Reuben Jackson Reviews Enrico Rava's Latest

2013 is still getting comfortable in the batter's box, but we've already been graced with a recording worthy of attention.

Batting first (watch this space for more) - trumpeter Enrico Rava.  His lyrical and artistically curious work for the German-based ECM label both conform to and play hooky from the label's penchant for introspection.

But even longtime Rava fans might find themselves surprised with the newly released Rava On The Dance Floor, a recording culled from a 2011 concert of compositions written by, or associated with Michael Jackson.  Rava confesses to only having a "superficial acquaintance" with Jackson's work, but when he happened upon his wife watching a concert DVD after the singer's death, he "couldn't live without this music."

The aforementioned passion abounds throughout "Dance Floor". Trombonist Mauro Ottolini's
ensemble arrangements of "Thriller", "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" and "They Don't Care About Us" provide the 12-piece aggregation substantive solo and ensemble passages, and sublime but rhythmically infectious foundations, while maintaining the integrity of the originals.

The alternately rocking and reflective "They Don't Care About Us" is unquestionably one of the collection's highlights. This performance successfully fuses deliciously raucous guitar work by Marcello Gianini, and defiant, preaching solos by Rava, tenor saxophonist Dan Kinzelman and trombonist Daniele Tittarelli.  The opening moments of "Thriller" fill the air like menacing yet seductive shadows.

By contrast, the band's reading of the Charlie Chaplin ballad "Smile" (one of Michael Jackson's many idols) is tender, but never mawkish. Rava's trumpet beautifully caresses and personalizes the melody, while the ensemble offers wistful yet hopeful sighs.

Rava On The Dance Floor is a noteworthy addition to the Italian-born trumpeter’s body of recordings. Michael Jackson would be glad to know that musicians such as Enrico Rava are honoring and interpreting the music he cared so much about.

Listen Friday, February 8 beginning at 8 p.m. for my favorite picks from this CD.

- Reuben Jackson
Host of Friday Night Jazz, 8-11 on VPR

New Programs Added to VPR News Weeknight Schedule

We are pleased to announce new programs coming to the VPR News service on weeknights beginning Monday, September 10.

Monday through Thursday evenings, we’ve added Q from the CBC at 8 p.m. Q, which got positive feedback from listeners during a test run last month, is an energetic arts, culture, and entertainment magazine that takes you on a smart and surprising ride, interviewing personalities and tackling today’s cultural issues around the world. Hosted by Jian Ghomeshi, with his trademark wit and spontaneity, Q covers pop culture and high arts alike with forays into the most provocative and compelling cultural trends. 

Credit: Michel Martin by Stephen Voss

At 9 p.m., NPR’s Tell Me More brings fresh voices and perspectives to public radio. Capturing the headlines, issues and pleasures relevant to multicultural life in America, the daily one-hour series is hosted by award-winning journalist Michel Martin. Tell Me More focuses on the way we live, intersect, and sometimes collide in a culturally diverse world. Each day's show features a variety of segments examining U.S. and international news, ideas, and people.

And at 10 p.m., VPR has created Tonight On VPR, which features a different program every night: On Being on Mondays, The State We’re In on Tuesdays, Moyers And Company on Wednesdays, and To The Best Of Our Knowledge on Thursdays.

Credit: Reuben Jackson by Stephanie Seguino

On Friday nights, kick off your weekend with Friday Night Jazz With Reuben Jackson, our new local jazz program from 8-11 p.m. Reuben is former curator of the Duke Ellington collection at the Smithsonian, a jazz expert, and now, a Burlington High School teacher. Reuben's program kicks off a weekend of locally-hosted music in the evenings, joining My Place with Joel Najman on Saturday and All the Traditions with Robert Resnik on Sundays.

We’ve also added a new 24-hour jazz stream, available at VPR.net, our mobile website, and iPhone app. VPR Jazz24 features the great jazz artists of all time as well as today's top talents and is produced by Pacific Public Media, which operates KPLU in Tacoma, WA.

These programs provide listeners with a new and deep experience in arts and culture, and fresh voices and perspectives on how we live and intersect in a culturally diverse world.

We hope you’ll check out our new weeknight lineup and let us know what you think!

Introducing Friday Night Jazz With Reuben Jackson

We’d like to you meet Reuben Jackson, who will host Friday Night Jazz with Reuben Jackson from 8-11 p.m. beginning Friday, August 31.

Reuben takes you on a new adventure every week, exploring the great American invention called jazz. You’ll explore the back roads and alleys of the genre, the musicians and standards you love, and experience that essential element of surprise. Reuben also shares his in-depth knowledge of the stories behind the music.

Reuben Jackson is a poet, music critic and educator with jazz in his soul and radio in his blood. He hosted his first jazz radio program as a student at Goddard College in Plainfield, Vermont. Now, after 50 years in Washington, D.C., Reuben has returned to Vermont to teach and share his passion for music.

Reuben was curator of the Duke Ellington Collection at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. for more than 20 years. His music reviews have been published in The Washington Post, Washington City Paper, All About Jazz, Jazz Times, Jazziz, and on National Public Radio’s All Things Considered. Reuben is also a poet, a mentor with The Young Writers Project and educator. He now teaches English at Burlington High School in Burlington, Vermont.

“I am drawn to jazz's emotional and structural possibilities."
- Reuben Jackson

His decision to leave Washington and return to Vermont to teach is chronicled in a series of interviews on The Story with Dick Gordon.

Reuben says that he loves music – period, and because of that, he doesn’t always distinguish between genres. However, “I am drawn to jazz's emotional and structural possibilities. It allows the player room for his or her musical personality to profoundly shape the musical direction and output. I look forward to sharing what poet/musician Patti Smith dubbed the 'sea of possibilities' within this rich genre.”

What can listeners expect on Friday nights?

“I seek to achieve chronological, stylistic and emotional balance. I'm a romantic with a real thing for ballads, so I have to constantly remind myself that I'm not in my living room (although I hope listeners feel that degree of comfort), and that not everyone wants to hear ninety versions of 'Time On My Hands.' I also think that we as jazz programmers have to include more female performers - and not just vocalists.”

“I think that a well-arranged show is not unlike a well-written piece of music. You want it to be interesting to the audience, and you want the audience to feel like they’re part of the experience. I also feel that variety is important. I'm reminded of something the great saxophonist Lester Young told a journalist: 'You've got to be original, man.'"

We hope you’ll join Reuben, a true original himself, on Friday nights beginning August 31!