Excuse me, but do you know the way to “the real”?

Face it, we all are seekers…seeking something or someone.

Stew a young black boy growing up in suburban Los Angeles is too seeking something…something he calls “the real”. Convinced, as most teenagers are, that all in his short life thus far has been anything but “real”, Stew is at a crossroad. Surrounded by phony, middle class church folks, a doting mother, young band mates who lack the courage to give “all” to the music, and a heavy dose of the teenage blahs, Stew believes in order to find “the real” he must leave LA . Following a drug induced moment of inspiration, Stew decides Europe is the place to be, so following in the footsteps of his childhood idols - James Baldwin, Josephine Baker and Chester Himes, he leaves behind all he has known and hops a flight to Amsterdam – just a boy, his guitar and a dream.

Enter the rockin’ world of the Broadway musical “Passing Strange”. The question poised in this semi – autobiographical musical is - if “the real” exists in music and art, why does it not seem to exist in life and what sacrifices must one make along the way toward that answer.

Written and narrated by the real life Stew (Mark Stewart), with the help of his longtime musical collaborator Heidi Rodewald of the band “The Negro Problem”, the grown up Stew takes a “trip” down memory lane and gets to re – examine the choices he made (or didn’t make) when he was a much younger man searching a dream.

The pure rock energy, soul, profound humanity, and brilliant cast are the elements that make “Passing Strange” unforgettable. A completely enjoyable musical full of great songs and deep insights this documentary version of the Tony award winning play filmed by Spike Lee during the final show at the Belasco Theater in 2008 is a must see!

“Passing Strange” is available now on DVD, so for those of us unfortunate souls who missed the Broadway production of “Passing Strange”…..as the song says ”It’s Alright” cause here is our chance to experience the brilliance that is ”Passing Strange”….and let play on and play on.

- Brian Phoenix

Brian Phoenix is host and producer of “Jazzism (a katzpheno mix)” a 60 minute Jazz music podcast available at iTunes.

Call Me The Entertainer

Kermit Ruffins w/ Papa Grows Funk at House of Blues Houston 7/2/10

I was late…very late, so late I missed the opening act of what was dubbed Madi Gras in July at the House of Blues. The double bill of New Orleans superstars Papa Grows Funk and Kermit Ruffins was one not to miss, but with the tail end of Hurricane Alex beating down on Houston all day, making traffic a mess and going outside a cautionary tale…it is quite understandable why I was late (sorry “Papa”). The less than sell out crowd also indicative of the nasty weather conditions could have spelled disaster and made my excursion a waste…however being late has it’s rewards - I lucked into a plum parking spot right in front of the joint…valet…I don’t need no stinking valet!!

Upon entering the funky haze of the House of Blues I was immediately assaulted… funky music hit me hard and as Bob Marley noted…when music hit ‘cha you the good thing is ya feel no pain. I made it, not too much of a crowd but then a good friend asked me a great question…”what’cha drinking?” “Heineken please”, the first sip is the best aaahh, just in time to get rained on again, this time with the sound of Kermit Ruffins and his fellow New Orleans noise makers! Encompassing everyone from Sly & the Family Stone to The Spiral Starecase singular hit (“More Today Than Yesterday”) even Sidney Bechet was in the house (a tribute to all you “Vipers” out here – remember puff, puff pass).

Tonight no musical genre was safe, we heard Cab Calloway ”Hi De Hi De Ho”, Lee Dorsey “Holy Cow”, The Notorious BIG “Big Poppa” and of course we had to head down to the “Treme” (just me and my baby). Eclectic and infectious…Kermit standing on stage in his white on white ensemble complete with a wide brim cap encouraging the crowd to drink along with him…(“All Aboard”?) sipping on his brew between songs, notes, ideas…the question sprung to my mind is Kermit Ruffins the new Louis Armstrong?

Like Louis Armstrong, Kermit Ruffins is a Jazz trumpeter more inclined to “shine” for the people and entertain…than to stick with the modern Jazz tradition of reaching for higher & higher artistic achievements….more motivated by giving the people what they came for and smiling and enjoying it all the while.

This entertainer profile during the late 1950’s and into the 1960’s was rejected by jazz artists. It was a sign that a musician was a sell out, a modern day “step n fetch it” (…this idea was personified by the likes of Charles Mingus, Max Roach and Miles Davis who formed an aesthetic that was in keeping with a black militant stance of the day). “Satchmo” (short for satchel mouth) was pushed aside by the up and comers of the 1960’s and his career and popularity faded as a result. However, times change and so do perceptions. Music is to be enjoyed. By the listener, true but by the performer as well. Kermit Ruffins is a talented gifted musician and is versatile enough to play any style. His style is like his fore father and New Orleans brother – the style of “The Entertainer” and entertain he does.

We live in extraordinary times. Have your cake and eat it too I say. I love Jazz music. I can go to Blues Alley in DC or The Village Vanguard in NYC and many other such venues and hear “serious” Jazz musicians reaching for artistic depth…but when I wanna party..I wanna party! And there ain’t no party like a New Orleans party ‘cause a New Orleans party don’t stop. In fact I’m told the party kept on from the House of Blues on over to The Red Cat Café for an unscheduled appearance there. Say what!!

Well, I didn’t make it to the Red Cat but I did run into Kermit outside the stage door as he was leaving the House of Blues…as engaging as he was on stage, he was just as gracious on the street. He smiled, obviously enjoying his recent star power - shaking hands and patiently posing for pics with me and my friends and all the others who came out to have Madi Gra in July. I wanted to ask for an interview and get to the heart of the man who know finds himself on a hit HBO series all about his hometown called “Treme”, but I settled for the photo opp and let him know I loved the show and for him to keep doing what he does…cause like Billy Preston once sang “…entertain the people, the people want to be entertained”!

Shine on Kermit, keep entertaining the people and I promise next time I’ll be on time, right on time! You should too! For more info on Kermit and the whole New Orleans music scene visit www.basinstreetrecords.com

-Brian “Katzpheno” Phoenix

Brian Phoenix is the Host and Producer of “Jazzism (a katzpheno mix)” a 60 minute jazz music podcast available via iTunes.

Jazz Among Us

I am an unabashed, unashamed young lover of the music we so lovingly call Jazz.

I have had a love affair with jazz most of my adult life. Jazz, as we call it is an improvisational musical art form. An art form that challenges the most talented, creative artisans of the craft to create a masterpiece on the spot, in front of a well informed, sophisticated and educated audience. Hence, the concept…”no room for squares”. Step onstage and perpetrate if you will…mess around and get your feelings hurt. Jazz is real!

However, there is a debate that surfaces from time to time; usually outside knowing Jazz circles…that jazz is anything but real…they claim in fact that Jazz is dead. The argument goes along the lines of declining record sales, minimal significance in pop culture and other such nonsensical material concerns. This false argument is even supported by folks who know better. Dead, really, seriously?

How can an art form that began some 100 years ago, evolved and continues to evolve, is played, admired and replicated all over the known world, is spontaneous and demanding to play, fresh and innovative at it’s best and simple and pure at it worst, performed, enjoyed, recorded, distributed and available 24 hours a day for those who want and need it…be dead? On top of that, the best improvisational performances that constitute the heart of jazz music aren’t even written down! To create it and to hear it is to be alive to be in the moment.

Jazz has a history, a present and a future. For those who may have fallen victim to the aforementioned falsehoods of the demise of jazz music - may I humbly suggest you plop your clueless ass on the couch and view the documentary “Icons Among Us: Jazz In The Present Tense”.

Directors Lars Larson and Michael Rivoria present the antithesis of the well known documentary “Ken Burns Jazz”. Flipping the historical argument on its head it owes no patronage to the past…not disrespectful of it but upholding the one and only truth that with jazz music all that matters is now. Isn’t that what Charlie Parker was hinting at through his classic bebop tune “Now’s The Time”? As pianist Robert Glasper ( one of the 75 active musicians featured in “Icons”) puts it…if Charlie Parker was somehow resurrected and happened to walk into a Jazz club and heard an alto saxophonist playing his music riff for riff (…as could happen) he would be pissed! Charlie Parker would call the cat a lame and put shame to his game. The risk takers of the 1940’s and 50’s Jazz scene that so many revere, would expect- no, demand the new cats take the seed they created and plant it fertile ground.

Well, fellow citizens have no fear; the Jazz GOD’s are well pleased! Jazz is alive and kicking!! The 1 hour and 33 minute documentary stands as a testimony that there is no need to deify Miles, Louis and the Duke as the only true Jazz icons…there are, as the title insists… ”Icons Among Us”, and if you didn’t know…now ya know. “Icons Among Us: Jazz In The Present Tense” was produced in 2009 and is available now on DVD.

Ready for Freddie at The Arena Theater

For all of us,sophisticated, urbane, hip, grown folks that love good R&B music, soulful sounds, love songs about love not simply the love making act, and have found something lacking in today's music scene...weep no more. Your silent prayers have been answered. The good news is simply this, it is time for us all to get "Ready for Freddie". Freddie Jackson is BACK, and as he said recently..."I never left". This was most apparent at the October 3rd show at the Arena Theater in Houston, TX.

Now, for all those who will claim they already know Freddie - let me warn you, you may not be in the mood to learn, what you THINK you already know. This is NOT just another "old school" vocalists trying to pay his bills and ride the wave of sentimentality on the current R&B tour schedule. Freddie Jackson is the real deal. Twenty plus years of music industry knowledge and pure GOD given talent have not been forsaken nor wasted...this balladeer has, like fine wine gotten better with time. Freddie Jackson, his background singers and band took the stage at Houston's Arena Theater and gave the faithful all they were looking for and then some.

Entering the intimate circle in the round theater to an appreciative crowd, dressed in immaculate white on white, looking like time stood still and even better - stripped of his trademark "baby fat" roundness of the past, Freddie who has shed about a good 70 pounds strode on stage lean, mean and in full control of his scene.

This was music truly for lovers only...good music lovers that is. Freddie Jackson is fully aware of his legacy and his role in the canon of R&B music. With so many recent loses in the world of soul music, Luther Vandross and Michael Jackson at the top of the list, the question has been asked by many in the industry who will step up, show us what we been missing and the word came back..."Get Ready for Freddie".

Others have put their bid in, names like Charlie Wilson, Howard Hewitt, Peabo Bryson, Aaron Hall, Johnny Gill, Ralph Tresvant and of course "BOBBY!!!" But from I witnessed on stage at the Arena Theater on October 3rd, 2009 - Freddie has the class and style to put not just his voice on display but the whole genre of R&B music in the proper perspective.

It is said that there is no bigger shame to have talent and to waste it, Freddie Jackson spoke to the audience not just about his journey but the journey we all have been on, wanting, needing something we can feel, respect and treasure. He talked about his early beginnings not as a songwriter learning the craft of the well placed lyric in front of the perfect melody. He spoke about the industry and it's pitfalls, an industry that tried to create the illusion of a rift between him and his friend Luther Vandross. Freddie Jackson gave personal insights on life lessons he got from Patti LaBelle, McFadden and Whitehead and others, and like the wise elder statesmen he has become, offered pearls of wisdom to the young "wanna be's" out there reminding them that - "it's good to be able to go to the bank, but it is better to possess riches that the bank cannot take away". That is true wealth.

Oh yes, and there was the MUSIC....with 9 number one hits and many more chart toppers the evening was full of great music and even better memories. Creating musical magic with the likes of "Rock Me Tonight", "You Are My Lady", "Have You Ever Loved Somebody", "Tasty Love", "Love Me Down" and the rocking "Jam Tonight"...it was Freddie not Howard Hewett (with whom Freddie Jackson shared the bill as opening act) that made this a "Night To Remember". Mr. Jackson is on full tilt with his "For Old Times Sake " Tour and believe me when he comes to your town...just "Be Ready" 'cause Freddie sho' nuff is!

DVD Night...

Looking for something juicy to add to your DVD night? Let's face it, since the bulk of what is released for major motion picture status is way to predictable and lame to pass for good art.. I try to find things on DVD that are interesting and thought provoking...and I recently found a gem.

"Five Fingers" starring Laurence Fishburne (producer) & Ryan Phillippe. Released in 2006 it is a timely critique of the 3 "T's" - torture, terrorists and toloration of differences. The film also brings into question who is the bad guy vs who we "think" is the good guy.

A very well written and well acted film it has the look and feel of a play with one main setting in which the characters and the situation grow more intense as opposed to more and more cinematic gimmicks. It is a thriller and you must stay till the very end to get it's full impact - but it is so well done...you won't even think of picking up the remote.

The synopsis is this: A politically conscience young Dutch Jazz pianist named Martjin (Ryan Phillippe) leaves for Morocco to help start a Food Bank for Starving children, once he and his guide arrive they are kidnapped by a group of Muslims.To survive his ordeal Martjin must match wits with the brutal terrorist Ahmed (Laurence Fishburne) over a series of Chess Games...lose a game lose a....well watch and see.

I highly recommend Five Fingers...check...your move.

Brian Phoenix

Jazz Is dead...Really?

This post is a response to a recent article in The Chronicle on the decline of Jazz. Below is a link to the original article.

Here is my take...

Same Old Story...ding dong "Jazz is Dead"...to my knowledge as American Musical Art forms go...Jazz is one of the oldest and certainly one of the strongest.

Since the turn of the century @ 1900...the Jazz/Blues culture has been growing and evolving. The problem is current American Media has a short attention span and feels no obligation to censor the crap it promotes as viable. They feed junk food to our youth 24-7 and wonder why juvenile diabetes is on the rise, they promote violent art forms in movies, cartoons, video games and music and wonder why children solve their conflicts violently. I know I am mixing metaphors, but the reality is the responsibility - like Eugene, said lies in the industries that benefit from our media choices.

People are sheep...( the Bible tells me so..) lead them to Jazz and they will follow!! Offer a thirsty man a glass of clean water vs a glass of muddy spew and let him decide. However, in today's marketplace he has few choices. Exposure and marketing is the problem...sure some Jazz music is "exotic" but the bulk of the music the Young Cats are blowin' currently is very accessible and crosses many "popular" genres.

Mainstream tastes will always lag behind the artists vision...luckily I have lived long enough to see technology open up a whole new distribution vehicle that the masses young and old are keyed into...the internet. Those of us that spend time on forums like this one need to fight for Jazz. As I have said many times..."Spread the good news...Jazz is not dead...the pot is on the stove and can't ya smell what the FUNK is Cookin?"

Long Live Jazz Music!!

- Brian Phoenix


Here is the link:

http://chronicle.com/blogPost/The-Unpopularity-of-Jazz/7631/

Jazz Education 101

Once again Houston we have a problem…

A less than sold out show featuring Jazz artists, again I say – “Houston Is Not a Jazz Town”. This past weekend was the cause for the 19^th annual Houston International Jazz Festival sponsored by Houston’s Jazz Education Inc. and featuring for the Sunday show headliner Rachelle Ferrell, but more on the show in a second.

For those in the H-Town that aren’t aware - Jazz Education Inc. (JEI) was founded by Jazz artist Bubba Thomas, who saw a need to fill a void where music education and youth were concerned. With a grant from The National Endowment for the Arts, he started an 8-week "Summer Program for Youthful Musicians" at St. James Episcopal Church. Seventy students attended the first FREE session. Since then, JEI has grown from a part-time-one-program project to a daily operation with full and part-time employees. The Jazz Education Inc. organization stays busy sponsoring three main programs The Jazz & Poetry Series, Summer Jazz Workshop, The Houston International Jazz Festival and several special projects. Jazz & Poetry is an educational/enrichment program helping elementary school children develop an early appreciation for music. The Summer Jazz Workshop produces many of America's top young music talents through a combination of master classes, lectures, small and large ensembles, video presentations, and demonstrations. The Houston International Jazz Festival; which features international, national, regional, and local Jazz musicians, enhances Houston's reputation as an arts center and attracts Jazz aficionados worldwide.

Okay now that you got the scoop…here is the poop! I attended the Sunday show and much to my surprise the GODS convened and blessed Houston with unseasonably cool evening with gentle breezes and..get this low humidity (low by the Bayou City standards)! The featured acts did not disappoint. Hiroshima the Asian-American Jazz Fusion group that most thought fell off the map (thanks Black radio) showed they are still full of creative energy and after 30 plus years in the music business not afraid to take creative chances and stretch the audiences ear. They hit their favs of course…”Roomful Of Mirrors” , “Long Walks” and the ever popular “One Wish” from their first Gold album “Another Place” (1985) – but they also showed what they are about today hitting home with a fitting tribute to New Orleans on the funky “Red Beans & Rice”. Overall a great performance by veteran artists.

The crown jewel for the 2-Day event was of course vocalist Rachelle Ferrell. Now if you want to know what divine power is and true vocalization means…don’t look any further. Rachelle is by all standards the ultimate singing machine. Power, range sensitivity, articulation and spirituality let me tell ya - the girl will take you there! After one intense vocal scat run by Rachelle an audience member shouted out “I’m exhausted!”…that is testimony to the type of connection Ms. Ferrell can establish with her audience – she makes the listener exercise their emotions to the point of exhaustion. Yet like all great performers she gives her audience…more. Soloing on the piano or accompanied by her top notch band Rachelle sang it all, “I’m Special”, Til You Come Back To Me”, “Sister”, “Nothing Has Ever Felt Like This” she also broke it down on “My Funny Valentine”, praised the lord and keep the audience as her song says…”So Satisfied” !

So why am I so disappointed…only that Houston did not “turn out”. In a city of over 2 million, the fourth largest city in America, which also boasts the largest Asian population in the State of Texas (Hiroshima fans anyone?)…where was y’all at? A beautiful moonlight night…Ticket cost of $20…hosted in the city’s newly developed “green space” – Discovery Green and the lawn was only half full. I have said it before - “Houston Is Not A Jazz Town”…but if I have anything to do with it I’m gonna help Houston make that change. I encourage all “Young Jazz Lovers” to check out Jazz Education, Inc. volunteer your time and energy and support Jazz events when and where they occur…this Jazz stuff is too good to lose, so choose. More info about Jazz Education, Inc. can be found at their website www.jazzeducation.org and as always…”Keep Jazz In Your Life, Not Strife And Everything Will Be All Right”™

Brian Phoenix is the Host & Producer of “Jazzism (a katzpheno mix)” a weekly Jazz music podcast log onto www.hardjazz.podomatic.com to listen.