Many thanks to the Rifftides readers who have expressed concern about the lag between postings. It has, indeed, been several days since a new entry. The interregnum has been for a good cause…continuation of the blog. Sometimes that depends on meeting other obligations, as in this case. I took on a pair of freelance assignments that required lots of research, interviews and, of course, writing. In both cases they were notes for new albums. One CD is for a welcome Summit Records release by trumpeter Carl Saunders. He is accompanied by two west coast veterans, bassist Chuck Berghofer and drummer Joe LaBarbera. Josh Nelson, a young pianist in great demand in Los Angeles jazz circles, completes the Saunders rhythm section.
The second project is notes for a new series of duets by French pianist Martial Solal and American saxophonist Dave Liebman. Masters In Paris follows their earlier Masters In Bordeaux, also a duet encounter, that was greeted with enthusiastic reviews. Both albums are for Sunnyside Records. The Saunders and Liebman-Solal projects each required extensive listening, and that was a major part of the reward of writing about them.
Normal Rifftides activity, whatever that turns out to be, will resume soon.