***: Out There parts 1 & 2

There's a lot of folks who shutter when someone says the word "Jazz" ... I admit, when I used to hear the word as a kid I instantly thought of that crappy, cheesy-bad Kenny G elevator version of Jazz ... Later in life (starting with Duke Ellington) I slowly learned that there is soooo much incredible and amazing Jazz out there to be discovered (especially from the early 1940's to the late 1960's) ...

These mixes aren't an attempt to try and convert anyone into a Jazz-lover, they are more of a celebration of a type of Jazz that most people have dubbed "free Jazz" ... to me it's sort the pentacle in the evolution of this particular kind of music ... Musicians creating this type of Jazz really viewed it as more of an artform ... and you can definitely hear that in the songs I included. The tunes are playful and unpredictable ... They don't hold you down but instead, lead you all over the place and take your mind and soul into realms unexplored!

Like I said, these mixes may not change anyone's opinion of Jazz, but I do hope that if you've claimed to hate the genre, you'll at least give it a 2nd chance by dipping your finger in this! Who knows? You may walk away a completely new person!!! Haha ...

Let's begin!

Part one is more calm and mysterious ... probably a good mix to drive around late at night to or maybe taking a long walk in the dark ... Beware, though ... it gets crrraaazy at the end!!!

Part two is a bit wilder ... more chaotic ... and free ... and even kinda scary! Dig!

I hope you enjoyed this "Out There" trip!

You can download the experience RIGHT HERE.

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...RANDOM NEWS...

So the Magic City Art Connection festival took place once again at Linn Park here in Birmingham, AL and it was a ton of fun! My friend Lisa Cordes was my neighbor (check out her amazing needlework at Cordes Quilts!) and that alone made the festival so much better and exciting! We both did very well sale-wise, too ... Thanks, Lisa!

Here's a shot of the inside of my tent =

And here's 2 of my friend Elizabeth's kids (Paz & Aaron) milling around my nutty artwork

(photo by Darren Griffin)

Also, the Birmingham News did a piece about the festival and photo'ed my tent in it ... Check it out HERE!

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<<<<<VIDEOTIME HAS ARRIVED>>>>>

1st up is this bit of awkward wonderfulness by the one & only Kwes. =

And this new one from Perfume Genius is really sweet, strange and beautiful =

Music videos don't usually make me cry, but this one by Mirel Wagnerdid exactly that =

Craig Stroud posted this great one stating : "It just goes to show: the (electric) guitar is universally enjoyed. Just stumbled on this: she's either Malay or Indo., not sure. But she totally rocks!" True! Thanks, Craig!

**And now, some dessert for your funnybone!**

Weld Magazine posted this bit of retro ridiculousness saying : "It’s difficult to explain how awesome this video is, but I’ll try. For one, there’s people — grown men and women, presumably with friends and families — dressed up like American Gladiators contestants. Second, they’re doing aerobics — well, actually, they’re dancing, badly. Third, it’s the ’80s. And fourth, TV’s Alan Thicke hosts, and he tries (and fails) at telling jokes." ... Cheers, Weld! =