Jazzy Streetscape in Five Points; Eddie Palmieri retires; In Memoriam

Jazzy Streetscape in Five Points; Eddie Palmieri retires; In memoriam

This is Jazz News, a look at what’s new in jazz, music and the arts.

There are allies in the fight for a more beautiful Denver, a more musical Denver.  Case in point: the new streetscape mural right at the main Five Points intersection of Welton, Washington, 26^th and 27^th streets.  Father and son artists Patrick and Tristan McGregor of Esoteric Art laid down the bright string bass mosaic.  The Denver Department of Transportation and Infrastructure says they’ll be adding more planters, tables and chairs over the next few weeks. (SOURCE: DenverGov.org)

As reported by the Spanish language newspaper in New York El Heraldo, maestro Eddie Palmieri is temporarily retiring from the music due to respiratory issues.  Palmieri’s condition does not allow him to travel by plane or perform outdoors.  Last week, Palmieri told WBAI in New York he was “breaking up the band” and retreating on doctors’ orders, but he did say he hopes to return to the stage in three years or so. (SOURCE: El Heraldo – Eddie Palmieri)

And a couple of notes in memoriam:

Composer–arranger Daniel Jones has passed away at age 41.  The Dallas-born pianist was an alumnus of the Vail Jazz Workshop, class of 1998, and he was in demand, mostly in pop and R and B circles with artists like Justin Timberlake and Mary J. Blige, but also with Robert Glasper and Erykah Badu. (SOURCE: Daniel Jones)

The Band’s Robbie Robertson died at age 80 last week, leaving a legacy of gospel-fed folk turned rock turned music that many people wanted to play, including jazz artists.  Robertson was born in Toronto, but he was partially raised on the Six Nations of the Grand River Indian reserve.  His family will direct memorial donations to a new Woodland Cultural Centre on the rez. (SOURCE: Robbie Robertson)

And the protest rocker made famous again by the documentary “Waiting for Sugarman” – Sixto Diaz Rodriguez – has died at age 81.  His remarkable story of near-fame in 1970, then international fame unknown to him, rumors that he died, a comeback tour of South Africa, and then an Oscar-winning film is truly Hollywood stuff.  His quiet, humble life as a wage-earner in Detroit made him an ordinary legend.  The Scotsman.com called the Rodriguez story a “rock ‘n’ rock fairy tale.” (SOURCE: Sugarman)

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