For the birds

By David Ocker (Tip: Andrew at J:TMOU)

Happy Birthday, Duke!

C Jam Blues featuring Ray Nance (on violin), 'Tricky Sam' Nanton, Rex Stewart, Ben Webster, Barney Bigard, and Sonny Greer. And, of course, Duke ends up with the shawtys.

More on Ellington.

Viddie: Bag's Groove

For your Friday, an YouTube oddity. The great Milt Jackson rehearsing his eponymous tune in 1994 with a Hungarian Dixieland band. Even in a rehearsal room Bags is pure genius. (Stick around until the end and tell me whether it seems like Bags doesn't exactly appreciate taking direction from the helpful Hungarian.)

Groove on.

The Mesopotamians

The original gods of geek rock are back with this cracking-good bit of animated musicality. From their latest album "The Else" on Rounder. Also available on - get this - vinyl.



By the way, it's true, as reported here and here: I'm moving to Chicago.