Ralph A. Miriello

@Noahpinion So all that studying, trying to improve yourself and becoming a more educated individual yields to good citizenship! Who a thought?

There's no a priori reason to expect this same relationship to hold for AI, but I bet it does.

"Soundscapes." Take a few minutes with him and the band on his “The Conversation” where we get to hear the fine tuned machine that is the WDR Big Band and also get to here Mintzer’s potent tenor.youtu.be/bUYmuhpTGdU?si… via @YouTube

found expertise in melding grooves with complex harmonies while writing music that would accentuate the competencies of his band members to great effect. His craft is especially on display when you lead such a skilled and versatile band as the WRD Big Band, and it shows on

In May of 2021 the saxophonist/composer/arranger Bob Mintzer released "Soundscapes" with the fabulous WDR Big Band. Mintzer became and remains the chief conductor for this vibrant Germany based big jazz band since 2106. Although not schooled in the art of arranging and conducting

My review of Roberto Magris/Denis Razz Quartet "In Action" on JMood records. A gift of surprises. notesonjazz.blogspot.com/2026/04/robert… Roberto Magris / Denis Razz Quartet - Discipline II 27 (Sun Ra) youtu.be/Xy4MXNZ3Rmc?si… via @YouTube

How a Paul Bley solo in 1963 was as Pat Metheny said "... the shot heard round the world." Ten pianists talk about this solo and Bley back in 2016 and still relevant. notesonjazz.blogspot.com/2026/04/severa…> youtu.be/rWLaYwWRHSU?si… via @YouTube

@rwilliams1947 Sadly so true!

I’m listening to Roberta Flack’s version of Eugene McDaniels’ “Compared to What”: The President, he’s got his war / Folks don’t know just what it’s for / No one gives us rhyme or reason / Have one doubt, they call it treason Even truer today than it was 57 years ago.

My review of the wonderful Cal Tjader: Catch the Groove from Jazz Detective/Elemental Music. notesonjazz.blogspot.com/2026/04/the-sh… Reza (Live) youtu.be/TFmiQ-ecfIA?si… via @YouTube

and Christian Euman’s brush work gives the whole take the cool it deserves. It doesn’t get much better than this. youtu.be/6c2m5oU_mLs?si… via @YouTube

as the Frishberg lyrics speak to him here. Eric Reed’s piano accompaniment and solo are superbly understated, playing it just right, offering a tingling, bluesy vibe. Grant Geissmann’s guitar adds a more twanging spice to the mix as Gabe Davis’s bass struts with authority

The crooner Mark Winkler released an album titled "Hold On" back in August of 2025 on Café Pacific Records. Winkler’s smooth, hip voice always has his way with a song. He wasn’t just singing the lyrics; he was bringing them alive like a storyteller who was in the know.

Christian Euman’s brush work gives the whole take the cool it deserves. It doesn’t get much better than this. A Little Taste youtu.be/6c2m5oU_mLs?si… via @YouTube

as the Frishberg lyrics speak to him here. Eric Reed’s piano accompaniment and solo are superbly understated, playing it just right, offering a tingling, bluesy vibe. Grant Geisman’s guitar adds a more twanging spice to the mix as Gabe Davis’s bass struts with authority and

My review of Dave Stryker and his trio : Blue Fire : The Van Gelder Session- Strikezone Records notesonjazz.blogspot.com/2026/03/dave-s… Dave Stryker - Blue Fire | Blue Fire: The Van Gelder Session youtu.be/JcK_Ekw9jww?si… via @YouTube

that operate on a level that uses uncanny intuition and like-minded purpose. Add this one to your playlist. Danny Grissett - Renatus youtu.be/SflJ_xtEArI?si… via @YouTube

the music is moving, beautifully realized and worth multiple plays. The group included the sinewy saxophone of Dayna Stephens, the stalwart bass plying of Vincente Archer and the impressionistic drum work of Bill Stewart. These guys are harmoniously connected like a brotherhood

In 2015, Danny Grissett lost his older brother Robert Grissett Jr., an inspiration whose loss the pianist was still trying to process. In 2017, Danny released an album titled "Remembrance" on Savant Records as an aural dedication. I had a chance to revisit the album recently, and