RIFFS ON JAZZ

Farewell (for Now)

2012-01-07T09:52:00.000-08:00

I started this blog two years ago today. Its purpose was to express my love and interest in jazz music. That love continues, but over the last year I have had less time and energy to devote to blogging. So, I am suspending adding any new posts to Riffs on Jazz. I have enjoyed this blog immensely, especially hearing from people who share the same passion. Keep listening to jazz and I hope to write in some form (perhaps a book) about jazz in the future.

This Week in Jazz History: December 30 to January 5

2012-01-01T09:29:00.000-08:00

December 30

Pianist/arranger Jimmy Jones born 1918 in Memphis, TN.
Trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie records “Manteca,” with percussionist Chano Pozo, 1947.
Duke Ellington records “The Clothed Woman,” 1947.

December 31

Trumpeter Jonah Jones born 1909 in Louisville, KY.
Bassist John Kirby born 1908 in Baltimore, MD.

January 1

Vibraphonist Milt Jackson born 1923 in Detroit, MI.
Pianist Albert Ammons records "Shout for Joy," 1939."
Bassist Al McKibbon born 1919 in Chicago, IL.

January 2

Drummer Nick Fatool born 1915 in Milbury, MA.
Gene Krupa records "Blue Rhythm Fantasy," 1940.
Vocalist Arthur Prysock born 1929 in Spartanburg, SC.

January 3

Count Basie records Blues In The Dark, featuring vocalist Jimmy Rushing, 1938.
Pianist/composer Herbie Nichols born 1919 in New York, NY.
Alto saxophonist John Jenkins born 1931 in Chicago, IL.

January 4

Trumpeter Frankie Newton born 1906 in Emory, VA.
Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie record "What's The Matter Now?" with vocalist Rubberlegs Williams, 1945.
Saxophonist/flutist Frank Wess born 1922 in Kansas City, MO.

January 5

Cornetist "Wild" Bill Davison born 1906 in Defiance, OH.
In 1959, Trumpeter Blue Mitchell records Out of the Blue with Art Blakey, Wynton Kelly, Benny Goldson and Sam Jones.
Trumpeter Jerry Gonzalez born 1949 in New York, NY.

Source: Smithsonian Jazz

Jazz News: Sam Rivers has Died

2011-12-28T07:29:00.000-08:00

Sam Rivers, a key figure in the post-war avant garde jazz scene, has died at the age of 88. The New York Times published an obituary.

Sam Rivers, Jazz Artist of Loft Scene, Dies at 88
By Nate Chinen

Sam Rivers, an inexhaustibly creative saxophonist, flutist, bandleader and composer who cut his own decisive path through the jazz world, spearheading the 1970s loft scene in New York and later establishing a rugged outpost in Florida, died on Monday in Orlando, Fla. He was 88. More...

This Week in Jazz History: December 23 to December 29

2011-12-23T17:22:00.000-08:00

December 23

Coleman Hawkins records “The Man I Love,” 1943.
The first Spirituals To Swing concert is held at Carnegie Hall, 1938.
Louis Armstrong records “Sweethearts on Parade,” 1930.

December 24

Drummer Warren ‘Baby’ Dodds born 1898 in New Orleans, LA.
Wayne Shorter records Speak No Evil, 1964.
Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk record “Bag’s Groove,” 1954.

December 25

Trombonist/bandleader Kid Ory born 1886 in La Place, LA.
Pianist/organist/composer Don Pullen born 1941 in Roanoke, VA.
Bandleader/singer Cab Calloway born 1907 in Rochester, NY.

December 26

Bassist Monty Budwig born 1929 in Pender, NE.
Tenor saxophonist John Coltrane records “Do I Love You Because You’re Beautiful?” with trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, 1958.
Guitarist John Scofield born 1951 in Dayton, OH.

December 27

Tenor saxophonist Ben Webster records “Old Folks” with alto saxophonist Benny Carter and bassist John Kirby.
Bassist/author Bill Crow born 1927 in Othello, WA.
Pianist Walter Norris born 1931 in Little Rock, AR.

December 28

Bassist/composer Charles Mingus records Changes I with trumpeter Jack Walrath, tenor saxophonist George Adams, pianist Don Pullen, and drummer Dannie Richmond, 1974.
Lester Young records first session as a leader (“Sometimes I’m Happy”), 1943.
Two pianists born: Earl Hines 1903 in Duquesne, PA, and Michel Petrucciani 1962 in Orange, France.

December 29

Tenor saxophonist Joe Lovano born 1952 in Cleveland, OH.
Pianist Art Tatum records “Without A Song,” 1953.
Snub Mosely born 1909 in Little Rock, AR.

Source: Smithsonian Jazz

Jazz News: Bob Brookmeyer has Died

2011-12-17T19:25:00.000-08:00

Legendary valve trombonist and composer Bob Brookmeyer has died. The announcement was made on his website:

Bob Brookmeyer (1929 - 2011)

12/17/2011 7:19:22 PM - It’s with great sadness that we share the news that Bob Brookmeyer passed away last night, just three days shy of his 82nd birthday. More...

This Week in Jazz History: December 16 to December 22

2011-12-16T19:28:00.000-08:00

December 16

Vocalist Sarah Vaughan records “You’re Not The Kind” with trumpeter Clifford Brown and pianist Jimmy Jones, 1954.
Jelly Roll Morton’s Red Hot Peppers record “Grandpa’s Spells,” 1926.
Saxophonist Joe Farrell born 1937 in Chicago Heights, IL.

December 17

Pianist Bud Powell records A Portrait of Thelonious with drummer Kenny Clarke, 1961.
Alto saxophonist Charlie Parker records “Crazeology” with drummer Max Roach and trumpeter Miles Davis, 1947.
Arranger Sy Oliver born 1910 in Battle Creek, MI.

December 18

Jimmie Lunceford records “Rhythm Is Our Business,” 1934.
Two saxophonists born: Eddie ‘Cleanhead’ Vinson 1917 and Harold Land 1928, both in Houston, TX.
Bandleader/arranger Fletcher Henderson born 1897 in Cuthbert, GA.

December 19

Drummer Lenny White born 1949 in New York, NY.
Trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie records Sonny Side Up with tenor saxophonists Sonny Rollins and Sonny Stitt, 1957.
Valve trombonist and composer Bob Brookmeyer born 1929 in Kansas City, MO.

December 20

Clarinetist Sidney Bechet records “Blue Horizon,” 1944.
Saxophonist Arne Domnerus born 1924 in Stockholm, Sweden.
Pianist Larry Willis born 1940 in New York, NY.

December 21

Drummer Panama Francis born 1918 in Miami, FL.
Ornette Coleman Double Quartet records Free Jazz, 1960.
Composer/conductor/cellist/trombonist David Baker born 1931 in Indianapolis, IN.

December 22

Red Onion Jazz Babies record “Cake Walking Babies From Home,” with trumpeter Louis Armstrong and soprano saxophonist Sidney Bechet, 1924.
Pianist Ronnie Ball born 1927 in Birmingham, England.
Four bands record, 1947 - Stan Kenton (“Interlude”), Dizzy Gillespie (“Woody ’n’ You”), Duke Ellington (“On a Turquoise Cloud”), and Fats Navarro/Dexter Gordon (“Index”).

Source: Smithsonian Jazz

This Week in Jazz History: December 9 to December 15

2011-12-09T18:08:00.000-08:00

December 9

Two trumpeters born: Donald Byrd 1932 in Detroit, MI, and Jimmy Owens 1943 in New York, NY.
The John Coltrane Quartet records A Love Supreme, 1964.
Louis Armstrong records “Struttin’ With Some Barbecue,” 1927.

December 10

Trumpeter/violinist Ray Nance born 1913 in Chicago, IL.
Clarinetist Irving Fazola born 1912 in New Orleans, LA.
Bassist Bob Cranshaw born 1932 in Evanston, IL.

December 11

Duke Ellington records “The Controversial Suite,” 1951.
Tenor saxophonist Coleman Hawkins records “Angel Face” with pianist Hank Jones, 1947.
Pianist McCoy Tyner born 1938 in Philadelphia, PA.

December 12

Pianist Earl Hines records “Fifty-Seven Varieties,” 1928.
Vocalist Joe Williams born 1918 in Cordele, GA.
Drummer Tony Williams born 1945 in Chicago, IL.

December 13

Drummer Sonny Greer born 1895 in Long Beach, NJ.
Louis Armstrong records “Hotter Than That,” 1927.
Bennie Moten’s band makes its last recordings, including “Moten Swing,” featuring pianist Count Basie, tenor saxophonist Ben Webster, trumpeter Hot Lips Page, and arranger/guitarist Eddie Durham, 1932.

December 14

Trumpeter Clark Terry born 1920 in St. Louis, MO.
Jelly Roll Morton records “King Porter Stomp,” 1939.
Two saxophonists born: Budd Johnson 1910 in Dallas, TX, and Cecil Payne 1922 in Brooklyn, NY.

December 15

Bandleader/composer Stan Kenton born 1911 in Wichita, KS.
Drummer Dannie Richmond born 1935 in New York, NY.
Pianist Cecil Taylor and drummer Max Roach record a duo concert at Columbia University, 1979.

Source: Smithsonian Jazz

Pepper Adams - "It's You or No One" (1983)

2011-12-04T11:05:00.000-08:00

This Week in Jazz History: December 2 to December 8

2011-12-02T22:29:00.000-08:00

December 2

Vocalist Sylvia Syms born 1917 in New York, NY.
Composer/arranger Eddie Sauter born 1914 in New York, NY.
Two pianists born: Wynton Kelly 1931 in Jamaica, and Ronnie Mathews 1935 in New York, NY.

December 3

Tenor saxophonist Booker Ervin records The Freedom Book with pianist Jaki Byard, 1963.
Valve Trombonist/arranger Brad Gowans born 1903 in Billerica, MA.
Alto saxophonist Benny Carter plays and sings his composition “Goodbye Blues” with The Chocolate Dandies, 1930.

December 4

Guitarist Jim Hall born 1930 in Buffalo, NY.
Duke Ellington records “Daybreak Express,” 1933.
Duke Ellington’s band historic opening at New York’s Cotton Club, 1927.

December 5

Bassist Art Davis born 1934 in Harrisburg, PA.
Louis Armstrong and pianist Earl Hines record their duet “Weatherbird,” 1928.
The BeBop Boys, featuring trumpeter Fats Navarro, record Nostalgia, 1947.

December 6

Guitarist Remo Palmier born 1923 in New York, NY.
Bassists Slam Stewart and Major Holley record “Shut Yo’ Mouth!” 1981.
Pianist/composer Dave Brubeck born 1920 in Concord, CA.

December 7

The Casa Loma Orchestra records “Casa Loma Stomp,” 1930.
Bandleader Teddy Hill born 1909 in Birmingham, AL.
Pianist Matthew Shipp born 1960 in Wilmington, DE.

December 8

Organist Jimmy Smith born 1925 in Norristown, PA.
Louis Armstrong records “That’s My Home” with drummer Chick Webb’s band, 1932.
The Sound of Jazz is broadcast live, setting a standard for jazz television that has yet to be equaled, 1957.

Source: Smithsonian Jazz

Jazz News: A New Post for Jason Moran

2011-11-30T10:51:00.000-08:00

Jazz pianist/composer Jason Moran has been selected as the artistic adviser for the Kennedy Center jazz program. Here's the story:

Jason Moran to be Kennedy Center jazz adviser
by Brett Zongker, Associated Press

Washington -- The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Tuesday tapped 36-year-old pianist and composer Jason Moran to be its artistic adviser for jazz, a post held by acclaimed musician Billy Taylor until his death in December at 89. More...

This Week in Jazz History: November 25 to December 1

2011-11-26T13:56:00.000-08:00

November 25

Cornetist Nat Adderley born 1931 in Tampa, FL.
Alto saxophonist Paul Desmond born 1924 in San Francisco, CA.
Pianist/composer Willie “The Lion” Smith born 1897 in Goshen, NY.

November 26

Duke Ellington records “I’m Just A Lucky So-and-So,” 1945.
Charlie Parker records “KoKo” at his first session as a leader, 1945.
Louis Armstrong records “After You’ve Gone,” 1929.

November 27

Bandleader/composer Maria Schneider born 1960 in Windom, MN.
Violinist Eddie South born 1904 in Louisiana, MO.
Pianist Jacky Terrasson born 1966 in Berlin, Germany.

November 28

Drummer George Wettling born 1907 in Topeka, KS.
Tenor saxophonist Lester Young records The President Plays with Oscar Peterson, 1952.
Saxophonist/composer Gigi Gryce born 1927 in Pensacola, FL.

November 29

Drummer Adam Nussbaum born 1955 in New York, NY.
Trumpeter Lee Morgan records The Rajah, with tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley and pianist Cedar Walton, 1966.
Composer/pianist Billy Strayhorn born 1915 in Dayton, OH.

November 30

Trumpeter Jack Sheldon born 1931 in Jacksonville, FL.
Louis Armstrong records Satchmo at Symphony Hall with drummer Big Sid Catlett and trombonist Jack Teagarden, 1947.
Bunny Berigan records Bix Beiderbecke’s “In A Mist,” 1938.

December 1

Saxophonist Jimmy Lyons born 1933 in Jersey City, NJ.
Bassist/composer Jaco Pastorius born 1951 in Norristown, PA, and records The Birthday Concert, 1981.
Tenor saxophonist Johnny Griffin records Five Birds and a Monk with pianist Stanley Cowell, 1978.

Source: Smithsonian Jazz

Jazz News: Paul Motian is Dead

2011-11-23T15:23:00.000-08:00

Jazz drummer Paul Motian has died. The New York Times has the story:

Paul Motian, Jazz Drummer, Is Dead at 80
by Ben Ratliff

Paul Motian, a drummer, bandleader, composer and one of the most influential jazz musicians of the last 50 years, died on Tuesday in Manhattan. He was 80 and lived in Manhattan. More...

This Week in Jazz History: November 18 to November 24

2011-11-19T11:22:00.000-08:00

November 18

Paul Whiteman’s Orchestra records Hoagy Carmichael’s “Washboard Blues,” 1927.
Trumpeter/multi-instrumentalist Don Cherry born 1936 in Oklahoma City, OK.
Tenor saxophonist John Coltrane records “Alabama,” 1963, in reaction to the church bombings in that state that killed four girls.

November 19

Drummer/bandleader Chick Webb records “Don’t Be That Way,” 1934.
Trombonist/bandleader Tommy Dorsey born 1905 in Shenandoah, PA.
Pianist Teddy Wilson records “Pennies From Heaven” with vocalist Billie Holiday and clarinetist Benny Goodman, 1936.

November 20

Trumpeter Miles Davis records arranger Gil Evans’ version of “Concierto de Aranjuez,” 1959.
Tenor saxophonist Don Braden born 1963 in Cincinnati, OH.
Guitarist Skeeter Best born 1914 in Kinston, NC.

November 21

Pianist Geoff Keezer born 1970 in Eau Claire, WI.
Xylphonist/composer Red Norvo records “Dance of the Octopus,” 1933, with Benny Goodman on bass clarinet.
Tenor saxophonist Coleman Hawkins born 1904 in St. Joseph, MO.

November 22

Pianist/arranger Horace Henderson born 1904 in Cuthbert, GA.
Trombonist /arranger/composer Jimmy Knepper born 1927 in Los Angeles, CA.
Composer/author/conductor Gunther Schuller born 1925 in Jackson Heights, NY.

November 23

Bassist/composer Ray Drummond born 1946 in Brookline, MS.
Composer Johnny Mandel born 1925 in New York, NY.
Drummer Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers record At the Café Bohemia, with trumpeter Kenny Dorham, tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley, and pianist Horace Silver, 1955.

November 24

Vocalist Bessie Smith makes her last recordings, including “Give Me A Pigfoot,” 1933.
Organist/arranger Will Bill Davis born 1918 in Glasgow, MO.
Saxophonist/composer/arranger Al Cohn born 1925 in New York, NY.

Source: Smithsonian Jazz

This Week in Jazz History: November 11 to November 17

2011-11-12T14:09:00.000-08:00

November 11

Duke Ellington’s band records Billy Strayhorn’s “Progressive Gavotte,” 1947.
Cornetist Don Cherry records “Where is Brooklyn?” with tenor saxophonist Pharoah Sanders, 1966.
Trumpeter Willie Cook born 1923 in Tangipahoa, IN.

November 12

Bassist Sam Jones born 1924 in Jacksonville, FL.
Louis Armstrong and his Hot Five record their first piece, “My Heart,” 1925.
Trumpeter/arranger Buck Clayton born 1911 in Parsons, KS.

November 13

Pianist Hampton Hawes born 1928 in Los Angeles, CA.
Cecil Taylor Quintet, with John Coltrane and Kenny Dorham, records Hard-Driving Jazz, 1958.
Drummer Idris Muhammad born 1939 in New Orleans, LA.

November 14

Pianist Don Ewell born 1916 in Baltimore, MD.
Guitarist Billy Bauer born 1915 in New York, NY.
Benny Carter Meets Oscar Peterson recorded 1986.

November 15

Pianist/composer Thelonious Monk makes his last studio recordings with bassist Al McKibbon and drummer Art Blakey, 1971.
Drummer Gus Johnson born 1913 in Tyler, TX.
Guitarist Kevin Eubanks born 1957 in Philadelphia, PA.

November 16

Composer W.C. Handy born 1873 in Muscle Shoals, AL.
Guitarist/bandleader Eddie Condon born 1905 in Goodland, IN.
Louis Armstrong records “Big Butter and Egg Man,” 1926.

November 17

Bassist/bandleader Ben Allison born 1966 in New Haven, CT.
Trombonist Roswell Rudd born 1935 in Sharon, CT.
Trumpeter Doc Cheatham and pianist Sammy Price record Duets, 1976.

Source: Smithsonian Jazz

This Week in Jazz History: November 4 to November 10

2011-11-05T11:05:00.000-07:00

November 4

Pianist Joe Sullivan born 1906 in Chicago, IL.
Louis Armstrong records Hoagy Carmichael’s “Stardust,” 1931.
Alto saxophonist Charlie Parker records “Klactoveedsedstene,” with drummer Max Roach, 1947.

November 5

Vocalist Ella Fitzgerald records “Goodnight, My Love” with Benny Goodman’s band, 1936.
Jimmie Lunceford’s band records Sy Oliver’s version of “Annie Laurie” featuring trombonist/vocalist Trummy Young, 1937.
Pianist Keith Jarrett records his solo The Sun Bear Concerts in Kyoto, Japan, 1975.

November 6

Arranger Andy Gibson born 1913 in Zanesville, OH.
Pianist Claude Thornhill’s band records Gil Evans’ arrangement of “Donna Lee” featuring alto saxophonist Lee Konitz, 1947.
The World Saxophone Quartet records Steppin’, 1981

November 7

Tenor saxophonist David S. Ware born 1949 in Plainfield, NJ.
The historic Live at Fargo recording is made of the Ellington band in 1940, giving us an informal listen to the band at its zenith.
Pianist Joe Bushkin born 1916 in New York, NY.

November 8

Trumpeter Kamau Adilifu (Charles Sullivan) born 1944 in New York, NY.
Vocalist Billie Holiday records “Don’t Explain,” 1944.
Guitarist Russell Malone born 1963 in Albany, GA.

November 9

Two alto saxophonists born: Jesse Davis 1965 in New Orleans, LA, and Pete Brown 1906 in Baltimore, MD.
Count Basie records “How Long Blues” with his All American Rhythm Section (guitarist Freddie Green, bassist Walter Page, and drummer Jo Jones), 1938.
Pianist Oscar Peterson records “If You Could See Me Now” with guitarist Joe Pass, 1983.

November 10

Pianist Paul Bley born 1932 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Bassist Walter Page’s Blue Devils make their only recordings, “Blue Devil Blues” and “Squabblin’,” 1929.
Tenor saxophonist Mark Turner born 1965 in Fairborn, OH.

Source: Smithsonian Jazz

Jim Hall - "All the Things You Are" (2009)

2011-11-01T07:49:00.000-07:00

Respect for the Masters

2011-10-30T19:40:00.000-07:00

Two recent dates at theSan Francisco Jazz Festival (SFJAZZ) show that the jazz tradition continues tothrive and change with the times. On October 10th, pianist Benny Green paida birthday tribute to the music ofThelonious Monk with a concert called “Monk’s Dream: 50 Years Fresh.” He wasjoined by the regular members of his trio, Peter Washington on bass and KennyWashington on drums, along with a guest saxophonist, the venerable DonaldHarrison.

They played tunes from theaforementioned 1963 Monk album, Monk’s Dream, such as “Five Spot Blues,” “Bye-Ya,” and thetitle tune, as well as other music from the master. Green, who looksconsiderable younger than his 48 years, is a talented and engaging pianist,bring bop and stride sensibilities to his playing. He has played with ArtBlakey’s Jazz Messengers and in Betty Carter’s band. All the band membersseemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves while playing Monk’s music, andthey showed that his quirky music can be played afresh without falling intomere imitation.

A week ago, October 23rd,I saw a master in the flesh, guitarist Jim Hall, who is now 80 and still goingstrong. Hall has been active on the jazz scene since the mid-1950s, playingwith the likes of Chico Hamilton, Jimmy Giuffre, Sony Rollins, Paul Desmond,Bill Evans, Ella Fitzgerald, Ben Webster, Lee Konitz, and on and on. He hasrecorded over 30 albums as a leader and almost as many as a sideman.

His current group includesGreg Osby on saxophone, Steve LaSpina on bass, and Terry Clarke on drums, andall contributed significantly to the evening of standards, originals, andfree-floating improvisations. Hall, sitting on a folding chair, sits hunchedover his Gibson - the guitar almost seems to have replaced the mid-section ofhis body - and he shakes out baby powder on his fingers between songs. But hestill produces a beautiful, rounded sound from his guitar and seems to havelost little in dexterity. Hall is a quiet presence on the stage but the musiche produces is magical.

This Week in Jazz History: October 28 to November 3

2011-10-29T10:55:00.000-07:00

October 28

Guitarist Philip Catherine born 1942 in London, England.
Trombonist Bill Harris born 1916 in Philadelphia, PA.
Composer/arranger Chico O’Farrill born 1921 in Havana, Cuba.

October 29

Alto saxophonist Charlie Parker records “Embraceable You,” 1947.
Tenor saxophonist Zoot Sims born 1925 in Inglewood, CA.
Composer/arranger/trumpeter Neal Hefti born 1922 in Hastings, NE.

October 30

Percussionist/bandleader Poncho Sanchez born 1951 in Laredo, TX.
Count Basie records “What’s Your Number?” featuring tenor saxophonist Lester Young, 1940.
Trumpeter Clifford Brown born 1930 in Wilmington, DE.

October 31

Actress/singer Ethel Waters born 1896 in Chester, PA.
Tenor saxophonist Booker Ervin born 1930 in Denison, TX.
Tenor saxophonist Illinois Jacquet born 1922 in Boussard, LA.

November 1

Pianist Roger Kellaway born 1939 in Newton, MA.
Basssist/composer Charles Mingus records Mingus Dynasty with a group including Jimmy Knepper, Booker Ervin, and Roland Hanna, 1959.
Alto saxophonist Lou Donaldson born 1926 in Badin, NC.

November 2

Trumpeter Bunny Berigan born 1908 in Hilbert, WI.
Alto saxophonist Johnny Hodges records Billy Strayhorn’s “Daydream,” 1940.
Saxophonist/clarinetist/bandleader Phil Woods born 1931 in Springfield, MA.

November 3

Tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins records A Night at the Village Vanguard, 1957, with drummer Elvin Jones and bassist Wilbur Ware.
Bassist Henry Grimes born 1935 in Philadelphia, PA.
Pianist Fats Waller records “Your Feet’s Too Big,” 1940.

Source: Smithsonian Jazz

This Week in Jazz History: October 21 to October 27

2011-10-22T11:33:00.000-07:00

October 21

Trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie born 1917 in Cheraw, SC.
In 1946, Billy Strayhorn begins rehearsing his and Duke Ellington’s only Broadway show, Beggar’s Holiday, which closed after only four months.
Tenor saxophonist Don Byas born 1912 in Muskogee, OK.

October 22

Pianist/composer Clare Fischer born 1928 in Durand, MI.
Count Basie records The Atomic Basie, 1957, featuring arrangements by Neal Hefti.
Sam Morgan’s Jazz Band records “Bogalousa Strut” in New Orleans, 1927.

October 23

Alto saxophonist Sonny Criss born 1927 in Memphis, TN.
Composer/arranger Gary McFarland born 1933 in Los Angeles, CA.
The Brass Ensemble of the Jazz and Classical Music Society records J.J. Johnson’s “Jazz Suite for Brass,” featuring trumpeters Miles Davis and Bernie Glow, 1956.

October 24

Jazz historian Dan Morgenstern born 1929 in Munich, Germany.
Bassist Wendell Marshall born 1920 in St. Louis, MO.
Pianist/composer Thelonious Monk records “Well, You Needn’t” at his first trio session with bassist Gene Ramey and drummer Art Blakey, 1947.

October 25

Saxophonist/composer Jimmy Heath born 1926 in Philadelphia, PA.
Trombonist Robin Eubanks born 1955 in Philadelphia, PA.
Pianist/composer Thelonious Monk records “The Way You Look Tonight” with Sonny Rollins, 1954.

October 26

Tenor saxophonist Warne Marsh born 1927 in Los Angeles, CA.
Bandleader/saxophonist Charlie Barnet born 1913 in New York, NY.
C. Luckyeth ‘Luckey’ Roberts records an unissued session for Columbia, 1916.

October 27

Pianist/composer George Wallington born 1924 in Palmero, Sicily, Italy.
Soprano saxophonist Steve Lacy records The Straight Horn of Steve Lacy, with drummer Roy Haynes, 1960.
Clarinetist Benny Goodman records “Texas Tea Party” featuring trombonist/vocalist Jack Teagarden, 1933.

Source: Smithsonian Jazz

Benny Green - "Monk's Dream" (2011)

2011-10-15T19:25:00.000-07:00

This Week in Jazz History: October 14 to October 20

2011-10-14T21:54:00.000-07:00

October 14

Tenor saxophonist Ben Webster and pianist Joe Zawinul record together, with trumpeter Thad Jones, bassist Sam Jones, and drummer Philly Joe Jones, 1963.
Trumpeter Dusko Goykovich born 1931 in Jajce, Yugoslavia.
Duke Ellington records “Tootin’ Through the Roof,” featuring cornetist Rex Stewart and trumpeter Cootie Williams, 1939.

October 15

Nat King Cole’s short-lived television show has Jazz at the Philharmonic as his guest, and Cole plays in a rare jazz appearance with Stan Getz and Coleman Hawkins, 1957.
Pianist/composer Thelonious Monk makes his first recordings as a leader, 1947.
Trumpeter Al Killian born 1916 in Birmingham, AL.

October 16

Saxophonist/arranger/composer Benny Carter records “Lonesome Nights” and “Symphony in Riffs,” 1933.
Trombonist Ray Anderson born 1952 in Chicago, IL.
Trumpeter Roy Hargrove born 1969 in Waco, TX.

October 17

Trombonist Jimmy Harrison born 1900 in Louisville, KY.
Two guitarists born - Barney Kessel 1923 in Muskogee, OK, and Howard Alden 1958 in Newport Beach, CA.
J.J. Johnson and Kai Winding record their first album as co-leaders at Birdland, 1954.

October 18

Trumpeter Wynton Marsalis born 1961 in New Orleans, LA.
Pianist/composer James P. Johnson records "Carolina Shout," 1921.
Tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine records “Jubilee Shouts,” 1962.

October 19

Trombonist Jack Jenney records his classic version of “Stardust” with his own big band, 1939.
Clarinetist Eddie Daniels born 1941 in New York, NY.
Clarinetist Alphonse Picou born 1878 in New Orleans, LA.

October 20

Saxophonist Eddie Harris born 1936 in Chicago, IL.
Pianist/composer Jelly Roll Morton born 1890 in New Orleans, LA.
Vocalist Ethel Waters records “Dinah,” 1925.

Source: Smithsonian Jazz

This Week in Jazz History: October 7 to October 13

2011-10-07T20:40:00.000-07:00

October 7

Louis Armstrong records his first session with Fletcher Henderson’s band, 1924.
Drummer Jo Jones born 1911 in Chicago, IL.
Organist Larry Young born 1940 in Newark, NJ.

October 8

Baritone saxophonist Pepper Adams born 1930 in Highland Park, MI.
Drummer J .C. Heard born 1917 in Dayton, OH.
Lennie Tristano records first trio sides (Out on a Limb), 1946, with Clyde Lombardi and Billy Bauer.

October 9

Reedman/composer Yusef Lateef born 1920 in Chattanooga, TN, and records Gong, 1957.
Alto saxophonist Kenny Garrett born 1960 in Detroit, MI.
Pianist/composer Thelonious Monk records “Ba-lue-Bolivar-Ba-lues-are,” with bassist Oscar Pettiford, drummer Max Roach, and saxophonists Sonny Rollins and Ernie Henry, 1956.

October 10

Trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison born 1915 in Columbus, OH.
Billie Holiday stages a 1956 comeback concert at Carnegie Hall (it also became an album) with a band that includes Roy Eldridge and Coleman Hawkins.
Pianist/composer Thelonious Monk born 1917 in Rocky Mount, NC.

October 11

Drummer/bandleader Art Blakey born 1919 in Pittsburgh, PA.
Trumpeter Lester Bowie born 1941 in Frederick, MD.
Tenor saxophonist Coleman Hawkins records “Body and Soul,” 1939, an advanced improvisation that became a hit.

October 12

Drummer Tubby Hall born 1895 in Sellers, LA.
Bassist/composer Charles Mingus records The Complete Town Hall Concert, 1962.
Alto saxophonist James Moody records “I’m in The Mood for Love,” 1949, which later becomes a hit as “Moody’s Mood” for vocalist Eddie Jefferson.

October 13

Bassist Ray Brown born 1926 in Pittsburgh, PA.
Pianist Art Tatum born 1909 in Toledo, OH.
Saxophonist Lee Konitz born 1927 in Chicago, IL.

Source: Smithsonian Jazz

This Week in Jazz History: September 30 to October 6

2011-09-30T21:14:00.000-07:00

September 30

Bassist Oscar Pettiford born 1922 in Okmulgee, OK.
Louis Armstrong and vocalist Billie Holiday record “You Can’t Lose A Broken Heart,” 1949.
Drummer Buddy Rich born 1917 in New York, NY.

October 1

Bassist Dave Holland born 1946 in Wolverhampton, W. Midlands, England.
Duke Ellington and bassist Jimmy Blanton record “Pitter Panther Patter,” 1940.
Pianist/composer Horace Silver records Cape Verdean Blues with trumpeter Woody Shaw and tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson, 1965.

October 2

Guitarist Howard Roberts born 1929 in Phoenix, AZ
Composer/pianist Django Bates born 1960 in Beckenham, England.
Guitarist Charlie Christian makes his first recording “Flying Home” with the Benny Goodman Sextet, 1939.

October 3

Pianist Dave Brubeck records “All The Things We Are” with alto saxophonists Lee Konitz and Anthony Braxton, 1974.
Fletcher Henderson records Benny Carter’s arrangement of “Somebody Loves Me,” 1930.
Tenor saxophonist Von Freeman born 1922 in Chicago, IL

October 4

English tenor saxophonist Tubby Hayes records in New York with Clark Terry and Horace Parlan, 1961.
Vocalist Leon Thomas born 1937 in East St. Louis, IL.
Electric/acoustic bassist Steve Swallow born 1940 in Fair Lawn, NJ.

October 5

Bassist Jimmy Blanton born 1918 in Chattanooga, TN.
Cornetist Bix Beiderbecke and his Gang record “Jazz Me Blues,” 1927.
Trombonist Steve Turre records In The Spur of the Moment with bassist Buster Williams and drummer Jack DeJohnette, 1999.

October 6

Ellington records “Black and Tan Fantasy” at first Victor session, 1927.
Pianist Norman Simmons born 1929 in Chicago, IL.
Pianist Sammy Price born 1908 in Honey Grove, TX.

Source: Smithsonian Jazz

This Week in Jazz History: September 23 to September 29

2011-09-24T10:40:00.000-07:00

September 23

Saxophonist/composer John Coltrane born 1926 in Hamlet, NC.
Saxophonist/composer Frank Foster born 1928 in Cincinnati OH.
Pianist/vocalist Ray Charles born 1930 in Albany, GA.

September 24

Trumpeter Fats Navarro born 1923 in Key West, FL.
Bassist Charles Mingus records Let My Children Hear Music, 1971.
Sarah Vaughan records My Funny Valentine, 1973.

September 25

Saxophonist Sam Rivers born 1923 in El Reno, OK.
Woodwind expert Garvin Bushell born 1902 in Springfield, OH.
Saxophonist Lee Konitz records Duets with drummer Elvin Jones, violinist Ray Nance, guitarist Jim Hall, and others, 1967.

September 26

Duke Ellington and John Coltrane record the album Duke Ellington & John Coltrane, 1962.
Xylophonist Red Norvo records "Old Fashioned Love" with clarinetist Artie Shaw, trombonist Jack Jenney, and pianist Teddy Wilson, 1934.
Saxophonist Gary Bartz born 1940 in Baltimore, MD.

September 27

Pianist Bud Powell born 1924 in New York, NY.
Trumpeter Red Rodney born 1927 in Philadelphia, PA.
The Kansas City 6, with clarinetist/tenor saxophonist Lester Young and electric guitarist Eddie Durham, record “Countless Blues,” 1938.

September 28

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans record Together Again, their second album, 1976.
Tenor saxophonist John Gilmore born 1931 in Summit, MS.
Pianist Kenny Kirkland born 1955 in Newport, NY.

September 29

Coleman Hawkins and Red Allen record “The Day You Came Along,” 1933.
Violinist Jean-Luc Ponty born 1942 in Avranches, France.
Trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie plays Carnegie Hall with his big band, with guests Ella Fitzgerald and alto saxophonist Charlie Parker, 1947.

Source: Smithsonian Jazz

Jazz Poetry - “Billy Strayhorn Writes ‘Lush Life’”

2011-09-19T07:14:00.000-07:00

Billy Strayhorn Writes “LushLife” by Elizabeth Alexander

Empty ice-cream carton

in a kitchen garbage can.

Up all night with yourmother.

He beat her again. Up allnight

eating ice-cream, you madeyour mother laugh.

Life is lone

Duke’shands on your shoulders,

youplay it again. Cancer

eatsmoth holes through

youand you and you.

Life is lone

Speedingupstate in the backseat,

onthe Taconic, cocktail

inone hand, book in another

asautumn leaves blur by.

Thislife, New York, piano,

love,then lonely, this life, love.

--FromAmerican Sublime (GraywolfPress, 2005)

Note:Elizabeth Alexander was born in Harlem in 1962 and grew up in Washington D.C.She is the daughter of former U.S. Secretary of the Army Clifford Alexander,Jr. In 1963, her parents brought her to Martin Luther King Jr.’s March onWashington, where he gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. She graduatedfrom Yale University, and then studied with poet Derek Walcott at BostonUniversity, where she earned her master’s degree. She later earned herdoctorate at the University of Pennsylvania. She was briefly a reporter for theWashington Post but then turnedto teaching English at the University of Chicago in the early 1990s, where shemet a charismatic young law lecturer named Barack Obama. She recited a poem athis presidential inauguration that she had composed for the occasion. Herpublished work includes Body of Life, American Sublime (afinalist for the Pulitzer Prize), and a verse play, Diva Studies. She currently teaches at Yale.

Joe Pass - "Blues in G" (1989)

2011-09-18T08:42:00.001-07:00

This Week in Jazz History: September 16 to September 22

2011-09-16T20:59:00.000-07:00

September 16

Singer John Hendricks born 1921 in Newark, OH.
Violinist Joe Venuti born 1903 in Philadelphia, PA.
Guitarist Charlie Byrd born 1925 in Chuckatuck, VA.

September 17

Clarinetist Perry Robinson born 1938 in New York, NY.
Bandleader Bill McKinney born 1895 in Cynthiana, KY.
Duke Ellington, bassist Charles Mingus, and drummer Max Roach record Money Jungle, 1962.

September 18

Guitarist Emily Remler born 1957 in New York, NY.
Alto saxophonist Charlie Parker records Parker’s Mood with pianist John Lewis, 1948.
Saxophonists Lester Young and Charlie Parker and trumpeter Roy Eldridge record “Embraceable You” at Carnegie Hall, 1949.

September 19

Woody Herman’s band records Ralph Burns’ extended composition “Summer Sequence,” 1946.
Pianist/composer Muhal Richard Abrams born 1930 in Chicago, IL.
Pianist Erroll Garner records Concert By The Sea with bassist Eddie Calhoun and drummer Denzil Best, 1955.

September 20

Saxophonist Johnny Dankworth born 1927 in London, England.
Duke Ellington records “Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue,” 1937.
Saxophonist Steve Coleman born 1956 in Chicago, IL.

September 21

Jelly Roll Morton records “Dead Man Blues,” 1926.
Drummer Sunny Murray born 1937 in Idabel, OK.
Bassist Slam Stewart born 1914 in Englewood, NJ.

September 22

Guitarist Wes Montgomery records Unit 7 with pianist Wynton Kelly, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Jimmy Cobb, 1965.
Trombonist Roswell Rudd records “Broad Strokes” with vocalist Sheila Jordan, 1999.
Vocalist Marlena Shaw born 1942 in New Rochelle, NY.

Source: Smithsonian Jazz

This Week in Jazz History: September 9 to September 15

2011-09-09T19:06:00.000-07:00

September 9

Drummer Elvin Jones born 1927 in Pontiac, MI.
Bassist George Mraz born 1944 in Pisek, now in the Czech Republic.
Duke Ellington records Indigos, an album of ballads, 1957.

September 10

Drummer Cliff Leeman born 1913 in Portland, ME.
Trombonist Craig Harris born 1954 in Hempstead, NY.
Trumpeter Miles Davis records ’Round Midnight with tenor saxophonist John Coltrane, 1956.

September 11

Fluegelhornist Stacy Rowles born 1955 in Los Angeles, CA.
Lionel Hampton records “When Lights Are Low,” 1939.
Pianist/singer Harry Connick, Jr., born 1967 in New Orleans, LA.

September 12

Trombonist Steve Turre born 1948 in Omaha, NE.
Trumpeter Cat Anderson born 1916 in Greenville, SC.
George Russell records Manhattan with a band including John Coltrane, Art Farmer, Bob Brookmeyer, and Bill Evans, 1958.

September 13

Tenor saxophonist Chu Berry born 1910 in Wheeling, WV.
Billie Holiday records “He’s Funny That Way,” 1937.
Composer/pianist Tadd Dameron records “Lady Bird,” 1948.

September 14

Cecil Taylor makes his first session as a leader 1956. Band includes Steve Lacy, Buell Neidlinger, and Dennis Charles.
Saxophonist Joseph Jarman born 1937 in Pine Bluff, AR.
Trumpeter Bill Berry born 1930 in Benton Harbor, MI.

September 15

Saxophonist Cannonball Adderley born 1928 in Tampa, FL.
Bassist Arvell Shaw born 1923 in St. Louis, MO.
Pianist/composer Jelly Roll Morton records “Black Bottom Stomp,” 1926.

Source: Smithsonian Jazz

Sarah the Tame

2011-09-04T21:46:00.000-07:00

I am a big fan of the JazzIcons series of DVDs, which has uncovered some of the classic jazzperformances of all time. I was looking forward to viewing Sarah Vaughan:Live in ’58 and ‘64 with greatanticipation. So, I am sorry to say that I found it a major disappointment.

The first set, filmed inSweden, is the strangest of the three. Apparently filmed for television, Sarahends each number by thanking the audience, yet there is no sound of applause.I’m not sure if they later added canned applause or what, but it’s a bitdisconcerting as presented here. And Vaughan’s vocals, while lovely and alwaysmusical, are simply tame and uninspired. The other set from 1958, filmed inHolland, is clearly in front of a live audience, but the effect is the same:lovely but bland. In the third set from 1964, we see Vaughan in a bad wig andsweating profusely through a somewhat livelier vocal delivery.

While the material she’schosen - “Misty,” “Lover Man,” “Tenderly,” “Sometimes I’m Happy,” “Maria” (fromWest Side Story), among others- is impeccable and the group behind her is terrific, the overall effect of thewhole is something less than the parts.

Buddy Tate - "Blue and Sentimental" (1961)

2011-09-03T09:00:00.000-07:00

This Week in Jazz History: September 2 to September 8

2011-09-02T16:03:00.000-07:00

September 2

Pianist Horace Silver born 1928 in Norwalk, CT.
Tenor saxophonist Clifford Jordan born 1931 in Chicago, IL.
Saxophonist John Coltrane records “First Meditations For Quartet,” 1965.

September 3

Drummer Roy Brooks born 1938 in Detroit, MI.
Pianist/musicologist James Dapogny born 1940 in Berwyn, IL.
Baritone saxophonist Serge Chaloff records “The Fable of Mabel” with pianist Richard Twardzik, 1954.

September 4

Miles Davis Nonet opened at The Royal Roost, 1948.
Saxophonist/educator Dave Liebman born 1946 in New York, NY.
Composer/arranger Gerald Wilson born 1918 in Shelby, MS.

September 5

Count Basie’s Kansas City Seven records “Lester Leaps In,” 1939, featuring tenor saxophonist Lester Young.
Duke Ellington records “In a Mellotone,” 1940.
Trombonist Albert Mangelsdorff born 1928 in Frankfurt, Germany.

September 6

Cornetist Buddy Bolden born 1877 in New Orleans, LA.
Clarinetist Sidney Bechet records “Blues In Thirds” with pianist Earl Hines and drummer Baby Dodds, 1940.
Saxophonist/musicologist Andrew White born 1942 in Washington, DC.

September 7

Trumpeter Joe Newman born 1922 in New Orleans, LA.
Tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins born 1929 in New York, NY.
Bennie Moten’s band records "South," 1928.

September 8

Cornetist’s Bix Beiderbecke’s last session as leader, 1930.
Pianist Elmer Schoebel born 1896 in East St. Louis, Illinois.
Bassist Wilbur Ware born 1923 in Chicago, IL.

Source: Smithsonian Jazz

This Week in Jazz History: August 26 to September 1

2011-08-26T19:27:00.000-07:00

August 26

Saxophonist Branford Marsalis born 1960 in Breaux Bridge, LA.
Vocalist Jimmy Rushing born 1903 in Oklahoma City, OH.
Duke Ellington records “Old Man Blues,” 1930.

August 27

Tenor saxophonist Dexter Gordon records GO! with drummer Billy Higgins, 1962.
Tenor saxophonist Stan Getz records Big Band Bossa Nova, arranged by Gary McFarland, 1962.
Tenor saxophonist/clarinetist Lester Young born 1909 in Woodville, MS.

August 28

Clarinetist Jimmy Giuffre records with the Modern Jazz Quartet at the Music Inn, 1956.
Tenor saxophonist Chu Berry records Monday at Mintons with pianist Clyde Hart and trumpeter Hot Lips Page, 1941.
Pianist Kenny Drew born 1928 in New York, NY.

August 29

Vocalist Dinah Washington born 1924 in Tuscaloosa, AL.
Trombonist/vocalist Jack Teagarden born 1905 in Vernon, TX.
Alto saxophonist Charlie Parker born 1920 in Kansas City, KS.

August 30

Max Roach and Archie Shepp duo concert is recorded in Switzerland, 1979.
Trumpeter Kenny Dorham born 1924 in Fairfield, TX.
Tenor saxophonist Eddie Harris records Freedom Jazz Dance, 1965.

August 31

Alto saxophonist Ornette Coleman records Colors, duets with pianist Joachim Kuhn, 1996.
Jimmie Lunceford records “Organ Grinder’s Swing,” 1936.
Composer/arranger Edgar Sampson born 1907 in New York, NY.

September 1

Saxophonist Art Pepper born 1925 in Gardena, CA.
Bassist/French hornist Willie Ruff born 1931 in Sheffield, AL.
Duke Ellington records his tribute to Billy Strayhorn, And His Mother Called Him Bill, 1967.

Source: Smithsonian Jazz

Bill Evans - "Beautiful Love" (1965)

2011-08-25T21:37:00.000-07:00

The Embodiment of Jazz Violin

2011-08-20T19:57:00.000-07:00

Stéphane Grappelli: A Life in the Jazz Century (DVD, 2003) presents a fascinating look at the life of the great Stéphane Grappelli (1908–1997), who, one could argue, was the Louis Armstrong of the jazz violin.

Born in Paris, Grappelli was thrust out into the world at a young age. His mother died when he was four and his father went off to fight in World War One, and the young Grappelli was left at the Isadora Duncan dance school, where he became enamored of the French impressionistic music popular at the time. He went on to study music and busked on the streets of Paris to support himself. He soon gained fame as a violin virtuoso.

It was hearing Joe Venuti play violin in the late 1920s that turned Grappelli to jazz. In the 1930s, he teamed up with guitarist Django Reinhardt to form the famous Quintette du Hot Club de France. His work with the Quintette was to cast a shadow over the rest of Grappelli’s career, particularly after the Django’s death in 1953. He could never quite live up to the legend.

During World War Two, he played in England with George Shearing. He continued to record during his entire life, producing an extensive discography that is impressive in its breadth and variety. He recorded with the likes of Duke Ellington, Oscar Peterson, Martin Taylor, classical violinist Yehudi Menuhin, Dave Grisman, cellist Yo Yo Ma, Paul Simon, and Pink Floyd.

Grappelli’s violin sound is instantly recognizable - a tone pure as a birdsong. He never played a bad note. But his wide range of collaborations and the fact that he played the cocktail hour at the Paris Hilton in the 1960s has left Grappelli with an unjustified lightweight reputation. I would say that his life embodies the history of the jazz violin.

Some might balk at the comparison to Armstrong. Grappelli was certainly not in the ranks of Armstrong as an innovator - Armstrong was a force of nature in jazz without peer. However, Grappelli’s time with the Quintette ranks as one of the high points in jazz history. There is also a parallel with Armstrong in the fact that Grappelli maintained his playing style throughout his life (lack of innovation) and had a reputation as an entertainer, which the jazz cognoscente sniffed at.

This film presents a thorough look at Grappelli’s life, including extensive interviews with the man himself and considerable concert footage. Thoroughly enjoyable.

This Week in Jazz History: August 19 to August 25

2011-08-19T19:57:00.000-07:00

August 19

Pianist Jimmy Rowles born 1918 in Spokane, WA.
Arranger Lyle “Spud” Murphy born Salt Lake City, 1908.
Trombonist/composer/arranger Eddie Durham born 1906 in San Marcos, TX.

August 20

Drummer Milford Graves born 1941 in New York, NY.
Guitarist Jimmy Raney born 1927 in Louisville, KY.
Trombonist Frank Rosolino born 1926 in Detroit, MI.

August 21

Pianist/bandleader Count Basie born 1904 in Red Bank, NJ.
Flugelhornist Art Farmer born 1928 in Council Bluffs, IA.
Drummer Leon Parker born 1965 in White Plains, NY.

August 22

Thelonious Monk’s “Round Midnight” is recorded for the first time by trumpeter Cootie Williams’ big band, 1944.
Bassist Malachi Favors born 1937 in Chicago, IL.
Count Basie records “Jumpin’ At the Woodside,” 1938.

August 23

Pianist Martial Solal born 1927 in Algiers, North Africa.
Tenor saxophonist John Coltrane records Traneing In with Red Garland’s trio, 1957.
Pianist McCoy Tyner records Expansions with trumpeter Woody Shaw and saxophonists Gary Bartz and Wayne Shorter, 1968.

August 24

Vibraphonist Milt Jackson records “Between The Devil and The Deep Blue Sea” with pianist John Lewis, bassist Ray Brown, and drummer Kenny Clarke, 1951.
Alto saxophonist Buster Smith born 1904 in Ennis, TX.
Drummer Buddy Rich records This One’s for Basie, 1956.

August 25

Tenor saxophonist Buddy Tate records Meets Dollar Brand, 1977.
Saxophonist/composer Wayne Shorter born 1933 in Newark, NJ.
Organist Jimmy Smith records The Sermon, 1957, with trumpeter Lee Morgan and guitarist Kenny Burrell.

Source: Smithsonian Jazz

Wayne Shorter Quartet - "Joy Rider" (2010)

2011-08-13T15:49:00.000-07:00

Wayne Shorter on saxophone, Danilo Perez on piano, John Patitucci on bass, and Brian Blade on drums.

This Week in Jazz History: August 12 to August 18

2011-08-12T20:29:00.000-07:00

August 12

Pianist Wynton Kelly records Kelly Great, with trumpeter Lee Morgan, tenor saxophonist Wayne Shorter, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Philly Joe Jones, 1960.
Drummer Tony Williams records Spring with the tenor saxophonists Sam Rivers and Wayne Shorter, 1965.
Guitarist Pat Metheny born 1954 in Lee’s Summit, MO.

August 13

Pianist George Shearing born 1919 in London, England.
Pianist Mulgrew Miller born 1955 in Greenwood, MS.
Baritone saxophonist Gerry Mulligan records with Thelonious Monk, 1957.

August 14

Violinist Stuff Smith born 1909 in Portsmouth, OH.
Pianist/vibraphonist Eddie Costa born 1930 in Atlas, PA.
Trumpeter Miles Davis records first session as a leader, with Charlie Parker on tenor saxophone, 1947.

August 15

Bassist Sam Jones records Right Down Front, 1962.
Composer Bill Russo records A Recital in New American Music, 1951.
Pianist Oscar Peterson born 1925 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

August 16

Three pianists born - Bill Evans, 1929 in Plainfield, NJ; Mal Waldron, 1925 in New York, NY; and Carl Perkins, 1928 in Indianapolis, IN.
Vocalist Al Hibbler born 1915 in Tyro, MS.
Vibraphonist Lionel Hampton records “Drum Stomp,” 1937.

August 17

Pianist/composer Duke Pearson born 1932 in Atlanta, GA.
Bassist George Duvivier born 1920 in New York, NY.
Pianist Paul Bley records Floater with bassist Steve Swallow ansd drummer Pete LaRoca, 1962.

August 18

Trumpeter Miles Davis records Gil Evans’ arrangements of Porgy and Bess, 1958.
Drummer Don Lamond born 1920 in Oklahoma City, OK.
Fletcher Henderson’s band records Coleman Hawkins’ “Queer Notions,” 1933.

Source: Smithsonian Jazz

This Week in Jazz History: August 5 to August 11

2011-08-05T19:16:00.000-07:00

August 5

Percussionist Airto Moreira born 1941 in Itaiopolis, Brazil.
Trumpeter Frankie Newton and bassist John Kirby record “Emperor Jones” with Charlie Barnet, 1937.
Pianist/bandleader Luis Russell born 1902 in Careening Clay, Panama.

August 6

Trombonist Vic Dickenson born 1906 in Xenia, OH.
Vocalist Abbey Lincoln born 1930 in Chicago, IL.
Bassist Charlie Haden born 1937 in Shenandoah, IA.

August 7

Pianist Thelonious Monk records Live at the Five Spot, 1958.
Guitarist George Van Eps born 1913 in Plainfield, NJ.
Multi-instrumentalist Rahsaan Roland Kirk born 1936 in Columbus, OH.

August 8

Trombonist Urbie Green born 1926 in Mobile, AL.
Vocalist Sarah Vaughan records “Nobody Else But Me” with Benny Carter, 1962.
Saxophonist/composer/bandleader Benny Carter born 1907 in New York, NY.

August 9

Count Basie records “Time Out” and “Topsy,” 1938.
Drummer/pianist Jack DeJohnette born 1942 in Chicago, IL.
Jazz historian/critic Martin Williams born 1924 in Richmond, VA.

August 10

Pianist/bandleader Claude Thornhill born 1909 in Terre Haute, IN.
Vocalist Mamie Smith records “Crazy Blues,” 1920, the first hit record to establish the blues.
Tenor saxophonist Archie Shepp records Four for Trane, 1966.

August 11

Pianist Jess Stacy born 1904 in Bird’s Point, MO.
Alto saxophonist/clarinetist Russell Procope born 1908 in New York, NY.
Clarinetist/bandleader Benny Goodman records Fletcher Henderson’s arrangement of Fats Waller’s “Stealin’ Apples,” 1939.

Source: Smithsonian Jazz

Art Farmer - "Some Time Ago" (1964)

2011-08-03T21:14:00.000-07:00

Art Farmer on flugel horn, Jim Hall on guitar, Steve Swallow on bass, and Walter Perkins on drums.

This Week in Jazz History: July 29 to August 4

2011-07-29T19:46:00.000-07:00

July 29

Pianist/composer John Lewis records The Wonderful World of Jazz, 1960.
Guitarist Charlie Christian born 1916 in Dallas, TX.
Arranger/saxophonist Don Redman born 1900 in Piedmont, W.VA.

July 30

Saxophonist James Spaulding born 1937 in Indianapolis, IN.
Drummer Vernel Fournier born 1928 in New Orleans, LA.
Charles Mingus records solo piano album, 1963.

July 31

Pianist Hank Jones born 1918 in Vicksburg, MS.
Guitarist Kenny Burrell born 1931 in Detroit, MI.
Clarinetist Artie Shaw’s Gramercy Five with trumpeter Roy Eldridge and pianist Dodo Marmorosa record “Scuttlebutt,” 1945.

August 1

Pianist/vocalist Fats Waller records “Until The Real Thing Comes Along,” 1936.
Glenn Miller records “In The Mood,” 1939.
Drummer/composer Max Roach records “Percussion Bittersweet,” 1961.

August 2

Tenor saxophonist Big Nick Nicholas born 1922 in Lansing, MI.
Trumpeter Clifford Brown and drummer Max Roach record “Parisian Thoroughfare,” 1954.
The Benny Goodman Quartet records “Smiles,” 1937.

August 3

Alto saxophonist Greg Osby born 1960 in St. Louis, MO.
Trumpeter/arranger Charlie Shavers born 1917 in New York, NY.
Tenor saxophonist/composer Wayne Shorter records JuJu with pianist McCoy Tyner, bassist Reggie Workman, and drummer Elvin Jones, 1964.

August 4

Louis Armstrong born 1901 in New Orleans, LA.
Guitarist Herb Ellis born 1921 in Farmersville, TX.
Count Basie’s band records “Song of the Islands,” featuring trumpeter Buck Clayton and tenor saxophonist Lester Young, 1939.

Source: Smithsonian Jazz

Johnny Hodges - "Black Butterfly" (1969)

2011-07-24T10:15:00.001-07:00

This Week in Jazz History: July 22 to July 28

2011-07-22T18:59:00.000-07:00

July 22

Pianist Al Haig born 1924 in Newark, NJ.
Bassist Keter Betts born 1928 in Port Chester, NY.
Duke Ellington records “Harlem Airshaft,” 1940.

July 23

Trumpeter Emmett Berry born 1915 in Macon, GA.
Pianist/composer Thelonious Monk records Criss-Cross, 1951.
Soprano saxophonist Steve Lacy born 1934 in New York, NY.

July 24

Pianist Billy Taylor born 1921 in Greenville, NC.
Alto saxophonist Charles McPherson born 1939 in Joplin, MO.
Duke Ellington records “Sepia Panorama,” 1940.

July 25

Vocalist Annie Ross born 1930 in Surrey, England.
Trumpeter/bandleader Don Ellis born 1934 in Los Angeles, CA.
Saxophonist Johnny Hodges born 1907 in Cambridge, MA.

July 26

Only live recording of A Love Supreme, 1965, at the Festival Mondial du Jazz Antibes.
Drummer/bandleader Charlie Persip born 1929 in Morristown, NJ.
Count Basie records “Alright, OK, You Win” with vocalist Joe Williams, 1955.

July 27

Trumpeter Miles Davis records Quiet Nights with arranger Gil Evans, 1962.
Tenor saxophonist Jean Toussaint born 1960 in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.
Helen Merrill records with Gil Evans (Hank Jones, Art Farmer, Oscar Pettiford), 1956.

July 28

Trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis born 1965 in New Orleans, LA.
Duke Ellington records “Sherman Shuffle,” 1942.
Tenor saxophonist Don Byas records Free and Easy with trumpeter Charlie Shavers and pianist Clyde Hart, 1944.

Source: Smithsonian Jazz

This Week in Jazz History: July 15 to July 21

2011-07-15T22:55:00.000-07:00

July 15

Harlan Leonard’s Big Band records Tadd Dameron’s “A-La-Bridges,” 1940.
Drummer Philly Joe Jones born 1923 in Philadelphia, PA.
First Newport Jazz Festival opens, 1954.

July 16

Drummer Bobby Previte born 1957 in Niagara Falls, NY.
Saxophonist/bass clarinetist/flutist Eric Dolphy and trumpeter Booker Little record at the Five Spot, 1961.
Vibraphonist Cal Tjader born 1925 in St. Louis, MO.

July 17

Drummer Joe Morello born 1928 in Springfield, MA.
Drummer Ben Riley born 1933 in Savannah, GA.
Creole Pianist/composer Jelly Roll Morton records with The New Orleans Rhythm Kings, 1923, one of the very first integrated recording sessions.

July 18

Trombonist Carl Fontana born 1928 in Monroe, LA.
Charles Mingus records Tijuana Moods, 1957.
Trumpeter Erskine Hawkins’ Big Band records “Tuxedo Junction,” 1939.

July 19

Clarinetist Buster Bailey born 1902 in Memphis, TN.
Trumpeter Bobby Bradford born 1934 in Cleveland, MS.
Bud Freeman and his Summa Cum Laude Orchestra record “The Eel,” 1939.

July 20

Arranger/saxophonist Ernie Wilkins born 1922 in St. Louis, MO.
Bassist Peter Ind born 1928 in Uxbridge, England.
Stan Kenton’s band records Bill Holman’s arrangement of “What’s New,” 1955.

July 21

Vocalist Helen Merrill born 1930 in New York, NY.
Louis Armstrong records “I’m Confessin’,” 1930.
Benny Carter arranges and plays on an all-star session for Lionel Hampton, 1938, including trumpeter Harry James and drummer Jo Jones.

Source: Smithsonian Jazz

Warne Marsh & Lee Konitz - "Subconscious-lee" (1954)

2011-07-13T19:42:00.000-07:00

This Week in Jazz History: July 8 to July 14

2011-07-08T19:19:00.000-07:00

July 8

Arranger Bill Challis born 1904 in Wilkes Barre, PA.
Vocalist Billy Eckstine born 1914 in Pittsburgh, PA.
Duke Ellington records At Newport, 1956 with the extended version of “Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue,” 1956.

July 9

Trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie records “Things to Come,” 1946.
Saxophonist Frank Wright born 1935 in Grenada, MS.
Trumpeter Miles Davis records Blue Moods, with bassist Charles Mingus and drummer Elvin Jones, 1955.

July 10

Trumpeter Cootie Williams born 1910 in Mobile, AL.
Vocalist Ivie Anderson born 1905 in Gilroy, CA.
Pianist/arranger/trumpeter Dick Cary born 1916 in Hartford, CT.

July 11

Tenor saxophonist John Coltrane records The Stardust Session, with flugelhornist Wilbur Harden, 1958.
McKinney’s Cotton Pickers record their first session, including “Crying and Sighing,” 1928.
Blues singer Blind Lemon Jefferson born 1897 in Couchman, TX.

July 12

Tenor saxophonist Paul Gonsalves born 1920 in Boston, MA.
Trumpeter Conte Candoli born 1927 in Mishawaka, IN.
Drummer Roy Haynes records Vistalite with tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson, 1976.

July 13

Tenor saxophonist Albert Ayler born 1936 in Cleveland, OH.
Art Tatum records “Willow Weep for Me,” 1949.
Benny Goodman records “Body and Soul,” 1935.

July 14

J.J. Johnson records Tangence, an orchestral album with Robert Farnon, in London, 1994
Drummer Alan Dawson born 1929 in Marietta, PA.
Pianist Billy Kyle born 1914 in Philadelphia, PA.

Source: Smithsonian Jazz

Jazz News: Coltrane's House in Trouble

2011-07-03T20:26:00.000-07:00

John Coltrane's Long Island house, where he composed A Love Supreme, needs some major renovations. Check out the New York Times editorial...

A Love Still Supreme, But a House in Ruins

There is a ranch house out in the middle of Long Island, just south of the expressway in Dix Hills, where the saxophonist John Coltrane lived, started a family and composed “A Love Supreme” in the spare bedroom. More...

This Week in Jazz History: July 1 to July 7

2011-07-01T20:32:00.000-07:00

July 1

Drummer Leon ‘Ndugu’ Chancler born 1952 in Shreveport, LA.
Drummer Rashied Ali born 1935 in Philadelphia, PA.
Benny Goodman records “King Porter Stomp” featuring trumpeter Bunny Berigan, 1935.

July 2

Drummer Gene Krupa’s band and Roy Eldridge record “Rockin’ Chair,” 1941.
Thelonious Monk records “Misterioso” and “Evidence,” 1948.
Pianist Ahmad Jamal born 1930 in Pittsburgh, PA.

July 3

Trumpeter Johnny Coles born 1926 in Trenton, NJ.
Art Tatum records “Too Marvelous for Words,” 1955.
Trombonist Lawrence Brown born 1907 in Lawrence, KS.

July 4

Louis Armstrong’s “birthday” 1900 in New Orleans, LA.
Pianist/composer Randy Weston records Earth Birth with the Orchestre du Festival de Jazz de Montreal, 1995.
Drummer Butch Miles born 1944 in Ironton, OH.

July 5

Vocalist Billie Holiday records “Them There Eyes,” 1939.
Saxophonist Arthur Blythe born 1940 in Los Angeles, CA.
Vocalist Ella Fitzgerald records Carnegie Hall, ’73, 1973

July 6

The bands of Duke Ellington and Count Basie record “For The First Time,” 1961.
Benny Goodman records “Sing, Sing, Sing” featuring drummer Gene Krupa, 1937.
Drummer/composer/bandleader Louie Bellson born 1924 in Rock Falls, IL.

July 7

Guitarist Tiny Grimes born 1916 in Newport News, VA.
Count Basie records “One O’Clock Jump,” 1937.
Tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley born 1930 in Eastman, GA.

Source: Smithsonian Jazz

Dave Brubeck - "40 Days" (1966)

2011-06-26T22:17:00.001-07:00

This Week in Jazz History: June 24 to June 30

2011-06-24T19:13:00.000-07:00

June 24

Bandleader/pianist George Gruntz born 1932 in Basel, Switzerland.
Arranger Manny Albam born 1922 in Samana, Dominican Republic.
Tenor saxophonist Booker Ervin records Back From The Gig, with trumpeter Woody Shaw, 1968.

June 25

Composer Bill Russo born 1928 in Chicago, IL.
Drummer/pianist Joe Chambers born 1942 in Stoneacre, VA.
The Bill Evans Trio with bassist Scott LaFaro and drummer Paul Motian record At The Village Vanguard, 1961.

June 26

Thelonious Monk records “Epistrophy” with a band that includes both Coleman Hawkins and John Coltrane, 1957.
Drummer Joey Baron born 1955 in Richmond, VA.
Bassist/educator Reggie Workman born 1937 in Philadelphia, PA.

June 27

Benny Carter records his Songbooks, Vol. 1 and 2, 1995.
Pianist Mal Waldron records The Quest with saxophonists Eric Dolphy and Booker Ervin, 1961.
Pianist Elmo Hope born 1923 in New York, NY.

June 28

Louis Armstrong records “West End Blues,” 1928.
Bass saxophonist Adrian Rollini born 1904 in New York, NY.
Trumpeter Joe Smith born 1902 in Ripley, OH.

June 29

Trombonist Julian Priester born 1935 in Chicago, IL.
Pianist/arranger Ralph Burns born 1922 in Newton, MA.
Orchestra U.S.A. records Benny Golson’s “A Portrait of Coleman Hawkins,” 1964.

June 30

The Cannonball Adderley Quintet plays at the Newport Jazz Festival, 1960.
Pianist/composer Andrew Hill born 1937 in Chicago, IL.
Duke Ellington records Ellington Uptown, 1952.

Source: Smithsonian Jazz

New Dog, Old Tricks

2011-06-19T22:33:00.000-07:00

I just enjoyed an evening of mellow jazz at the San Francisco Jazz Festival with the duo of Roy Hargrove and Cedar Walton. Trumpeter Hargrove, 41, has experimented with a lot of different sounds during his career, including funk and hip hop, but tonight he sounded like the traditionalist. On both trumpet and flugelhorn, he generally stuck to a quiet but incredibly warm sound and the set of quiet jazz tunes. He stands still when he plays, legs slightly apart, mostly leaning back when he blows. But the tone that he generated has a classic grace to it - very appealing to the ear. He ought to consider more singing as well - his whispery solo turn on "Never Let Me Go" was riveting.

Walton, 77, also has a quiet manner while addressing the piano, but he was up to his old tricks. He played with the famous Benny Golson-Art Farmer Jazztet in the late 1950s before moving on to The Jazz Messengers in the 1960s. A hard bop pianist, he's always had an angular approach to both harmony and rhythm. He's still got it as evidenced tonight, but he holds it all together with his own sense of the blues.

A piano-trumpet duo is certainly an uncommon jazz grouping, but these two jazz greats made some wonderful music together.

This Week in Jazz History: June 17 to June 23

2011-06-17T07:15:00.000-07:00

June 17

Soprano saxophonist Sidney Bechet records “When a Soprano Meets a Piano” with Martial Solal, 1957.
Clarinetist Tony Scott born 1921 in Morristown, NJ.
The Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra records Central Park North, 1969.

June 18

Drummer/bandleader Ray McKinley born 1910 in Fort Worth, TX.
1956 Metronome All Stars, including bassist Charles Mingus, trumpeter Thad Jones, alto saxophonist Lee Konitz, and drummer Art Blakey, records.
Tenor saxophonist Jimmy Heath records A New Face with pianist Tommy Flanagan, 1985.

June 19

Vocalist Dave Lambert born 1917 in Boston, MA.
Pianist John Hicks records Impressions of Mary Lou (Williams), 1998.
Vocalist Carmen McCrae records “If Love Were All,” 1957.

June 20

Pianist Bill Evans is featured on the recording of George Russell’s “All About Rosie,” 1957.
Saxophonist/bass clarinetist Eric Dolphy born 1928 in Los Angeles, CA.
Saxophonist Benny Carter records “Waltzing The Blues,” 1936.

June 21

Pianist Eric Reed born 1970 in Philadelphia, PA.
Pianist Les McCann records Swiss Movement at the Montreux Jazz Festival, 1969.
Troy Floyd And His Plaza Hotel Orchestra record “Dreamland Blues,” 1929.

June 22

Drummer Ben Pollack born 1903 in Chicago, IL.
Percussionist Ray Mantilla born 1934 in New York, NY.
Tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins records “Blue 7,” 1956.

June 23

Composer George Russell born 1923 in Cincinnati, OH.
Saxophonist/flutist Sahib Shihab born 1925 in Savannah, GA.
Just Jazz with Red Norvo records “Body and Soul,” 1947.

Source: Smithsonian Jazz

Dinah Washington - "I Don't Hurt Anymore" (1956)

2011-06-14T21:32:00.001-07:00

This Week in Jazz History: June 10 to June 16

2011-06-10T07:29:00.000-07:00

June 10

Bassist Charnett Moffett born 1967 in New York, NY.
Pianist Erroll Garner records “Frankie and Johnny,” 1947, with bassist Red Callender and drummer Hal ‘Doc’ West.
Trombonist Dicky Wells born 1907 in Centerville, TN.

June 11

Pianist Fats Waller records “I Ain’t Got Nobody” piano solo, 1937.
Pianists George Shearing, John Lewis, and Dave McKenna record A Tribute to Bill Evans, 1981.
Drummer Shelly Manne born 1920 in New York, NY.

June 12

Pianist/composer Chick Corea born 1941 in Chelsea, MA.
Pianist Geri Allen born 1957 in Pontiac, MI.
Tenor saxophonist Dexter Gordon records “Bikini,” 1947.

June 13

Trumpeter Doc Cheatham born 1905 in Nashville, TN.
Louis Armstrong and The Mills Brothers record “The Song Is Ended,” 1938.
Trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie records “A Night in Tunisia” with Boyd Raeburn’s band, 1944.

June 14

Bassist John Simmons born 1918 in Haskell, OK.
Bandleader/drummer Chick Webb makes his first recording, “Dog Bottom,” as a bandleader, 1929.
Vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson records Components with trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, pianist Herbie Hancock, bassist Ron Carter, 1965.

June 15

Pianist Jaki Byard born 1922 in Worcester, MA.
Pianist Erroll Garner born 1921 in Pittsburgh, PA.
Jimmie Lunceford’s band records Sy Oliver’s “For Dancers Only,” 1937.

June 16

Saxophonist Lucky Thompson born 1924 in Columbia, SC.
Pianist Albert Dailey born 1939 in Baltimore, MD.
Trumpeter Tom Harrell born 1946 in Urbana, IL.

Source: Smithsonian Jazz

Jazz News: Pianist Ray Bryant Has Died

2011-06-05T17:08:00.000-07:00

Ray Bryant, a pianist adept at playing jazz and the blues, died on Thursday at the age of 79. The New York Times published his obituary.

Ray Bryant, Jazz Pianist, Dies at 79
By Nate Chinen

Ray Bryant, a jazz pianist whose sensitivity and easy authority made him a busy accompanist and a successful solo artist, beginning in the mid-1950s, died on Thursday. He was 79. More...

This Week in Jazz History: June 3 to June 9

2011-06-03T15:00:00.000-07:00

June 3

Joe Henderson records Page One, 1963.
Trombonist/composer Grachan Moncur III born 1937 in New York, NY.
Trumpeter Ted Curson born 1935 in Philadelphia, PA.

June 4

Saxophonist/composer Anthony Braxton born 1945 in Chicago, IL.
Saxophonist/composer Oliver Nelson born 1932 in St. Louis, MO.
Saxophonist Paquito D’Rivera born 1948 in Havana, Cuba.

June 5

Pianist Misha Mengelberg born 1935 in Kiev, Ukraine.
Duke Ellington records “Bakiff,” featuring violinist Ray Nance, 1941.
Pianist/composer Stanley Cowell records “Blues for the Viet Cong,” 1969.

June 6

Guitarist Grant Green born 1931 in St. Louis, MO.
Pianist Monty Alexander born 1944 in Kingston, Jamaica.
Pianist/bandleader Count Basie records “Doggin’ Around,” 1938.

June 7

Guitarist Tal Farlow born 1921 in Greensboro, NC.
Pianist/composer Thelonious Monk records solo album in Paris, 1954.
Trumpeter Miles Davis records Nefertiti with his quintet (Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, and Tony Williams), 1967.

June 8

Soprano saxophonist Sidney Bechet records “Summertime,” 1939.
Trombonist Bill Watrous born 1939 in Middletown, CT.
Avant-garde composer John Cage and bandleader/keyboardist Sun Ra record together at Coney Island, 1986.

June 9

Don Byas and Slam Stewart record “I Got Rhythm,” 1945.
Pianist Kenny Barron born 1943 in Philadelphia, PA.
Guitarist Les Paul born 1915 in Waukesha, WI.

Source: Smithsonian Jazz

Cab Calloway - "Minnie the Moocher" (1953)

2011-06-02T22:03:00.001-07:00

Jazz Poetry - "Thelonious Sphere Monk"

2011-06-01T20:38:00.000-07:00

Thelonious Sphere Monk by Bill Corbett

Cold, the day you leave

you can use that hat.

Ahh Monk, the station fades

as the suburbs begin

you bent the notes right

they will not lose their ring.

I see your shuffle dance

up from the 5 Spot piano

and hear you, wordless, sing.

--From Boston Vermont (Zoland Books, 2000)

Note: William Corbett, born 1942, is an American poet, essayist, teacher, and editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts. Self-acknowledged influences on his work include jazz, Imagist poet William Carlos Williams, and classical Chinese poets. One can hear all these influences in this poem. He has taught writing at Harvard and MIT and is an editor for a small poetry publisher called Pressed Wafer.

Jazz News: Gil Scott-Heron is Dead at 62

2011-05-28T11:51:00.000-07:00

Gil Scott-Heron, an important musician, poet, and voice of black protest in the 1970s, has died. The New York Times has the story.

Gil Scott-Heron, Voice of Black Culture, Dies at 62
By Ben Sisario

Gil Scott-Heron, the poet and recording artist whose syncopated spoken style and mordant critiques of politics, racism and mass media in pieces like "The Revolution Wil Not Be Televised" made him a notable voice of black protest culture in the 1970s and an important early influence on hip-hop, died on Friday at a hospital in Manhattan. More...

This Week in Jazz History: May 27 to June 2

2011-05-27T07:23:00.000-07:00

May 27

Bassist Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen born 1946 in Osted, Denmark.
Pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba born 1963 in Havana, Cuba.
Vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater born 1950 in Memphis, TN.

May 28

Pianist/composer Reginald Forsythe born 1907 in London, England.
Bandleader Andy Kirk born 1898 in Newport, KY.
Pianist Russ Freeman born Chicago, IL, 1926.

May 29

Drummer Kenny Washington born 1958 in Staten Island, NY.
Duke Ellington records Anatomy of a Murder, 1959.
Pianist Hilton Ruiz born 1952 in New York, NY.

May 30

Saxophonist Frank Trumbauer born 1901 in Carbondale, IL.
Clarinetist/bandleader Benny Goodman born 1909 in Chicago, IL.
Trumpeter Sidney DeParis born 1905 in Crawfordsville, IN.

May 31

Saxophonist Otto "Toby" Hardwicke born 1904 in Washington, DC.
Two drummers born - Albert "Tootie" Heath 1935 in Philadelphia, PA, and Louis Hayes 1937 in Detroit, MI.
Pianist Bill Evans records Time Remembered, 1963.

June 1

Saxophonist Hal McKusick born 1924 in Medford, MA.
Vocalist Billie Holiday records “I’ll Never Be The Same” with a band led by pianist Teddy Wilson, including tenor saxophonist Lester Young, 1937.
Pianist/composer Thelonious Monk records “Played Twice,” 1959.

June 2

Vocalist Ella Fitzgerald records “Sing Me A Swing Song” with drummer Chick Webb’s band, 1936.
Pianist Marty Napoleon born 1921 in New York, NY.
Multi reedman Eric Dolphy records Last Date in Hilversum, The Netherlands, 1964.

Source: Smithsonian Jazz

Joshua Redman - "Headin' Home" (1996)

2011-05-24T21:32:00.000-07:00

Oscar Worthy

2011-05-22T21:11:00.000-07:00

Oscar Peterson: Musicin the Key of Oscar (2004) is aterrific documentary about the legendary jazz pianist. Shot in 1992 during areunion tour with members of the original Oscar Peterson Trio, Herb Ellis andRay Brown, the best thing is the generous amount of time we get to spendwatching and listening to these greats play. Though all are long in the toothat this time, they are still playing at a very high level, as cohesive a groupas they were in the 1950s.

Interspersed between thesong sets are brief snippets of commentary from producer Norman Granz, EllaFitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Quincy Jones, and, of course, Oscar himself. Thefilm looks at his “boy genius” rise to prominence in Montreal, Canada, where hewas discovered by Granz in what sounds like an apocryphal story but isapparently true. Granz was in a taxi heading to the airport to fly back to theStates when he heard Peterson, then 24 years old, playing on the radio. When heasked the driver who the recording was by, the driver told him it was a livebroadcast from a local club. Granz had him turn the taxi around and take himimmediately to the club. Shortly thereafter, Peterson was introduced as asurprise performer at a Jazz at the Philharmonic concert at Carnegie Hall.

The film briefly covers the highlights ofPeterson’s career, his influences, his experiences with racism while out ontour, and the recognition he finally receives at the time the film was made. Iteven looks at criticism of Peterson, particularly the charge that he was not aninnovator or trendsetter on the piano. The point is tacitly acknowledged, butPeterson never saw this as his role, and the sheer artistry on display makesthe point moot. Oscar Peterson is simply one of the greatest to ever tickle thejazz ivories.

This Week in Jazz History: May 20 to May 26

2011-05-20T08:02:00.000-07:00

May 20

Woody Herman’s Woodchoppers record “Pam” featuring trumpeter Sonny Berman, 1946.
Drummer Ralph Petersen born 1962 in Pleasantville, NJ.
Mills Blue Rhythm Band records “St. Louis Wiggle Rhythm” with trumpeter Henry "Red" Allen, 1935.

May 21

Bassist Christian McBride born 1972 in Philadelphia, PA.
Pianist/vocalist Fats Waller born 1904 in New York City.
Trumpeter Kenny Dorham records But Beautiful with pianist Hank Jones, bassist Oscar Pettiford and drummer Max Roach, 1957.

May 22

Pianist Dick Hyman records Jelly and James P., a tribute to Morton and Johnson, 1975.
Alto saxophonist Ornette Coleman records “Lonely Woman” and “Congeniality,” 1959.
Pianist Sun Ra born 1914 in Birmingham, AL.

May 23

Saxophonist John Coltrane records “Greensleeves” with a large ensemble including trumpeters Booker Little, Freddie Hubbard and reedman Eric Dolphy, 1961.
Banjoist/guitarist Fred Guy born 1897 in Burkesville, GA.
Clarinetist Artie Shaw born 1910 in New York City.

May 24

Tenor saxophonist Archie Shepp born 1937 in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Historic jazz concert at New York’s Imperial Theater - including clarinetist Artie Shaw’s new band that featured a string section, 1936.
Tenor saxophonists John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins record Tenor Madness, 1956.

May 25

Clarinetist/tenor saxophonist Jimmy Hamilton born 1917 in Dillon, SC.
Trumpeter Wallace Roney born 1960 in Philadelphia, PA.
Saxophonists Benny Carter and Coleman Hawkins and trumpeter Roy Eldridge record “I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me,” 1940.

May 26

Trumpeter, bandleader, and composer Miles Davis born 1926 in Alton, IL.
Vocalist Peggy Lee born 1920 in Jamestown, ND.
Vibraphonist Lionel Hampton records Flying Home with a classic solo by tenor saxophonist Illinois Jacquet, 1942.

Source: Smithsonian Jazz

Sonny Rollins - "My One and Only Love" (1982)

2011-05-18T21:31:00.001-07:00

This Week in Jazz History: May 13 to May 19

2011-05-13T18:59:00.000-07:00

May 13

Pianist Red Garland born 1923 in Dallas, TX.
Louis Armstrong records “S.O.L. Blues,” 1927.
Arranger/composer Gil Evans born 1912 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and records Priestess, 1977.

May 14

Saxophonist/clarinetist Sidney Bechet born 1897 in New Orleans, LA.
Fletcher Henderson records “Wrappin’ It Up,” 1934.
Drummer Zutty Singleton born 1898 in Bunkie, LA.

May 15

Pianist Ellis Larkins born 1923 in Baltimore, MD.
Multi-instrumentalist/composer/bandleader Rahsaan Roland Kirk born 1936 in Columbus, OH.
Jazz at Massey Hall concert recorded, 1953 - last reunion of trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, alto saxophonist Charlie Parker, pianist Bud Powell, bassist Charles Mingus, and drummer Max Roach.

May 16

Reedman/bandleader Woody Herman born 1913 in Milwaukee, WI.
Clarinetist Jimmie Noone records “Four or Five Times,” 1928, with pianist Earl Hines.
Vocalist Betty Carter born 1930 in Flint, MI.

May 17

Alto saxophonist Jackie McLean born 1932 in New York, NY.
Trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie makes his first recordings (“King Porter Stomp”) with Teddy Hill’s band, 1937.
Tenor saxophonist Dewey Redman born 1931 in Fort Worth, TX.

May 18

English bassist/composer Spike Hughes records with Benny Carter’s band, 1933.
Bassist Pops Foster born 1892 in McCall, LA.
Vocalist Big Joe Turner born 1912 in Kansas City, MO.

May 19

Count Basie records “Pound Cake” with classic solos by tenor saxophonist Lester Young and trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison, 1939.
Saxophonist Sonny Fortune born 1939 in Philadelphia, PA.
Vocalist Sarah Vaughan records “Nice Work If You Can Get It” with trumpeter Miles Davis, 1950.

Source: Smithsonian Jazz

Willie "The Lion" Smith - "Ain't Misbehavin'/St. Louis Blues" (1966)

2011-05-11T21:33:00.000-07:00

Billie and the Blessed Child

2011-05-09T22:03:00.000-07:00

Billie Holiday recordedwhat was almost her last hit song, “God Bless the Child,” on this date in 1941,with the Eddie Heywood Orchestra featuring Roy Eldridge on trumpet. Shortlybefore this session, she had co-written this tune with Arthur Herzog, Jr., asongwriter with whom she sometimes collaborated. In her autobiography, LadySings the Blues, Holiday claimsthat the song stemmed from an incident in her childhood when she asked formoney from her mother and was refused.

Unfortunately, Holiday wasnot the most reliable of narrators. A different account appears in DonaldClark’s biography, Billie Holiday: Wishing on the Moon. Herzog was trying to come up with a hit record atthe time, which was during the ill-fated ASCAP strike, in which the AmericanSociety of Composers tried to boost their radio royalty rate and broadcastersbalked. A rival organization was formed, called Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI), andtheir songs were the only thing on the air at the time. Herzog was not a memberof ASCAP and saw an opportunity.

He approached Holiday andasked her for an “old-fashioned Southern expression” to turn into a song.Billie could come up with nothing in response to this rather odd request. Theirconversation turned to Billie’s mother, who was apparently attempting to open aclub of some sort at the time and was pestering her daughter for funds. Inexasperation, Billie told Herzog, “God bless the child!” He asked her toexplain the remark. “That’s what we used to say,” Holiday explained, “yourmother’s got money, your father’s got money, your sister’s got money, yourcousin’s got money, but if you haven’t got it yourself, God bless the childthat’s got his own.” Herzog claimed that it took him only twenty minutes towrite the song.

Billie Holiday’s versionof “God Bless the Child” was honored with the Grammy Hall of Fame Award in 1976- certainly an indication that all great popular songs are not necessarilyabout love.

This Week in Jazz History: May 6 to May 12

2011-05-06T07:47:00.000-07:00

May 6

Cornetist/composer Bix Beiderbecke records “Riverboat Shuffle” with The Wolverines, 1924.
Bassist David Friesen born 1942 in Tacoma, WA.
Herbie Nichols records The Third World, his first album of his own music 1955

May 7

Vocalist Sarah Vaughan records “If You Could See Me Now” with trumpeter Freddie Webster, 1946.
Saxophonist Herbie Steward born 1926 in Los Angeles, CA.
Saxophonist Ornette Coleman records Love Call, with Dewey Redman, Jimmy Garrison and Elvin Jones, 1968.

May 8

Pianist Keith Jarrett born 1945 in Allentown, PA.
Pianist/composer Mary Lou Williams born 1910 in Atlanta, GA.
Pianist/vocalist Fats Waller records “I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself A Letter,” 1936.

May 9

Vocalist Billie Holiday records “God Bless The Child” with trumpeter Roy Eldridge, 1941.
Tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins records East Broadway Rundown with Elvin Jones, Jimmy Garrison and Freddie Hubbard, 1965.
Trumpeter Miles Davis records Dear Old Stockholm, 1952.

May 10

Drummer/bandleader Mel Lewis born 1929 in Buffalo, NY.
Keyboardist Mike Melvoin born 1937 in Oshkosh, WI.
Louis Armstrong records “Potato Head Blues,” 1927.

May 11

Cornetist/bandleader Joe "King" Oliver born 1885 in New Orleans, LA.
Pianist/composer Carla Bley born 1938 in Oakland, CA.
Trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie and alto saxophonist Charlie Parker record “Shaw ’Nuff,” 1945.

May 12

Sauter-Finegan Orchestra records Doodletown Fifers, 1952.
Bassist Gary Peacock born 1935 in Burley, ID.
Guitarist Charlie Christian is recorded in a jam session with Thelonious Monk and Kenny Clarke, and plays an extended solo on “Stompin’ At the Savoy,” 1941.

Source: Smithsonian Jazz

Dizzy Gillespie - "And Then She Stopped" (1966)

2011-05-05T07:17:00.000-07:00

With the great James Moody on flute!

A Treasure Trove of Jazz from Norman Granz

2011-05-03T21:49:00.000-07:00

Norman Granz was theproducer of the famous Jazz at the Philharmonic concert series, a constantlychanging all-star jazz band that toured the United States and Europe from 1945to 1959 and at one time or another included just about every significant jazzartist of the day. He was also a record producer and founder of Verve Records,among other labels.

Granz was born in Los Angeles of Jewish immigrant parents,a background that may help explain his lifelong battle against racism,particularly as it manifested itself in the jazz world of the 1940s and 1950s.He was known for his generosity, both in dollars and spirit, paying his musicians very well and insisting they be treated fairly regardless of the color of their skin. Finally, he was thelong-time personal manager of Ella Fitzgerald and Oscar Peterson.

If that wasn’t enough of acurriculum vitae, Granz also made jazz films, many of which are gatheredtogether on Norman Granz: Improvisation. This DVD presents a cornucopia of terrific jazz performancesspanning the period from 1950 to 1977. The earliest snippet shows Charlie Parkerperforming with one of his heroes, Coleman Hawkins, and smiling like a littlekid as he listens to The Hawk. Other highlights include Ella Fitzgerald andLester Young from the same early session, Dizzy Gillespie and Clark Terrybattling it out on trumpet backed by the Oscar Peterson Trio, Duke Ellingtonplaying for the sculptor Jean Miró on the Côte d'Azur, Joe Pass playing acouple of guitar solos, and Count Basie backing soloists Al Grey, VicDickenson, and Roy Eldridge.

The film begins with a short and pretentiousfeaturette about Granz and the artistry of jazz improvisation, intoned withgreat seriousness by jazz critic Nat Hentoff. Once you get past this bit offluff, the rest is a feast for the ears and the eyes.

This Week in Jazz History: April 29 to May 5

2011-04-29T07:06:00.000-07:00

April 29

Composer/pianist Duke Ellington born 1899 in Washington, D.C.
Tenor saxophonist George Adams born 1940 in Covington, GA.
Harmonica player and guitarist Toots Thielemans born 1922 in Brussels, Belgium.

April 30

Pianist Richard Twardzik born 1931 in Danvers. MA.
Bassist Percy Heath born 1923 in Wilmington, W.VA.
Alto saxophonist Charlie Parker makes his first commercial recording (Swingmatism) with Jay McShann’s band in Dallas 1941.

May 1

Vocalist/pianist Shirley Horn born 1934 in Washington, D.C.
Pianist Bud Powell records Night in Tunisia 1951
Flutist James Newton born 1953 in Los Angeles, CA.

May 2

Organist Richard "Groove" Holmes born 1931 in Camden, NJ.
Pianist Eddie Heywood records How High The Moon with the tenor saxophonist Don Byas, 1944.
Vocalist/bandleader Billy Eckstine records "A Cottage For Sale," 1945.

May 3

Pianist/composer John Lewis born 1920 in La Grange, IL.
Vibraphonist Red Norvo Trio with Charles Mingus and Tal Farlow make their first recordings 1950.
Vocalist Ethel Waters records “Stormy Weather,” 1933.

May 4

Duke Ellington records “Cottontail” featuring tenor saxophonist Ben Webster, 1940.
Bassist Ron Carter born 1937 in Ferndale, MI.
Vocalist Bessie Smith records “Lost Your Head Blues,” 1926.

May 5

Trumpeter Jack Walrath born 1946 in Stuart, FL.
Drummer/bandleader Paul Barbarin born 1899 in New Orleans, LA.
Tenor saxophonist John Coltrane records Giant Steps with pianist Tommy Flanagan, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Art Taylor 1959.

Source: Smithsonian Jazz

Happy Birthday, Ella Fitzgerald!

2011-04-25T06:45:00.000-07:00

Singing "On the Sunny Side of the Street" on a 1962 television appearance. While everyone around her seems to be just a little too happy, Ella delivers a very swinging performance.

This Week in Jazz History: April 22 to April 28

2011-04-22T07:58:00.000-07:00

April 22

Bassist/composer Charles Mingus born 1922 in Nogales, AZ.
Bassist Paul Chambers born 1935 in Pittsburgh, PA.
Bassist John Kirby’s Sextet records 20th Century Closet, 1940.

April 23

Vocalist Lil Brown records "Why Don’t You Do Right," which Peggy Lee later turns into a major hit with Benny Goodman’s band, 1941.
Clarinetist Jimmie Noone born 1895 in New Orleans, LA.
Vocalist Abbey Lincoln records Over The Years, 2000.

April 24

Tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson born 1937 in Lima, Ohio.
Guitarist Jim Hall and pianist Bill Evans record duo album Undercurrent, 1962.
Tenor saxophonist Johnny Griffin born 1928 in Chicago, IL.

April 25

Vocalist Ella Fitzgerald born 1917 in Newport News, VA.
Saxophonist Earl Bostic born 1913 in Tulsa, OK.
Saxophonist Archie Shepp records Goin’ Home, a duo of traditional themes with pianist Horace Parlan, 1977.

April 26

Drummer Dave Tough born 1907 in Oak Park, IL.
Blues singer Ma Rainey born 1886 in Columbus, GA.
Reedman/composer Jimmy Giuffre born 1921 in Dallas, TX.

April 27

Multi-instrumentalist/composer Scott Robinson born 1959 in Pequannock, New Jersey.
Three drummers born - Denzil Best 1917, Connie Kay 1927, Freddie Waits, 1943.
Saxophonist John Coltrane records The Drum Thing with drummer Elvin Jones, 1964.

April 28

Trumpeter Mario Bauza born 1911 in Havana, Cuba.
Pianist Thelonious Monk records San Francisco Holiday, 1960.
Louis Armstrong records "Blue Again," 1931.

Source: Smithsonian Jazz

Ellis Marsalis Live in San Francisco

2011-04-19T21:08:00.000-07:00

Ellis Marsalis is the patriarch of one of the most prominentjazz families in America. He has played piano and taught jazz in his native NewOrleans for decades, but it is only since his more famous sons, particularly Wyntonand Branford, have come to prominence that he has started to gain somewell-deserved recognition. (Marsalis and his sons are group recipients of theNEA Jazz Masters Award for 2011.) His former pupils include well-known jazzartists Terence Blanchard, Donald Harrison, and Nicholas Payton. Despite comingfrom New Orleans, Ellis was never a Dixielander, and back in the day he playedwith the likes of Cannonball and Nat Adderley.

On March 17, he played at the San Francisco Jazz (SFJAZZ)Festival in a quartet that was a bit of a family affair, as it featuredyoungest son Jason on vibes. The elder Marsalis plays with a gentle eleganceand sureness of touch that speaks of the years spent below the radar in NewOrleans. One can see where his sons absorbed so much music and musical historyfrom. Jason, who is known primarily as a drummer, is a terrific and livelyvibes player. Father and son showed a wonderful sense of playfulness as theymade music together.

The program featured a lively dose of Thelonious Monk tunestaken from Ellis’s 2008 album, An Open Letter to Thelonious, including “Evidence,” “Round Midnight,” and“Straight, No Chaser.” The interpretations were both faithful to the originalsand updated too. The group also played a wonderful version of an old KingOliver tune called “Doctor Jazz,” with Ellis starting out on solo piano,attempting to adhere to a 1920s playing style, then the group coming in for anextended and swinging modern version. The evening was a class act all the way.

Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers - "Theme for Stacy" (1966)

2011-04-17T10:48:00.000-07:00

Featuring Lee Morgan on trumpet.

This Week in Jazz History: April 15 to April 21

2011-04-15T07:12:00.000-07:00

April 15

Bassist Richard Davis born 1930 in Chicago, IL.
Vocalist Bessie Smith born 1894 in Chattanooga, TN.
Trumpeter Miles Davis’s Quintet records In Person: Saturday Night At the Blackhawk, 1961.

April 16

Trombonist Benny Green born 1923 in Chicago, IL.
Pianist Earl Hines records solo piano Plays Cole Porter, 1974.
Pianist Alice Coltrane records Transfiguration, 1978.

April 17

Bassist Buster Williams born 1942 in Camden, NJ.
Banjoist/guitarist Johnny St. Cyr born 1890 in New Orleans, LA.
Pianist/composers Mary Lou Williams and Cecil Taylor record Embraced at Carnegie Hall, 1977.

April 18

Multi-instrumentalist Sidney Bechet overdubs records a one-man band version of "Sheik of Araby," 1941.
Pianist Hal Galper born 1938 in Salem, MA.
Pianist Jimmy Rowles records his last album, Lilac Time, 1994.

April 19

Drummer Tommy Benford born 1985 in Chaleston, W. VA.
The Great Concert of (bassist) Charles Mingus is recorded in Paris, France, 1964.
Saxophonist Jimmy Greene records Live at Birdland, 1998.

April 20

Drummer Beaver Harris born 1936 in Pittsburgh, PA.
Percussionist/bandleader Tito Puente born 1923 in New York, NY.
Pianist/composer Sun Ra records The Heliocentric Worlds of Sun Ra, Volume 1, 1965.

April 21

Trombonist/arranger Slide Hampton born 1932 in Jeannette, PA.
Pianist Chick Corea records solo Piano Improvisations in Olso 1971
Guitarist Mundell Lowe born 1922 in Laurel, MS.

Source: Smithsonian Jazz

Art Blakey in Paris, 1959

2011-04-10T21:54:00.000-07:00

Drummer Art Blakey had aknack for attracting the best young talent to his ever-changing groups,collectively known as The Jazz Messengers. Over the 1950s, 1960s, and beyond,this was a proving ground for musicians to show their stuff. Blakey was oftenthe biggest cheerleader as well as the one setting a perfect backbeat toshowcase his soloists.

Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers: Paris 1959, a brief (51-minute) film of aconcert date at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris, features Wayne Shorteron saxophone, Lee Morgan on trumpet, Walter Davis Jr. on piano, and JymieMerritt on bass. (The Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, by the way, was the site ofthe premiere of Igor Stravinsky’s ballet The Rite of Spring in 1913; the choreography by Nijinsky caused suchconsternation among attendees that the audience rioted.) The group is a studyin contrasts in playing style: Shorter stands almost motionless while playingsax and Davis looks almost as if he has fallen asleep at the keyboard. Morganis much more animated on the trumpet and Blakey is in ecstasy at the drum set.

The playlist includes acouple of Benny Golson tunes - the oft-recorded classic “Blues March” and “AreYou Real?” - along with a hectically paced “A Night in Tunisia,” the standard“Close Your Eyes,” and Lee Morgan’s “Goldie.” The standard was the highlightfor me, with some wonderful solos from everyone. Merritt is the real surprise,playing some aggressive, rhythmic solos on the double bass. One wonders why heis not better known, but he seems to have recorded with The Jazz Messengers andothers for a brief period from 1958 to about 1962 and then disappeared.

The visual quality of thefilm is nothing to write home about - very contrasty - but it is still apleasure to watch and listen to this fine group play.

This Week in Jazz History: April 8 to April 14

2011-04-08T07:19:00.000-07:00

April 8

Vocalist Carmen McRae born 1920 in New York, NY.
Trumpeter Tom Harrell records Form with Joe Lovano, Dave Leibman and John Abercrombie 1990.
Trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie’s big band records Benny Goldon’s "Stablemates," 1957.

April 9

Trumpeter Freddie Hubbard records Hub Cap with saxophonist Jimmy Heath, 1961.
Tenor saxophonist Julian Dash born 1916 in Charleston, SC.
Arranger Gil Evans records New Bottle, Old Wine featuring alto saxophonist Cannonball Adderley, 1959.

April 10

Saxophonist/arranger Fud Livingstone born 1906 in Charleston, SC.
Pianist Denny Zeitlin born 1938 in Chicago, IL.
Pianist Count Basie’s band features tenor saxophonist Coleman Hawkins on "Feedin’ The Bean," 1941.

April 11

Trombonist Grachan Moncur III records his Echoes of Prayer with the Jazz Composer’s Orchestra, 1974.
Guitarist Oscar Aleman records "I’m Beginning to See the Light" in Buenos Aires, 1946.
Cornetist Nick La Rocca born 1889 in New Orleans, LA.

April 12

Pianist Herbie Hancock born 1940 in Chicago, IL.
Pianist Thelonious Monk records "I Should Care," 1957.
Clarinetist Johnny Dodds born 1892 in New Orleans, LA.

April 13

Trumpeter Bobby Hackett records his big band version of "Embraceable You," 1939.
Saxophonist Bud Freeman born 1906 in Chicago, IL. .
Pianist McCoy Tyner’s Trio records Infinity with tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker.

April 14

Trumpeter/composer Shorty Rogers born 1924 in Great Barrington, MA.
Tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins records "Misterioso" with pianists Thelonious Monk and Horace Silver, 1957.
Tenor saxophonist Gene Ammons born 1925 in Chicago, IL.

Source: Smithsonian Jazz

Wayne Shorter Quartet - "All Blues" (2003)

2011-04-06T07:48:00.000-07:00

Wayne Shorter on saxophones,Danilo Perez on piano,John Patitucci on double bass, andBrian Blade on drums.

This Week in Jazz History: April 1 to April 7

2011-04-01T07:17:00.000-07:00

April 1

Saxophonist Harry Carney born 1910 in Boston, MA.
Trumpeter/bandleader Cootie Williams is the first to record a Thelonious Monk composition, "Epistrophy," 1942.
Saxophonist John Laporta born 1920 in Philadelphia, PA.

April 2

Trumpeter Booker Little born 1938 in Memphis, TN.
Larry Coryell born 1943 in Galveston, TX.
Tenor saxophonist Coleman Hawkins, pianist Bud Powell, bassist Oscar Pettiford, and drummer Kenny Clarke record All The Things You Are in Essen, Germany, 1960.

April 3

Composer/arranger Bill Finegan born 1917 in Newark, NJ.
Bassist Scott LaFaro born 1936 in Newark, NJ.
Alto saxophonist Charlie Parker rehearses with Gene Roland’s Big Band, 1950. It is issued as The Band That Never Was.

April 4

Bassist Gene Ramey born 1913 in Austin, TX.
Pianist Benny Green born 1963 in New York, NY.
Trumpeter Booker Little records Out Front with Max Roach and Eric Dolphy in 1961.

April 5

Saxophonist Stanley Turrentine born 1934 in Pittsburgh, PA.
Drummer Stan Levey born 1925 in Philadelphia, PA.
Vibraphonist Lionel Hampton records "Sweethearts on Parade" featuring tenor saxophonist Chu Berry, 1939.

April 6

Saxophonist/composer Gerry Mulligan born 1927 in New York, NY.
Saxophonist Charlie Rouse born 1924 in Washington, DC.
Cornetist King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band records "Dippermouth Blues" 1923.

April 7

Vocalist Billie Holiday born 1915 in Philadelphia, PA.
Trumpeter Freddie Hubbard born 1938 in Indianapolis, IN.
Conga player/bandleader Mongo Santamaria born 1922 in Havana, Cuba.

Source: Smithsonian Jazz

Sarah Vaughan - "You're Not the Kind" (1951)

2011-03-27T09:45:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday, Sarah!

This Week in Jazz History: March 24 to March 31

2011-03-24T06:26:00.000-07:00

March 24

Pianist Renee Rosnes born 1962 in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Pianist Steve Kuhn born 1938 in Brooklyn, NY.
Pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi records From Toshiko with Love, 1981.

March 25

Guitarist John McLaughlin records his tribute to Bill Evans, Time Remembered, 1993.
Drummer Paul Motian born 1931 in Philadelphia, PA.
Duke Ellington records The 1952 Seattle Concert.

March 26

Tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley records Workout with pianist Wynton Kelly, guitarist Grant Green, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Philly Joe Jones, 1961.
Saxophonist/flutist/vocalist James Moody born 1925 in Savannah, GA.
Tenor saxophonist David Murray records The Special Quartet with pianist McCoy Tyner and drummer Elvin Jones, 1990.

March 27

Saxophonist Ben Webster born 1909 in Kansas City, MO.
Clarinetist Pee Wee Russell born 1906 in St. Louis, MO.
Vocalist Sarah Vaughan born 1924 in Newark, NJ.

March 28

Trumpeter/composer Thad Jones born 1923 in Pontiac, MI.
Soprano saxophonist/clarinetist Sidney Bechet and cornetist Muggsy Spanier record “China Boy,” 1940.
Pianist Tete Montoliu born 1933 in Barcelona, Spain.

March 29

Guitarist Eddie Lang records “Add A Little Wiggle,” 1928.
Trumpeter Tony Fruscella records his eponymously named album 1955, including the classic “I’ll Be Seeing You.”
Saxophonist Michael Brecker born 1949 in Philadelphia, PA.

March 30

Vibraphonist Karl Berger born 1935 in Heidelberg, Germany.
Pianist Marilyn Crispell born 1947 in Philadelphia, PA.
Tenor saxophonist Johnny Griffin records The Man I Love in 1967.

March 31

Alto saxophonist Gary Bartz records West 42nd Street, 1990.
Guitarist Freddie Green born 1911 in Charleston, SC.
Xylophonist/Vibraphonist Red Norvo born 1908 in Beardstown, IL.

Source: Smithsonian Jazz

Shelly Manne - "Speak Low" (1962)

2011-03-21T18:46:00.000-07:00

Shelly Manne on drums, with Conte Candoli on trumpet, Richie Kamuca on tenor sax, Russ Freeman on piano, and Monte Budwig on bass.

Coltrane’s Poor Cousin

2011-03-19T18:26:00.000-07:00

John Coltrane’s 1960 AlbumColtrane Plays the Blues isoften overshadowed by its more famous companion LP, Coltrane’s Sound. This is unfortunate, because Plays the Blues is a consistently strong album from Coltrane andeven contains a few surprises for listeners.

All the songs on theoriginal releases were recorded over two days, October 24 and 26, 1960. Thetunes used on Coltrane’s Soundhave a darker hue to them, particularly “Liberia” and “Equinox,” with itsdirge-like rhythmic underpinning beneath Coltrane’s soaring solo. This wasprobably intentional as this album followed hard on the heels of My FavoriteThings, which was all standards.(Even the artwork for the album was dark, a painting of Coltrane’s face inwhich the smears of paint make it appear that he is melting. Apparently, evenColtrane was upset by the image.)

Coltrane Plays theBlues is of a different order. Theplaying is more approachable, and Coltrane plays both the soprano and tenorsax, accompanied by McCoy Tyner on piano, Steve Davis on bass, and Elvin Joneson drums. It opens with the terrific “Blues to Elvin,” in which we hearColtrane dig into the tune with a kind of simplicity of approach that is oftenlacking elsewhere. Yet, he is exploring harmonically with as much creativityand interest as ever. In two of the tunes, “Mr. Day” and the slowly swinging“Mr. Syms,” one hears premonitions of “Equinox” (recorded two days later) fromboth Coltrane and Tyner, as if both were taking the opportunity to explore motifsand variations for the later tune.

The surprises I mentionedearlier are two tunes without Tyner, the first time that Coltrane had recordedwith a trio since his Prestige Records days. On “Blues to Bechet,” he playssoprano sax in tribute to its master, Sidney Bechet, and on “Blues to You,” heplays tenor. This is a refreshing, uncluttered format for Coltrane, and onewishes he had returned to it more often in his career.

While no Coltrane recording can be said to be lostin obscurity at this point, I recommend that you take a listen (or re-listen)to Coltrane Plays the Blues - itdeserves to come out of the shadows.

This Week in Jazz History: March 17 to March 23

2011-03-17T06:22:00.000-07:00

March 17

Pianist Herbie Hancock records Maiden Voyage, 1965.
Pianist/vocalist Nat "King" Cole born 1917 in Montgomery, AL.
Saxophonist/composer Sam Rivers records Dimensions and Extensions with trumpeter Donald Byrd, 1967.

March 18

Guitarist Bill Frisell born 1951 in Baltimore, MD.
Pianist Lil Armstrong records “Sixth Street,” 1940.
Poet Langston Hughes records Weary Blues with bassist Charles Mingus, 1958.

March 19

Fletcher Henderson Orchestra records “Hot ‘N’ Anxious,” 1931.
Pianist Lennie Tristano born 1919 in Chicago, IL.
Count Basie records “Taxi War Dance,” featuring tenor saxophonist Lester Young, 1939.

March 20

Pianist Marian McPartland born 1918 in Windsor, England.
Trumpeter/composer Wynton Marsalis records In This House, On This Morning, 1993.
Tenor saxophonist John Coltrane makes his last recording with trumpeter Miles Davis, Someday My Prince Will Come, 1961.

March 21

Clarinetist Hank d’Amico born 1915 in Rochester, NY.
Pianist/composer Andrew Hill’s Point of Departure recorded, 1964.
Pianist/vocalist Amina Claudine Myers born 1942 in Blackwell, AR.

March 22

Tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins records “Pent-Up House” with trumpeter Clifford Brown and drummer Max Roach, 1956.
Guitarist George Benson born 1943 in Pittsburgh, PA.
Xylophonist Red Norvo’s band records Eddie Sauter’s arrangement of “Remember,” 1937.

March 23

Tenor saxophonists Ben Webster and Dexter Gordon record Tenor Titans in Denmark, 1972.
Pianist/composer Dave Frishberg born 1933 in St. Paul, MN.
Dizzy Gillespie and Max Roach duo is recorded in Paris, 1989.

Source: Smithsonian Jazz

Jazz News: Joe Morello Has Died

2011-03-13T12:04:00.000-07:00

Drummer Joe Morello, most famous for his work with the Dave Brubeck Quartet, has died. Here's the story from The Telegraph:

Joe Morello

Best known for his work with the Dave Brubeck Quartet over a span of more than 12 years, Morello played on 120 albums (60 of them with Brubeck) and went on to become a highly valued teacher of percussion. More...

This Week in Jazz History: March 10 to March 16

2011-03-10T06:20:00.000-08:00

March 10

Bassist/composer Charles Mingus records Cumbia and Jazz Fusion, 1977.
Cornetist Bix Beiderbecke born 1903 in Davenport, IA.
Trumpeter Bunk Johnson and saxophonist Sidney Bechet record Milenberg Joys, 1945.

March 11

Violinist Leroy Jenkins born 1932 in Chicago, IL.
Pianist Kenny Barron records Scratch with bassist Dave Holland and drummer Daniel Humair, 1985.
Tenor saxophonist Stan Getz and guitarist Johnny Smith record Moonlight In Vermont, 1952.

March 12

Pianist/composer Mary Lou Williams records “Russian Lullaby” with trumpeter Frankie Newton, 1944.
Bassist/composer/bandleader Charles Mingus records “Haitian Fight Song,” 1957.
Pianist Sir Charles Thompson born 1918 in Springfield, OH.

March 13

Drummer Roy Haynes born 1926 in Roxbury, MA.
Trombonist Albert Mangelsdorff records A Matter of Taste, 1977.
Trumpeter/composer Terence Blanchard born 1962 in New Orleans, LA.

March 14

Pianist/composer Chick Corea records his first trio album Now He Sings, Now He Sobs with Miroslav Vitous and Roy Haynes, 1968.
Trumpeter/arranger Quincy Jones born 1933 in Chicago, IL.
Alto saxophonist Art Pepper records Plus Eleven, with arrangements by Marty Paich, 1959.

March 15

Trumpeter/bandleader Harry James born 1916 in Albany, GA.
Duke Ellington records “Concerto for Cootie,” 1940.
Pianist Cecil Taylor born 1929 in New York, NY.

March 16

Pianist/composer Fats Waller records “Jitterbug Waltz,” 1942.
Cornetist Ruby Braff born 1927 in Boston, MA.
Pianist Tommy Flanagan born 1930 in Detroit, MI.

Source: Smithsonian Jazz

Cannonball Adderley - "Jive Samba" (1963)

2011-03-09T19:27:00.000-08:00

Cannonball Adderley on alto sax; Nat Adderley on cornet; Yusef Lateef on tenor sax, oboe, and flute; Joe Zawinul on piano; Sam Jones on bass; and Louis Hayes on drums.

A Cup of “Ko-Ko”

2011-03-06T13:53:00.000-08:00

“Ko-Ko” was a songrecorded on this date in 1940 by the famous Blanton-Webster version of the DukeEllington Orchestra (bassist Jimmy Blanton and saxophonist Ben Webster werefeatured soloists). Ellington said that the song was meant to evoke CongoSquare in New Orleans (where Louis Armstrong Park is now), a place whereAfrican-Americans gathered on Sundays in the pre-jazz days of the nineteenthcentury to dance to drum music. The Duke originally intended it to be part ofhis musical history that eventually became the jazz symphony “Black, Brown andBiege” (1943).

Even today, this song hasan exotic, raw energy to it. One can hear how it might have been disturbing forsome people who listened to it at the time. The whole Ellington band is inattack mode on the piece, with Harry Carney blowing a rhythmic baritone sax andJoe “Tricky Sam” Nanton “speaking” through his trombone. Nanton was one of thepioneers of the use of the plunger mute and he employs a raucous “wah-wah” voicing togreat effect here.

This Week in Jazz History: March 3 to March 9

2011-03-03T06:17:00.000-08:00

March 3

Bassist Jimmy Garrison born 1934 in Miami, FL.
Saxophonist Hal McKusick’s quartet records George Russell’s The Day John Brown Was Hanged, 1956.
Clarinetist Barney Bigard born 1906 in New Orleans, LA.

March 4

Guitarist Charlie Christian records Solo Flight with Benny Goodman’s band, 1941.
Saxophonist Jan Garbarek born 1947 in Mysen, Norway.
Trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie’s Big Band records Carnegie Hall Concert, 1961.

March 5

Vocalist Carol Sloane born 1937 in Providence, RI.
Louis Armstrong records “Knockin’ A Jug” with trombonist Jack Teagarden, 1929.
Basie tenor saxophonists Frank Foster and Frank Wess record Two Franks, Please, 1956.

March 6

Trumpeter Howard McGhee born 1918 in Tulsa, OK.
Duke Ellington records “Ko-Ko,” 1940.
Guitarist Wes Montgomery born 1925 in Indianapolis, IN.

March 7

Boogie-woogie pianist Meade "Lux" Lewis records Honky Tonk Train Blues, 1937.
Bassist Alcide Pavageau born 1888 in New Orleans, LA.
Guitarist Gabor Szabo born 1936 in Budapest, Hungary.

March 8

Saxophonist George Coleman born 1935 in Memphis, TN.
Pianist James Williams born 1951 in Memphis, TN.
Alto saxophonist Lee Konitz records Yesterdays with Miles Davis, 1951.

March 9

Alto saxophonist Cannonball Adderley records Somethin’ Else, with trumpeter Miles Davis, pianist Hank Jones, and drummer Art Blakey, 1958.
Saxophonist Ornette Coleman born 1930 in Fort Worth, TX.
Pianist Paul Bley records Turns, featuring tenor saxophonist John Gilmore, 1964.

Source: Smithsonian Jazz

Happy Birthday, Dexter Gordon!

2011-02-27T00:16:00.000-08:00

Dexter Gordon playing (and reciting) "What's New" in Holland, 1964, with George Gruntz on piano, Guy Pedersen on bass, and Daniel Humair on drums.

This Week in Jazz History: February 24 to March 2

2011-02-24T07:16:00.000-08:00

February 24

Keith Jarrett records Fort Yawuh live at the Village Vanguard, 1973.
Saxophonist David “Fathead” Newman born 1933 in Dallas, TX.
Pianist/composer Michel Legrand born 1932 in Paris, France.

February 25

Reedman Eric Dolphy records Out to Lunch, 1964.
Trombonist Ake Persson born 1932 in Hassleholm, Sweden.
Duke Ellington records The Queen’s Suite (of which only one copy is made and given to the Queen of England), 1959.

February 26

Louis Armstrong records the first jazz scat vocal “Heebie Jeebies,” 1926.
Tenor saxophonist Flip Phillips born 1915 in Brooklyn, NY.
Count Basie records “Avenue C” with Shadow Wilson on drums, 1945.

February 27

Tenor saxophonist Dexter Gordon born 1923 in Los Angeles, CA.
Pianist Erroll Garner records The One and Only, 1953.
Bassist Oscar Pettiford and drummer Max Roach record “There’ll Never Be Another You” as a duet, 1958.

February 28

Vocalist Mildred Bailey records “Downhearted Blues” with the John Kirby Sextet, 1939.
Percussionist Willie Bobo born 1934 in New York, NY.
Violin Svend Asmussen born 1916 in Copenhagen, Denmark

March 1

Trombonist Benny Powell born 1930 in New Orleans, LA.
Pianist Geri Allen records Eyes In The Back of Your Head with Steve Coleman, 1996.
Pianist Fats Waller records his piano solo “Handful of Keys,” 1929.

March 2

Saxophonist/composer/trumpeter Benny Carter records Central City Sketches with The American Jazz Orchestra, 1987.
Tenor saxophonist Eddie Lockjaw Davis born 1922 in New York, NY.
Trumpeter Miles Davis records Kind of Blue, the best-selling jazz album of all time, 1959.

Source: Smithsonian Jazz

Happy Birthday, Nina Simone!

2011-02-21T00:12:00.000-08:00

Singing and playing "Love Me or Leave Me" - complete with an instrumental interpolation of J.S. Bach's "Fugue in C Major" - on The Ed Sullivan Show, 1960.

Vintage Dizzy

2011-02-18T00:05:00.000-08:00

Dizzy Gillespie: Livein '58 & '70 (2006), part ofthe Jazz Icons series of DVDs, presents another gem with these two concerts ofDizzy Gillespie. In the earlier date from Belgium, Gillespie is in a smallgroup setting - a fantastic quintet with Sonny Stitt on sax, Lou Levy on piano,Ray Brown on bass, and Gus Johnson on drums. The hip repertoire includes “BluesAfter Dark” (penned by Benny Golson), “Blues Walk” (Clifford Brown’s ultra-coolfavorite), and the standard “Cocktails for Two.” Gillespie is his ebullientself throughout, but it is Stitt who gets the chance to shine, blowing somepowerful solos on tenor. He is featured on a wonderful torchy version of “LoverMan.” Dizzy and Sonny belt out a comical vocal on “On the Sunny Side of the Street.”

The 1970 date is fromDenmark, where we see Dizzy fronting the Francy Boland/Kenny Clarke Big Band.In addition to Boland on piano and Clarke on drums, the group included, among others, BillieMitchell and Ronnie Scott on tenor sax; Art Farmer and Idrees Sulieman ontrumpet; Jimmy Woode on bass; and Sahib Shihab on baritone. The band may bebig, but they produce a wonderfully tight sound on some complex blues and boparrangements. Gillespie is at ease blowing on all. A couple of Gillespieoriginals are featured, his Afro-Cuban influenced “Con Alma” and “Manteca.” Aspecial highlight is a smoky, noirish version of Jimmy Woode’s “Now Hear MyMeanin’.”

Throughout, the visuals are excellent andintimately close to the performers. The sound is crisp and crackling. Here's a sample - "Blues After Dark" from the 1958 gig.

This Week in Jazz History: February 17 to February 23

2011-02-17T07:12:00.000-08:00

February 17

Ruby Braff and Ellis Larkins record their first duo album, 1955.
Clarinetist Buddy DeFranco born 1923 in Camden, NJ.
Trumpeter Henry “Red” Allen records “You Might Get Better, But You’ll Never Get Well,” 1930.

February 18

Trumpeter Miles Davis records In A Silent Way, 1969, with pianist Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, and Joe Zawinul.
Vocalist Billie Holiday records Lady In Satin, 1958.
Drummer Frank Butler born 1928 in Kansas City, MO.

February 19

Saxophonist/composer/bandleader David Murray born 1955 in Berkeley, CA.
Tenor saxophonist Gene Ammons and Sonny Stitt record Soul Summit, 1962.

February 20

Pianist/composer Anthony Davis born 1951 in Paterson, NJ.
Vocalist Ethel Waters records “Sugar,” 1926.
Pianist/arranger Phil Moore born 1918 in Portland, OR.

February 21

Composer/pianist Tadd Dameron born 1917 in Cleveland, OH.
Drummer Art Blakey’s Quintet with trumpeter Clifford Brown records Live at Birdland, 1954.
Vocalist Nina Simone born 1933 in Tryon, NC.

February 22

Cornetist Rex Stewart born 1907 in Philadelphia, PA.
Trumpeter Joe Wilder born 1922 in Colwyn, PA.
Tenor saxophonist Buddy Tate born 1913 in Sherman, TX.

February 23

Clarinetist Pee Wee Russell and tenor saxophonist Coleman Hawkins record Jazz Reunion, 1961.
Oliver Nelson records The Blues and the Abstract Truth, 1961, with Eric Dolphy, Freddie Hubbard, and Bill Evans.
Trumpeter/composer John Carisi born 1922 in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ.

Source: Smithsonian Jazz

Jazz News: George Shearing Has Died

2011-02-14T11:02:00.000-08:00

Jazz pianist and composer George Shearing has died at the age of 91. Here's the story in the New York Times:

George Shearing, 'Lullaby of Birdland' Jazz Virtuoso, Dies at 91
By Peter Keepnews

George Shearing, the British piano virtuoso who overcame blindness to become a worldwide jazz star, and whose composition “Lullaby of Birdland” became an enduring jazz standard, died on Monday in Manhattan. He was 91. More...

Jazz News: 2011 Jazz Grammy Winners

2011-02-13T18:09:00.000-08:00

Winners of the 2011 Grammy Awards in the jazz categories were announced tonight before the telecast. Jazz Times has a list of the winners.

Jazz Grammy Winners Presented in LA
Stanley Clarke, James Moody, Herbie Hancock and Dee Dee Bridgewater among winners
By Lee Mergner

In a pre-telecast ceremony held in Los Angeles today, the winners in nearly 100 categories were announced. Included in there were the jazz categories, in which Stanley Clarke, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Billy Childs, Herbie Hancock, Chucho Valdes and the late James Moody were among the winners. More...

UPDATE: The Best New Artist award went to ~~Justin Bieber~~ Esperanza Spalding!

Happy Birthday, Wingy Manone!

2011-02-13T10:21:00.000-08:00

Trumpeter, singer, andcomposer Joseph “Wingy” Manone was born on this date in 1900. As a boy in NewOrleans, he lost an arm as a result of a streetcar accident, but this didn’tstop him from taking up a musical instrument. His nickname has to rank as a bitof gallows humor, although Manone’s 1948 autobiography was entitled Trumpeton the Wing. He used a prostheticarm so naturally when playing trumpet that his disability was not immediatelynoticeable.

He first played professionallyaround New Orleans and then took to the road in the 1920s, playing with bandsfrom coast to coast. His performance style was somewhat reminiscent of LouisPrima - hot and fast trumpet playing and vocals sung in a rough, gravellyvoice. He played on a few early Benny Goodman recordings and his band hadsteady radio work in the 1930s. He also appeared in the film Rhythm on theRiver (1940), starring Bing Crosbyand Mary Martin as musical ghostwriters.

As a composer, Manone’stunes include “Tar Paper Stomp,” “There'll Come a Time (Wait and See)” (withMiff Mole; the song was recently used on the soundtrack of The Curious Caseof Benjamin Button), “DownrightDisgusted Blues” (with Bud Freeman), and “Tailgate Ramble” (with JohnnyMercer). Manone played mostly in California and in Las Vegas from the 1950sonward, but he also continued to tour worldwide. He died in 1982.

Jazz violinist Joe Venuti,who was a notorious practical joker and good friend of Manone, used to send“Wingy” a single cufflink every year on his birthday.

Here is some rare footageof “Wingy” Manone performing.