Donna M’s Unconventional Top 5 Albums for 2010

Motéma Music asked me for a "Top 5" list of 2010 Jazz albums a couple of weeks ago. The following five albums got the most repeated play in my mp3 player for 2010. I figure that’s as legitimate a reason to qualify for a “Top 5” list as anything else I’ve read this year. :)

They are listed in alphabetical order by last name or group name.

 Edo Castro

 “Sacred Graffiti” [Passion Star Records]

I didn’t know much about Edo Castro before I got this album.  I have since concluded that he is a phenomenal bassist that created a fully-textured, multi-layered album called “Sacred Graffiti”.  Listening to this 16 track album takes me through a “Day in The Life” kind of experience, much like King Britt’s “When the Funk Hits the Fan” did back in the late ‘90s.

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A Wide Open Jazz Field for the 53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards

In case you didn't get a chance to read the first blog post that I wrote for GRAMMY.com, here it is in its entirety:

There is palatable excitement within the jazz community and beyond. Why? The multitalented bassist and vocalist Esperanza Spalding has been nominated for Best New Artist. Spalding continues to captivate music lovers throughout the world with her vivaciousness. It would be a pleasant surprise if she pulls off a win in a category that includes the ubiquitous Justin Bieber, rapper Drake, British indie rock sensation Florence & The Machine, and English folk/rock group Mumford & Sons.

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Do You Know About Billy Childs' Jazz Chamber Ensemble?

✵Good morning✵

Billy Childs' Jazz Chamber Ensemble will be at Iridium Jazz Club (51st and Broadway) in New York City starting this Friday (May 21) through Sunday (May 23)!

Who is this guy?

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