Latin Jazz, news

It’s always great to see the living legends of Latin Jazz get the respect that they deserve during their time with us, and this week, one of our best - Eddie Palmieri - received a major honor. His groundbreaking recording, Azucar Pa Ti, was inducted into the 2009 National Recording Registry of the United States Library of Congress.

This means that the government is recognizing the major contributions that Palmieri has made to the music world and keeping one of his influential recordings on file as an example of excellence. Librarian of Congress James H. Billington discussed the Recording Registry, saying, “This latest list of selections showcases the diverse beauty, humanity and artistry found in the American soundscape.

The Library’s Packard Campus for Audio Visual Conservation will partner with many individuals and organizations to preserve and sustain these significant examples of our creative spirit so that they can inform and enrich the lives of modern and future generations.” Congratulations Mr. Palmieri - you deserve this honor and much, much more! This is reason to celebrate - check out the full press release http://www.loc.gov/today/pr/2010/10-116.html.

Podcaster Jason Crane delivered another outstanding episode in his series of great jazz interviews this past week, as The Jazz Session focused upon Argentinean pianist Emilio Solla. Crane discusses a variety of topics with Solla, including his thoughts on Tango Jazz and his recent album Bien Sur. The Jazz Session recently passed 600,000 downloads, certainly a milestone and testament to the admirable work that Crane is doing. So don’t hesitate, download his interview with Solla http://thejazzsession.com/2010/06/21/the-jazz-session-179-emilio-solla/.

Summer marks the arrival of jazz festival around the world, big and small, giving us all an opportunity to enjoy the music that we love in some of the best venues possible. Journalist Peter Hum has been covering the Ottawa Jazz Festival in detail, providing insights into what looks like a major festival that I would love to check out one day. One of his recent festival highlights involved a performance from Brazilian Jazz vocalist Joyce Moreno, an important voice in the music’s history. Sounded like a great show - get Hum’s thoughts. http://communities.canada.com/ottawacitizen/blogs/jazzblog/archive/2010/06/25/joyce-at-the-2010-ottawa-jazzfest-concert-review.aspx.

Time is running short to show your support for Afro-Peruvian Jazz by contributing to trumpet player Gabriel Alegria’s Kickstarter campaign! You can donate as little as $10 to their cause - or as much as you’d like. Each level of contribution comes with an attached reward, ranging from unreleased recordings to a personal concert from the sextet. There’s really no time to waste - with less than 15 days left to contribute - NOW’S THE TIME! So head over to Alegria’s Kickstarter site and donate now!