Jazz, KCSM, and John Coltrane

I had the pleasure of listening to my ex sing in her latest group the other night. It was a small place right on the main drag, two doors from the local movie theater. Just as you walked in the door you'd practically stumble across the five--two lady singers, the guitarist/leader, upright bass and saxophone. They played three sets of jazz and pop standards impeccably--and with lots of feeling and warmth.

It all made me hungry for some more Jazz, so I turned to KCSM 91.1-- the Bay Area's Jazz Station. KCSM plays all Jazz all the time, and has for years. Taking over the massive record library of KJAZ, its noble predecessor, the station now boasts the third largest Jazz collection in the country--and one of the others is at the Smithsonian!

So, on went the radio and before long I was caught up in a multi-hour special presentation on the great saxophonist John Coltrane. His story is well known to Jazz aficionados. He was huge in the 1950's and 60's, with the up and down life that he led fueled by an intense focus (he practiced all the time), his musical vision and, sadly, some heroin addition too (which he did kick in a spiritual discovery).

At home, I listened to the rest of the special and then put on my copy of Giant Steps, one of his great albums. Man, it sounded good. Then, I called KCSM and renewed my membership. The station, based at the College of San Mateo, a local community college, is commercial free (that means 100 percent music and very deep expertise from its seasoned staff). I rejoined with pleasure. If you're a Jazz enthusiast, you should be a member. If you're not in the area, you can hear them online--so no excuses!

Paul McCartney is 69 Today

I seem to be getting into the famous musician birthday thing lately, but, as they do on KCSM, my local all-Jazz FM station, it gives me a chance to focus on a musical great. And Sir Paul means a lot to me--especially as a Beatle. He, along with John, George and Ringo, were my heroes when I was a teenager, and they influence me today.

Paul was my first major bass influence--and that's my instrument now. I wear my two primary basses on my left arm as part of that enthusiasm, and am a member of both my band, Red Paint, and my community orchestra.

Paul, having started as a guitarist and being also a piano player, is a more melodic bassist than someone who plays it as simply part of the rhythm section. His bass parts often take on a second tune--as in, for example, Something, where, if you tune out George, it's a whole different, low-pitched world. I've noticed that when it's one of Paul's songs and he's singing the lead, the bass part is simpler. When John or George (or even Ringo) is singing it, he often gets much more elaborate.

Paul played with a pick much of the time--I don't--but otherwise he's a big inspiration. I loved his Beatles work best. Something in the chemistry of the group--or maybe his youthful energy. I've bought and listened to later albums--even up to recent CDs like Memory Almost Full, but he no longer makes albums you want to play over and over. He has certainly released a lot of material over the years after his relatively brief Beatles career.

There are the great Paul songs, like Yesterday, Hey Jude and Let it Be, of course, and some favorites of mine. I always liked For No-One, from the middle period. When I'm 64 is catchy and he's the only Beatle who could write it. Best post-Beatle song? Maybe I'm Amazed comes to mind.

I saw Paul and his band--not Wings--play a few years ago and he put on a great show. Many of the numbers were Beatles songs--it was the next best thing to seeing the Fab Four in action. I wish him happiness today and for what I hope will be a very long life--and a great new marriage.

Joe Morello, Dave Brubeck Drummer, Dies at 82

Over the last several years I have gained more awareness of and enthusiasm for Jazz--a music form that surrounds us in America but about which I was fairly ignorant. I now have a stash of CDs and significant iPod space devoted to some high spots. And--I support my local Jazz FM station, KCSM, with a donation every year.

Dave Brubeck is definitely cool, and his longtime drummer, Joe Morello, could really make those skins dance. He now joins the legion of departed Jazz legends. The photo to the left is from 1962.

Take Five was a huge hit in 1959 on the album of the same name. It was in an unusual (Jazzy) 5/4 time, which made it stand out. With its energy and feeling of movement, it's been a favorite for movie and TV soundtracks.

Check out this story and video of Joe and the gang in a French filming of a fast rendition of the tune.