Author Archives: Paul Brad

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About Paul Brad

Freelance journalist / Publisher / Editor - Straight No Chaser magazine / Editor - L FM : Broadcasting In A Pandemic - Gilles Peterson (Worldwide FM) / Publisher: From Jazz Funk & Fusion to Acid Jazz: A History Of The UK Jazz Dance Scene by Mark 'Snowboy' Cotgrove / Music Fan: Interplanetary Sounds: Ancient to Future / Cultural Event Consultant & Activist / Nei Jia practitioner

MASTER TT LIANG: A few words on Taijiquan

Posted on March 6, 2013 by Paul Brad

The first book we were told to read by John R. Kells when I was learning Yang Family taijiquan back in the day was TT Liang’s T’ai Ch Chuan for Health & Self Defence. It’s one of the few books … Continue reading →

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Dr Donald Byrd with The Mizell Brothers Live at Montreux 1973

Posted on February 26, 2013 by Paul Brad

THE BAND: Donald Byrd (tp,flhrn) Fonce Mizell (tp) Allan Barnes (fl,ts) Nathan Davis (sop,ts) Larry Mizell (synt) Kevin Toney (el-p) Barney Perry (el-g) Henry Franklin (el-b) Keith Killgo (d,vcl) Ray Armando (cga,perc). Live, Montreux Jazz Festival, Montreux, Switzerland, July 5, … Continue reading →

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THIS SUNDAY! SESSION No.1 – FREEDOM: The Art Of Improvisation

Posted on February 20, 2013 by Paul Brad

“In composition you have all the time you want to decide what to say in 15 seconds, in improvisation you have 15 seconds.” Steve Lacy Greetings…  Seems like a rare occasion these days that I’m offered a little deejay slot … Continue reading →

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PLACES & SPACES: Donaldson Toussaint L’Ouverture Byrd II RIP

Posted on February 9, 2013 by Paul Brad

Last Monday, at the age of 80, composer, trumpeter and teacher, Donaldson Toussaint L’Ouverture Byrd II passed away leaving us a mountain of recordings that add up to a impressively diverse and lasting legacy. As a musician who transcended generations … Continue reading →

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WILLIAM ADAMSON: Moonlit Visions & East Coast Pathways

Posted on February 8, 2013 by Paul Brad

“The slug trails of idea, half-truth and the untold. Catching the light of the full moon, crisscrossing each other on the path. We set about devising a map with places of which we had heard, through some chance visits and … Continue reading →

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Broken Things こわれたもの

Posted on February 8, 2013 by Paul Brad

Broken Things こわれたもの is a labour of love – a small but powerful photography book by photographer Sam Seager. It was launched last night at the ICN Space in Shoreditch and all profits from sales of the book will be … Continue reading →

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IS THAT JAZZ? Only Millions Of Sounds To Pick You Up When You’re Down….

Posted on February 1, 2013 by Paul Brad

The dreaded month of January draws to a close and this past week’s been very “jazz”. On Monday, it was Jazz In The Round at the Cockpit Theatre. The baby of Jazz On 3’s Jez Nelson and the Cockpit’s Dave … Continue reading →

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MAJESTIC VOICES OF MALI: Rising Against Those Who Would Silence Them

Posted on January 19, 2013 by Paul Brad

In response to the escalating conflict in Mali with the Islamic fundamentalist militias of AQIM and Ansar Dine, FATOUMATA DIAWARA has gathered together over 40 of the Country’s most renowned musicians, with a little assistance from Nick Gold’s World Circuit … Continue reading →

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OUTSIDERS… the music of Moondog, Cornelius Cardew, Conlon Nancarrow….

Posted on January 17, 2013 by Paul Brad

Couldn’t resist posting this shot of MOONDOG from the Cafe Oto news letter.Tremendous. It relates to this Sunday’s performance from the Outsider Music Collective who interpret the music of “outsiders” – the homeless, the genre-less, the academically neglected, the commercially … Continue reading →

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THE ROOM WITH A VIEW: Shuya Okino’s Tokyo Runnings

Posted on January 16, 2013 by Paul Brad

My relationship with Japan goes back to the mid Eighties and one my earliest friendships on the club scene was with Shuya Okino of the Kyoto Jazz Massive. I have fond memories of That Fuss Was Us playing in their … Continue reading →

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