Breaking Jazz News & Interesting Links: February 2009

Drummer Jo Jones . . . all in the wrists? Fernando Ortiz de Urbina writes in his bilingual jazz blog.	Remembering Cafe Society Night Lights looks at the wrong place for the right people.
Cassandra Wilson honored in her home town The vocalist receives the Governor's Award.	Organist Lyman Woodward dead at age 66 Woodward was a popular figure on the Detroit jazz scene.
Portland Jazz Festival report Neither a canceled concert nor faulty tail flaps daunt the intrepid critic.	Five Hidden Jazz Downloads Marc Myers picks out some rare gems . . . and definitely check out Tony Fruscella!
Telarc label lays off half of its staff 26 employees will be let go.	The Blue Note 7 still top the charts The Bad Plus and Eliane Elias also on the rise.
Billy Joel phones Marc Myers to talk about jazz But how do we know it's really Billy Joel?	Duke Ellington quarter is issued Ellington is the first African-American to appear solo on a US coin.
Phil Woods on "Just the Way You Are" The story behind a famous solo.	Grading 1980s sax solos on hit tunes How do they stack up?
America's youngest jazz band is swingin' 82 year-old Sonny LaRosa leads 4-13 year-olds.	Q&A with Ramsey Lewis The pianist is not a fan of smooth jazz.
Loft tapes offer insights into Thelonious Monk Nate Chinen reports in The New York Times.	24 Things Record Producers Don't Want to Hear . . . The author is an anonymous Grammy winning artist.
Is this the end for Muzak? Muzak Holdings LLC files for bankruptcy.	Jazz memories from Minton's Ron Steinman shares more from his notebooks.
Mark Turner is back David Adler reports on the injured saxophonist's return to action.	If Charlie Parker Was a Gunslinger There are about a hundred great photos on this page�jazz-oriented and otherwise.
Dave Holland, jazz coach And don't miss the quote from Lee Konitz at the end.	Snooks Eaglin dead at age 72 The guitarist was a key figure in New Orleans music.
Chick Corea & John McLaughlin in Hong Kong Igan D'bayan offers a detailed account.	Portland Jazz Festival forced to retrench 400 tickets sold for a 3,000 seat hall.
Talking with Phil Woods Marc Myers interviews the esteemed altoist.	The Blue Note 7 still top the jazz charts Benny Golson holds on to second position.
Jay Leonhart's "The Louie Bellson Song" What happened when the late Bellson was asked to play like Lester Lanin?	Jane Monheit on Valentine's Day The singer did everything "except hand out chocolates" for her performance at The Egg.
Drummer Louie Bellson dead at age 84 Marc Myers remembers the illustrious drummer.	Another jazz radio station may close WMOT runs into financial troubles.
Jazz Journal to cease publishing This fine UK magazine had been publishing non-stop for 63 years.	Free jazz not linked to Civil Rights Mark Gridley promotes a revisionist view for Black History Month.
Marcus Roberts picks his favorite CDs Roberts will be releasing his own CD in March.	Audience walks out on Jon Hassell Royce Hall concert leaves many indifferent or bored.
Two jazz musicians killed in plane crash Gerry Niewood and Coleman Mellett, members of Chuck Mangione's band, were among the fatalities.	Digging Shelly Manne at the Blackhawk JazzWax celebrates a memorable live date from fifty years ago.
Is Blue Note owner victim in fraud case? Arrested businessman owes him $7.6 million.	Survival of the hippest Peter Hum looks at jazz Darwinism.
The New Fusion Callum MacKenzie looks at some recent CDs.	Bill Evans digs Blossom Dearie Did Evans learn chord voicings from Blossom?
Blue Note 7 top the charts Benny Golson takes the second spot.	Gunther Schuller premieres new work The New York Times reports on the event.
Blossom Dearie dead at age 82 Dearie was a unique vocal stylist, drawing on jazz and cabaret elements.	Eddie Palmieri sets JALC afire Howard Mandel reports on the proceedings in his Jazz Beyond Jazz blog.
Grammy winners announced Honorees include Blanchard, Brecker Corea, Wilson, Burton and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra.	What's next for the Blue Note label? Nate Chinen, of The New York Times, asks how a 70-year-old label stays young.
What does "hard bop" really mean? Rifftides debates the value of a often used label.	The West African roots of Latin jazz. Bobby Sanabria talks to NPR.
Enrico Pieranunzi on Bill Evans Jazz Profiles shares Pieranunzi reflections.	Paul Desmond at Monterey, 1975. John Lewis joins the band on piano.
Grammy salute to jazz in LA Critic thinks the event was too focused on the past.	Rowan Atkinson's invisible drum kit. Mr. Bean performs a very funny skit.
ASCAP announces winner of its young jazz composer awards 26 recipients named; all under the age of 30.	Natalie Cole's kidney donor may turn out to be her own son. The Grammy winning singer looks for a transplant.
Senior citizens still control the charts 80-year-old Benny Golson takes the top spot. Hank Jones and James Moody now in third position.	Stevie Wonder turning to jazz Wonder's new DVD features "All Blues" and he is working on a jazzy duet project with Tony Bennett.
Keith Jarrett shines at Carnegie Hall Even Jarrett critic Fred Kaplan is impressed.	A birthday video for Stan Getz Stan would have celebrated his 82nd birthday today.
Celebrating the Swing Era without swing? Michael Steinman critiques a Symphony Space program.	Talking with Helen Merrill JazzWax interviews the vocalist.
Chicago jazz venues feel the recession Howard Reich reports in the Tribune.	Louie Bellson released from hospital The drummer suffered a broken hip in November.