On October 16, 2023, The Jazz Gallery hosted a distinctive installment of its Vinyl Listening Series, featuring guitarist Bill Frisell and writer Ashley Kahn. This intimate event offered attendees a curated exploration of influential jazz recordings that have shaped Frisell's musical journey. The selections included Sonny Rollins' "Now's The Time" from Now's The Time (RCA, 1964), James Blood Ulmer's "Church" from Odyssey (Columbia, 1983), and Gary Burton's "Wichita Breakdown" from Country Roads & Other Places (RCA, 1968), among others. (jazzgallery.org)
This collaboration was particularly notable as it marked the first time Frisell and Kahn co-hosted a Vinyl Listening Series event at The Jazz Gallery. Their shared history includes Kahn's insightful liner notes for Frisell's album In My Dreams (2023), which features Frisell alongside Jenny Scheinman, Eyvind Kang, Hank Roberts, Thomas Morgan, and Rudy Royston. (en.wikipedia.org) Their combined expertise provided a rich context for the evening's selections, offering attendees a deeper understanding of the music's impact on Frisell's artistry.
The Jazz Gallery's Vinyl Listening Series, introduced in 2018, has become a cherished platform for artists to share and discuss the recordings that have influenced their work. This event with Frisell and Kahn added a personal touch to the series, allowing fans to connect with the artists on a more intimate level. (jazzgallery.org)