Hot Club of San Francisco

We've seen this band twice, and they immediately became one of our favorites. Here's what Cam Miller had to say about one of their CDs in his Choice Cuts column.

The Hot Club of San Francisco, Bohemian Maestro: Django Reinhardt And the Impressionists, Azica Records, 16 Selections, TT = 59:10


If you’ve seen the October issue of Jazz Times, it would have been pretty difficult not to notice a two-page photo spread devoted to the Hot Club of San Francisco used in conjunction with Andrew Gilbert’s account on the increasing popularity of gypsy bands.

Well-deserved recognition for the San Fran strings-only quintet (it also plays under the name of Le Jazz Hot) led by solo guitarist and banjoist Paul Mehling and whose personnel includess the versastile Clint Baker on bass and classical violinist Evan Price (Turtle Island Quartet).

Though solidly in the great Gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt’s corner in terms of both music and instrumental make up, Mehling also leads his band into the land of Jelly Roll Morton on banjo with a delightful take of “The Pearls” and adds the suupport of the Aeros Quintet that includes clarinets, necessary for Django’s “Improvisation No. 3.” On three selections, the addition of pianist Jeffrey Kahane puts the band into a swinging mode, and for a closing statement in keeping with impressionists other than Reinhardt, Mehling’s group essays DeBussy’s glorious “Claire De Lune.” Credit Price with the exquisite arrangement.

In conclusion, unlike other Django band replications that seem to be more interested in the Belgian guitarist’s technique than his music, the Bay city fivesome puts more emphasis on the spirit of the melodies.

GRADE: A + (For info, orders: http://www.azica.com/)

On The Home Front

Earlier today I told Sandra (ManyHorsesMane) that I would post some artwork. Unfortunately, my camera turned everything into a fuzzy, colorless mess. So, as soon as I find out why it's doing that, I'll post photos of some of my artwork that I've kept. Things that were sold or given away are no longer available -- the photos were lost in the Great Computer Crash of '09.

Instead, you may now be in awe of the Valentine's Kit that I received from Loopy Ewe yesterday. I'm not sure what to do with this yarn -- most likely a shawl, but suggestions would be appreciated. I mean, it feels sacrilegious to even think about winding something called "Chocolate Strawbery Ganache!" It's so beautiful as is!

On the other hand, I know exactly what to do with Keri's 3AM KIP bag! She's an absolute wizard and I'm in awe of her talent.

It's time to watch the Super Bowl pre-game show and then the game. I'm guessing that the Colts will probably win, but hoping the Saints can do it. Who dat say they gonna beat dem Saints???  Who Dat!!!

Jazz Art Wearables

Have you ever wanted a shimmy dress?  Or a cushion to save your chair while you dance?  I have both, and more fun "Jazz Wearables," thanks to Jeff and Bev Bishop and Racy Ltd.

Jeff and Bev set up shop at most of the jazz festivals and you haven't lived until you've shopped with them! Catch them at the Fresno, CA, Seaside, OR, and Monterey, CA festivals . . . and check the rest of their schedule here.

On The Home Front

The charity quilt is off the machine. I'll get it trimmed and bagged tomorrow and run it over to Cozy Quiltin' so they can pick it up.

I can "run it over" to Cozy because my little car came home today. I ran it into a curb last week and its front wheel was sitting more than a little sideways. You wouldn't think a curb could do that much damage. And, for the record, there was no cell phone involvement -- I reached over to the passenger seat to keep some postcards from falling off. Luckily, it happened a block from home. It's all fixed now, thanks to AAA, and back in the garage where it belongs. I love that little car and its turbo!

I did a couple of rows on the Aestlight shawl last night. There are eight more rows of Bird's Eye before I start on the edging substitution. I haven't compared the stitch count yet, but I'll be using the edging pattern from Wendy's Exonumist's Shawl. Wendy used this edging on her Aestlight and it's beautiful. I'm not sure why it photographs purple, when it's mostly reddish-brown.

Basque in Fresno

Don and I met in a Basque restaurant. Yes, really. It was at the afterglow party in Los Baños following the second Santa Nella Jazz Festival. Mom and I were at the festival because our friend George Probert had "asked" that we be there (he actually said "You will be there!"). We didn't usually go to afterglow parties, but we were on vacation and had a day to spare, so we went. The Swiss Firehouse Five + 2 band played at the festival and were invited to the party. With a tuba playing a waltz, Don asked me to dance. Eighteen months, and a lot of trips to Fresno later, we were married.

A couple of years ago we were at the Fresno Sounds of Mardi Gras Festival and someone told us about a Basque restaurant in Fresno. Naturally, we had to look it up. It turns out that there are two Basque restaurants in Fresno. You really should go -- it's fun and the food is fantastic! I believe this is the one we visited: Santa Fe Basque Restaurant and Bar, N. Maroa Ave., Fresno, CA.

On The Home Front

Today's job is a freebie. It's a charity quilt. I don't remember who it's for, but it's obviously not Quilts of Valor. This one is a bit of a chore. The quilt is nice, but the back isn't wide enough -- it should be at least 4" wider than the quilt on each side. This one is about 1-1/2" each side. I had to sew muslin strips to the sides so I'd have room to work. Also, the back had to be sewn together and pressed. The batting is polyester (I prefer cotton or wool), and came in a package. That's not always bad, but it does hide thick and thin spots.

Elmo says, "Stop complaining and get back to work!"

And Toto slinks away at the sight of a camera.

Charles Templeton Ragtime Jazz Festival

From the Ragtime Calendar:

March 26-27:  Charles Templeton Ragtime Jazz Festival, Mississippi State University. Frederick Hodges, David Jasen, Carl Sonny Leyland, Adam Swanson, Terry Waldo. Info: 662-325-2559, library.­msstate.­edu/­ragtime/­festival/­index.­html



On The Home Front

Every other Tuesday a lady we've known for fourteen years comes in to clean our nest so we can stand to live here for another two weeks. On that day my job is to stay out of her way, so depending on the time of the month I end up in the office working on the Rag or in my  'sewing/painting/knitting/quilting/study/TV/treadmill' room doing crafty things.

Today it was the SPKQSTT room, where I started the hand-sewing part of the binding on the commission quilt. My quilting instructor can complete the binding on a queen-size quilt in an evening, and it would pass inspection at any large quilt show. I, on the other hand, can take weeks to hand-sew the binding on a lap-size quilt. I don't know why this is. I've been hemming skirt hems since I was old enough to hold a needle, so it's not lack of knowledge. I guess I just get tired of sitting, or bored doing the same thing for hours. However, I'm really trying to get this one done faster since there's a good possibility that it will be sold. I've almost finished one side . . . and I will keep going a little more today before I stop to do some knitting. The manly socks, girly socks, and shawlette need to be finished, too. Right???

Elmo says, "Right!!!" (She knows where the sunflower seed treats come from.)

Enter Jim Buchmann

Not entering the jazz scene, he's been around for quite a while. Jim is scheduled to become a permanent member of the Titan Hot Seven this month. He will be replacing Bob Draga, who apparently is moving on to other things. We wish Bob well in whatever he chooses to do, and hope we will continue to see him on the festival circuit.

Jim Buchmann (photo at right) is also known as "Gentleman Jim," and the nickname fits him. He is one of the nicest musicians we've met, and one of the most talented, too. In my opinion, there are few reed players on the circuit who play as well as Jim.

If you'd like to know a little bit more about Jim, the story is on the front page of the December/January issue of The American Rag. If you are thinking of subscribing, be sure to add $3.00 to the subscription cost and request this issue!

On The Home Front

After a break yesterday for brunch, football, and knitting, Jan's quilt is finally on the machine and a little more than halfway done.

The fabrics are all batiks and much prettier than in the photo. The quilt is twin size. She made it for a 2-year-old boy. I suspect he'll love the horses! Jan's favorite quilting design is called Meandering Suns. You can see it on the darker blocks, even though it's a bad photo.

The heel is turned on one of the manly socks, and the other one is about halfway.

Now comes the hard part . . . staying interested long enough to get the leg of the sock high enough. I can't tell you how many knitting projects I've started and not finished -- because once I'm through the interesting part and know what the design looks like, I'm bored with the rest of it. Socks aren't quite as difficult because they're small. So there's some hope these will be finished.