Recent Links :: 31 December 2012

• Miles Davis: Miles Davis Online points out that Miles Davis has never been featured on the PBS "American Masters" series and suggests that the series creator consider adding him this season.
• Miles Davis: New Jazz United shared a video of "High Speed Chase," from the 1992 Miles Davis album, Doo-Bop. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Duke Ellington: Dan McClenaghan reviews Duke Ellington's album, Big Bands Live, at All About Jazz. (Purchase from Amazon.com.)
• Ella Fitzgerald: New Jazz United shared a video of Ella Fitzgerald singing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," from her 1960 album, Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Earl Hines: On December 28, his birthday, Earl Hines was the Jazz Musician of the Day at All About Jazz.
• Earl Hines: New Jazz United shared a video of Earl Hines performing "Memories of You" in Berlin in 1965.
• John McLaughlin: New Jazz United shared a video of the Mahavishnu Orchestra's second album, Birds of Fire (1972). (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Wayne Shorter: New York Times critic Nate Chinen listed the Wayne Shorter Quartet's April 2012 concert at the Rose Theatre at Lincoln Center as one of the best concerts of 2012.
• Art Tatum: New Jazz United shared a video of Art Tatum playing "Beautiful Love" in 1934.
• Cecil Taylor: New York Times critics Nate Chinen and Ben Ratliff listed Cecil Taylor's May 2012 concert at the Harlem Stage Gatehouse as one of the best concerts of 2012.

Robert
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RIP, Fletcher Henderson (1897-1952)

Bandleader Fletcher Henderson (1897-1952) died on December 29, 1952, in New York City. He was 55 years old. Henderson had suffered a stroke in 1950, which resulted in partial paralysis and ended his ability to perform as a pianist. He was buried in the family plot in Cuthbert, Georgia.

Henderson's orchestra was the first of the influential big bands and established the foundations for swing music. Louis Armstrong, the first great jazz soloist, and Coleman Hawkins, its first great saxophonist, were both members of Henderson's orchestra. in fact, when Henderson brought Armstrong from Chicago to New York in October 1924, he was responsible for moving the geographical focus of jazz in the United States.

The Fletcher Henderson Orchestra plays "My Pretty Girl" here:

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends the album Developing an American Orchestra 1923-1927 (Smithsonian Collection). Unfortunately, that album is only available in vinyl. Jim Determan, who has updated the Lyons list, recommends as an alternative A Study in Frustration: The Fletcher Henderson Story (Columbia), which is available from Amazon.com.

Robert
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RIP, Freddie Hubbard (1938-2008)

Jazz trumpeter Freddie Hubbard (1938-2008) died on December 29, 2008, in Sherman Oaks, California, following complications from a heart attack. He was 70 years old.

Hubbard was widely regarded as the most gifted jazz trumpeter of the post-bebop 1960s and 1970s. He first attracted attention in the 1960s for his work as a member of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers and for his work on albums with Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, and others. Although he was not an avant-gardist, he participated in three of the seminal recordings of the 1960s jazz avant-garde: Ornette Coleman's "Free Jazz" (1960); Eric Dolphy's "Out to Lunch" (1964); and John Coltrane's "Ascension" (1965).

Hubbard plays "Red Clay" here:

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends the album Breaking Point (Blue note). The CD is available from Barnes & Noble.

Hubbard also joined Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Ron Carter, and Tony Williams on another album recommended by Lyons, V.S.O.P.: The Quintet (Columbia), which is also available from Barnes & Noble. Lyons called that album "a magical reunion of the most important young players to emerge in the mid-1960's."

Robert
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Recent Links :: 28 December 2012

• Louis Armstrong: Ricky Riccardi shares Louis Armstrong's reading of "A Night Before Christmas" at The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong.
• Dave Brubeck: Marc Myers shares a video of the Dave Brubeck Quartet performing in London in 1964 at JazzWax.
• Dave Brubeck: NPR's JazzSet remembers Dave Brubeck with a set from the 2009 Newport Jazz Festival.
• Dave Brubeck, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Bill Evans, Billie Holiday, Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk: "10 Great Performances From 10 Legendary Jazz Artists: Django, Miles, Monk, Coltrane & More" at Open Culture includes videos of Billie Holiday, Dave Brubeck, Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Bill Evans, and Charles Mingus.
• John Coltrane: Tim Niland reviews the DVD, John Coltrane: Live in France 1965, at Music and More. (Purchase at Amazon.com.)
• Wes Montgomery: Howard Mandel lists Wes Montgomery's Echoes of Indiana Avenue as one of his top jazz recordings of 2012 at Jazz Beyond Jazz. (Purchase at Amazon.com.)

Robert
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Happy Birthday, Earl Hines

Jazz pianist Earl Hines (1903-1983) was born on December 28, 1903, in Duquesne, Pennsylvania.

Hines had a long and influential history, beginning with his collaborations with Louis Armstrong and lasting through his last concert, played just a few days before his death. Pianist Lennie Tristano said of Hines's recordings, "Earl Hines is the ONLY one of us capable of creating real jazz and real swing when playing all alone." Pianist Erroll Garner said, "When you talk about greatness, you talk about Art Tatum and Earl Hines". To Count Basie, Hines was "The greatest piano player in the world". And finally, according to pianist Teddy Wilson and saxophonist Eddie Barefield, "Art Tatum's favorite jazz piano player was Earl Hines."

Hines plays "Memories of You" from a 1965 piano workshop in Berlin here:

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends three albums that feature Hines:

• Earl "Fatha" Hines: Another Monday Date (Prestige). Available in CD from Amazon.com.
  
• Louis Armstrong and Earl Hines: The Genius of Louis Armstrong, Vol. 1 1923-1933 (Columbia). Available in vinyl only from Amazon.com.
  
• Louis Armstrong and Earl Hines: Louis Armstrong and Earl Hines, 1928 (Smithsonian Collection). Available in vinyl only from Amazon.com.
  

Because only one of these is available on CD, Jim Determan recommends an alternative, Louis Armstrong and Earl Hines: Louis Armstrong and Earl Hines, Volume IV (Columbia), which is available from Barnes & Noble.

Robert
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Recent Links :: 26 December 2012

• Louis Armstrong: Ricky Riccardi shares six Christmas songs that Louis Armstrong recorded for Decca in the 1950s at The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong.
• Louis Armstrong, Charles Mingus: Among Richard Scheinin's best of 2012 at Mercury News are:
  • Louis Armstrong: Satchmo at the National Press Club: Red Beans and Ricely Yours. (Purchase from Amazon.com.)
  • Charles Mingus: The Jazz Workshop Concerts 1964-65. (Purchase at Mosaic Records)
• George Benson: According to JazzTimes, George Benson will record a Nat King Cole tribute album.
• Bill Evans: Marc Myers discusses Bill Evans's collaborations with trombonist Jimmy Knepper at JazzWax.
• Billie Holiday: CBC Music shares a 1951 CBC radio interview with Billie Holiday.
• Charles Mingus, Cecil Taylor: Chris Monsen shares his favorite jazz of 2012 at Perfect Sounds. Among the reissues that he lists are:
  • Charles Mingus: The Workshop Concerts 1964-64. (Purchase at Mosaic Records)
  • Cecil Taylor: The Complete Nat Hentoff Sessions. (Purchase at Amazon.com
• Thelonious Monk: Do the Math has a long article on what makes Thelonious Monk's music so hard to play.
• Oscar Peterson: Vintage Music has a remembrance of Oscar Peterson on the 5th anniversary of his death.

Robert
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Recent Links :: 24 December 2012

• Louis Armstrong: Michael Steinman reviews the Louis Armsrong album, The Okeh, Columbia, and RCA Victor Recordings: 1925-1933, at Jazz Lives. (Purchase from Amazon.com.)
• Anthony Braxton: At JazzTimes, Giovanni Russonello reviews the December concert by Anthony Braxton in Washington, DC.
• Dave Brubeck: Chris Brubeck talks about his collaboration with his father, the late Dave Brubeck, at NewMusicBox.
• Dave Brubeck, Keith Jarrett: John Fordham bids farewell to Dave Brubeck and includes Keith Jarrett's album, Sleeper, as one of his best albums of 2012 at The Guardian. (Purchase Sleeper from Amazon.com.)
• Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett, Oregon: John Kelman's best releases of 2012 at All About Jazz includes:
  • Chick Corea and Gary Burton's Hot House. (Purchase from Amazon.com.)
  • Keith Jarrett's Sleeper. (Purchase from Amazon.com.)
  • Oregon's Family Tree. (Purchase from Amazon.com.)
• Miles Davis: Miles Davis Online shares a number of links about the jazz trumpeter.
• Wes Montgomery: Among Dan Bilawsky's best releases of 2012 at All About Jazz is Wes Montgomery's Echoes Of Indiana Avenue. (Purchase Echoes Of Indiana Avenue from Amazon.com.)

Robert
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RIP, Oscar Peterson (1925-2007)

Pianist Oscar Peterson died on December 23, 2007, of kidney failure at his home in Mississauga, Ontario. He is buried at the Saint Peter's Anglican Church Cemetery in Mississauga.

Peterson was born in Montreal and won seven Grammy Awards over his career. He is one of the few pianists whose technique approaches that of the great Art Tatum, who was a major influence on Peterson. Duke Ellington called Peterson the "Maharaja of the keyboard."

Peterson plays "When I Fall in Love" at:

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends the album, In Concert (Verve - England 2683 063, 2 LPs). Unfortunately, that album is available only in vinyl and not in CD or MP3 format. Jim Determan, who updated the Lyons list for CD, offers no alternatives, and Lyons himself warns that "Good Peterson albums are abundant, but great ones are rare." Nevertheless, Lyons does speak highly of the solo album 'My Favorite Instrument,' which is available from Barnes & Noble, both new and used.

Robert
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Recent Links :: 20 December 2012

• Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett, Charles Mingus: Peter Hum's "Best Jazz of 2012" list at the Ottawa Citizen includes:
  • Chick Corea and Gary Burton's October concert with the Harlem String Quartet at the Centrepointe Theatre as one of the top concerts of 2012.
  • Keith Jarrett's Sleeper as one of the top discs of 2012. (Purchase at Amazon.com.)
  • Charles Mingus's The Jazz Workshop Concerts 1964-65 as one of the top reissues of 2012. (Purchase at Mosaic Records.)
• Miles Davis: According to Miles Davis Online, Don Cheadle is "still pursuing" the Miles Davis biopic.
• Miles Davis: Miles Davis Online recalls the "We Want Miles" exhibition that toured Paris, Montreal, and Brazil in 2011 and wonders if the exhibition will come to the United States.
• Duke Ellington: At All About Jazz, Carl L. Hager begins a long discussion of American politics by recalling Duke Ellington's Presidential Medal of Freedom Award from Richard Nixon in 1969.
• Bill Evans: John Weatherman discusses the Bill Evans album, Waltz for Debbie, at the head in. (Purchase Waltz for Debbie from Amazon.com.)
• Flecther Henderson: On December 18, his birthday, Fletcher Henderson was the Jazz Musician of the Day at All About Jazz.
• John McLaughlin: John McLaughlin was on the cover of the January 2013 issue of Downbeat.
• Fats Waller: Vintage Music has a tribute to Fats Waller on the 69th anniversary of his death. (In Spanish)

Robert
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Happy Birthday, Fletcher Henderson

Bandleader Fletcher Henderson (1897-1952) was born on December 18, 1897, in Cuthbert, Georgia.

Henderson's orchestra was the first of the influential big bands and established the foundations for swing music. Louis Armstrong, the first great jazz soloist, and Coleman Hawkins, its first great saxophonist, were both members of Henderson's orchestra.

The Fletcher Henderson Orchestra plays "The Stampede" (which features a great solo by Coleman Hawkins) here:

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends the album Developing an American Orchestra 1923-1927 (Smithsonian Collection). Unfortunately, that album is only available in vinyl. Jim Determan, who has updated the Lyons list, recommends as an alternative A Study in Frustration: The Fletcher Henderson Story (Columbia), which is available from Amazon.com.

Robert
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Recent Links :: 16 December 2012

• Louis Armstrong: Ricky Riccardi discusses Louis Armstrong's "Hotter than That" at The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong. ("Hotter than That" is on the CD, Hot Fives & Sevens, available from Amazon.com.)
• Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk: Fred Kaplan's list of the best historical jazz releases of 2012 at Slate includes:
  • Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, Ella & Louis Again. (Purchase from Amazon.com.)
  • Charles Mingus, The Jazz Workshop Concerts, 1964-65. (Purchase from Mosaic Records.)
  • Thelonious Monk Quartet, The Complete Columbia Studio Albums Collection. (Purchase from Amazon.com.)
• Dave Brubeck: At Jazz Chronicles, James Hale discusses Dave Brubeck and Ravi Shankar as examples of artists who were "vital, creative and influential" into their 90s.
• John Coltrane: Matthew Kassel writes an appreciation of John Coltrane and singer Johnny Hartman at The Paris Review. (Purchase John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman from Amazon.com.)
• Chick Corea: S. Victor Aaron's top albums for 2012 in mainstream and modern jazz at Something Else Reviews included Chick Corea and Gary Burton's Hot House. (Purchase Hot House from Amazon.com.)
• Chick Corea: Fred Kaplan's list of the best jazz albums of 2012 at Slate includes the two disc set by Chick Corea, Eddie Gomez, and Paul Motian, Further Explorations. (Purchase Further Explorations from Amazon.com.)
• Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner: Jazz pianist George Colligan pays tribute to Herbie Hancock and McCoy Tyner at Jazz Truth.
• Keith Jarrett: John Fordham's list of the best jazz albums of 2012 at The Guardian includes Keith Jarrett's Sleeper. (Purchase Sleeper from Amazon.com.)

Robert
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RIP, Fats Waller (1904-1943)

Jazz pianist Fats Waller died of pneumonia on December 15, 1943, near Kansas City, Missouri, on a train trip from Hollywood to New York. He was just 39 years old. His remains were cremated and scattered by air over Harlem.

Waller was a protege of the great stride pianist James P. Johnson, an influence on painists from Earl Hines to Art Tatum, an incredible commercial success, and the author of popular songs such as "Honeysuckle Rose", "Ain't Misbehavin'" and "Squeeze Me."

Waller plays his perhaps his best-known composition, "Ain't Misbehavin'," here:

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends Waller's album, Fats Waller Piano Solos, 1929-1941 (Bluebird). Unfortunately, that album is only available in vinyl, and Jim Determan recommends as an alternative Turn on the Heat — The Fats Waller Piano Solos (RCA), which is available on CD from Barnes & Noble.

Robert
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Recent Links :: 13 December 2012

• Dave Brubeck: the head in discusses Dave Brubeck's album, Time Out. (Purchase Time Out from Amazon.com.)
• Dave Brubeck: Nate Chinen begins his "year-end email conversation with Peter Hum, Jim Macnie, Giovanni Russonello and Greg Thomas" by remembering the Dave Brubeck album, Jazz at Storyville, at The Gig. (Purchase Jazz at Storyville from Amazon.com.)
• Dave Brubeck: The Free Jazz Collective remembers Dave Brubeck and shares a 1966 video of his quartet.
• Dave Brubeck: Mike Katz shares "an appreciation" of Dave Brubeck at The International Review of Music.
• Miles Davis: Miles Davis Online speculates about the biggest obstacle facing the Miles Davis movie.
• Miles Davis: Open Culture shares a video of the "second great" Miles Davis Quintet in Stockholm in 1967.
• Sonny Rollins: Josep Pedro reviews the Sonny Rollins concert in Barcelona at All About Jazz.
• McCoy Tyner: On his birthday, December 11, McCoy Tyner was named Jazz Musician of the Day at All About Jazz.
• McCoy Tyner: Do the Math provides a transcript of McCoy Tyner's tune "Good Bait."

Robert
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Happy Birthday, Toshiko Akiyoshi

Japanese American jazz pianist, composer/arranger, and bandleader Toshiko Akiyoshi was born on December 12, 1929, in Liaoyang, Manchuria. She turns 83 today.

Akiyoshi and her husband Lew Tabackin are best known for their Akiyoshi-Tabackin Big Band, which Len Lyons has described as "perhaps the last great hope for [the] continuance" of the big band. Akiyoshi has received 14 Grammy nominations, and she was the first woman to win the Best Arranger and Composer awards in Down Beat magazine's Readers Poll.

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends the Akiyoshi-Tabackin Big Band's album Insights (RCA), which is available from Amazon.com.

Akiyoshi performs a piano solo, "The Village," here:

Robert
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Happy Birthday, McCoy Tyner

Jazz pianist McCoy Tyner was born on December 11, 1938, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He turns 74 today.

Tyner is known for his work with John Coltrane as well as for his own long solo career. In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons calls him "a master of the piano on the order of a Hines, a Tatum or a Cecil Taylor."

McCoy Tyner plays a piano solo version of John Coltrane's "Giant Steps" here:

Lyons recommends two McCoy Tyner albums, both of which are available on CD.

• Echoes of a Friend (Milestone) Purchase from Barnes & Noble.
  
• Enlightenment (Milestone) Purchase from Barnes & Noble.
  

Robert
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Recent Links :: 9 December 2012

• Louis Armstrong: Jazz Lives shares some videos of Louis Armstrong from early, black-and-white television.
• Louis Armstrong: Ricky Riccardi discusses the Louis Armstrong piece, "That's My Home," at The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong. ("That's My Home" is available on Armstrong's The Complete RCA Victor Recordings, which is available from Amazon.com.)
• Dave Brubeck: More tribues to the late Dave Brubeck:
  • Andrea Canter's reminiscences at JazzInk
  • Chick Corea remembers Brubeck at Notes from the Road
  • John Dankosky’s 2008 interview with Brubeck at the Litchfield Jazz Festival at blank on blank
  • R.J. DeLuke's farewell at RJ on Jazz
  • David A. Graham explores the "paradox" of Dave Brubeck at The Atlantic
  • Peter Hum shares the thougts of Chick Corea, Bill King, and other pianists on Brubeck at The Ottawa Citizen
  • The International Review of Music shares a Dave Brubeck quotation.
  • Patrick Jarenwattananon looks at Brubeck "beyond 'Take Five'" at NPR's A Blog Supreme.
  • Mike Lang's appreciation of Brubeck at The International Review of Music
  • NPR's Fresh Air shares an interview with Brubeck that was broadcast in 1999.
  • NPR's Tell Me More shares another interview with Brubeck, one in which the pianist recalls a Christmas in World War II.
  • Doug Ramsey on the great artist at Rifftides
  • Tom Wilmeth remembers Brubeck at JazzTimes
• Dave Brubeck, Cecil Taylor: Ethan Iverson discusses the influence of Dave Brubeck and Cecil Taylor at Do the Math.
• Miles Davis: Jeff Tamarkin discusses the soon-to-be-released Miles Davis album, Live In Europe 1969: The Bootleg Series, Vol. 2, at JazzTimes.
  
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Recent Links :: 6 December 2012

• Dave Brubeck: More posts following Dave Brubeck's death:
  • James Hale's piece, "What Dave Brubeck Taught Me," at Jazz Chronicles
  • Marc Myers's profile at JazzWax
  • An obituary at The Ottawa Citizen
  • Peter Hum's piece, "A Brubeck Institute Grad Fondly Remembers Dave Brubeck," at The Ottawa Citizen
• Dave Brubeck: On December 6, his birthday, Dave Brubeck was the Jazz Musician of the Day at All About Jazz.
• Dave Brubeck, Chick Corea: The 55th annual Grammy Award nominees were announced. See JazzTimes and Elements of Jazz for the complete lists. Among the nominees:
  • Dave Brubeck and Chris Brubeck's "Music of Ansel Adams: America," nominated for Best Instrumental Composition
  • Chick Corea and Gary Burton's “Hot House,” from the album Hot House, nominated for Best Improvised Jazz Solo
  • Chick Corea, "Alice in Wonderland," from the album Further Explorations, nominated for Best Improvised Jazz Solo
  • Further Explorations by Chick Corea, Eddie Gomez & Paul Motian, nominated for Best Jazz Instrumental Album
  • Hot House by Chick Corea & Gary Burton, nominated for Best Jazz Instrumental Album
  • Chick Corea's “Mozart Goes Dancing,” from the album Hot House, nominated for Best Instrumental Composition
• Miles Davis: All About Jazz announces that the Miles Davis Quintet album, Live In Europe 1969: The Bootleg Series Volume 2 will be released in January.
• Bill Evans: John Weatherman discusses the Bill Evans album, Sunday At The Village Vanguard, at the head in. (Purchase Sunday At The Village Vanguard from Amazon.com.)
• Charles Mingus: Tim Niland reviews the Charles Mingus album, Charles Mingus: The Jazz Workshop Concerts 1964-65, at Music and More. (Purchase Charles Mingus: The Jazz Workshop Concerts 1964-65 from Mosaic Records.)

Robert
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Happy Birthday, Dave Brubeck

American jazz pianist Dave Brubeck was born on December 6, 1920, in Concord, California.

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons reminds us that "Brubeck's sound, and perhaps his appeal to the college audience, was based on a blend of European 'classical' harmony and counterpoint with jazz rhythmic feeling and improvisation." Brubeck's Quartet was especially known for its use of unusual time signatures — 5/4, in the case of "Take Five," which was recently voted by listeners the best jazz song of all time at NPR Music.

The Dave Brubeck Quartet plays "Take Five" here:

Lyons recommends the Dave Brubeck Quartet's album, Dave Brubeck's All-Time Greatest Hits (Columbia), which is available only in vinyl. Jim Determan (who updated the Lyons list for CD) recommends the two alternative CDs below and points out that "Either or both of these discs would make an appropriate substitute for the recommended LP. The first one contains 'Take Five' and the other odd time signature material, which include many of the more memorable of Brubeck's 'hits.' The Greatest Hits CD picks up some of the other material, like 'Duke,' his tribute to Ellington."

• Time Out (Sony) Purchase from Barnes & Noble.
  
• Greatest Hits (Columbia/Sony) Purchase from Barnes & Noble.

Robert
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RIP, Dave Brubeck (1920-2012)

Jazz pianist and composer Dave Brubeck died of heart failure today in Norwalk, Connecticut, one day before his 92nd birthday.

Among the many obituaries and tributes are the following:

• Chicago Tribune
• Groove Notes
• The Guardian
• JazzInk
• JazzTimes
• Miles Davis Online
• Night Lights
• NPR 

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends the Dave Brubeck Quartet's album, Dave Brubeck's All-Time Greatest Hits (Columbia), which is available only in vinyl. Jim Determan (who updated the Lyons list for CD) recommends the two alternative CDs below and points out that "Either or both of these discs would make an appropriate substitute for the recommended LP. The first one contains 'Take Five' and the other odd time signature material, which include many of the more memorable of Brubeck's 'hits.' The Greatest Hits CD picks up some of the other material, like 'Duke,' his tribute to Ellington."

• Time Out (Sony) Purchase from Barnes & Noble.
• Greatest Hits (Columbia/Sony) Purchase from Barnes & Noble.

The Dave Brubeck Quartet plays "Blue Rondo a la Turk" here:

Robert
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Recent Links :: 3 December 2012

• Louis Armstrong: At The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong, Ricky Riccardi discusses the two collections of the Hot Fives and Hot Sevens and their relative merits. (Purchase the JSP set from Amazon.com. Purchase the Sony set from Amazon.com.)
• Louis Armstrong: Jazz Lives provides an appreciation of Louis Armstrong's version of "When You're Smiling."
• Louis Armstrong: Ricky Riccardi recaps the 10 posts that make up his series on Louis Armstrong's Hot Seven recordings at The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong. (The CD, Hot Fives & Sevens, is available from Amazon.com.)
• Miles Davis: According to Miles Davis Online, the jazz giant was mentioned on the television show, "Parks and Recreation."

• Miles Davis: David Brent Johnson discusses the influence of Miles Davis's Birth of the Cool album on West Coast jazz at Night Lights. (Purchase Birth of the Cool from Amazon.com.)
• Charles Mingus: Marc Myers reviews the new Mosaic box set, Charles Mingus: The Jazz Workshop Concerts 1964-65, at JazzWax. (Purchase Charles Mingus: The Jazz Workshop Concerts 1964-65 from Mosaic Records.)
• Jaco Pastorius: On December 1, his birthday, Jaco Pastorius was the Jazz Musician of the Day at All About Jazz.
• Woody Herman: Dan Bilawsky reviews the new DVD on Woody Herman, "Woody Herman: Blue Flame - Portrait Of A Jazz Legend," at All About Jazz. (Purchase "Woody Herman: Blue Flame - Portrait Of A Jazz Legend " from Amazon.com.)

Robert
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Happy Birthday, Jaco Pastorius

Bassist Jaco Pastorius was born on December 1, 1951, in Norristown, Pennsylvania.

Pastorius is best known for his work with Weather Report and is generally regarded as one of the most influential bass players of all time. He is one of only four bassists to be inducted into the Down Beat Jazz Hall of Fame.

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends Weather Report's album, 8:30. The album features Pastorius on cuts like "Black Market," "Teen Town," and "Slang." It is available from Barnes & Noble.

Pastorius plays "A Portrait of Tracy" from a Weather Report concert in Germany in 1978 here:

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends Weather Report's album, 8:30. The album features Pastorius on cuts like "Black Market," "Teen Town," and "Slang." It is available from Barnes & Noble.

Robert
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Recent Links :: 30 November 2012

• Louis Armstrong: Ricky Riccardi discusses two Louis Armstrong pieces, "S.O.L. Blues" and "Gully Low Blues," at The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong. (Both songs are on the CD, Hot Fives & Sevens, available from Amazon.com.)
• Louis Armstrong: Ricky Riccardi discusses Louis Armstrong's "That's When I'll Come Back to You" at The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong. ("That's When I'll Come Back to You" is on the CD, Hot Fives & Sevens, available from Amazon.com.)
• Chuck Mangione: On November 29, his birthday, Chuck Mangione was the Jazz Musician of the Day at All About Jazz.
• Miles Davis: According to Miles Davis Online, Don Cheadle is "practicing the trumpet, and that’s a good sign for Miles Davis Biopic watchers."
• Miles Davis: Miles Davis Online shares a photo of a CBS memo in which Miles says that he wants his album to be titled "Bitches Brew." (Purchase Bitches Brew from Amazon.com.)
• Weather Report: Michael J. West reviews the Weather Report album, The Columbia Albums 1971-1975, at JazzTimes. (Purchase The Columbia Albums 1971-1975 from Amazon.com.)
• Charlie Parker: Devon "Doc" Wendell discusses Charlie Parker's November 29, 1945, recording session of "Koko" at The International Review of Music.
• Wayne Shorter: Wayne Shorter announced his 2013 tour dates at JazzTimes.

Robert
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RIP, Don Redman (1900-1964)

Don Redman, the first great arranger in jazz history, died on November 30, 1964, in New York City.  He was 64 years old.

Redman joined joined the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra in 1923, playing clarinet and saxophone, but he soon began writing arrangements and did much to formulate the sound that was to become big band swing.

Redman formed his own band in 1931, which he led until 1940.

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra's album Developing an American Orchestra 1923-1927 (Smithsonian Collection). Unfortunately, that album is only available in vinyl. Jim Determan, who has updated the Lyons list, recommends as an alternative A Study in Frustration: The Fletcher Henderson Story (Columbia), which is available from Amazon.com.

The Fletcher Henderson Orchestra plays one of Redman's arrangements, "Rocky Mountain Blues," here:

Robert
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Happy Birthday, Chuck Mangione

American flugelhorn player Chuck Mangione was born on November 29, 1940, in Rochester, New York. He turns 72 today.

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons says that Mangione "has come to represent the fusion of jazz with popular song writing and arranging. … [From] 1970 to 1973 Mangione auspiciously combined his natural melodicism with a talent for creating multistylistic orchestral backgrounds."

Lyons recommends Mangione's album, The Best of Chuck Mangione (Mercury), which is available only in vinyl. As Jim Determan (who updated the Lyons list for CD) points out, only half of the songs on that album have been released on CD. As an alternative, Determan recommends Land of Make Believe (Mercury), which is available from Amazon.com.

Mangione plays "And in the Beginning" — a composition that Lyons said "proved Mangione was a composer to be taken seriously" — here:

Robert
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Happy Birthday, Scott Joplin

Traditionally, November 24, 1868, has been given as the birthday of Scott Joplin, "The King of Ragtime." More recent research suggests that he was actually born in the second half of 1867.

In any event, Joplin blended European classical styles and African American harmonies and rhythm to produce ragtime, a music that, as one critic put it, "expressed the intensity and energy of a modern urban America." While some of Joplin's music (particularly "Maple Leaf Rag") was popular during his lifetime, interest in ragtime waned until its revival in the 1970s, thanks to the efforts of Joshua Rifkin and the use of Joplin's music in the film, "The Sting."

In his 101 Best Jazz Albums, Lyons recommends Scott Joplin 1916 (Biograph). Unfortunately, that album is not available in CD or MP3 format. Jim Determan recommends the following alternatives on CD:

• Scott Joplin: The Entertainer (Shout Factory), available from Barnes & Noble.
• Scott Joplin: Elite Syncopations (Shout Factory), available from Barnes & Noble.
• Dick Hyman and James Levine: Scott Joplin's Greatest Hits (RCA), available from Barnes & Noble.
• Richard Zimmerman: Scott Joplin — His Complete Works (Delta), available from Barnes & Noble.
• Richard Zimmerman: Scott Joplin — His Greatest Hits (Legacy International), available from Barnes & Noble.
• Joshua Rifkin: Scott Joplin Piano Rags (Nonesuch), available from Barnes & Noble.

The first two albums listed above contain the six paino rolls from Scott Joplin 1916 that are actually played by Joplin. The Entertainer contains "Maple Leaf Rag," "Something Doing," and "Weeping Willow Rag," while Elite Syncopations contains "Maple Leaf Rag," "Ole Miss Rag" [by W.C. Handy], and "Magnetic Rag."

Joplin plays "Maple Leaf Rag" via piano roll here:

Robert
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Recent Links :: 23 November 2012

• Louis Armstrong: Ricky Riccardi discusses the 1927 Louis Armstrong recording, "Keyhole Blues," at The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong. ("Keyhole Blues" is on the CD, Hot Fives & Sevens, available from Amazon.com.)
• Louis Armstrong, Charlie Christian, Fats Waller: NPR Music Essentials features jazz cuts with a Thanksgiving theme, including Charlie Christian's "Flying Home" and Louis Armstrong's recording of the Fats Waller tune, "All That Meat and No Potatoes."

• John Coltrane: Open Culture shares a video of three European television programs from the 1960s that feature John Coltrane.
• John Coltrane, Charles Mingus: According to Elements of Jazz, Charles Mingus's Mingus Ah Um and John Coltrane's John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman have been added to The Recording Academy's 2013 Grammy Hall of Fame list of inductees. (Purchase Mingus Ah Um from Amazon.com. Purchase John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman from Amazon.com.)
• Billie Holiday: Marc Myers shares a BBC documentary on Billie Holiday at JazzWax.
• Sonny Rollins: John Fordham reviews the Sonny Rollins/Egberto Gismonti performance in London at The Guardian.

Robert
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Happy Birthday, Willie "The Lion" Smith

Jazz pianist Willie "The Lion" Smith was born on November 23, 1893, in Goshen, New York. He was one of the great stride pianists.

Duke Ellington once said that "Willie The Lion was the greatest influence of all the great jazz piano players who have come along. He has a beat that stays in the mind."

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends the album by Willie "The Lion" Smith and Luckey Roberts, Luckey and the Lion/Harlem Piano (Good Time Jazz S10035). The CD is available at Barnes & Noble.

Smith plays "Fingerbuster" here:

Robert
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Recent Links :: 18 November 2012

• Cannonball Adderley, Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, John Coltrane, Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, Charles Mingus, Charlie Parker, Bud Powell: The Village Voice published "Ten (More) Jazz Albums to Hear Before You Die," a list by Matthew Kassel and Alex W. Rodriguez that includes:
  • Cannonball Adderley and Nancy Wilson. Nancy Wilson with the Cannonball Adderley Quintet. (Purchase from Amazon.com.)
  • Louis Armstrong. Satchmo at Symphony Hall. (Purchase from Amazon.com.)
  • Count Basie. Count Basie Live at the Sands. (Purchase from Amazon.com.)
  • John Coltrane Quartet. Crescent. (Purchase from Amazon.com.)
  • Duke Ellington, Max Roach and Charles Mingus. Money Jungle. (Purchase from Amazon.com.)
  • The Quintet. Jazz at Massey Hall. (Purchase from Amazon.com.)
• Anthony Braxton: Elliott Sharp's list of "Ten Free Jazz Albums to Hear Before You Die" in The Village Voice includes Anthony Braxton's' For Alto. (Purchase For Alto from Amazon.com.)
• Miles Davis: At JazzTimes, Lewis Porter interviews saxophonist Dave Liebman about his work with Miles Davis and includes excerpts from Liebman's memoir, What It Is: The Life of a Jazz Artist. (Purchase What It Is: The Life of a Jazz Artist from Amazon.com.)
• Miles Davis: John Weatherman started a new blog, the head in, which plans to look at the 51 albums that got him started in jazz. His first album is Miles Davis's Relaxin’ With The Miles Davis Quintet. (Purchase Relaxin’ With The Miles Davis Quintet from Amazon.com.)

Robert
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