Diaspora

Music from Somali (and Sudan) has been hard to find after both countries crumbled into instability and chronic fighting. Khadija Jiijo Jeesto was an acclaimed singer who at one time fronted the popular Somalian band Dur Dur.

She fled Somalia three times as it spiraled downward and was forced back three times. With financial help from another fine Somalian band, Waaberi, she finally made it to Saudi Arabia, only to find she was not allowed to sing and couldn't find work. She cut the six tracks on the CD in secret to avoid arrest before she decided to head back to Somalia where women are not treated quite as badly.

808 Xamar: Exiled Digital Somali Sounds from 1990s Saudi Arabia (Bandcamp Exclusive), by Khadija Jiijo Jeesto 6 track album

Two of Madison's best kept secrets together. The unclassifiable band Mr. Chair playing in the beautiful Mansion Hill Inn. They were so hot last night they played 20 minutes beyond their break and finished saying "We've got time for one more song, but we'll play two."

Mr. Chair is Ben Ferris (bass), Jason Kutz (keyboards) and Mike Koszewksi (drums). Just before the break they played an achingly gorgeous "Poinciana." Originally a Cuban folk song called "La Cancion del Arbol," it first received notice the US in 1943 when Glenn Miller played it with the US Army Air Force Band. It became a Latin jazz standard after 1952 when it appeared in the movie "Dreamboat." It became a a jazz standard after 1958 when Ahmad Jamal played a jaw dropping version in his Chicago live performance released as "At the Pershing."

After they locked in the groove with "Poinciana," Mr. Chair continued to shower the tiny packed room with sparks the rest of the night. When they find the pocket, they stretch it every which way without tearing the fabric. It was a night to remember in one of Madison's most special venues.

You can catch Mr. Chair playing Hank Mobley's fabulous album "Soul Station" in its entirety during the dinner hours on Sunday, Mar. 16 at Lola's Hi/Lo Lounge. They'll also be playing their amazing version of Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" on Saturday, April 26 at the another of Madison's best kept secrets, the beautiful North Street Cabaret.

The Mansion Hill Inn is a magical place to hear jazz. An intimate room is a glorious old house. January 30 was the Ben Ferris Trio with Chris Rottmayer on keyboards. Ben Ferris and Mike Koszewski have got to be the tightest jazz rhythm section in town. Rottmayer's 10+ years as a pianist in bands on cruise ships of all sizes, all over the world has stocked his soul full of licks and tricks. It was a great show, even more amazing because they laid down amazing music even when the second set only had 4 people. You all missed an incredible performance.

We're back at the Malt House for another evening of Irish music. Come on down for some decent music, good conversation and great beer.