Jazzism (a katzpheno mix‪)‬ Brian Phoenix

"The words love and like both have 4 letters, but they're two different things all together" - Whodini (from One Love - 1986)
"Funk used to be a bad word" - Funkadelic (from Let's Take It To The Stage - 1975)
"Jazz is a 4 letter word" - Max Roach, Nicholas Payton and anyone else who can read, write and count.
The word jazz is a controversial term. It might be the new "N" word. It's meaning has gone through various changes, in the early 1900's jazz meant fornication. In an interview with The Harvard Crimson (2001) Max Roach, the legendary drummer, composer and activist, pointed out his distaste for the word most commonly used to describe the music to which he dedicated his life. In the article he used the example of the infamous Scottsboro Boys Trial, which took place in 1931 in Alabama. In the case, which eventually made its way to the Supreme Court, several black boys were accused of raping two white girls. During the trial a letter one of the alleged victims wrote to a friend was used to proved that no rape had occurred, in the letter the word jazz came up - she wrote "those boys didn't jazz me". Jazz it seems used to be a very bad word. So, in that context, one can see how using the word jazz to describe ones art would be an insult. Nonetheless, Jazz is word that we are left with. Jazz is 4 letter word, a word that inadequately describes such an important, exquisitley advanced and beautifully articulated African American musical artform.
Love it or hate it (2 more 4 letter words...) the Jazz label has now been so widely marketed and associated with this music that... it is what it is. I usually preface my descripition of this artform by calling it the "music we so lovingly call, Jazz". It's my attempt to lessen to the sting of our frought linguistic history. I'm not embarrassed or even against the jazz label, but I know it has a history of distain by many of the creators of the music. Miles Davis didn't like it, he suggested calling it social music, Roy Hargrove is on record saying the term means nothing to him, and Nicholas Payton hates it and has suggested it be relabeled BAM - Black American Music, right on brother! 
My stance is thus, call it what ya like, all that really matters is what happens on the band stand and in between your ears. A groove, is a groove, is a groove and "jazz" is the groove that moves me, hopefully it moves you too - enough to shout out loud a couple other 4 letter words - "Yeah baby"
Enjoy,
Brian "katzpheno" Phoenix
featuring:
Jose James - What A Little Moonlight Can Do (2015)
Robert Glasper Trio - 59 South (2009)
Mark Egan - Summer Fun (2015)
Ben Williams - Moontrane (2011)
Luciana Souza - Backfile (2000)
Terence Blanchard - Him Or Me (2009)
Captain Black Big Band - Water Babies (2021)
Roy Hargrove Big Band - Roy Allan (2009)
Gil Scott-Heron - I Think I'll Call It Morning (1971)
Nicholas Payton - Jazz Is A 4 Letter Word (2019)
Christian McBride Trio - I Guess I'll have To Forget (2013)

Welcome to Season 17 of Jazzism (a katzpheno mix).... as always there is more Jazz music love here than you know what to do with, as I continue my quest to bring All You Young Jazz Lovers  - Nothing But The Best That The World Has To Offer In Jazz Music. 
Those of course are my trademark slogans. In any event this is the maiden voyage of 2024 so, all aboard the seas are calm and we have a steady wind blowing to take us anywhere we choose to go.
Sail On,
Brian "Katzpheno" Phoenix
featuring:
Billy Childs - The Starry Night (2017)
Ahmad Jamal - Invitation (2012)
Terri Lyne Carrington & Nona Hendryx - Transformation (2011)
Bobby Hutcherson - Hey Harold (2014)
Nicholas Payton - Back To The Source (1998)
Christian Scott - Uncrown Her (2017)
Lee Morgan - You Go To My Head (1965)
Tia Fuller - Lil Les (2012)
Branford Marsalis & Kurt Elling - Long As You're Living (2016)
Joe Chambers - Mirrors (1998)
Stefon Harris & Blackout - Langston's Lullaby (2009)
 

The Final Episode of 2023
Fellas break out the tux, Ladies don your favorite ballroom attire...we going out Big Band Style!
Happy New Year!!!
Enjoy,
Brian "Katzpheno" Phoenix
featuring:
Roy Hargrove Big Band - Mambo For Roy (2009)
The Chad Rager Modern Big Band - Straight, No Chaser (2008)
Deborah Cox - I Don't Hurt Anymore (2007)
Dizzy Gillespie & His orchestra - Birk's Works (1950)
Duke Ellington & His Orchestra - Tea For Two (1956)
Tito Puente & His Orchestra - Cha Cha Cha Mambo (1999)
Nat King Cole - Unforgettable (1951)
Mack Avenue Superband - Decisive Steps (2016)
Patti Austin - Lady Be Good (2006)
Quincy Jones - Killer Joe (1969)
Sammy Davis, Jr. - In The Still Of The Night (1963)
Chick Webb & His Orchestra featuring: Ella Fitzgerald - Undecided (1940)

As you may know by now... I use the title of one of the tunes from the episodes playlist, as the title of the episode. It's my attempt to tie the songs to the show and keep it all about the music, the thing I love.
It is also, in most cases, a nod to a great composer or performer, in this instance it is both. The title of the episode is "Jitterbug Waltz" penned by a truly remarkable and prolific composer, stride piano player, showman, broadway hitmaker and King of Harlem - Thomas "Fats" Waller. The title is also a nod to the performer Jason Moran, a fellow remarkable pianist and composer like "Fats" Waller. Jason Moran, who is currently the Kennedy Center Artistic Director for Jazz, deconstructs the well known composition "Jitterbug Waltz" as a closing track on this episode. 
Plus, I get the added bonus of a cool title that is instantly recognizable and likely to get the audiences attention. I am fighting for those "likes" y'all!! So, like the show, subscribe to it and dance like ya' got jitterbugs in yo' pants!
Peace,
Brian "katzpheno" Phoenix
featuring:
Herlin Riley - Twelve's It (2019)
Gregory Porter - Lonesome Lover (2013)
The Roy Hargrove Quintet - Strasbourg/St. Denis (2008)
Ben Williams - Black Villian Music (2015)
Stefano Bollani - Impro IV (2006)
Warren Wolf - The Struggle (2020)
Woody Shaw - Why? (1978)
Tawanda - Smile/I'm All Smiles (2022)
Chick Corea & Gary Burton - No Mystery (2008)
Kenny Garrett - Wiggins (2012)
Christian Scott - Liberation Over Gangsterism (2015)
Jason Moran - Jitterbug Waltz (2014)
 
 

Fall is in the air, the leaves are changing into their vibrant hues of brown, orange, yellow and red. Pumpkin spice has been sprinkled on everything edible and infused in aroma candles and therapy. Raincoats and sweater come out of the closet and a new covid 19 booster is available at the druggist.
You gotta love it!!
One of my favorite traditions is also taking place this fall.... HOMECOMING. I will celebrate in one way or another my alma mater (HU You KNOW!!), by enjoy the game (Go BISON), strolling on to the yard and greeting old friends and classmates, and of course by taking in some live Jazz!!
Yes, as I have said many times before... Jazz music is a dish best served live, however if you can't make it to the club or the theater Jazzism (a katzpheno mix) is the next best thing. It even sounds better when enjoying a warm Pumpkin Spiced Latte. Fall in love with Jazz music this Homecoming.
 
Enjoy the mix,
Brain "Katzpheno" Phoenix
featuring:
Common Knowledge - It Came To Me (2015)
The Anthony Smith Quartet - Highway One (2013)
Dave Holland Octet - How's Never? (2010)
Norah Jones - It's A Wonderful Time For Love (2016)
Joe Sample - Invitation (1993)
Kevin Mahogany - Double Rainbow (1993)
Esperanza Spalding - Mela (2008)
Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers - What Know (1960)
Nicholas Payton - Hangin' In & Jivin' (2021)
Chris Potter - Stranger At The Gate (2013)

There is PAST cool... you know flat tops, shell toe adidas, standing on the corner in a b-boy stance.
There is CURRENT cool... guys rockin' twin braids with a fade...everyone keeping their drip right...girls with the bantu knots...and food that is bussin'
Then there is NEW cool.... what is it?? JAZZIM (a katzpheno mix) that's what it is, that's what this episode represents, all of it - cool of the PAST, cool of the CURRENT and NEW . NO CAP!!!
 
Enjoy,
Brian "katzpheno" Phoenix
featuring:
Ben Williams - Home (2011)
Buster Williams - Triumph (2018)
Gregory Porter - The Way You Want To Live (2012)
Joshua Redman - Un Peu Fou (2009)
Marc Cary - Appointment In Ghana (2006)
Joe Lovano Us Five - Powerhouse (2009)
Ahmad Jamal - Patterns (1970)
Kamasi Washington - My Family (2018)
Cecil McLorin Salvant - I Didn't Know What Time It Was (2013)
Murray, Allen & Carrington Power Trio - The Nurturer (2016)
Christian Scott - Of A New Cool (2015)