Cross the streams

Though their heyday predates my birth by a couple decades, I feel a weird kinship with the charmingly rosy-lensed dudes who tried to intermingle jazz and classical threads in the late '50s. Imagine the vibe at those sessions led by the likes of George Russell and Gunther Schuller in their tweedy best. I picture big smiles and arms wildly gesticulating as the whole big gang tries to will a colorful utopia into being. It petered like all those movements end up doing, but not without leaving behind some choice cuts like this one. 

George Russell — All About Rosie

How not to cure migraines

Yesterday I found myself in the grip of a brutal migraine/nausea tag-team. It lasted most of the day, and there was little I could do but ride it out. But vertigo can be awfully stubborn, especially when you've got this tune on the stereo. What an amazingly skewed mind Monk had. Even more amazing that he made this number swing.

Thelonious Monk - Brilliant Corners