Magnolia

Today I continue my series on the superb uses of music by director Paul Thomas Anderson. For three weeks (in anticipation of his sixth feature The Master), I am highlighting some of my favorite moments in his films. This second installment is on Magnolia and the sweet styling of Aimee Mann, ladies and germs!

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The Bad Plus: Made Possible EPK

The Bad Plus is set to release their newest album, Made Possible, on September 25, 2012. After following this band for over a decade and watching as they shifted the paradigm from what a jazz trio should and can do, to what a jazz trio is possible of, I am as excited for this record release as any in memory. The mark The Bad Plus has already left on the music world is permanent, but they continue to spread their wings musically and culturally. With imaginative arrangements of rock songs coupled alongside driving original compositions, The Bad Plus has ushered in a new generation of jazz audiences who might not have otherwise spoke this language.

Read on for my full thoughts. You dig?

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Stargrooves

Stargrooves is a collection of Berklee graduates under the direction of Teddy Watson whom are based out of NYC. This nine piece ensemble is interested in long range pop composition in the post-rock direction. The full cast is:

Teddy Watson (Banjo, Vocals) Charlie Rauh (Acoustic Guitar) Bryan Percivall (Upright Bass) Enrico de Trizio (Accordion) Oskar Häggdahl (Drums) Jesse Stacken (Toy Piano) Concetta Abbate (Violin) Sarah Goldstone (Melodica) & George Lykogiannis (Harmonium)

The video below is their performance of What The Snowman Learned About Love originally composed by the analogous group Stars. Meanwhile, Stargrooves is currently cutting their teeth in the studio and prepping for a fall tour so stay in touch with the sizable group via Facebook and Twitter. I look forward to watching and listening to this ensemble as they grow.

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One Note/One Phrase: Roy Haynes

Last night I was having dinner and listening to one of my favorite records ever – We Three from Roy Haynes. The album title refers to the fact that it is a jazz trio album featuring the enviable cast of Roy Haynes on drums, Paul Chambers on bass, and Phineas Newborn Jr. on piano.

You know an album is part of your personal solid gold all time top 5 favorite records when you can listen to it over the course of many years and still find something new to obsess over and be captivated by with each passing listen.

Last night it was Roy Haynes's curious non-playing on the album's third cut entitled Solitaire. Check it out on today's installment of One Note/One Phrase.

Roy Haynes: Solitaire

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Boogie Nights

It's been awhile since I've written anything at all here and even longer since I've done a Scenes and Songs, but I'm back and ready to kick off a series looking at the superb uses of music by director Paul Thomas Anderson. Over the next three weeks (in anticipation of his sixth feature The Master), I'll highlight some of my favorite moments in his films. We're starting with the Hot Traxx of Boogie Nights.

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Sons Of Daughters Kickstarter

Sons Of Daughters is a jazz trio from the Midwest comprised of members Aaron Darrell, Devin Drobka, and Patrick Breiner. Frequent readers of the Dig might remember Patrick from a concert review I recently wrote here.

These three musicians are as forward thinking, talented, and progressive as they come. However, to complete their next project they are asking for a little help via Kickstarter.

Read on for the full details of the project as well as the group's promo video. You dig?

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