Trombonist/Composer Clifton Anderson brings his Quintet into the Iridium on Tuesday, August 4th in support of his new Doxy Records release, Decade.   A February gig at Dizzy’s Coca Cola introduced the CD and debuted his new group, which features Eric Wyatt on tenor, Stephen Scott on piano, Russel Blake on bass, and Steve Williams on drums, in addition to Anderson’s vibrant trombone.

There have been very few bands that have impressed me lately in the musical landscape. In an effort to avoid sounding like a music snob, I partly blame myself. My styles have changed and I am not as obsessed with music as I once was. Still, there is a side of me that blames the artists, media and record labels for stealing a little bit of thunder from something I once cherished.

I had long been hearing about both the beauty of Nelson Ledges Quarry Park, a place that I had been meaning to go for years, and the great new band that Klyph Black had formed called Rumor Has It.  So it was with great anticipation that I wander over on Saturday afternoon of Gratefulfest weekend to see the band, at the main stage located just steps from a huge lake, and within the shady shadows cast by the trees that are all over this beautiful festival location.

Have you ever been to the Taste of Chicago? All in all it is a fantastic experience, one not to be missed but there are always headaches that go along with attending, ie the heat and humidity, long lines and traffic. Every year even if it is just for a moment you ponder how nice it would be not to have to deal with the headache. This is the best way I can describe the Death Cab for Cutie show at Red Rocks in Morrison, CO on July 14th 2009.