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Passage to a New Place: “High Archway Bridge” – Debbie Burke – Photographer/Author
New acquisition, another bridge painting! I call it "High Archway Bridge." Signed by L. or Z. Dillard, this is a small one, 12 x 15 1/2, with sweet, precise line work and a great sense of division of place: country vs. city. Do you see an apartment building beyond the bridge, a large estate, or…
The Castle Beyond: New Midcentury Acquisition from Thrift Shop Auction – Debbie Burke – Photographer/Author
What drew me to this painting? There is a vibe I’m going for when I look to buy art, but not all the art I’m drawn to looks the same. The vibe is mystery, solitude, loneliness. You might also call it liminal, though the execution has far too many details for me to consider it…
New Release, JAZZ OMNIBUS, Is #1 in Jazz Music – Debbie Burke – Photographer/Author
A sizzling new jazz anthology, The Jazz Omnibus: 21st-Century Photos and Writings by Members of the Jazz Journalists Association, released today by Cymbal Press, contains 90 sharply written essays and interviews of jazz musicians and jazz-adjacent topics. Sorted into sections called Legends, Seekers, Scenes, Sounds, The World, and Remembered, this fat slice of what led…
Work-in-Progress: The Meteor Symphony – Debbie Burke – Photographer/Author
What started out as my fourth novel has become a compilation of short stories on music, essays on life lessons, silly poetry, and short bursts of ideas by a person who is perpetually curious about the world. My upcoming book, The Meteor Symphony: Stories, Poems, and Essays, has been in the works for over a…
New Unsigned Painting Spurs Hunt for Artist – Debbie Burke – Photographer/Author
Thrifting is an occasional indulgence of mine and the newest addition to my collection has brought me a lot of enjoyment. The painting above (sold on shopgoodwill.com) was billed as "Artist Acrylic Painting of Buildings & Landscape" but I like my new title better: "American Ghost Town." The thing is, this painting was listed for…
Who is NEWTON MILLER? – Debbie Burke – Photographer/Author
There's this great old-timey antique mall near me. Yesterday, I went there to scope out some classic picture frames to use for exhibiting and selling my photography (I'll also need to purchase mats) and found quite a few! I was also tempted to buy some very old instruments just because (accordion, clarinet, and a sax).…
Book Review: Dreams in Double Time: On Race, Freedom, and Bebop by Jonathan Leal – Debbie Burke – Photographer/Author
In his new book, Dreams in Double Time: On Race, Freedom, and Bebop (Duke University Press 2023), Jonathan Leal writes like jazz, even when “only” recollecting his intro to the concept, which occurred via a Sears and Roebuck saxophone delivered into his grandfather’s hands. On his own ideas and reflections about music and what it…
Martin Hallmark/Q3’s New Music Is an Impressionist Painting – Debbie Burke – Photographer/Author
The new CD from Martin Hallmark’s Q3 called Water Speckled Midnight is as evocative as the title. Hallmark’s quartet breathes easily together…the music gels in a satisfying and comforting way. The band is based in Cambridge (UK). “Through the Clouds” has rhythmic and dynamic details that add up to a sonic lushness, sax describing its…
BOOK REVIEW: Miles Davis and the Search for the Sound by Dave Chisolm – Debbie Burke – Photographer/Author
Creating a graphic novel that truly makes an impact on readers is no less than a Herculean task. Just think about somebody who’s a great storyteller. They also have to be a skilled artist and draftsman, who also has to know their subject matter and therefore what to include…as well as what to leave out.…
Lisa Lindsley & La Belle Époque is STILL CRAZY with the Paul Simon Project – Debbie Burke – Photographer/Author
For a lifelong fan of the music of Paul Simon—one who also attended the epic Central Park concert in 1991—this blogger was going to be hard to impress with claims of a tribute to the great songwriter. I’ve loved not only his relentless stream of earworm melodies (each one piercingly unique, from within the pairing…
Jazzy Fiction Debut – That Summer She Found Her Voice: A Retro Novel by Jean Burgess – Debbie Burke – Photographer/Author
This novel about self-discovery with a jazzy twist invites the reader to follow the main character, a budding singer in 1970s Baltimore, through her self-doubts as she goes on the road and learns some challenging life lessons. Author Jean Burgess’s strong fiction debut is an excellent study of character and emphasizes the power of friendship…
Book Review: I Went Down to St. James Infirmary by Robert W. Harwood – Debbie Burke – Photographer/Author
It’s basically one of the classic “everysongs” that has captured the imagination since the turn of the century…the 1900s, that is. Countless bands and single artists have covered it, twisted and reworked it, and made it their own. It’s got a heaviness, a spooky vibe, something between melancholy and danger, and it circles our relationship…
Inspiration’s Peak Is (Wonder)Fully Realized in YOCOYA’s new CD, Tierra y Alma – Debbie Burke – Photographer/Author
Drummer, composer and band leader Angelo Velasquez (band name: YOCOYA) has just dropped Tierra y Alma, a trip dancing sometimes lightly and sometimes deeply steeped in the creativity of its highly accomplished musicians. A soaring sax and sizzling crackling start off “Gates of Tollan” that jumps into a full-speed engagement before the sax grabs that…
Fluid and Comfortable: Big Wade and Black Swan Theory’s New CD, PIANO MAN – Debbie Burke – Photographer/Author
While funk is the overall vibe here, Lewade “Big Wade” Milliner and his Black Swan Theory clearly show homage to their jazz heroes as well. In their latest project, Piano Man, the lush harmonies and sweet, mellow feels take hold. The title track is a love song with rolling piano and ethereal percussion (cymbals have…
New CD from Tutu Puoane, WRAPPED IN RHYTHM, Wraps You in a Warm, Sonic Cloud – Debbie Burke – Photographer/Author
Belgium-based Pretoria-born artist and singer Tutu Puoane has new tracks coming March 15 in her new album called Wrapped in Rhythm. There is on-point phrasing, ethereality and poignancy (“Land of Broken Mirrors”), light funk (“Illicit Love,” that, by the way, has luscious changes), and the assertive bass that starts off “Courage” that brings a swing…
Book Review: 365 Days of Practice by Rick Margitza – Debbie Burke – Photographer/Author
A new book, 365 Days of Practice (Sher Music Co., 2024) by NYC-based classical and jazz saxophonist Rick Margitza, serves up an engaging tone and well-explained methods for sax players who want clear and doable goals.
Jazzy Fiction Debut – That Summer She Found Her Voice: A Retro Novel by Jean Burgess – Debbie Burke – jazz author
This novel about self-discovery with a jazzy twist invites the reader to follow the main character, a budding singer in 1970s Baltimore, through her self-doubts as she goes on the road and learns some challenging life lessons. Author Jean Burgess’s strong fiction debut is an excellent study of character and emphasizes the power of friendship…
New CD from Tutu Puoane, WRAPPED IN RHYTHM, Wraps You in a Warm, Sonic Cloud – Debbie Burke – jazz author
Belgium-based Pretoria-born artist and singer Tutu Puoane has new tracks coming March 24 in her new album called Wrapped in Rhythm. There is on-point phrasing, ethereality and poignancy (“Land of Broken Mirrors”), light funk (“Illicit Love,” that, by the way, has luscious changes), and the assertive bass that starts off “Courage” that brings a swing…
Book Review: Dreams in Double Time: On Race, Freedom, and Bebop by Jonathan Leal – Debbie Burke – jazz author
In his new book, Dreams in Double Time: On Race, Freedom, and Bebop (Duke University Press 2023), Jonathan Leal writes like jazz, even when “only” recollecting his intro to the concept, which occurred via a Sears and Roebuck saxophone delivered into his grandfather’s hands. On his own ideas and reflections about music and what it…
Book Review: I Went Down to St. James Infirmary by Robert W. Harwood – Debbie Burke – jazz author
It’s basically one of the classic “everysongs” that has captured the imagination since the turn of the century…the 1900s, that is. Countless bands and single artists have covered it, twisted and reworked it, and made it their own. It’s got a heaviness, a spooky vibe, something between melancholy and danger, and it circles our relationship…
Fluid and Comfortable: Big Wade and Black Swan Theory’s New CD, PIANO MAN – Debbie Burke – jazz author
While funk is the overall vibe here, Lewade “Big Wade” Milliner and his Black Swan Theory clearly show homage to their jazz heroes as well. In their latest project, Piano Man, the lush harmonies and sweet, mellow feels take hold. The title track is a love song with rolling piano and ethereal percussion (cymbals have…
Martin Hallmark/Q3’s New Music Is an Impressionist Painting – Debbie Burke – jazz author
The new CD from Martin Hallmark’s Q3 called Water Speckled Midnight is as evocative as the title. Hallmark’s quartet breathes easily together…the music gels in a satisfying and comforting way. The band is based in Cambridge (UK). “Through the Clouds” has rhythmic and dynamic details that add up to a sonic lushness, sax describing its…
Inspiration’s Peak Is (Wonder)Fully Realized in YOCOYA’s new CD, Tierra y Alma – Debbie Burke – jazz author
Drummer, composer and band leader Angelo Velasquez (band name: YOCOYA) has just dropped Tierra y Alma, a trip dancing sometimes lightly and sometimes deeply steeped in the creativity of its highly accomplished musicians. A soaring sax and sizzling crackling start off “Gates of Tollan” that jumps into a full-speed engagement before the sax grabs that…
BOOK REVIEW: Miles Davis and the Search for the Sound by Dave Chisolm – Debbie Burke – jazz author
Creating a graphic novel that truly makes an impact on readers is no less than a Herculean task. Just think about somebody who’s a great storyteller. They also have to be a skilled artist and draftsman, who also has to know their subject matter and therefore what to include…as well as what to leave out.…
Lisa Lindsley & La Belle Époque is STILL CRAZY with the Paul Simon Project – Debbie Burke – jazz author
For a lifelong fan of the music of Paul Simon—one who also attended the epic Central Park concert in 1991—this blogger was going to be hard to impress with claims of a tribute to the great songwriter. I’ve loved not only his relentless stream of earworm melodies (each one piercingly unique, from within the pairing…
Drumkoon Sips from “Sax Libation” Living in a State of Sax Liberation – Debbie Burke – jazz author
Jazz will sprout no matter where or when and even when there is a cultural stigma associated with becoming a musician. The Zimbabwe-born Drumkoon (now living in Denmark) is a self-taught sax player who prefers to listen to his muse against a backdrop of the natural acoustics in his daily travels to new cities. Not…
Sheer Nordic Beauty: Erik Palmberg Quartet’s New Music – Debbie Burke – jazz author
A glistening coat of moonlight sits atop new music from Erik Palmberg’s quartet. The light comes from their new song “Silver Moon” in the upcoming (as yet unnamed) album slated for 2024. Each instrumentalist has a say in this thoughtful and lyrical offering that expresses their musical ideas while blending seamlessly with one another. Palmberg…
Jazz Quarterly Volume 1 and 2 Bring Musical Musings to Life: New Books by Michael Westmore – Debbie Burke – jazz author
It takes stamina and commitment—plus a huge dollop of love for music—to post daily on jazz. Michael Westmore, by day a scientist, has recently released Volume 1 and 2 in his series, Jazz Quarterly. With the huge amount of content he produces on his blog at https://jazzdaily.blog/, there will surely be future volumes here. We…
Morally and Financially Bankrupt in Jazz Legal Thriller AUTOMATIC STAY by Mark Shaiken – Debbie Burke – jazz author
Author Mark Shaiken Welcome to a dark and thrilling ride into the underbelly of running a (fictitious) jazz club courtesy of author Mark Shaiken in his book Automatic Stay (1609 Press LLC, 2022), which is volume 3 in his four-part 3J Legal Thriller series. Kansas City clubs, like many businesses, have been hard-hit since the…
Agustin Strizzi’s New “Abdominales” Hits Sweet Spot – Debbie Burke – jazz author
A new high-energy song is out and kills it with airtight harmonies and intricate saxwork. Called “Abdominales,” the song is the first of six tracks of the upcoming Volume 2 for drummer-songwriter Agustin Strizzi. He leads a quintet and the players stand out individually and at the same time are synced like rivers meeting, crashing,…