tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2386451Mon, 27 Oct 2008 01:42:08 +0000Thoughts that flow through an ethernet cable connecting my brain to the World Wide Web.http://www.lasternet.com/ken/blog/noreply@blogger.com (Ken Laster)Blogger485125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2386451.post-1254185460610386005Sun, 26 Oct 2008 17:27:00 +00002008-10-26T21:42:08.026-04:00Another night of Jazz and dinner with David Friday night. At Jazz Standard: Charles McPherson/Tom Harrell Quintet - Charles McPherson AS, Tom Harrell Trp, Ray Drummond Bs, Chuck McPherson Dr, Don't know on Piano (supposed to be Aaron Goldberg). Sunday night, right here in Hartford at the HJS Dinner at Black Eyed Sally's; Nat Reeves Quintet. Nat on Bass,Tony Reedus, drums, Anthony Wonsey, piano,http://www.lasternet.com/ken/blog/2008/10/another-jazzy-nyc-weekend.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ken Laster)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2386451.post-7355150072267868556Sat, 11 Oct 2008 20:01:00 +00002008-10-15T07:41:23.193-04:00Click here for the complete gallery of pics and videos for the events I attended. Friday October 10 7:30pm - Spris Jazz City Jonathan Chatfield - piano Jovan Alexander - tenor sax Stephen King Porter - bass  Jason Williams - drums 10PM - The Society Room (formerly Jack Blacks) Badal Roy Quartet and Special Guests: Badal Roy - Tablas Kenny Wessel - Guitar Steve Gorn - Bamboo Flute Daniel Morenohttp://www.lasternet.com/ken/blog/2008/10/hartford-international-jazz-festival.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ken Laster)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2386451.post-5571292251746334216Fri, 03 Oct 2008 02:04:00 +00002008-10-02T22:21:09.944-04:00Monday night Sep 30, on a whim, hopped a train NYC. Met up with son Dave and headed down to the Village to catch one of those great Mike Stern appearances at 55 Bar. How about $15 cover (which includes 2 drinks), and you get to see a world class giant of jazz/fusion guitar, Mike Stern (along with Kim Thompson (d), Tom Kennedy (b)). We were sitting so close to the action, I had to occasionally http://www.lasternet.com/ken/blog/2008/10/live-jazz-at-55-bar.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ken Laster)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2386451.post-3728915477050091904Mon, 29 Sep 2008 14:54:00 +00002008-09-30T10:15:34.436-04:00Isn't anyone else skeptical about how this bailout is being jammed down our throats? Has anyone taken the time to analyze the effectiveness of $700 billion dollars of taxpayer money for corporate welfare? It seems to me that the market had already begun to stabilize last week without a bailout. As of this morning though, overnight markets and early trading has resulted in another tumble of the http://www.lasternet.com/ken/blog/2008/09/bamboozled-bailout.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ken Laster)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2386451.post-8546300786600404114Mon, 22 Sep 2008 16:52:00 +00002008-09-22T13:02:10.517-04:00Lots of live music lately. I want to start journaling these as to not forget them... in my old age. Wed, Sep 10 Chris Potter (ts) w/Adam Rogers g, Craig Taborn ep, Nate Smith d - CP Underground. No bass. Regatta bar Boston Fri Sep 19 Insight featuring Zaccai (p) and Luques (b) Curtis. Also Jovan Alexander ts. at Htfd Polish home. Sun Sep 21 Dave Holland (b) Sextet with Antonio Hart as, Robin http://www.lasternet.com/ken/blog/2008/09/live-music.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ken Laster)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2386451.post-8943768564275035643Fri, 12 Sep 2008 11:52:00 +00002008-09-12T15:26:15.109-04:00 A couple of weeks ago, I noticed that traffic to my Jazz Podcast website had dramatically dropped. I was puzzled as to why this was happening as I hadn't really changed anything on the website. About a week ago, I Googled the page and noticed that no matter what search phrases I used, I could not get a hit to my Podcast home page. It seemed I had been banished from Google. Of course, I freaked http://www.lasternet.com/ken/blog/2008/09/banished-from-google.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ken Laster)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2386451.post-8241533707142271947Sun, 24 Aug 2008 18:49:00 +00002008-08-25T10:39:07.086-04:00It was a blast to help out hosting a live broadcast of Desiree Bassett playing on the Fiat Flux, a Saturday morning show on WHUS. While engineering on the mixing board for part of the show, I also shot the little video clip below. This 15 year old girl is a killer rock guitarist, with a real appreciation for the best of the Classic Rockers (Hendrix, Dicky Betts, Satriani). She has good folks and http://www.lasternet.com/ken/blog/2008/08/it-ain_24.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ken Laster)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2386451.post-5074665561952373675Wed, 13 Aug 2008 12:30:00 +00002008-08-17T11:40:06.853-04:00Just returned from a few days in Newport. The vacation was highlighted by the JVC Newport Jazz Festival, my first time at the renowned jazz event. I was most struck by the wide breadth of musical styles that jazz has transitioned to. The traditional quartet or quintet setting, playing bebop based compositions was present but very much in the minority. The music that was predominant was heavily http://www.lasternet.com/ken/blog/2008/08/newport-jazz-festival-and-more.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ken Laster)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2386451.post-6072099756101710604Tue, 01 Jul 2008 22:50:00 +00002008-07-01T20:04:31.947-04:00The best way to experience jazz music has to be live in a New York City jazz club. It just doesn't get any better. Live, up-close and personal. The Jazz Standard is just one of those places. Get there an hour or so early, and it is easy to grab a table a few short feet from the stage. Sunday evening, June 29 we experienced the George Coleman Quintet with special guest Eric Alexander. These are http://www.lasternet.com/ken/blog/2008/07/jazz-way-it-should-be.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ken Laster)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2386451.post-7218248871249209993Mon, 23 Jun 2008 01:02:00 +00002008-07-02T12:13:17.686-04:00Ed. note: This post is part of a conspiracy to link to articles critical of Sen. McCain. The more people link to these articles, the higher will be their Google rankings. Thus when folks Google McCain regarding these issues, they will be more likely to see these critical articles at the top of the list. It's not often I have the opportunity to be part of a conspiracy. I love a good conspiracy!1--http://www.lasternet.com/ken/blog/2008/06/what-you-should-know-about-john-mccain.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ken Laster)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2386451.post-1304663222114675374Sat, 31 May 2008 15:58:00 +00002008-06-02T10:10:09.180-04:00 Saw Chop Shop opening at Real Art Ways in Hartford. A well crafted movie set at Willett's Point in Queens NY in the shadows of Shea Stadium. It is an area known for seedy auto repair shops, and the home of an underground culture, economy and lifestyle. It is that lifestyle that is portrayed using young non-professional actors playing themselves and filmed entirely on location that gives this http://www.lasternet.com/ken/blog/2008/05/chop-shop-movie.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ken Laster)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2386451.post-486134033563231707Fri, 09 May 2008 02:20:00 +00002008-05-28T08:18:36.220-04:00Just go away, and take your husband with you. The pathetic pandering to your last best hope, white redneck middle america conservative leaning democrats won't get you elected. Watching you throw back shots and a beer, telling hunting stories about shooting of rifles with your Pa, or proposing silly gas tax holidays just makes you look phony and foolish. It's over. Bow out gracefully. Let the realhttp://www.lasternet.com/ken/blog/2008/05/please-hillary.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ken Laster)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2386451.post-4915834597912846113Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:11:00 +00002008-04-16T11:36:25.003-04:00I've said this dozens of times now, but it keeps getting better. Hartford is getting to be an incredible Jazz town. Monday night jazz jam at Black Eyed Sallys is a wonderful thing to behold. This week, in celebration of Trombone wizard Steve Davis (Hartford's mentor for aspiring young jazz musicians) birthday, all the great jazz cats turned out. Many coming all the way from NYC. Dig this:Steve http://www.lasternet.com/ken/blog/2008/04/stevie-ds-birthday-jam.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ken Laster)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2386451.post-214906273646716488Sun, 24 Feb 2008 17:23:00 +00002008-02-24T12:44:59.535-05:00I got a text message today 10:00AM from David. It simply said "Nader 08". Woa, he's doin' it again. My first reaction... Unless Obama turns out to be a real dope, I don't think I'll be voting for Nader this time around. Then I happen to watch Meet The Press, and there he was speaking to Russert. Single payer healthcare, fighting corporate ownership of American politics, increasing tax rates for http://www.lasternet.com/ken/blog/2008/02/nader-08.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ken Laster)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2386451.post-4532315146812775245Sat, 09 Feb 2008 20:19:00 +00002008-06-02T10:11:02.270-04:00Nothing is more fun then hitting the jazz clubs in the Big Apple. Here is how it went down this Friday evening. 4:00 PM book out of work a little early 5:30PM Board Train from New Haven to Grand Central Station 7:00PM Dinner with Dave 9:00PM Take cab to Greenwich Village. 10:00PM catch 2 late sets with great sax player and friend Bob Reynolds at 55Bar 1:00AM catch cab back to Grand Central http://www.lasternet.com/ken/blog/2008/02/late-night-jazz-in-nyc-with-bob.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ken Laster)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2386451.post-3106419452953617797Sun, 03 Feb 2008 20:55:00 +00002008-02-03T15:57:06.614-05:00Yeah, this is cool. I'm not voting based on this, but it is cool. http://www.lasternet.com/ken/blog/2008/02/yes-we-can.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ken Laster)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2386451.post-6811863890684974478Sat, 02 Feb 2008 00:41:00 +00002008-02-01T19:43:19.657-05:0075%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?http://www.lasternet.com/ken/blog/2008/02/like-heroin.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ken Laster)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2386451.post-4356090935496949112Wed, 30 Jan 2008 02:23:00 +00002008-01-29T21:43:25.031-05:00Have the Clinton's no shame? Bill's role as Hillary's hatchet man is surely unbecoming of an Ex-President. Obviously the strategy goes like this. Obama tends to be the beneficiary of unifying the racial divide of public opinion and has proven his ability to do so by trying hard to keep race out of the campaign. Therefore, Hillary can only gain from injecting race into the campaign and fomenting http://www.lasternet.com/ken/blog/2008/01/can-clintons-sink-any-lower.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ken Laster)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2386451.post-8253113912401531350Wed, 23 Jan 2008 18:20:00 +00002008-01-23T13:25:04.332-05:00Except from today's CNN: "In short, the Bush administration led the nation to war on the basis of erroneous information that it methodically propagated and that culminated in military action against Iraq on March 19, 2003," The quotes in the study include an August 26, 2002, statement by Cheney to the national convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. "Simply stated, there is no doubt that http://www.lasternet.com/ken/blog/2008/01/study-bush-aides-made-935-false.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ken Laster)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2386451.post-4803766400154123620Tue, 22 Jan 2008 01:51:00 +00002008-01-24T07:18:41.120-05:00Another great night of Jazz in NYC: Curtis Fuller Septet at Iridium:shown: Curtis Fuller tbn, Randy Brecker tr, Javon Jackson ts, not shown: Rufus Reed b, Jacey Falk tr, Carl Allen dr, Luke O'Reilly p. Early show at Jazz Standard, caught Aaron Goldberg Trio with Mark Turner at Jazz Standard.Aaron Goldberg p, Rueben Rogers b, Eric Harland d, Mark Turner ts. http://www.lasternet.com/ken/blog/2008/01/jazz-night-nyc-jan-08.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ken Laster)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2386451.post-5202658834210796140Sun, 13 Jan 2008 23:43:00 +00002008-01-13T18:49:09.626-05:00**Begin quote** ... But I also know that Saddam poses no imminent and direct threat to the United States, or to his neighbors, that the Iraqi economy is in shambles, that the Iraqi military a fraction of its former strength, and that in concert with the international community he can be contained until, in the way of all petty dictators, he falls away into the dustbin of history. I know that http://www.lasternet.com/ken/blog/2008/01/obama-had-it-right-in-2002.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ken Laster)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2386451.post-5019529380084829638Sun, 30 Dec 2007 16:41:00 +00002008-01-14T10:52:25.427-05:00A memorable Winter Solstice holiday to be sure. Went to NYC to catch Chick Corea with an amazing lineup at the Blue Note. Yeah, long hike to the Village, followed by standing and waiting for an hour for the show to begin, followed by standing room only, watching the show by the bar... still it was worth it. Chick p, Victor b, Wekyl d, Gambale g, Marienthal s. Followed by discovering a great newhttp://www.lasternet.com/ken/blog/2007/12/jazzy-holiday.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ken Laster)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2386451.post-571218752575450720Wed, 26 Sep 2007 23:03:00 +00002007-09-26T19:18:04.545-04:00 Cool! You can get Simpsonized too.http://www.lasternet.com/ken/blog/2007/09/weve-been-simpsonized.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ken Laster)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2386451.post-878474041481506874Fri, 27 Jul 2007 17:33:00 +00002007-08-01T10:55:56.135-04:00Sure I have iPhone Envy! That gorgeous screen, real web page rendering, best ipod ever, slickest user interface, WiFi. No doubt, the iPhone is groundbreaking technology that pushes wireless mobile devices to a new level. But wait! I realy dig my Palm Treo 700p. There are many functions I can do that iPhoners can't, like load some great 3rd party apps... IM anyone? You can't configure keyboard http://www.lasternet.com/ken/blog/2007/07/iphone-envy-treo-appreciation.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ken Laster)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2386451.post-2358619451440161273Fri, 06 Jul 2007 01:46:00 +00002007-07-05T22:19:01.611-04:00For the last few years I have been buying virtually all my music digitally. I've been doing it mostly through eMusic a great alternative source with a unique and wonderful jazz collection. Sure, it's a great service at a great price, but one thing has been missing with digital music. Liner Notes, with groovy cover art, complete personell listing, date recorded, and often inciteful commentary and http://www.lasternet.com/ken/blog/2007/07/new-old-way-to-buy-tunes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ken Laster)0