The Jazz Shmammys - who cares?

OK, pardon me if I vent a little.  With the new awards structure created by the Grammy Organization, they have cut back the Jazz category from 6 to 4 awards.  

One of them, “Best Improvised Jazz Solo”, has always been a bit of a joke.  How can one solo a year by a jazz artist top all others?  And how many of the Grammy members seek out the recordings and then seek out the solos in question to actually judge which is best?  Luckily, Herbie Hancock did not release an album this year, so someone else has a shot at this category.   

The one good thing they did was remove the “Best Contemporary Jazz Album” category, merging it with the “Best Jazz Instrumental Album” category.  Now that “Smooth Jazz” is officially dead, who can draw the line between “jazz” and “contemporary jazz”?  Of course now The Yellowjackets compete against Sonny Rollins, but hey, why not?  At least they have moved Dave Koz to the "Best Pop Instrumental Album" category. 

More Good news: of the 21 albums nominated, 16 are from independent labels (unless we consider Concord Records a major label – they have 5 nominations).  And now, with the help of Spotify (and little or no help from the Grammy Organization) we can actually listen to all the artists before we vote for a $5.00 monthly fee.  I guess we will see on Feb. 12 if any new names surface amongst the winners, or if the Jazz Grammys continue to be a popularity contest amongst established artists.

Mahler-Palooza

Some say Mahler is an acquired taste
but I took to his music immediately
when I was introduced to it.

Although he wrote in a Post-Romantic style, in many ways he was the first truly 20th Century composer.

A few words used to describe Mahler in Harold Schonberg's "The Lives of the Great Composers":
eternal questing
seeking and searching
inability to come to terms with society
guilt complex
doubt and anxieties
an "obsessive neurotic"
a psychic weakling
a sentimentalist
austere
despotic
querulous
arrogant
a "manic depressive"

In other words, the first 20th Century Schizoid Man.

"Only when I experience do I compose -
only when I compose do I experience."
- Gustav Mahler
The Los Angeles Philharmonic, under the direction of their 30-year old conductor Gustavo Dudamel, is performing "The Mahler Project", all 9 symphonies (plus the Adagio from the 10th) in a three-week time span.

I, of course, have to go.
I will bask in 7 symphonies in the course of the next 14 days, including the rarely performed Symphony #8 which asks for an orchestra and chorus of 1000 performers.

Over the years this overwhelming amount of music
has spoken to my heart
led me into marriage
and charted points in my mental joy and anguish.

Mahler died at the age of 51 in 1911.
His last completed score (Symphony #10: Adagio) was completed in 1910.
His music, and his life, bridges the Millennium.
Two years later, Schoenberg performed "Pierrot Lunaire".
Three years later, Stravinsky performed "The Rite of Spring".
Mahler's symphonies certainly led the way, consciously or unconsciously, for these composers.

Mahler was a crazy diamond.
I look forward to spending time studying the facets,
watching them shine.

Happy Holidays From George Kahn

Happy Holidays!  Please enjoy this video of my conducting debut with the Santa Monica High School Symphony, playing "Sleigh Ride" by Leroy Anderson

Join me at the Holiday Party of the Season December 14

Once a year I put on this special Jazz Holiday Party to raise money for the homeless in Los Angeles. We have so much compared to others, and it is time to share a little with those less fortunate.
PATH Ventures is building housing for the previously homeless in Los Angeles. We get together and play great jazz and blues. No long speeches. Just a night of great music at the Premiere Jazz Club in Hollywood, CA, The Catalina Jazz Club (see below for more details!)
This year I could really use your help.
- come out for the show! Tickets start at $25. (see details below)
- spread the word by forwarding this announcement to others that might enjoy the evening!
- think about having your corporation sponsor a table at the event by calling Elisabeth Walker at 323-644-2209
- post a flyer at your office (I have real pretty ones I can mail to you, if you want – just let me know)
- if you can’t make the show, please consider making a donation to PATH Ventures by calling Elisabeth Walker at 323-644-2209

George Kahn To Be Featured Guest Artist At The Catalina Jazz Club 25th Anniversary Concert Monday Evening, October 17

On Monday evening, October 17, the Catalina Jazz Club will host their 25th Anniversary Bash, benefiting the California Jazz Foundation. The evening will be under the musical direction of Grammy-nominated jazz artist John Beasley, and will feature Jazz pianist, George Kahn and his group.

The event will be an all-star evening of Jazz,
featuring a long list of renowned players
that have performed at the
Catalina Jazz Club over the years.
Doors open at 7 PM and music begins at 8 PM.

George Kahn has a long history of performing at Catalina, beginning in 1998. Catalina Bar & Grill has certainly lived up to its slogan "Nothing But The Best In Jazz" by presenting a veritable ‘Who's Who’ of Jazz legends. The tentative list of performers for the 25th Anniversary bash include (in alphabetical order) John Beasley, David Benoit, Brian Bromberg, Stanley Clarke, Ndugo Chancler, Peter Erskine, George Kahn, Lainie Kazan, Mike Lange, Hubert Laws, Barbara Morrison, Lee Ritenour, Tierney Sutton, and members of The Yellow Jackets.

The California Jazz Foundation will be the beneficiary of all proceeds from the door at this event as well as a silent auction filled with wonderful items. The Foundation is a charitable, nonprofit organization created to aid and assist California Jazz musicians with financial or medical crisis. Established in 2006, The Foundation was formed to fulfill an unmet critical need to help these talented artists who have given us so much pleasure over the years –
Suggested minimum donation for this event is $25, and the proceeds go to The California Jazz Foundation .

Catalina Jazz Club is located at 6725 West Sunset Blvd.
Hollywood California 90028
Phone: (323) 466-2210 for reservations
(One block EAST of Highland Ave.)


info@californiajazzfoundation.org

Japan Relief Concert - Walt Disney Concert Hall Father’s Day, June 19th, 2011 at 7:00pm

There is a wonderful concert taking place this Sunday (Father’s Day) June 19th:
Guido Lamell, a member of the LA Phil, has organized a benefit concert for Japan Relief at Disney Hall with a performance of Beethoven’s 9th. The orchestra and choir will consist of many of the best musicians in Los Angeles. As a special treat, my wife Diana Zaslove Kahn will be in the choir, and my son, Evan Kahn will be playing cello in the orchestra!
When you are done with your Father’s Day BBQ, please come join us downtown at Disney Hall. Tickets are available from TicketMaster, or at the Disney Hall Box Office (and yes, you will be able to buy tickets the night of the performance at the door)

Music Center’s Walt Disney Concert Hall Father’s Day, June 19th, 2011 at 7:00pm
Beethoven’s 9th Symphony and Chorale Finale Sing-Along
Performed by the
L.A. Musicians Symphony and Chorus
Music Director and Conductor
Guido Lamell

featuring musicians from Los Angeles’ finest orchestras and choirs including: L.A. Philharmonic, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, LA Master Chorale, Los Robles Master Chorale, Pasadena Symphony, New West Symphony, USC, UCLA, Colburn School, Santa Monica High School and more.
Event and ticket information
www.Beethoven9forJapan.org

Ticket proceeds are tax deductible in part and will be distributed for the benefit of Japan Earthquake Relief and Rebuilding efforts through the
U.S. Japan Council Earthquake Relief Fund
Tickets: $30 - $140 available through Disney Hall Box Office (in person) and Ticketmaster (online and phone)