Arts & Entertainment
Ferndale Library Staff Recommends: Jillean's Jazz Set
Another round of personal picks presented for your consideration of recreational/enlightening engagement by the staff at the Ferndale Library. This week, Head Librarian of Youth Services Jillean McCommons shares her current musical spins.
Jillean: "I'm just in from the Detroit Jazz Fest and because I geek jazz, it's on my mind for this round of Patch Picks. So, I present Jillean's Jazz Set for 2012."
Jillean's Jazz Set
1. Vijay Iyer Trio's "Accelerando"
The covers on this album are fantastic reinventions. You can hear how much respect the Trio has for the original structures, but that doesn't keep them from re-imagining them. This is the first time I've bobbed my head to jazz.
Favorite track: The Star of the Story
Listen/Watch
2. Gregory Porter's "Be Good"
Porter reminds me of Donny Hathaway. This is improvised soul music and it's lovely.
Favorite track: On My Way to Harlem
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3. Ahmad Jamal's "Blue Moon"
This CD is just as mystical as a blue moon. I dig his compositions the most. Make sure to listen to the mastery of Reginald Veal on bass.
Favorite track: I Remember Italy
4. Robert Glasper's "Black Radio"
I just saw him in concert not too long ago and I'm already planning to see him again in October when he makes another stop in Detroit. It's hip hop meets jazz with some gospel alliterations and definitely a lot of soul. At the last concert, the crowd was singing along with so much passion, you could barely hear the musicians!
Favorite Track: Gonna Be Alright (F.T.B.) featuring Ledisi
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5. Anita O'Day "Anita Sings the Most"
In my studies of the great jazz vocalists, I came across this CD. Anita was a feisty woman. She didn't hesitate to go head to head with rowdy trumpets in a song. But, it's her ballads I like best.
Favorite track: Tenderly
Ferndale Patch thanks Jillean McCommons and the Ferndale Public Library for these recommendations! Check back soon for more ideas from library staff. Are you looking for recommendations on something specific? Email jessica.schrader@patch.com, and we'll pass on your questions to the library.
