Category Archives: Jazz

A Look Back at Musical 2017

Posted on December 31, 2017 by Michael

2017 has been a busy year for music – both as a performer and audience member. Here are some of my musical highlights from the past year as we head into 2018. Continue reading →

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Herb Pomeroy: “I don’t believe in recorded music.”

Posted on October 1, 2010 by Michael

“I don’t believe in recorded music. I don’t believe in the act of recording music. I believe that music is so precious that it should only be heard by the musicians who’ve given their life to play it, and the listeners that would drive 200 miles through snow to listen to it.” Continue reading →

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Herb Pomeroy on Discovering Duke Ellington

Posted on September 2, 2010 by Michael

Herb Pomeroy recalls first discovering the greatness of Duke Ellington’s music. He later would realize that “The sum total of five people is so much greater than the sum total of five saxophonists.” Continue reading →

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MIT’s Third Annual Herb Pomeroy Memorial Concert

Posted on May 2, 2010 by Michael

MIT will be hosting its 3rd annual Herb Pomeroy Memorial Concert this Saturday, May 8 at Kresge Auditorium at 8:00 pm. The concert will include the Festival Jazz Ensemble playing several of the Ellington works most closely associated with Herb and his band. Continue reading →

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Manhattan Big Band Heaven

Posted on December 6, 2009 by Michael

Thanksgiving week was a slice of contemporary big band heaven in Manhattan. On Wednesday night, Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society performed two sets at Iridium. These photos are from the first set: It’s interesting how you can go your whole … Continue reading →

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Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society – Infernal Machines

Posted on November 23, 2009 by Michael

Infernal Machines, the debut album from Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society, is my favorite jazz album of the year. Here is a big band album that engages popular music in ways that have been largely lost since the 1970s, and … Continue reading →

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Herb Pomeroy on Jazz Writing

Posted on November 23, 2009 by Michael

Herb Pomeroy directed jazz bands at MIT from 1963 to 1985. He was the founder of the MIT Festival Jazz Ensemble, one of the first three collegiate bands from the USA to perform at the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival. He … Continue reading →

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Don Ellis’s "Soaring" now on CD!

Posted on December 2, 2008 by Michael

Finally! My favorite studio album from Don Ellis, Soaring, is now available on CD from Amazon and other fine retailers. From hot charts like “Whiplash” and “Invincible” to beautiful ballads like “Nicole” and “Image of Maria”, this album is the … Continue reading →

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