cratedigging again

DIGGING THE CRATES IN ANTWERP

    

Big Bands: CSULA Jazz Ensemble / Les Hooper Big Band

The ladies wanted to look at the sales in Antwerp main street stores ... I told them it was a good idea as it would leave me ample time to look for records. 

Dutch Jazz:  Henny Vonk / Gijs Hendriks 4tet feat. Michel Herr

Here come the Belgians: Sadi Big Band / Fud Candrix 

Boogiemen (NL / CH / UK)

Jap-Jazz (Jam Session  @ JUNK feat Sleepy Matsumoto) / Steve Kuhn Live in NY

A recommended address if you visit Antwerp: 

And after the cratedigging, nothing beats a "bolleke"

DRINK BEER & SUPPORT JAZZ EDUCATION

BROTHER THELONIUS 

I'm just back from a short professional trip to Washington, DC.  I managed to find the time to visit a couple of record-stores (Some Records and CD Cellar) and came back with some 15 LPs, some of them I may post in the future.


I also discovered the BROTHER THELONIUS Belgian Style Abbey Ale.


I remember the first time I visited the States some thirty years ago, I found that American beer was pretty dreadful ... cat piss rather than beer.  But it seems that a quiet revolution has happened over the years and that American people have discovered the "real" thing eventually.  I was pleasantly surprised to see and taste a good range of ales, from tradiitonally british Indian Pale Ale to traditionally belgian "Saison" Beer.


But my favorite is without contest this BROTHER THELONIUS Abbey Beer.


OK I'd be lying if I'd say that it compares with a Rochefort, West Vletteren or a Chimay because nothing compares to these divine nectars. But Brother Thelonius is a pretty decent beer nevertheless.  I even brought a few bottles to share with friends in Belgium.  But what's intenresting is that  North Coast Brewing Co. is in a partnership with the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz in support of Jazz education. The Brewery makes a donation to the Institute for every bottle of Brother Thelonious Belgian Style Abbey Ale sold.
"  when you buy Brother Thelonious Belgian Style Abbey Ale you also help to support the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz whose mission is to offer the world's most promising young musicians college level training by America's jazz masters and to present public school-based jazz education programs for young people around the world.  All of these programs are offered free of charge to the students and schools."

Isn't that a beautiful initiative!  Drinking and at the same time sponsoring jazz education.
Hey bartender, bring me another one, it's for a good cause!