E. Doctor Smith's Blog

Recently, I received a copy of a fantastic DVD by the the multi-talented musician Kit Watkins entitled, "The Works". This Data/DVD is an incredible collection that spans nearly thirty years of this prolific artist. Watkins first came to my attention on the campus of Georgetown University, during his tenure as founding member of the group, "Happy the Man". Sponsored by the university's then forward thinking radio station, WGTB, Watkins and his group produced a show that is now the stuff of legend and heralded the age of prog-rock and new age music of the late '70's and '80s. There are 27 albums and 12 bonus tracks in mp3 format on the DVD, (including my personal favorite, "Over the Andes" with Coco Rousell), making this a must have collection of a true musical genius. Another reviewer once wrote of Watkins, "Kit Watkins first came to prominence as part of legendary progressive band, Happy the Man. Despite disbanding years a

Billy Cobham is clearly one of the greatest drummers of this or any era. At age 63, he still brings it. His career is certainly legendary; Miles, McCoy Tyner, Horace Silver, Stanley Turrentine and a founding member of one the greatest fusion groups of all time; John McLaughlin's Mahavishnu Orchestra, just to name a few. Last week, Cobham began a week long stint at the Yoshi's on Fillmore with his "Spectrum Revisited" quartet, featuring guitarist Dean Brown, keyboardist Mark Soskin and bassist Victor Bailey. That group ably covered some of Cobham's electric music of the '70's, '80's and '90's. Last night, Cobham paired down his 7 piece kit and moved to the Yoshi's in Oakland, this time with his "straight ahead" group, with pianist Kenny Barron, bassist John Williams and long time friend and trumpeter, the incredible Randy Brecker. Along side his late brother, the saxophonist Michael Brecker, they helped cement Cobha

with Edo Castro and E. "Doc" Smith Bassist Michael Manring is well known for his work with groups like Montreux, Henry Kaiser and Wadada Leo Smith's Yo' Miles!; his duets with the much beloved and sorely missed Michael Hedges, songwriter John Gorka and a host of the Windaham Hill label's best known recording artists like George Winston. His most recent CD, "Soliloquy", is yet another musical milestone. However in 2001, Manring began his collaborations with fellow virtuosos, flautist Larry Kassin and pianist Tom Darter, resulting in their seminal work "Scatter". This Saturday night at Mill Valley's 142 Throckmorton Theatre, the trio reunites for what promises to be another wonderful evening of "chamber music for the new millennium". Separately, Manring, Kassin, and Darter have extensive, multi-faceted careers as musicians. Together, they perform provocative, complex compositions - music that tears down stylistic walls

One of my fondest jazz memories came many years ago at Maryland's Merriweather Post Pavilion. I had come to see the fantastic pianist Herbie Hancock's V.S.O.P., (very special onetime performance), quintet. This was the reunion of Miles Davis' original quintet, featuring saxophonist Wayne Shorter, bassist Ron Carter, drummer Tony Williams and in Miles' stead, the one and only Freddie Hubbard on trumpet. Each performer began the show by trading and soloing, until settling in on Hubbard. He didn't disappoint. Tonight and Saturday, Hubbard makes his debut at the new Yoshi's on Fillmore, celebrating his 70th birthday.Joining him are Bobby Hutcherson, George Cables, James Spaulding, Craig Handy, and Lenny White. Freddie Hubbard is jazz royalty. One of the greatest trumpeters in the music’s history, the Indianapolis native came out of the Clifford Brown and Lee Morgan tradition to hone his own fiery and widely influential style. After rising to prominence