sister program, Lincoln Center Out of Doors, which knocks down the dance floor and turns the park into a concert venue in August.

We’re just three weeks away from the debut of Asphalt Orchestra, an out-of-the-ordinary marching band created by Bang on a Can to perform world premieres of works by Stew and Heidi Rodewald of Passing Strange fame, Tyondai of Battles and Goran Bregovic, along with tunes by Icelandic pop star Bjork, Swedish experimental metal band Meshuggah, Charles Mingus, Conlon Nancarrow and Frank Zappa.

While many marching bands are heavily choreographed, I’m guessing no other band will be under the dance direction of modern dance choreographer Susan Marshall.

Asphalt has already started rehearsing. And here, thanks to Time Out New York, is a behind-the-scenes video about the group.

Vodpod videos no longer available.

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Posted in Contemporary, Contemporary Classical, Jazz, Music, Pop and Rock

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Saying goodbye to saxophone legend Sam Butera

Posted on June 15, 2009 | Leave a comment
Sam Butera

Sam Butera

Jerry DeMarco

Jerry DeMarco

Blogger Jerry DeMarco, a friend and former colleague of mine, usually writes about crime and criminals in Northern New Jersey. But he took some time out from that yesterday to write about another love of his — music — when he noted the passing of saxophone great Sam Butera. Here’s a taste of Jerry’s tribute:

They buried Sam Butera in Las Vegas yesterday, giving Gabriel the one saxophonist who could make a heavenly band swing like the devil. Darkly handsome, Uncle Sam died earlier this month — a footnote for many in the musical world but a noted loss for anyone who knew where rock and roll really began.

Butera, 81, tenor played sax behind Louis Prima, a combination rivaled in our generation only by The Boss and the Big Man. He helped make Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Royal Crown Revue, and the latest incarnation of Brian Setzer possible.

If you don’t believe me, go to YouTube or dig up few Prima classics: “Buona Sera,” “Jump, Jive An’ Wail,” or “5 Months, Two Weeks, Two Days.” Listen, in particular, especially to “Oh, Marie,” where Prima scats in English and Italian — and Butera matches him note-for-note.

For the full text, please visit Jerry’s web page by clicking here.

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Posted in Jazz