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 ...

The incredible Sonny Rollins comes to Berkeley's Zellerbach Hall, next Thursday, April 3rd, and begins a world tour that will take him to Japan, Europe and Brazil. When Rollins picks up the tenor saxophone, the world listens. "The last jazz immortal," according to the Village Voice, he is the most formidable of all improvisers and a living inspiration to musicians and listeners alike. Rollins first recorded in 1949 and today, he is one of the few surviving icons from a golden era of jazz that will probably never be equaled. Rollins chooses to "live lightly on the planet," and at the core of his humble lifestyle is a demanding practice regime, essential because of the tremendous demands he places on himself. Rather than exploit his fame, he chooses his creative venues carefully, working only when he likes and recording sporadically. Consequently, every Rollins live appearance sparkles like a rare gem, to be admired and treasured. Theodore Walter Roll...

The Bay Area is home to some of the most talented and eclectic musicians I have ever seen; tonight at Berkeley's famed Cafe Trieste comes another such talent, the seven stringed bass virtuoso Edo Castro. Castro has performed with a plethora of jazz greats; Roy Haynes, Ed Thigpen, Johhny Griffin, Armando Peraza, Stu Hamm and Mark Egan, just to name but a few. His talented quartet, featuring the amazing saxophonist Charles Moselle, guitarist Erik Lindquist and drummer Alex Aspinall will be joining him and performing selections from his first album, the self-titled "Edo" as well as his critically acclaimed and Grammy nominated latest, "Phoenix". For those who have yet to see this incredible talent, tonight's performance is another wonderful opportunity you won't want to miss. A native San Franciscan who grew up in the Haight-Ashbury during the 60’s, Castro has been called "an eclectic modern instrumentalist borrowing from jazz, ambient, fo...

The group Ten Mile Tide first came to my attention via their wonderful guitarist Jason Munning and his work with Berkeley songwriter Cas Lucas and his band. Munning's laid back, yet beautiful, fluid style really complimented Lucas' originals, so much so that it compelled me delve into his own group, Ten Mile Tide. What I found I was a musical triumph amid personal tragedy. The last two years have been a rocky ride for this San Francisco-based Americana/Fiddle-rock sextet. Their band has gone from national success to burnout to tragedy and back again. Their first shows of 2008 began at the Fillmore's famed Poster Room last Saturday and continues through Sunday at Potrero Hill's Connecticut Yankee. In January 2006, Ten Mile Tide was nominated for a Jammy for the New Groove of the Year. In March, they released their third and much anticipated self-titled album that redefined the band’s sound, and was met with strong reviews to debut in the Top 50 Americana c...