I recently posted, onto 8tracks.com, a group of eight songs I have sung on, for your possible listening enjoyment, including songs from Spain, Charlie Haden Family & Friends, Esbjörn Svenssön Trio, Soulsavers, Blue Man Group, and Handsome Boy Modeling School.
Showing posts with label Charlie Haden. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Charlie Haden. Show all posts
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Friday, November 20, 2009
Charlie Haden Family & Friends At Walt Disney Hall - The Report
Thanks to everyone for coming to the Charlie Haden Family & Friends show at Walt Disney Hall! It was a lot of fun, and the music was amazing. I loved singing Donovan's "Catch The Wind", its one of my dad's favorite songs and we'd been trying to find an opportunity to play it for some time. All of the musicians sounded so great! Special thanks to Jerry Douglas for his amazing dobro solos on "Spiritual", can't get much more inspired than that!
If you thought the music on stage was good, you should have heard it in the halls backstage before the show. One of my favorite things about playing with this group is hearing the guys (Dan Tyminski, Bryan Sutton, Mark Fain, Jim Mills, Sam Bush, Stuart Duncan, and Jerry Douglas) jamming impromptu before we hit the stage.
Its always fun to watch my brother-in-law Jack Black ham it up on stage. My sisters, Petra, Rachel, and Tanya, sang in perfect harmony. My dad's wife Ruth Cameron sounded incredible, and my dad, as bandleader and bluegrass diplomat, held down the fort with his full bass notes and entertained and enlightened the audience as always with stories of his bluegrass past and words of inspiration and encouragement.
It was great to see my friend Ravi Coltrane backstage.
Meeting of the violinists: Lindsay Stella & Petra Haden
Spain keyboardist/guitarist Randy Kirk & Spain
guitarist Daniel Brummel made an appearance.
My dad Charlie & I backstage after the show.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Charlie Haden Family And Friends at Montreal Jazz Festival
I'll be singing with Charlie Haden Family and Friends Wednesday, July 8 at the Montreal Jazz Festival. Hope to see you there!
Monday, March 2, 2009
Photos From Charlie Haden Family & Friends At The Grand Ole Opry
On Feburary 28, 2009 Charlie Haden Family & Friends played at the legendary Grand Ole Opry. What an honor!
From left, Mark Fain, my brother-in-law Jack Black, my father Charlie Haden, my sisters Tanya, Rachel, and Petra rehearsing backstage.
Sam Bush, my father's wife Ruth Cameron, and Charlie backstage.
Charlie, Mark Fain, Stuart Duncan, Bryan Sutton, Ricky Skaggs, Sam Bush on stage at Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman.
Rachel and esteemed Opry announcer, radio DJ, and country music historian Eddie Stubbs.
Me and Ricky Skaggs backstage.
Thank you to everyone at the Opry who made this show possible, and especially to the audience, you were the best!
From left, Mark Fain, my brother-in-law Jack Black, my father Charlie Haden, my sisters Tanya, Rachel, and Petra rehearsing backstage.
Sam Bush, my father's wife Ruth Cameron, and Charlie backstage.
Charlie, Mark Fain, Stuart Duncan, Bryan Sutton, Ricky Skaggs, Sam Bush on stage at Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman.
Rachel and esteemed Opry announcer, radio DJ, and country music historian Eddie Stubbs.
Me and Ricky Skaggs backstage.
Thank you to everyone at the Opry who made this show possible, and especially to the audience, you were the best!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Lost Classics: Spain “The Blue Moods Of Spain”
From Magnet Magazine
:: SPAIN
The Blue Moods Of Spain // Restless, 1995
The Blue Moods Of Spain demonstrated what happened when the son of a jazzbo set forth to create a downcast, West Coast take on pure atmosphere. The cover art’s Blue Note quotation and Spain bandleader/bassist Josh Haden’s kinship to Ornette Coleman bassist Charlie Haden put the preconception of “jazz” on the tip of many listeners’ tongues. But Blue Moods was less about improvisational flair than it was about evoking a smoky, confessional vibe. Thankfully, all that ambience was backed up by considerable chops and Haden’s bottom-of-the-bottle baritone. Despite its immersion in the hipster Silverlake scene of the early ’90s (which included That Dog, featuring Haden’s sisters, Petra and Rachel), Spain had little patience for indie-rock preciousness.
Catching Up: Spain released two more albums before disbanding in 2001. In addition to various solo projects, Haden has collaborated with the Blue Man Group, Handsome Boy Modeling School, Donovan and others. Guitarist Merlo Podlewski has appeared on albums by Jack Johnson and Handsome Boy Modeling School. Haden has resurrected the Spain moniker and has plans for a new album and tour.
:: SPAIN
The Blue Moods Of Spain // Restless, 1995
The Blue Moods Of Spain demonstrated what happened when the son of a jazzbo set forth to create a downcast, West Coast take on pure atmosphere. The cover art’s Blue Note quotation and Spain bandleader/bassist Josh Haden’s kinship to Ornette Coleman bassist Charlie Haden put the preconception of “jazz” on the tip of many listeners’ tongues. But Blue Moods was less about improvisational flair than it was about evoking a smoky, confessional vibe. Thankfully, all that ambience was backed up by considerable chops and Haden’s bottom-of-the-bottle baritone. Despite its immersion in the hipster Silverlake scene of the early ’90s (which included That Dog, featuring Haden’s sisters, Petra and Rachel), Spain had little patience for indie-rock preciousness.
Catching Up: Spain released two more albums before disbanding in 2001. In addition to various solo projects, Haden has collaborated with the Blue Man Group, Handsome Boy Modeling School, Donovan and others. Guitarist Merlo Podlewski has appeared on albums by Jack Johnson and Handsome Boy Modeling School. Haden has resurrected the Spain moniker and has plans for a new album and tour.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Charlie Haden - Rambling Boy Documentary Film Premiere At REDCAT
Last Thursday I went to REDCAT to see the premiere of Charlie Haden - Rambling Boy, the new documentary about my father (Charlie Haden) directed by Reto Caduff.
It was a great movie and the premiere was lots of fun. My dad and Reto did a question and answer session after the film.
I'm not sure when it will have a general release but until then clips from the film can be found here.
It was a great movie and the premiere was lots of fun. My dad and Reto did a question and answer session after the film.
I'm not sure when it will have a general release but until then clips from the film can be found here.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Charlie Haden Family And Friends World Cafe Performance Online
For those of you who missed today's episode of the NPR radio program World Cafe, on which Charlie Haden Family & Friends performed songs from their cd "Rambling Boy", and Charlie Haden did an insightful interview with the show's host, David Dye, it can now be listened to online.
Click on "Web-Only Outtake: 'Spiritual' By Charlie Haden Family Band" to hear their version of the song "Spiritual", recorded especially for the show (but not included in the radio version of the show), with yours truly on vocals. This version is particularly stirring and noteworthy (in my humble opinion) because it contains the outstanding tandem violin and fiddle playing of Petra Haden and Stuart Duncan, respectively, which doesn't happen on the cd version. It also features the cello work of Tanya Haden, guitar work by John Leventhal and Mark Fain, mandolin playing by Dan Tyminski, and, of course, bass playing by Charlie Haden.
The group also performs the songs "Oh Take Me Back", "Rambling Boy", and "Ocean Of Diamonds", in addition to the interview with Charlie.
Click on "Web-Only Outtake: 'Spiritual' By Charlie Haden Family Band" to hear their version of the song "Spiritual", recorded especially for the show (but not included in the radio version of the show), with yours truly on vocals. This version is particularly stirring and noteworthy (in my humble opinion) because it contains the outstanding tandem violin and fiddle playing of Petra Haden and Stuart Duncan, respectively, which doesn't happen on the cd version. It also features the cello work of Tanya Haden, guitar work by John Leventhal and Mark Fain, mandolin playing by Dan Tyminski, and, of course, bass playing by Charlie Haden.
The group also performs the songs "Oh Take Me Back", "Rambling Boy", and "Ocean Of Diamonds", in addition to the interview with Charlie.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Upcoming Charlie Haden Family & Friends Radio Appearances
This morning (pacific standard time), Monday, December 22, my father Charlie Haden will be visiting KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic radio show to talk about Charlie Haden Family & Friends - Rambling Boy.
Charlie, joined by his brother, Carl Jr., will also be speaking today about the cd on Springfield, MO's KWTO.
Tomorrow, Tuesday, December 23, a previously taped live performance of Charlie Haden Family & Friends and interview with Charlie will be broadcast on the NPR radio show World Cafe. During this performance Charlie Haden Family & Friends played songs from the "Rambling Boy" cd, including the song "Spiritual", with vocals by yours truly.
In addition, the Charlie Haden Family & Friends segment on NPR's Fresh Air program will be rebroadcast on Thursday, December 25. Check local listings.
Charlie, joined by his brother, Carl Jr., will also be speaking today about the cd on Springfield, MO's KWTO.
Tomorrow, Tuesday, December 23, a previously taped live performance of Charlie Haden Family & Friends and interview with Charlie will be broadcast on the NPR radio show World Cafe. During this performance Charlie Haden Family & Friends played songs from the "Rambling Boy" cd, including the song "Spiritual", with vocals by yours truly.
In addition, the Charlie Haden Family & Friends segment on NPR's Fresh Air program will be rebroadcast on Thursday, December 25. Check local listings.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Rambling Boy 2009 Grammy Nomination
The song "Is This America (Katrina 2005)" from Charlie Haden Family & Friends - Rambling Boy was nominated for a 2009 Grammy award in the Best Country Instrumental Performance category.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Letterman Performance Online
For those of you who missed last week's Charlie Haden Family & Friends performance of "Spiritual" from the Late Show With David Letterman, or for those of you who would like to see it again, it is now live and streaming here, for your viewing pleasure.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Charlie Haden Family And Friends Rambling Boy Released Today 9-23-2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Charlie Haden Family And Friends Debut Show
I know I promised to blog every day from NYC during our stay for the Charlie Haden Family & Friends debut performance at Lincoln Center's 25th annual Roots of American Music Festival Aug. 24 but I was so busy it just wasn't possible!
Anyways, it was a lot of fun. Here are some highlights...
The view from Rachel and Atom's hotel room was incredible.
The rehearsal was a lot of fun.
Atom Ellis was in awe.
My dad's wife Ruth Cameron sounded great.
Lincoln Center's Damrosch Park Bandshell provides a stunning foreground to a equally stunning classic New York backdrop.
Guitarist Bryan Sutton and banjoist Jim Mills shared a moment in front of my iPhone camera before soundcheck.
Icons and Fellow L.A.'ers The Knitters played before us and the legendary John Doe posed for a picture with Atom and Rachel.
My dad Charlie confers with Dan Tyminski backstage before soundcheck.
From the first note the Charlie Haden Family & Friends band were tearing up the stage. From left, Bryan Sutton, Dan Tyminski, Jerry Douglas, and Stuart Duncan. Also present were Jim Mills, Sam Bush, and Mark Fain.
My sisters Petra, Rachel, and Tanya took the stage as the sun went down.
Patti Smith and her band headlined the show and even though this isn't a very good picture, they were amazing. It was the first time I'd seen them play, and I was incredibly moved and inspired by their powerful songs and message of peace and call to action in an endearing and totally non-pretentious way. Patti Smith is the real thing.
All in all, playing at the 25th Annual Roots Of American Music Festival at Lincoln Center was a blast. The music was incredible, and it was really great to see the guys in the band again.
Charlie Haden Family & Friends debut cd "Ramblin' Boy" will be released Sept. 24 on Decca Records. If you'd like to read my previous posts about the recording sessions check out here, here, here, here, and here!
Anyways, it was a lot of fun. Here are some highlights...
The view from Rachel and Atom's hotel room was incredible.
The rehearsal was a lot of fun.
Atom Ellis was in awe.
My dad's wife Ruth Cameron sounded great.
Lincoln Center's Damrosch Park Bandshell provides a stunning foreground to a equally stunning classic New York backdrop.
Guitarist Bryan Sutton and banjoist Jim Mills shared a moment in front of my iPhone camera before soundcheck.
Icons and Fellow L.A.'ers The Knitters played before us and the legendary John Doe posed for a picture with Atom and Rachel.
My dad Charlie confers with Dan Tyminski backstage before soundcheck.
From the first note the Charlie Haden Family & Friends band were tearing up the stage. From left, Bryan Sutton, Dan Tyminski, Jerry Douglas, and Stuart Duncan. Also present were Jim Mills, Sam Bush, and Mark Fain.
My sisters Petra, Rachel, and Tanya took the stage as the sun went down.
Patti Smith and her band headlined the show and even though this isn't a very good picture, they were amazing. It was the first time I'd seen them play, and I was incredibly moved and inspired by their powerful songs and message of peace and call to action in an endearing and totally non-pretentious way. Patti Smith is the real thing.
All in all, playing at the 25th Annual Roots Of American Music Festival at Lincoln Center was a blast. The music was incredible, and it was really great to see the guys in the band again.
Charlie Haden Family & Friends debut cd "Ramblin' Boy" will be released Sept. 24 on Decca Records. If you'd like to read my previous posts about the recording sessions check out here, here, here, here, and here!
Friday, August 22, 2008
Bringing it all back home
Charlie Haden returns to his country roots—and takes his family with him.
By Jay Ruttenberg
Time Out New York
Aug. 20 - 26, 2008
In January, an unlikely swarm gathered in a Nashville studio to record songs steeped in rural American music. The session was spearheaded by jazz-bass titan Charlie Haden and singer Ruth Cameron, Haden’s wife of two decades. Featured artists included the bassist’s grown children—Josh, singer in the band Spain, and harmonizing triplets Petra, Rachel and Tanya—plus Tanya’s husband, Jack Black, a movie star with an oddly commanding voice. Invited guests included luminaries of bluegrass (Dan Tyminski), jazz (Pat Metheny), country (Vince Gill) and the worlds between (Elvis Costello).
The resulting album, Charlie Haden Family & Friends’ Rambling Boy—due next month on Decca, but showcased live at Lincoln Center this week—underlines the musical breadth of its ringleader. “The hinge of the record is my dad’s past and all the different styles he’s been involved with,” Josh Haden says. “It’s like an overview of his entire life, starting from when he was one year old.”
The younger Haden isn’t exaggerating. Long before he helped Ornette Coleman redefine jazz’s boundaries, the bassist sang with his parents and siblings on a daily radio program in Missouri. Haden, now 71, joined the family act back in an old America that was unimpeded by such dreary niceties as child-labor laws. “I remember my mom rocking me to sleep,” recalls Haden, speaking from L.A. before heading to his son-in-law’s Tropic Thunder premiere. “I wasn’t even two. She was humming, and I started humming the harmony. She said, ‘You’re ready for the radio show, babe.’ They started taking me to the station every morning. My mom would pick me up in her arms and hold me to the microphone so I could sing.”
In an archival recording appended to Rambling Boy, the future Liberation Music Orchestra leader can be heard as a toddler, introduced on the show as “the little two-year-old yodelin’ cowboy.” (Frankly, Haden’s work on The Shape of Jazz to Come is more impressive.) The budding musician worked on the radio until he was 15, coming of age surrounded by tall-tale heroes of American country. “My dad knew Jimmie Rodgers, the Carters and [Hank] Williams,” Haden says. “All the people in Nashville used to guest-star on the show. Mother Maybelle would come sing at our house.”
When Haden’s yodelin’ voice fell victim to polio, he shifted his focus to bass, which he decided was “the most beautiful instrument of all, because it made everything sound better when it was playing.” (Also: He harbored a childhood crush on the Carter Sisters’ bassist.) He heard Charlie Parker, grew smitten with jazz, moved to L.A. and became famous. But Haden never forsook his roots. “Most jazz musicians are born in big cities,” he notes. “I’m glad I was born in the Ozarks and exposed to country music. It left a deep impression in my soul. It’s in everything I do.”
While Haden never put his own children on the radio, he still fostered an intensely musical household. Josh Haden grew up to be a singer-songwriter—his work has been covered by Johnny Cash—and the triplets have played with a veritable who’s who of contemporary rock. Rambling Boy presents a lovely family portrait, with support from some of Nashville’s most accomplished hands. Though steeped in tradition, the recording sounds modern and, with its jazz undertone, somewhat eccentric. “Charlie drew from his country roots here,” says bluegrass artist Ricky Skaggs, who appears on the record. “But on the song ‘20/20 Vision,’ Bruce Hornsby suggested that he play his jazz licks. It really showed Charlie’s ability to walk from country to jazz.”
To Haden, mingling those genres is a given: They are, after all, “the indigenous forms of American music.” Appropriately, the Haden Family’s debut performance, on Sunday 24, marks the 25th anniversary of Lincoln Center’s Roots of American Music series. Flanked on the bill by Patti Smith and the Knitters, the Hadens and their Nashville brethren have given Lincoln Center curators Spike Barkin and Bill Bragin what Bragin deems “the perfect anchor. There’s something about family harmonies and communication that really connects this to traditional music.”
Yet for Cameron, Haden’s manager as well as his wife, the album proved something of a break from tradition. “Through years of recording, it’s always ‘Charlie this, Charlie that,’ ” she says. “Then all of a sudden, the girls were singing and we heard from the council room, ‘Daa-aad! Daa-aad!’ In three-part harmony, of course.”
Charlie Haden Family & Friends play Damrosch Park Sun 24.
By Jay Ruttenberg
Time Out New York
Aug. 20 - 26, 2008
In January, an unlikely swarm gathered in a Nashville studio to record songs steeped in rural American music. The session was spearheaded by jazz-bass titan Charlie Haden and singer Ruth Cameron, Haden’s wife of two decades. Featured artists included the bassist’s grown children—Josh, singer in the band Spain, and harmonizing triplets Petra, Rachel and Tanya—plus Tanya’s husband, Jack Black, a movie star with an oddly commanding voice. Invited guests included luminaries of bluegrass (Dan Tyminski), jazz (Pat Metheny), country (Vince Gill) and the worlds between (Elvis Costello).
The resulting album, Charlie Haden Family & Friends’ Rambling Boy—due next month on Decca, but showcased live at Lincoln Center this week—underlines the musical breadth of its ringleader. “The hinge of the record is my dad’s past and all the different styles he’s been involved with,” Josh Haden says. “It’s like an overview of his entire life, starting from when he was one year old.”
The younger Haden isn’t exaggerating. Long before he helped Ornette Coleman redefine jazz’s boundaries, the bassist sang with his parents and siblings on a daily radio program in Missouri. Haden, now 71, joined the family act back in an old America that was unimpeded by such dreary niceties as child-labor laws. “I remember my mom rocking me to sleep,” recalls Haden, speaking from L.A. before heading to his son-in-law’s Tropic Thunder premiere. “I wasn’t even two. She was humming, and I started humming the harmony. She said, ‘You’re ready for the radio show, babe.’ They started taking me to the station every morning. My mom would pick me up in her arms and hold me to the microphone so I could sing.”
In an archival recording appended to Rambling Boy, the future Liberation Music Orchestra leader can be heard as a toddler, introduced on the show as “the little two-year-old yodelin’ cowboy.” (Frankly, Haden’s work on The Shape of Jazz to Come is more impressive.) The budding musician worked on the radio until he was 15, coming of age surrounded by tall-tale heroes of American country. “My dad knew Jimmie Rodgers, the Carters and [Hank] Williams,” Haden says. “All the people in Nashville used to guest-star on the show. Mother Maybelle would come sing at our house.”
When Haden’s yodelin’ voice fell victim to polio, he shifted his focus to bass, which he decided was “the most beautiful instrument of all, because it made everything sound better when it was playing.” (Also: He harbored a childhood crush on the Carter Sisters’ bassist.) He heard Charlie Parker, grew smitten with jazz, moved to L.A. and became famous. But Haden never forsook his roots. “Most jazz musicians are born in big cities,” he notes. “I’m glad I was born in the Ozarks and exposed to country music. It left a deep impression in my soul. It’s in everything I do.”
While Haden never put his own children on the radio, he still fostered an intensely musical household. Josh Haden grew up to be a singer-songwriter—his work has been covered by Johnny Cash—and the triplets have played with a veritable who’s who of contemporary rock. Rambling Boy presents a lovely family portrait, with support from some of Nashville’s most accomplished hands. Though steeped in tradition, the recording sounds modern and, with its jazz undertone, somewhat eccentric. “Charlie drew from his country roots here,” says bluegrass artist Ricky Skaggs, who appears on the record. “But on the song ‘20/20 Vision,’ Bruce Hornsby suggested that he play his jazz licks. It really showed Charlie’s ability to walk from country to jazz.”
To Haden, mingling those genres is a given: They are, after all, “the indigenous forms of American music.” Appropriately, the Haden Family’s debut performance, on Sunday 24, marks the 25th anniversary of Lincoln Center’s Roots of American Music series. Flanked on the bill by Patti Smith and the Knitters, the Hadens and their Nashville brethren have given Lincoln Center curators Spike Barkin and Bill Bragin what Bragin deems “the perfect anchor. There’s something about family harmonies and communication that really connects this to traditional music.”
Yet for Cameron, Haden’s manager as well as his wife, the album proved something of a break from tradition. “Through years of recording, it’s always ‘Charlie this, Charlie that,’ ” she says. “Then all of a sudden, the girls were singing and we heard from the council room, ‘Daa-aad! Daa-aad!’ In three-part harmony, of course.”
Charlie Haden Family & Friends play Damrosch Park Sun 24.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Charlie Haden Family And Friends At Lincoln Center Aug. 24 2008
Charlie Haden Family & Friends will be playing their debut performance this Sunday, Aug. 24 2008 at Lincoln Center in NYC as part of the 25th annual Roots Of American Music Festival.
This show is in anticipation of the debut Charlie Haden Family & Friends album recorded in Nashville to be released September 23 on Decca Records. The songs include a mix of classic country and bluegrass with gospel, folk, and jazz. In addition to Charlie and his wife Ruth, kids Josh, Rachel, Petra, and Tanya, artists appearing on the album include Pat Metheny, Elvis Costello, Rosanne Cash, Bruce Hornsby, Bela Fleck, Jack Black, Ricky Skaggs, Vince Gill, Dan Tyminski, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Stuart Duncan, Bryan Sutton, and others.
I'll be there singing my song "Spiritual". My dad Charlie will be playing bass and his wife Ruth will be singing, my sisters Rachel, Petra, and Tanya will be singing great harmonies, and the core group of Dan Tyminski, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Stuart Duncan, and Bryan Sutton will be playing as well. I'm not sure, but I think there'll be surprise guests also. I wonder who they'll be? Hmmm....
I'll be blogging from NYC the entire time, check here for updates.
I understand more gigs in the States and Europe are being planned, if you're not in the New York area stay tuned!
Charlie Haden Family & Friends
New York City
Lincoln Center Out Of Doors/Roots Of American Music Festival
Damrosch Park Bandshell
Sunday, August 24 - 7pm
Free
P.S. the festival headliner is Patti Smith! Whoa!! Also, the Knitters will be playing too!
This show is in anticipation of the debut Charlie Haden Family & Friends album recorded in Nashville to be released September 23 on Decca Records. The songs include a mix of classic country and bluegrass with gospel, folk, and jazz. In addition to Charlie and his wife Ruth, kids Josh, Rachel, Petra, and Tanya, artists appearing on the album include Pat Metheny, Elvis Costello, Rosanne Cash, Bruce Hornsby, Bela Fleck, Jack Black, Ricky Skaggs, Vince Gill, Dan Tyminski, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Stuart Duncan, Bryan Sutton, and others.
I'll be there singing my song "Spiritual". My dad Charlie will be playing bass and his wife Ruth will be singing, my sisters Rachel, Petra, and Tanya will be singing great harmonies, and the core group of Dan Tyminski, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Stuart Duncan, and Bryan Sutton will be playing as well. I'm not sure, but I think there'll be surprise guests also. I wonder who they'll be? Hmmm....
I'll be blogging from NYC the entire time, check here for updates.
I understand more gigs in the States and Europe are being planned, if you're not in the New York area stay tuned!
Charlie Haden Family & Friends
New York City
Lincoln Center Out Of Doors/Roots Of American Music Festival
Damrosch Park Bandshell
Sunday, August 24 - 7pm
Free
P.S. the festival headliner is Patti Smith! Whoa!! Also, the Knitters will be playing too!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Jazz Bassist Charlie Haden to Perform Bluegrass
Jazz Bassist Charlie Haden to Perform Bluegrass
Date: July 30, 2008
Written By: Melissa Daniels
Famed jazz bassist Charlie Haden will be switching gears and performing bluegrass as part of Lincoln Center’s 25th Annual Roots of American Music Festival on Sunday, August 24.
To showcase the bluegrass-Americana song style from Haden’s upcoming album, the band slated to take the stage with Haden includes Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Stuart Duncan, Bryan Sutton and Dan Tyminski.
Featured on the album, as well as in the festival performance, is Haden’s wife Ruth Cameron and their four children—son Josh and triplet daughters Petra, Rachel and Tanya—all of whom have had followed in their father’s footsteps with careers as professional musicians.
The festival performance will mark the live debut of Charlie Haden Family and Friends, according to a press release. Other acts at the festival include the Music Makers Blues Revue, The Knitters and Patti Smith and her band.
Haden’s upcoming release, presently titled Rambling Boy, brings the bassist back to his 1930s roots of traditional Americana songs, when he performed as a small child with the original Haden Family band.
To be released on Sept. 23 by Decca Records, the album is packed with guest musicians matching Haden’s own talent—artists include Pat Metheny, Vince Gill, Bruce Hornsby, Ricky Skaggs, Rosanne Cash, Elvis Costello, Jerry Douglas and Sam Bush.
The performance will take place at the Damrosch Park Bandshell on Amsterdam Ave and West 62nd Street in New York City. The free show begins at 4 p.m., with the Haden family taking the stage at 7 p.m.
More information on the Roots of American Music festival can be found at the Lincoln Center Web site
Date: July 30, 2008
Written By: Melissa Daniels
Famed jazz bassist Charlie Haden will be switching gears and performing bluegrass as part of Lincoln Center’s 25th Annual Roots of American Music Festival on Sunday, August 24.
To showcase the bluegrass-Americana song style from Haden’s upcoming album, the band slated to take the stage with Haden includes Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Stuart Duncan, Bryan Sutton and Dan Tyminski.
Featured on the album, as well as in the festival performance, is Haden’s wife Ruth Cameron and their four children—son Josh and triplet daughters Petra, Rachel and Tanya—all of whom have had followed in their father’s footsteps with careers as professional musicians.
The festival performance will mark the live debut of Charlie Haden Family and Friends, according to a press release. Other acts at the festival include the Music Makers Blues Revue, The Knitters and Patti Smith and her band.
Haden’s upcoming release, presently titled Rambling Boy, brings the bassist back to his 1930s roots of traditional Americana songs, when he performed as a small child with the original Haden Family band.
To be released on Sept. 23 by Decca Records, the album is packed with guest musicians matching Haden’s own talent—artists include Pat Metheny, Vince Gill, Bruce Hornsby, Ricky Skaggs, Rosanne Cash, Elvis Costello, Jerry Douglas and Sam Bush.
The performance will take place at the Damrosch Park Bandshell on Amsterdam Ave and West 62nd Street in New York City. The free show begins at 4 p.m., with the Haden family taking the stage at 7 p.m.
More information on the Roots of American Music festival can be found at the Lincoln Center Web site
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Charlie Haden Family And Friends - First Ever Live Performance!
New York, NY. (Top40 Charts/ Shore Fire Media) - Charlie Haden Family and Friends will make their live debut at Lincoln Center's 25th Annual Roots of American Music Festival on Sunday, August 24th. Performing will be legendary bassist Charlie Haden, his wife, Ruth Cameron, his children Josh, Petra, Rachel, and Tanya - all of whom are established musicians in their own right - as well as a Nashville dream band made up of Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Stuart Duncan, Bryan Sutton, and Dan Tyminski.
The performance celebrates the release of 'Rambling Boy' (due out September 23 via Decca Records), an intriguing album of mostly traditional songs Charlie Haden learned as a young child while performing with his own siblings and parents as part of the Haden Family band in the 1930s.
Charlie's friends making an appearance on the album include such luminaries as Vince Gill, Bruce Hornsby, Ricky Skaggs, Rosanne Cash, Elvis Costello, Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, his long-time collaborator Pat Metheny, and many more. Audiences can expect the same kind of stirring, emotional performances featured on the record. Haden's triplet daughters sing tight, heartbreaking harmonies. His son Josh and his wife Ruth both lend their bold and clear voices to several songs. Then there's Dad, Charlie Haden, whose musicianship is unmatched.
Charlie Haden Family and Friends will be appearing at the Roots of American Music Festival alongside some other very impressive artists. Other acts on the bill include the Music Makers Blues Revue, The Knitters, and Patti Smith and her band.
For more information, please visit: http://www.lincolncenter.org/show_events_list.asp?eventcode=-62548
WHO: Charlie Haden Family and Friends
WHAT: Live debut
WHERE: Damrosch Park Bandshell
Damrosch Park
Amsterdam Ave & West 62nd Street
WHEN: Sunday, August 24th - 4 PM - FREE
The performance celebrates the release of 'Rambling Boy' (due out September 23 via Decca Records), an intriguing album of mostly traditional songs Charlie Haden learned as a young child while performing with his own siblings and parents as part of the Haden Family band in the 1930s.
Charlie's friends making an appearance on the album include such luminaries as Vince Gill, Bruce Hornsby, Ricky Skaggs, Rosanne Cash, Elvis Costello, Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, his long-time collaborator Pat Metheny, and many more. Audiences can expect the same kind of stirring, emotional performances featured on the record. Haden's triplet daughters sing tight, heartbreaking harmonies. His son Josh and his wife Ruth both lend their bold and clear voices to several songs. Then there's Dad, Charlie Haden, whose musicianship is unmatched.
Charlie Haden Family and Friends will be appearing at the Roots of American Music Festival alongside some other very impressive artists. Other acts on the bill include the Music Makers Blues Revue, The Knitters, and Patti Smith and her band.
For more information, please visit: http://www.lincolncenter.org/show_events_list.asp?eventcode=-62548
WHO: Charlie Haden Family and Friends
WHAT: Live debut
WHERE: Damrosch Park Bandshell
Damrosch Park
Amsterdam Ave & West 62nd Street
WHEN: Sunday, August 24th - 4 PM - FREE
Monday, July 14, 2008
Jazz ace Charlie Haden goes country
Jazz ace Charlie Haden goes country
Wednesday, July 9, 2008 – Charlie Haden is known as a jazz bassist, but he's due for a huge change. His new disc coming out in September features traditional country and Americana and folks like Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, Elvis Costello, Dan Tyminski and Rosanne Cash. "Ocean of Diamonds" will be out Sept. 23 on Decca. Also on the 19-song CD are his wife, son and triplet daughters.
Haden began his musical career when he was just 2 years old, singing on the radio with his parents and siblings in the late 1930s. Like many groups such as the Carter Family and the Delmore Brothers, The Haden Family traversed the mid- and southwest, performing on some of country's biggest radio stations, including WSM in Nashville and KWTO in Springfield, MO.
Haden's family is the main focus of 'Ocean of Diamonds,' with his wife and co-producer Ruth Cameron and all four of his children and son-in-law making an appearance. Charlie's son, Josh, a former Restless Records Artist with his band Spain, lends his voice to his mellow ballad "Spiritual," which Johnny Cash also recorded. His wife Ruth, a former Verve recording artist, sings the Irish ballad "Down by the Salley Gardens."
His triplet daughters Petra, Tanya and Rachel are featured on several tracks, as well as lend their impeccable harmonies behind Ricky Skaggs and Dan Tymknski. Petra is a former member of The Decemberists and has been performing with Sean Lennon, Ricky Lee Jones and the Foo Fighters; Rachel was a founding member of indie-rock pioneers The Rentals and is currently on tour with Todd Rundgren; Tanya plays in several independent bands around Los Angeles and is married to actor/musician Jack Black, who gives a stirring rendition of "Old Joe Clark."
Haden helped change jazz playing with the original Ornette Coleman Quartet in the late 1950s and went on to record with John Coltrane, Keith Jarrett and Pat Metheny, as well as his own Liberation Music Orchestra and noir-tinged Quartet West, garnering over 15 Grammy nominations and 4 Grammys, and accolades.
Songs and featured musicians are:
1 Single Girl, Married Girl 2:38 Haden Triplets
Petra Haden,Rachel Haden,Tanya Haden-vocals Charlie Haden-bass, Jerry Douglas-Dobro, Sam Bush-mandolin, Stuart Duncan-fiddle, Bryan Sutton-guitar
2 Rambling Boy 2:56 Vince Gill-vocal
Traditional; Charlie Haden and Dan Tyminski-backup vocals Charlie Haden-bass, Jerry Douglas-Dobro, Stuart Duncan-fiddle, Russ Barenberg-guitar, Dan Tyminski - mandolin
3 20/20 Vision 4:16 Bruce Hornsby-vocal Traditional; Charlie Haden-bass, Jerry Douglas-Dobro, Stuart Duncan-fiddle, Bryan Sutton- guitar, Ricky Skaggs-fretless banjo
4 The Wildwood Flower 3:35 Rosanne Cash -vocal Maud Irving-lyrcs Joseph P. Webster-music; Charlie Haden - bass John Leventhal-guitar, Pat Metheny-guitar
5 Spiritual 6:15 Josh Haden-vocal Josh Haden ; Charlie Haden-bass, Jerry Douglas-Dobro, Stuart Duncan-fiddle, Russ Barenberg-guitar
6 Oh, Take Me Back 2:17 Rachel Haden & Tanya Haden-vocals
Charlie Haden-bass, Jerry Douglas-Dobro, Sam Bush-mandolin, Stuart Duncan-fiddle, Bryan Sutton-guitar
7 You Win Again 3:09 Elvis Costello - vocal Hank Williams,Sr.; Charlie Haden -bass, John Leventhal-guitar, Pat Metheny-guitar
8 The Fields Of Athenry 7:30 Petra Haden-vocal Pete St. John; Charlie Haden-bass, Pat Metheny-guitar, Jerry Douglas - Dobro, Russ Barenberg-guitar Stuart Duncan-fiddle
9 Ocean Of Diamonds 3:37 Dan Tyminski-vocal Traditional; Petra Haden & Rachel Haden-backup vocals Charlie Haden-bass, Jerry Douglas-Dobro Stuart Duncan-fiddle, Bryan Stuart-guitar Ricky Skaggs-mandolin
10 He's Gone Away 5:45 Tanya Haden-vocal Traditional; Pat Metheny-guitar, Charlie Haden-bass, Bruce Horsnby-piano, Jerry Douglas-Dobro, Stuart Duncan-fiddle, Russ Barenberg - guitar
11 Voice From On High 4:15 Haden Triplets Bill Monroe, Bessie Lee Mauldin -lyrics & music ; Petra Haden, Rachel Haden & Tanya Haden-vocals Charlie Haden-bass, Jerry Douglas-Dobro Sam Bush-mandolin, Stuart Duncan-fiddle, Bryan Sutton -guitar
12 Down By The Salley Gardens 4:32 Ruth Cameron-vocal Irish traditional; Charlie Haden-bass, Pat Metheny-guitar, Jerry Douglas-Dobro,Stuart Duncan-fiddle, Russ Barenberg-guitar, Bruce Hornsby-piano
13 Road Of Broken Hearts 2:28 Ricky Skaggs-vocal
Petra Haden & Rachel Haden-backup vocals Charlie Haden-bass, Jerry Douglas-Dobro, Stuart Duncan-fiddle, Bryan Sutton-guitar
14 Is This America? (Katrina 2005) 3:36 Pat Metheny & Charlie Haden Pat Metheny; Charlie Haden-bass, Pat Metheny-guitar Jerry Douglas-Dobro, Stuart Duncan-fiddle Russ Barenberg-guitar, Bruce Hornsby-piano
15 Tramp on the Street 5:20 Rachel Haden-vocal
Petra Haden & Tanya Haden-backup vocals Charlie Haden-bass, Jerry Douglas-Dobro, Sam Bush-mandolin, Stuart Duncan-fiddle, Bryan Sutton-guitar
16 Old Joe Clark 4:05 Jack Black-vocal Traditional; Bela Flek-banjo, Buddy Green-harmonica, Charlie Haden-bass, Jerry Douglas - Dobro, Sam Bush-mandolin, Stuart Duncan-fiddle, Bryan Sutton-guitar
17 Seven Year Blues 2:41 Haden Triplets
Petra Haden, Rachel Haden & Tanya Haden-vocals Charlie Haden-bass, Jerry Douglas-Dobro, Sam Bush-mandolin, Stuart Duncan-fiddle, Bryan Sutton-guitar
18 Old Haden Family Show 1:43
19 Oh Shenandoah 3:13 Charlie Haden-vocal Traditional; Pat Metheny-guitar, Jerry Douglas - Dobro, Stuart Duncan-fiddle, Russ Barenberg-guitar
Wednesday, July 9, 2008 – Charlie Haden is known as a jazz bassist, but he's due for a huge change. His new disc coming out in September features traditional country and Americana and folks like Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, Elvis Costello, Dan Tyminski and Rosanne Cash. "Ocean of Diamonds" will be out Sept. 23 on Decca. Also on the 19-song CD are his wife, son and triplet daughters.
Haden began his musical career when he was just 2 years old, singing on the radio with his parents and siblings in the late 1930s. Like many groups such as the Carter Family and the Delmore Brothers, The Haden Family traversed the mid- and southwest, performing on some of country's biggest radio stations, including WSM in Nashville and KWTO in Springfield, MO.
Haden's family is the main focus of 'Ocean of Diamonds,' with his wife and co-producer Ruth Cameron and all four of his children and son-in-law making an appearance. Charlie's son, Josh, a former Restless Records Artist with his band Spain, lends his voice to his mellow ballad "Spiritual," which Johnny Cash also recorded. His wife Ruth, a former Verve recording artist, sings the Irish ballad "Down by the Salley Gardens."
His triplet daughters Petra, Tanya and Rachel are featured on several tracks, as well as lend their impeccable harmonies behind Ricky Skaggs and Dan Tymknski. Petra is a former member of The Decemberists and has been performing with Sean Lennon, Ricky Lee Jones and the Foo Fighters; Rachel was a founding member of indie-rock pioneers The Rentals and is currently on tour with Todd Rundgren; Tanya plays in several independent bands around Los Angeles and is married to actor/musician Jack Black, who gives a stirring rendition of "Old Joe Clark."
Haden helped change jazz playing with the original Ornette Coleman Quartet in the late 1950s and went on to record with John Coltrane, Keith Jarrett and Pat Metheny, as well as his own Liberation Music Orchestra and noir-tinged Quartet West, garnering over 15 Grammy nominations and 4 Grammys, and accolades.
Songs and featured musicians are:
1 Single Girl, Married Girl 2:38 Haden Triplets
Petra Haden,Rachel Haden,Tanya Haden-vocals Charlie Haden-bass, Jerry Douglas-Dobro, Sam Bush-mandolin, Stuart Duncan-fiddle, Bryan Sutton-guitar
2 Rambling Boy 2:56 Vince Gill-vocal
Traditional; Charlie Haden and Dan Tyminski-backup vocals Charlie Haden-bass, Jerry Douglas-Dobro, Stuart Duncan-fiddle, Russ Barenberg-guitar, Dan Tyminski - mandolin
3 20/20 Vision 4:16 Bruce Hornsby-vocal Traditional; Charlie Haden-bass, Jerry Douglas-Dobro, Stuart Duncan-fiddle, Bryan Sutton- guitar, Ricky Skaggs-fretless banjo
4 The Wildwood Flower 3:35 Rosanne Cash -vocal Maud Irving-lyrcs Joseph P. Webster-music; Charlie Haden - bass John Leventhal-guitar, Pat Metheny-guitar
5 Spiritual 6:15 Josh Haden-vocal Josh Haden ; Charlie Haden-bass, Jerry Douglas-Dobro, Stuart Duncan-fiddle, Russ Barenberg-guitar
6 Oh, Take Me Back 2:17 Rachel Haden & Tanya Haden-vocals
Charlie Haden-bass, Jerry Douglas-Dobro, Sam Bush-mandolin, Stuart Duncan-fiddle, Bryan Sutton-guitar
7 You Win Again 3:09 Elvis Costello - vocal Hank Williams,Sr.; Charlie Haden -bass, John Leventhal-guitar, Pat Metheny-guitar
8 The Fields Of Athenry 7:30 Petra Haden-vocal Pete St. John; Charlie Haden-bass, Pat Metheny-guitar, Jerry Douglas - Dobro, Russ Barenberg-guitar Stuart Duncan-fiddle
9 Ocean Of Diamonds 3:37 Dan Tyminski-vocal Traditional; Petra Haden & Rachel Haden-backup vocals Charlie Haden-bass, Jerry Douglas-Dobro Stuart Duncan-fiddle, Bryan Stuart-guitar Ricky Skaggs-mandolin
10 He's Gone Away 5:45 Tanya Haden-vocal Traditional; Pat Metheny-guitar, Charlie Haden-bass, Bruce Horsnby-piano, Jerry Douglas-Dobro, Stuart Duncan-fiddle, Russ Barenberg - guitar
11 Voice From On High 4:15 Haden Triplets Bill Monroe, Bessie Lee Mauldin -lyrics & music ; Petra Haden, Rachel Haden & Tanya Haden-vocals Charlie Haden-bass, Jerry Douglas-Dobro Sam Bush-mandolin, Stuart Duncan-fiddle, Bryan Sutton -guitar
12 Down By The Salley Gardens 4:32 Ruth Cameron-vocal Irish traditional; Charlie Haden-bass, Pat Metheny-guitar, Jerry Douglas-Dobro,Stuart Duncan-fiddle, Russ Barenberg-guitar, Bruce Hornsby-piano
13 Road Of Broken Hearts 2:28 Ricky Skaggs-vocal
Petra Haden & Rachel Haden-backup vocals Charlie Haden-bass, Jerry Douglas-Dobro, Stuart Duncan-fiddle, Bryan Sutton-guitar
14 Is This America? (Katrina 2005) 3:36 Pat Metheny & Charlie Haden Pat Metheny; Charlie Haden-bass, Pat Metheny-guitar Jerry Douglas-Dobro, Stuart Duncan-fiddle Russ Barenberg-guitar, Bruce Hornsby-piano
15 Tramp on the Street 5:20 Rachel Haden-vocal
Petra Haden & Tanya Haden-backup vocals Charlie Haden-bass, Jerry Douglas-Dobro, Sam Bush-mandolin, Stuart Duncan-fiddle, Bryan Sutton-guitar
16 Old Joe Clark 4:05 Jack Black-vocal Traditional; Bela Flek-banjo, Buddy Green-harmonica, Charlie Haden-bass, Jerry Douglas - Dobro, Sam Bush-mandolin, Stuart Duncan-fiddle, Bryan Sutton-guitar
17 Seven Year Blues 2:41 Haden Triplets
Petra Haden, Rachel Haden & Tanya Haden-vocals Charlie Haden-bass, Jerry Douglas-Dobro, Sam Bush-mandolin, Stuart Duncan-fiddle, Bryan Sutton-guitar
18 Old Haden Family Show 1:43
19 Oh Shenandoah 3:13 Charlie Haden-vocal Traditional; Pat Metheny-guitar, Jerry Douglas - Dobro, Stuart Duncan-fiddle, Russ Barenberg-guitar
Friday, June 20, 2008
Charlie Haden still keeps it in the family
Charlie Haden still keeps it in the family
By Ken Eisner
straight.com
Life is full of many odd circles and repetitions, but it's a rare person who starts performing in a family country band at only 22 months old and then sails past his 70th year heading his own brood of blood-related musicians. That, however, is exactly what jazz veteran Charlie Haden now finds himself undertaking.
After moving to Los Angeles in the 1950s, the Iowa-born Haden lent his probing bass lines to some of the most outré saxophone players the jazz world has ever known (Ornette Coleman, Archie Shepp, and Dewey Redman among them), as well as performing with idiosyncratic solo artists like Keith Jarrett, Carla Bley, and Yoko Ono. Over the years, Haden has also made his deep affection for rural folk music come alive, most notably in collaboration with fellow midwesterner Pat Metheny in 1997's Beyond the Missouri Sky.
When the Georgia Straight catches up with him, he is putting the last touches on a new album to be called Charlie Haden Family and Friends: Ocean of Diamonds. The record features the bassist-composer with his wife, singer (and producer) Ruth Cameron, son Josh Haden, and triplet daughters Petra, Rachel, and Tanya. (The last named is better known to some for having married Jack Black.) Other performers onboard include Metheny, Vince Gill, Béla Fleck, Rosanne Cash, and Elvis Costello.
"We've been talking about this ever since Pat and I did Missouri Sky and we went to visit my mom in the Ozarks and everybody sang for her 80th birthday," Haden says, reached at his L.A. home.
That was more than a decade ago, and the veteran musician is talking today because he's about to launch another tour with a different favourite entity, Charlie Haden's Quartet West. Now into its third decade, the foursome—with fellow Californian Ernie Watts on saxophone, New Zealand–born pianist Alan Broadbent, and new drummer Rodney Green—does have some connections with Haden's interest in Americana.
At its upcoming Vancouver International Jazz Festival show, Quartet West will play a blend of jazz ballads and obscure songs associated with old Hollywood and film noir in particular, as heard in a best-of album recently released on Verve. Using sampled snippets of dialogue, orchestral soundtracks, and the occasional Billie Holiday vocal, the group is known for its hushed sense of reverie, nostalgia, and surprise.
"You'll definitely get all that," Haden says. "We play music from an era when what was on the radio went a little bit deeper. I keep discovering and rediscovering things through whatever projects I'm working on. I love finding out more about the music that comes from America. The inspiration for Quartet West came from the beauty of our culture in the '30s, '40s, and '50s. But we don't just do older material. In Vancouver, we'll be playing new tunes of mine, and by Ornette Coleman and others."
After his Quartet West tour, Haden has some family-band dates, including a big August show at New York's Lincoln Centre—the culmination, perhaps, of a documentary on his life that's being filmed for Swiss television. Mostly though, he's still about the music.
"I've always been interested in all kinds of music and all kinds of musicians, ever since I was a kid," says the bassist. "My main goal has been to meet people who were on the same track—which is playin' music to help make the planet a better place."
To that end, Haden has had several runs at holding together—with pianist-arranger Bley—the Liberation Music Orchestra, a large group devoted to political provocation. (The LMO's most recent release, Not in Our Name, came out in 2005.)
"That group's about a lot of things. But mainly it's about wanting the governments of the world to appreciate life. We're playing at the Blue Note the week of the [U.S. presidential] election, so let's hope that has some small effect," he adds with a chuckle. "We're starting to have some expectations of change now, and that came into being because of the cruelty and greed of the government that came into power. Most people have finally opened their eyes to what has been going on; Pat wrote a song for the new record [Ocean of Diamonds] called ‘Katrina, 2005: Is This America?' Now these guys are in their anterooms, counting all the money they've stolen in the past eight years, and it's really sad that they won't be held accountable for their crimes."
If the bassist feels some glimmer of hope regarding U.S. politics, he still worries about the state of popular music in general.
"It's always been about good ears," he says. "If people are born with good ears, they can appreciate good music of all types. And people who weren't at least have the possibility of educating their ears. As it is now, the culture is in really deep trouble, musically. Of course, it's hard to know what people are listening to, with everyone walking around with iPod buds in their ears. I'd like to think they are into things that express deeper values, but how can you know when everyone is so isolated?"
In contrast, Haden just keeps getting more connected with his growing community of musical colleagues, and with the prairie populism that inspired him as a child.
"There's a kind of progressive innovation that comes from this country and keeps popping up," he notes. "When it happens, it can be very timely. But at its best, it's also timeless."
Charlie Haden's Quartet West plays the Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts on Saturday (June 21).
By Ken Eisner
straight.com
Life is full of many odd circles and repetitions, but it's a rare person who starts performing in a family country band at only 22 months old and then sails past his 70th year heading his own brood of blood-related musicians. That, however, is exactly what jazz veteran Charlie Haden now finds himself undertaking.
After moving to Los Angeles in the 1950s, the Iowa-born Haden lent his probing bass lines to some of the most outré saxophone players the jazz world has ever known (Ornette Coleman, Archie Shepp, and Dewey Redman among them), as well as performing with idiosyncratic solo artists like Keith Jarrett, Carla Bley, and Yoko Ono. Over the years, Haden has also made his deep affection for rural folk music come alive, most notably in collaboration with fellow midwesterner Pat Metheny in 1997's Beyond the Missouri Sky.
When the Georgia Straight catches up with him, he is putting the last touches on a new album to be called Charlie Haden Family and Friends: Ocean of Diamonds. The record features the bassist-composer with his wife, singer (and producer) Ruth Cameron, son Josh Haden, and triplet daughters Petra, Rachel, and Tanya. (The last named is better known to some for having married Jack Black.) Other performers onboard include Metheny, Vince Gill, Béla Fleck, Rosanne Cash, and Elvis Costello.
"We've been talking about this ever since Pat and I did Missouri Sky and we went to visit my mom in the Ozarks and everybody sang for her 80th birthday," Haden says, reached at his L.A. home.
That was more than a decade ago, and the veteran musician is talking today because he's about to launch another tour with a different favourite entity, Charlie Haden's Quartet West. Now into its third decade, the foursome—with fellow Californian Ernie Watts on saxophone, New Zealand–born pianist Alan Broadbent, and new drummer Rodney Green—does have some connections with Haden's interest in Americana.
At its upcoming Vancouver International Jazz Festival show, Quartet West will play a blend of jazz ballads and obscure songs associated with old Hollywood and film noir in particular, as heard in a best-of album recently released on Verve. Using sampled snippets of dialogue, orchestral soundtracks, and the occasional Billie Holiday vocal, the group is known for its hushed sense of reverie, nostalgia, and surprise.
"You'll definitely get all that," Haden says. "We play music from an era when what was on the radio went a little bit deeper. I keep discovering and rediscovering things through whatever projects I'm working on. I love finding out more about the music that comes from America. The inspiration for Quartet West came from the beauty of our culture in the '30s, '40s, and '50s. But we don't just do older material. In Vancouver, we'll be playing new tunes of mine, and by Ornette Coleman and others."
After his Quartet West tour, Haden has some family-band dates, including a big August show at New York's Lincoln Centre—the culmination, perhaps, of a documentary on his life that's being filmed for Swiss television. Mostly though, he's still about the music.
"I've always been interested in all kinds of music and all kinds of musicians, ever since I was a kid," says the bassist. "My main goal has been to meet people who were on the same track—which is playin' music to help make the planet a better place."
To that end, Haden has had several runs at holding together—with pianist-arranger Bley—the Liberation Music Orchestra, a large group devoted to political provocation. (The LMO's most recent release, Not in Our Name, came out in 2005.)
"That group's about a lot of things. But mainly it's about wanting the governments of the world to appreciate life. We're playing at the Blue Note the week of the [U.S. presidential] election, so let's hope that has some small effect," he adds with a chuckle. "We're starting to have some expectations of change now, and that came into being because of the cruelty and greed of the government that came into power. Most people have finally opened their eyes to what has been going on; Pat wrote a song for the new record [Ocean of Diamonds] called ‘Katrina, 2005: Is This America?' Now these guys are in their anterooms, counting all the money they've stolen in the past eight years, and it's really sad that they won't be held accountable for their crimes."
If the bassist feels some glimmer of hope regarding U.S. politics, he still worries about the state of popular music in general.
"It's always been about good ears," he says. "If people are born with good ears, they can appreciate good music of all types. And people who weren't at least have the possibility of educating their ears. As it is now, the culture is in really deep trouble, musically. Of course, it's hard to know what people are listening to, with everyone walking around with iPod buds in their ears. I'd like to think they are into things that express deeper values, but how can you know when everyone is so isolated?"
In contrast, Haden just keeps getting more connected with his growing community of musical colleagues, and with the prairie populism that inspired him as a child.
"There's a kind of progressive innovation that comes from this country and keeps popping up," he notes. "When it happens, it can be very timely. But at its best, it's also timeless."
Charlie Haden's Quartet West plays the Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts on Saturday (June 21).
Friday, February 15, 2008
Haden Family Album - From USA Today
Jazz, country stars join Haden's family
Charlie Haden brings together jazz and country for an album due from Decca Records in July. Ricky Skaggs, Bruce Hornsby, Vince Gill, Pat Metheny, Béla Fleck and others joined the Grammy-winning bassist in January for sessions at Skaggs' studio.
"We did some Stanley Brothers songs, some Carter Family songs, some things I used to do with my family when I was just a little kid," says Haden, who was in a country-gospel group called the Haden Family before becoming a jazz musician. "We did a lot of songs that weren't necessarily country, but it's all about when I was a kid and my family and the people I played music with."
The sessions involved Haden's wife, Ruth; his son, Josh; and triplets Petra, Tanya and Rachel, each of whom has a music career.
"My kids have been involved in music since they were 3 and 4," Haden says. "I really wanted to do a record with all of them, where they could be the Haden Family again."
•Brian Mansfield
USA Today
http://www.usatoday.com/life/2008-02-14-coming-attractions_N.htm
Charlie Haden brings together jazz and country for an album due from Decca Records in July. Ricky Skaggs, Bruce Hornsby, Vince Gill, Pat Metheny, Béla Fleck and others joined the Grammy-winning bassist in January for sessions at Skaggs' studio.
"We did some Stanley Brothers songs, some Carter Family songs, some things I used to do with my family when I was just a little kid," says Haden, who was in a country-gospel group called the Haden Family before becoming a jazz musician. "We did a lot of songs that weren't necessarily country, but it's all about when I was a kid and my family and the people I played music with."
The sessions involved Haden's wife, Ruth; his son, Josh; and triplets Petra, Tanya and Rachel, each of whom has a music career.
"My kids have been involved in music since they were 3 and 4," Haden says. "I really wanted to do a record with all of them, where they could be the Haden Family again."
•Brian Mansfield
USA Today
http://www.usatoday.com/life/2008-02-14-coming-attractions_N.htm
Monday, January 21, 2008
Yukkin' At Yuca's
On Friday my sister's boyfriend Atom Ellis and I went to the NAMM Show at the Anaheim City Convention Center.
NAMM is the annual International Music Products Association gathering where music product manufacturers get to connect with buyers and artists from all over the world and show off their latest gear.
I attended the show as a guest of Gallien-Kreuger amplifiers. My family has had a long association with Gallien-Krueger; my father through his feedback has helped design the G-K acoustic bass amp into the best in the world.
The two biggest posters at the G-K booth were for my dad and Flea, side by side.
Although my dad helped create the Gallien-Krueger acoustic bass amplifier, their electric bass amps are equally incredible. I've used Gallien-Krueger amps exclusively since I was a teenager. Here I am with a whole stack of G-K amps at the NAMM show G-K booth.
Here I am with Gallien-Krueger founder & president Bob Gallien, a nicer guy you couldn't meet.
Also at the NAMM show I visited my friends at the Dana B. Goods booth. Dana B. Goods are the exlusive distributors of Warwick basses in America. I am very proud to endorse Warwick basses, their sound and design have inspired me to no end. Watch for me playing Warwick basses in my upcoming Dead Sea Scrolls gigs.
In addition, while I was at the NAMM show I bumped into my old friend and fellow bassist Eva Gardner. It was great to see Eva, she is an amazing bass player and an incredibly nice person too. She was getting ready to go to Israel where she has a gig playing for Pink.
All in all, I had a great time at the 2008 NAMM Show.
The next day was a typically beautiful Los Angeles day and I took Lisa to a few of my favorite L.A. places.
Our first stop was the Mission San Fernando.
The Mission San Fernando was one of several Missions founded by Spanish Catholic devotees in the 1700s.
The devastation to Native American people and culture by the arrival of European settlers was (and continues to be) immeasurable. The problem of the destruction of life in the name of religion and spirituality by those who purport to be believers in God is not adequately addressed at the Mission San Fernando, and if it was, I didn't see it.
I will say, however, that the Mission San Fernando is an important part of Los Angeles history, and much spirituality and redemption can be found here, even out of the ashes of death and despair.
The Mission grounds itself are breathtaking. In the late 1800s the grounds had fallen into disrepair, and an earthquake further damaged many of the buildings which still stood. The Mission as it is today has been mostly reconstructed but is a faithful recreation of the original edifices, right down to the use of original furniture and wall ornamentation.
Here's the original Church organ.
Every room of the Mission has been recreated using original furniture, including kitchens, workrooms, dining areas, bedrooms, etc... This bed is from the Bishop's room, check out that headboard!
The real attraction to me of Mission San Fernando is the "Madonna Room", a room filled with trinkets, ephemera, novelty items, statuettes, statues, pictures, and paintings both old and new all relating to the holy mother of Jesus. The light in the room and soft music start automatically before even reaching the threshold and it is a sight to behold!
The Mission Church is incredible. There had been a wedding in the church minutes before I took this photo.
The Mission is also home to the final resting place of entertainer Bob Hope! This definitely sets this Mission apart from all the other California Missions. Very Hollywood, but also very charming, serene, thought-provoking, and kitschy in a good way.
After leaving the Mission I took Lisa to the nearby Historical Landmark known as "The Cascades". This is the exact spot, where, in 1913, William Mulholland, after who-knows-how-many crooked dealings it took to bring water from the Owens Valley to Los Angeles, stood in front of a gathering of hundreds of people and stated, "There it is, Mr. Mayor. Take it.", turning the valve which brought water down this slope and into the L.A. water distribution system forever, or at least until global warming dries it up.
After leaving the Cascades we drove five minutes to the historical Pioneer Cemetery. Originally called Morningside cemetery, it was established in 1870 (last burial there was in 1939) and is reportedly the second-oldest cemetery in the San Fernando Valley. When I last visited here in 2003 I was able to enter the grounds itself and walk around but now it's all but closed to the public, due to vandalism no doubt. I'm glad the San Fernando Historical Society is helping to preserve it.
Our historical mini-tour finished for the day, we were famished. Where else could we go but our favorite lunch-time Mexican food eatery, Yuca's in Los Feliz.
Yuca's is only open during the day, and is not much of a sit-down place although there are a few tables and chairs outside the front counter, but they have some of most delicious and unique Mexican food in L.A. Their menu is limited because of the size of the kitchen (tiny) but what they do serve is amazing, my favorite is the bean and cheese burrito. Don't forget to ask for chiles!
Thus concludes another fascinating couple of days in Los Angeles. Stay tuned for more incredibly interesting idiosyncratic events in my life!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atom_Ellis
http://www.thenammshow.com
http://www.gallien-krueger.com
http://www.danabgoods.com
http://www.warwickbass.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eva_Gardner
http://missiontour.org/sanfernando/index.htm
http://www.bobhope.com
http://ludb.clui.org/ex/i/CA4950/
http://www.sfvhs.com/PioneerCemetery.htm
http://www.yucasla.com/
NAMM is the annual International Music Products Association gathering where music product manufacturers get to connect with buyers and artists from all over the world and show off their latest gear.
I attended the show as a guest of Gallien-Kreuger amplifiers. My family has had a long association with Gallien-Krueger; my father through his feedback has helped design the G-K acoustic bass amp into the best in the world.
The two biggest posters at the G-K booth were for my dad and Flea, side by side.
Although my dad helped create the Gallien-Krueger acoustic bass amplifier, their electric bass amps are equally incredible. I've used Gallien-Krueger amps exclusively since I was a teenager. Here I am with a whole stack of G-K amps at the NAMM show G-K booth.
Here I am with Gallien-Krueger founder & president Bob Gallien, a nicer guy you couldn't meet.
Also at the NAMM show I visited my friends at the Dana B. Goods booth. Dana B. Goods are the exlusive distributors of Warwick basses in America. I am very proud to endorse Warwick basses, their sound and design have inspired me to no end. Watch for me playing Warwick basses in my upcoming Dead Sea Scrolls gigs.
In addition, while I was at the NAMM show I bumped into my old friend and fellow bassist Eva Gardner. It was great to see Eva, she is an amazing bass player and an incredibly nice person too. She was getting ready to go to Israel where she has a gig playing for Pink.
All in all, I had a great time at the 2008 NAMM Show.
The next day was a typically beautiful Los Angeles day and I took Lisa to a few of my favorite L.A. places.
Our first stop was the Mission San Fernando.
The Mission San Fernando was one of several Missions founded by Spanish Catholic devotees in the 1700s.
The devastation to Native American people and culture by the arrival of European settlers was (and continues to be) immeasurable. The problem of the destruction of life in the name of religion and spirituality by those who purport to be believers in God is not adequately addressed at the Mission San Fernando, and if it was, I didn't see it.
I will say, however, that the Mission San Fernando is an important part of Los Angeles history, and much spirituality and redemption can be found here, even out of the ashes of death and despair.
The Mission grounds itself are breathtaking. In the late 1800s the grounds had fallen into disrepair, and an earthquake further damaged many of the buildings which still stood. The Mission as it is today has been mostly reconstructed but is a faithful recreation of the original edifices, right down to the use of original furniture and wall ornamentation.
Here's the original Church organ.
Every room of the Mission has been recreated using original furniture, including kitchens, workrooms, dining areas, bedrooms, etc... This bed is from the Bishop's room, check out that headboard!
The real attraction to me of Mission San Fernando is the "Madonna Room", a room filled with trinkets, ephemera, novelty items, statuettes, statues, pictures, and paintings both old and new all relating to the holy mother of Jesus. The light in the room and soft music start automatically before even reaching the threshold and it is a sight to behold!
The Mission Church is incredible. There had been a wedding in the church minutes before I took this photo.
The Mission is also home to the final resting place of entertainer Bob Hope! This definitely sets this Mission apart from all the other California Missions. Very Hollywood, but also very charming, serene, thought-provoking, and kitschy in a good way.
After leaving the Mission I took Lisa to the nearby Historical Landmark known as "The Cascades". This is the exact spot, where, in 1913, William Mulholland, after who-knows-how-many crooked dealings it took to bring water from the Owens Valley to Los Angeles, stood in front of a gathering of hundreds of people and stated, "There it is, Mr. Mayor. Take it.", turning the valve which brought water down this slope and into the L.A. water distribution system forever, or at least until global warming dries it up.
After leaving the Cascades we drove five minutes to the historical Pioneer Cemetery. Originally called Morningside cemetery, it was established in 1870 (last burial there was in 1939) and is reportedly the second-oldest cemetery in the San Fernando Valley. When I last visited here in 2003 I was able to enter the grounds itself and walk around but now it's all but closed to the public, due to vandalism no doubt. I'm glad the San Fernando Historical Society is helping to preserve it.
Our historical mini-tour finished for the day, we were famished. Where else could we go but our favorite lunch-time Mexican food eatery, Yuca's in Los Feliz.
Yuca's is only open during the day, and is not much of a sit-down place although there are a few tables and chairs outside the front counter, but they have some of most delicious and unique Mexican food in L.A. Their menu is limited because of the size of the kitchen (tiny) but what they do serve is amazing, my favorite is the bean and cheese burrito. Don't forget to ask for chiles!
Thus concludes another fascinating couple of days in Los Angeles. Stay tuned for more incredibly interesting idiosyncratic events in my life!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atom_Ellis
http://www.thenammshow.com
http://www.gallien-krueger.com
http://www.danabgoods.com
http://www.warwickbass.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eva_Gardner
http://missiontour.org/sanfernando/index.htm
http://www.bobhope.com
http://ludb.clui.org/ex/i/CA4950/
http://www.sfvhs.com/PioneerCemetery.htm
http://www.yucasla.com/
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