Captain Black Big Band Named Best of 2011 by A Blog Supreme

CBBB

The Captain Black Big Band was named named #8 in the Best Jazz of 2011 by A Blog Supreme.

“The Captain Black Big Band is more accurately the Captain Black Big Bands, plural: a rotating, multi-generational cast of top-notch jazz musicians from several East Coast cities. Pianist Orrin Evans plays ringleader, as he’s the one with the Rolodex of musicians (so to speak) and the one willing to gather everyone together every so often. That makes for a good narrative of community spirit and tradition renewal, but more importantly, the bands make great music. The arrangements are brassy, the solos ballsy; seemingly every second of this live recording is suffused with redline intensity. It’s a confirmation — and a celebration — that swing never lost its swagger.”

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Interview with Zivit Shlank for Phawker.com

Zivit Shlank

I sat down with WRTI Temple Public Radio jazz host Zivit Shlank in Rittenhouse Park some time ago to interview for her new Blog on Phawker.com. Our two hour conversation included thoughts on my grandparents, Wynton Marsalis, Erykah Badu, my latest album ROOTS and the NEW Quartet.

Read the interview.