Warren Bernhardt

'Floating' by Warren Bernhardt. From 1979, on vinyl.

I read yesterday, that Warren Bernhardt had passed away a few days ago at 82 years old.

I recall finding this record many years ago at Djangos in Portland. I haven't listened to it much since that day but suddenly here I am, forty years later, reading of his passing and thinking about life.

I know very little about his career other than he was a member of the jazz group, Steps Ahead and that he also played with Steely Dan.

Improvisational, piano Jazz on this recording that I am truly appreciating tonight.

Paul Bley & NHOP

Self-titled album from Paul Bley and Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen. Just stumbled across yesterday on a road trip to search for vinyl records. 

Recording from 1973. On the Inner City Records, label. Improvisational free jazz pieces for piano, both acoustic and electric, and bass. Some more melodic than others. All fascinating. 

I've been drawn to and fascinated by improvisational jazz ever since hearing, 'The Koln Concert' by Keith Jarrett on the radio over forty-five years ago. Shortly after that, I discovered the two volume, 'Piano Improvisations' by Chick Corea.

Time For Some Trumpet

Markus Stockhausen - 'Cosi Lontano ... Quasi Dentro.'

On vinyl, from 1989 and on the ECM Records label. Contemporary jazz. 

Markus Stockhausen is a trumpet player. The sounds are improvisational, avante-garde and often minimalist. Also playing on the record is bassist, Gary Peacock, who can be heard on many of ECM's jazz offerings and was a part of Keith Jarret's trio.

This record was found in the used bins of the record store, but the vinyl is in pristine shape. Like it has never been played in the thirty-three years since it was released.

Terry Riley

'Lisbon Concert' by Terry Riley. Improvisational piano. Jazz or Classical, I'm not sure.

I wouldn't compare it to Keith Jarrett's, 'Koln Concert' but there's moments that bring those sounds to mind. Certainly not the minimalism that Terry Riley usually engages in.

Tonights Listen

First heard fourty years ago on late night FM radio. Captivated by the opening piano notes. Amazed both then and now that it's all improvisation. Exploring ideas. A different direction from what I knew as Jazz. In fact, my proper introduction to Jazz and the sounds of ECM Records, their motto being: "The Most Beautiful Sound Next to Silence."