It's almost 2005, so I've decided to make a list of the shows I'm especially excited about in the coming year:

Joshua Redman Elastic Band with Sam Yahel and Brian Blade: Dec. 28th through Jan. 2nd at Yoshi's in Oakland. If it weren't for stupid Warner Brothers, which sat on Redman's latest disc, I'd have it by that time. As it is, the yet untitled record will come out in the spring on Nonesuch.

McCoy Tyner with Stanley Clarke and Billy Cobham: Jan. 25th through Jan. 30th, again at Yoshi's. This is Week One of Tyner's annual residency at the club.

Directions in Music (Herbie Hancock, Roy Hargrove, Michael Brecker): February 7th at the Civic Auditorium in Santa Cruz. I saw the band a couple of years ago when they were first touring. I think it was pretty good, but can't totally remember. The record is exciting, although not quite at the level you would expect from three jazz titans. Michael Brecker's solo sax tracks are bruising.

Kenny Garrett: March 31st through April 3rd at Yoshi's. There's also a possibility that I will be able to attend a clinic with him around this time in San Francisco.

Dave Holland Big Band: April 6th through April 8th at Yoshi's. Maybe the band's new CD will be out by then too.

Saxophone Summit (Dave Liebman, Joe Lovano, Michael Brecker): June 13th at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center in Santa Cruz. I've seen Liebman and Brecker, but not Lovano. The
"Summit" CD is fantastic, the type of in-the-moment music that should be even better live.

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