Friday, October 29, 2010

ENTER TO WIN: 2 FREE TICKETS TO SEE JON BATISTE & THE GHOST BUSTERS: A MASQUERADE BALL ON HALLOWEEN!


The Blue Note is offering FREE TICKET PAIRS to JON BATITSE AND THE GHOST BUSTER's MASQUERADE BALL on Sunday, October 31 for both 8:00 & 10:30pm shows. Come dressed in your costume and join the party - New Orleans style! To win tickets, follow the instructions below:

TO ENTER:


1. Email your name and phone number to contests@bluenote.net
2. In the Subject Line, please title your email "BN BLOG CONTEST - JON BATISTE"
3. Indicate which set you would like to attend (8:00pm or 10:30pm).

Check out what Jon is all about here:


Jon Batiste Band ENCORE from Blue Note on Vimeo.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

@ HIGHLINE BALLROOM: ENTER TO WIN TWO FREE TICKETS TO DAVE DOUGLAS' KEYSTONE THIS SUNDAY!

Dave Douglas will perform music from his latest CD "Spirit Of Being" in collaboration w/ filmmaker Bill Morrison.

The HIGHLINE BALLROOM is offering FREE TICKET PAIRS to the DAVE DOUGLAS KEYSTONE's show on SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24. THE MUSIC FROM THEIR CD SPIRIT OF BEING IS AN EXPERIMENTAL COLLABORATION WITH FILM-MAKER BILL MORRISON. To win tickets, follow the instructions below:

TO ENTER:


1. Email your name and phone number to contests@bluenote.net
2. In the Subject Line, please title your email "BN BLOG CONTEST - DAVE DOUGLAS"

We will notify you by Saturday if you are a winner.

Check out this video featuring Douglas' music and Morrison's film:




The Creature's Education from Bill Morrison on Vimeo.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

INTERVIEW ON JACO PASTORIUS with FRIEND HELEN SZABO

Jaco Pastorious (left) and Mike Stern at the Blue Note, 1984

Former Blue Note employee and jazz lover Helen Szabo posted the above picture of Jaco Pastorius from 1984. Since we don't have many pictures of Jaco at the Blue Note, I asked her about the story behind the photo...

Blue Note: Where did this great photo of Jaco and Mike Stern come from

HS: The photo was featured in Guitar player magazine, August '84 issue, and Mike had been playing with Jaco in several of the local clubs, including Blue Note, 55 Grand, The Lone Star, 7th Avenue South... etc..

BN: Do you remember anything about the first time you heard Jaco?

HS: I'd seen Jaco years before, playing with Weather Report at the Apollo, in Manchester, England. It was around 1977. They opened with Ravel's Bolero, and it was a phenomenal performance!

So, years later when I walked into the Blue Note, I couldn't believe my eyes - or ears! He was brilliant...the club was packed...I had to fight my way thru the crowd to get a look at him!

BN: How did you get to know Jaco?

HS: After the gig, he came up to the bar where some of his friends where hanging out, and I was introduced to him. I went back again the next night, and we became friends.

BN: What was Jaco like in those days?

HS: Jaco was one of the most charismatic, lovable individuals I've ever met. He was funny, sensitive, generous and had a strong sense of loyalty. I never met anyone who didn't like him. In those days, he was still OK, happy, vibrant and some of his performances were quite simply "electric," and I was ecstatic to be a part of his entourage. He was an inspiration to the musicians he played with - Alex Foster, Rashied Ali, Delmar Brown, Kenwood Dennard, Ricky Sebastian, Hiram Bullock, Mike Stern and so many others...

BN: How was your experience working at the Blue Note from '84 - '85?

HS: I loved working at the Blue Note! I would have quite happily worked for nothing. It was an amazing experience, and I saw and met some of the most incredible musicians on the planet! Working there was like being a part of a family. I have very fond memories of the then manager Sal Haries, who not only gave me a job, but we kept in touch for many years, and he helped me in many ways.

Looking back, I must say that my time in New York was definitely one of the hilights of my life. I loved my job, I loved the city, and I loved the people. I loved my friends, many of whom I am still in touch with today. It was such an exciting time!

Friday, October 15, 2010

ENTER TO WIN: 2 FREE TICKETS TO SEE GARY BURTON QUARTET with JULIAN LAGE, SCOTT COLLEY & ANTONIO SANCHEZ!


The Blue Note is offering FREE TICKET PAIRS to the GARY BURTON QUARTET's shows on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday fo 10:30pm shows only. The performances mark Gary's first time playing in NYC in 5 years and the quartet's U.S debut! To win tickets, follow the instructions below:

TO ENTER:


1. Email your name and phone number to contests@bluenote.net
2. In the Subject Line, please title your email "BN BLOG CONTEST - GARY BURTON"
3. Indicate which show you would like to attend (Tues, Wed, Thurs, or Sun).

Check out Gary's message to the fans about this week's special show:




In a week long engagement at the Blue Note in New York City this October, Gary Burton will perform with his new quartet, in their North American premiere.



Julian Lage (guitar), Scot Colley (bass) and Antonio Sanchez (drums) will accompany Gary in this special event.



Here Gary talks about this upcoming performance and his new quartet.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Mark Rapp / Derek Lee Bronston: The Song Project Vol. 1


Trumpeter Mark Rapp and vocalist/guitarist Derek Lee Bronston have put together some very unique music on their latest effort, The Song Project Vol. 1. They'll be at the Blue Note tonight only to release the new recording.

Here are some clips from soundcheck:







And one more featuring Rapp on the didgeridoo...




Wednesday, October 6, 2010

BILLY COBHAM SOUNDCHECK FOOTAGE

Check out this soundcheck clip from Billy Cobham - he's here through tomorrow night!



The show features:
Billy Cobham, drums
Jean-Marie Ecay, guitars
Fifi Chayeb, bass
Christophe Cravero, keyboard/violin
Camelia Ben Naceur, keyboards
Junior Gill, steel pan