Last play at Shea

Kevin Mazur/Newmarket Wrekin Hill

Master musicians

A series of DVDs have performances by jazz artists, usually broadcasts in European television. The two latest I watched, and enjoyed immensely, were Erroll Garner and Wes Montgomery. True masters of their instruments.

John Lennon at 70

Google had this doodle on its home page yesterday and today in tribute to Lennon.

John Lennon would have turned 70 on Saturday, and the anniversary has occasioned a flood of events and releases to commemorate the songwriter and his work. In a way, Lennon’s stature — the reason for the celebrations — makes some of them seem beside the point. Since he was murdered outside the Dakota, 30 years ago in December, Lennon has remained a powerful presence in the culture, both for his songwriting and performances as a Beatle and for his post-Beatles life as a peace crusader, born-again feminist and alternately strident and affecting solo artist. Do we really need to be reminded about John Lennon? 

An iconic picture.

Numerous concert tributes will celebrate Lennon too, including a concert by the surviving members of his first band, the Quarry Men, at the Society for Ethical Culture on Saturday night.

Giant steps

John Coltrane, tenor sax ; Tommy Flanagan, piano ; Paul Chambers, bass ; Art Taylor, drums.

Giant steps -- Cousin Mary -- Countdown -- Spiral -- Syeeda's song flute -- Naima -- Mr. P.C.

I've been listening to it recently; magnificent music.