In conjunction with the opening of the exhibit, we're going to start highlighting one Ran-related item each month with a feature called Relics From the Black Bag.

This month's relic is a clipping from the Boston Phoenix from 1980 on the release of Ran's Film Noir LP (which, regrettably, has never been issued on CD).

You can view it by clicking on this link or by clicking on the thumbnail above.

Ran says he isn't sure where the reference to dating Thelonious Monk's niece came from. Thanks to John Campopiano for initiating this feature.

The second phase of NEC's 40th anniversary celebration of the Jazz Studies Program is coming up in March in New York City. There are several events the week of March 21, with the centerpiece at B.B. King Blues Club on March 27. Artists confirmed for that performance include Ran, Dominique Eade, Sarah Jarosz, John Medeski, Bernie Worrell, Anton Fig, and Lake Street Dive.

The New England Conservatory's Spaulding Library is running an exhibit of photos, records, posters and other memorabilia from Ran's career. Exhibit materials come from NEC's extensive Ran Blake Archives.

The pictures in this issue are from the exhibit. You can view several other items on Flicker.

The library is at 33 Gainsborough Street, at the corner of Huntington Ave. and Gainsborough St. The exhibit will be up until this year's commencement in May.

Ran with the musicians who recorded with him on The Short Life of Barbara Monk. From left to right: Ed Felson (bass), Jon Hazilla (percussion) and Ricky Ford (tenor sax).

Thanks for reading. As always, you can reach Ran directly at ran@ranblake.com, and you can read back issues here.

To learn more about studying at NEC's Contemporary Improvisation Department, visit the department's website or contact Department Chairperson Hankus Netsky.

We'll see you in March.
--Steve

Vol. 6, No. 2