All fans of music would enjoy the pleasure of hearing an innovator like Les Paul. With a weekly Monday night gig at the Iridium there is no reason anyone should miss this musical icon. Turning ninety years old this June, Les still has that sweet sound that made him famous. The first selection of the evening was the classic All of Me, sung by the other guitarist on the gig, Lou Pallo. This was followed by the rhythmically complex Brazil and a compelling version of Up a Lazy River. On these number

Friday the 13th is a day sometimes associated with bad luck, evil spirits and danger. At Joe’s Pub on Friday May 13th, there were definitely strong spirits. However, they were of the positive variety. Jack DeJohnette was celebrating the Official Label Launch Party of his new, independent record label, Golden Beams Productions. "Music in the Key of OM" was Jack’s first release on the label and focuses on the healing powers of meditation. The second release, "Music From The Hearts of the Masters,"

Barbara Sfraga has assembled an impressive group of musicians to perform their unique and soulful compositions. The complex arrangements highlight the many talents of each musician. Regarding the formation of their new, forthcoming CD, which contains many of these compositions, Barbara had this to say, "Our original concept started when Michael "T.A." Thompson & Mala Waldron surprised me with a bunch of tunes they had written for me. They knew me well, and knew the twists and turns I like

It was an exciting evening. I was going to see Pablo Menendez, an incredibly unique guitarist and songwriter, whom I was only recently exposed to. Pablo was born in Oakland but went to school in Cuba in 1966 to study art at Escuela Nacional de Arte at the tender age of 14. He got married, raised a family and has made this island nation his home ever since. Promoting a hot, new record (CD release party) with unbelievable compositions, half penned by Pablo, he took NYC by storm. His opening select

A group of musicians as eclectic and pioneering as this come together only so often. It is with great sincerity that I thank the musicians for this rare collaboration. Arthur Blythe took this opportunity at the Blue Note to feature some of the most venerable members of the "free jazz" genre. Arthur, a genius on his instrument (alto saxophone), is a giant pillar of this art form in his own right. Manning the tenor sax was none other than world music and free jazz innovator Dewey Redman. One of th