Red Raspus Music

Home of Musician and Educator David Marriott, Jr.

4701 47th Ave NE Seattle, WA 98105 United States of America

(206) 923-8271

David Marriott, Jr. is a jazz trombonist, composer/arranger, educator, and blogger. A two-time Earshot Jazz Golden Ear Award recipient and winner of the 1999 National Jazz Trombone Competition, David is active in a variety of Seattle jazz groups, including the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra, Zubatto Syndicate and his own critically-acclaimed groups Septology and Triskaidekaband.

Blog Day 2007: Five New Blogs You Might Enjoy

August 31, 2007  /  David Marriott, Jr.

Blog Day 2007I stumbled onto this today and felt compelled to join in the fun. It's Blog Day 2007, and I'm sharing five new blogs you might also enjoy. They are, in no particular order:

1. Greenleaf Music - If you are a fan of Dave Douglas, look no further.  His new label is called Greenleaf Music, and they have a feature-filled blog of stuff on Douglas' latest adventures, including video of him playing Dave Douglas in Solo concert at Mount Cevedale in Val di Pejo Trentino Italy. I saw Dave Douglas at the Nippon Kan in 1998, with Mark Turner, James Genus and Ben Perowsky, touring the Magic Triangle music and it changed my perspective on how to play music, and what "jazz music" was or could be, in a profound way. I was excited to discover this blog recently, and thought you might be, too.

2. jazz::animated - Though posts only seem to come in waves every couple of months, jazz::animated is a wonderful collection of posts on the fusion of jazz music and film animation. I've long been a fan of this idea since getting the DVD, Art and Jazz in Animation, and have always meant to create something of my own in this medium. jazz::animated is a great resource on this sadly overlooked music-film blend. Let's all plead with them to post more often!

3. Destination Out - One of my favorite blogs for more experimental sounds (Cecil Taylor, Anthony Davis, and Max Roach of late), the website describes itself thusly:

An mp-free jazz blog focusing on rare or out-of-print music. We generally publish twice a week, on Mondays and Wednesdays (or so). Songs will be available for about two weeks, and are for evaluation purposes only. Attend concerts. Buy music.

Those last few words say so much -- attend concerts, buy music.  Enough said -- except: visit Destination Out.

4. Intervals -- Intervals is saxophonist and educator Dave Liebman's monthly newsletter, finally being transformed into a blog for those of us that are RSS friendly. Dave was one my main teachers during my masters and doctorate study at Manhattan School of Music, and he helped me "open my soul" to the music in a much deeper way than I had known.  Sure, he also showed my tons of crazy, really intellectual stuff to play as well, but the bigger effect on me had more to do with learning how to connect with the music at any given time.  He is also a great storyteller, and this translates wonderfully to the blog format. For words from a true warrior for jazz music, visit Intervals.

5. Jazz Beyond Jazz - Veteran jazz journalist and writer Howard Mandel launches into the blogsphere with a great blog on jazz music at large (and small) in Jazz Beyond Jazz. I read his book, Future Jazz, a few years ago, and have tried to follow his writing whenever possible in Down Beat or (while I was living in New York) The Village Voice. I also have to give him credit for linking to the video of Keith Jarrett going bonkers in Italy -- props for that, Mr. Mandel. This guy is a guru-level journalist, and in true Chicago/New York fashion, he tells it like it is. Please take some time and read Jazz Beyond Jazz over this Labor Day weekend; I'm sure you'll come away with something new.

Well, there it is! Five exciting new blogs for you to visit! Happy Labor Day weekend everyone!

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