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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RIP, James P. Johnson (1894-1955)

The great stride pianist James P. Johnson died on November 17, 1956, in Jamaica, New York, four years after retiring from performing, following a severe stroke.

Johnson composed a number of hit tunes, including "Charleston," and was one of the giants of the Harlem Stride piano style.

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends Johnson's album, "The Original James P. Johnson" (Folkways).  Jim Determan also recommends his "Snowy Morning Blues" (Verve) and "Father of the Stride Piano" (Sony).

• "The Original James P. Johnson" (Folkways).  Purchase the CD at Barnes & Noble.
• "Snowy Morning Blues" (Verve).  Purchase the CD at Barnes & Noble.
• "Father of the Stride Piano" (Sony).  Purchase the CD at Amazon.com.

He plays his composition, "Snowy Morning Blues," here:

Robert
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Recent Links :: 16 November 2012

• Louis Armstrong: Michael Steinman reviews the Louis Armstrong album, Satchmo at Symphony Hall - The Complete Performances at Jazz Lives. (Purchase Satchmo at Symphony Hall - The Complete Performances from Amazon.com.)
• Louis Armstrong: According to Jeff Tamarkin at JazzTimes, the Louis Armstrong House Museum will honor Jimmy Heath, Stanley Crouch, and George Wein at its 2nd annual gala on December 4.
• Chick Corea: Doug Collette reviews an October concert by Chick Corea and Gary Burton in Vermont at All About Jazz. Karen Brundage-Johnson reviews a November concert by Corea and Burton in Philadelphia at JazzTimes.
• Miles Davis: Jack DeJohnette reminisces about playing drums with Miles Davis at Ronnie Scott’s in 1969 at The Telegraph.
• Duke Ellington: Marc Myers reviews the album, Duke Ellington: The Complete Columbia Studio Albums Collection 1951-1958, at JazzWax. (Purchase Duke Ellington: The Complete Columbia Studio Albums Collection 1951-1958 from Amazon.com.)
• Louis Armstrong, Dave Brubeck, Ornette Coleman, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Herbie Hancock, Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk, Sonny Rollins: Joseph Lapin's list of "Ten Jazz Albums to Hear Before You Die" in The Village Voice included:
  • The Dave Brubeck Quartet. Time Out.
  • Ornette Coleman. The Shape of Jazz to Come.
  • John Coltrane. Blue Train.
  • Miles Davis. Bitches Brew.
  • Miles Davis. Kind of Blue.
  • Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. Ella and Louis.
  • Herbie Hancock. Head Hunters.
  • Charles Mingus. Ah Um.
  • The Thelonious Monk Quartet. Monk's Dream.
  • Sonny Rollins. The Bridge.

Robert
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Happy Birthday, Mose Allison

Jazz singer and pianist Mose Allison was born on November 11, 1927, in Tippo, Mississippi. He turns 85 today.

Allison has, as Forrest Dylan Bryant put it in a review at All About Jazz, a "melting-pot piano style, which seamlessly combines the sounds of back country and big city; [a] carefree, everyman way of singing; [and a] sly cynicism."

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends Allison's Seventh Son (Prestige), but that album is only available in vinyl. Jim Determan recommends Greatest Hits (Original Jazz Classics) and The Best of Mose Allison (Atlantic) as alternatives.

• Seventh Son (Prestige). Purchase the vinyl record at Amazon.com.)
  
• Greatest Hits (Original Jazz Classics). Purchase the CD at Barnes & Noble.)
  
• The Best of Mose Allison (Atlantic). Purchase the CD at Barnes & Noble.)
  

Allison sings "Your Mind Is on Vacation" here:

Robert
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RIP, Carmen McRae (1920-1994)

Jazz singer Carmen McRae died on November 10, 1994, of in Beverly Hills, California from a stroke, following complications from respiratory illness.

Known as "The Singer's Singer," McRae was the winner of seven Grammy Awards and was best known for her behind-the-beat phrasing and her ironic interpretations of song lyrics.

McRae's early friendship with Billie Holiday led her to sing at least one song associated with Holiday at her performances. Here, she sings "Lover Man":

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends the album The Greatest of Carmen McRae (MCA). Unfortunately, the album is only available in vinyl, and Jim Determan, who updated the Lyons list, recommends the CD I'll Be Seeing You: A Tribute to Carmen McRae (GRC).

• Purchase The Greatest of Carmen McRae from Amazon.com.
  
• Purchase I'll Be Seeing You: A Tribute to Carmen McRae from Barnes & Noble.
  

Robert
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Recent Links :: 9 November 2012

• Louis Armstrong: Skip Heller reviews the album, Louis Armstrong & The All Stars: Satchmo At Symphony Hall - The Complete Performances, at All About Jazz. (Purchase Louis Armstrong & The All Stars: Satchmo At Symphony Hall - The Complete Performances from Amazon.com.)
• Miles Davis: Miles Davis Online discusses the upcoming Miles Davis film, including its proposed title, "Kill the Trumpet Player.""
• Dizzy Gillespie: Dan McClenaghan reviews the album, Dizzy Gillespie Quintet: Legends Live, at All About Jazz. (Purchase Dizzy Gillespie Quintet: Legends Live from Amazon.com.)
• John McLaughlin: Tim Niland reviews John McLaughlin's album, Now Here This, at Music and More. (Purchase Now Here This from Amazon.com.)
• Charles Mingus: Open Culture shares a 1964 video of Charles Mingus and his sextet performing on Belgian television.
• Art Tatum: Vintage Music has a short biography of pianist Art Tatum (in Spanish).
• Sonny Rollins: John Fordham reviews the album, Sonny Rollins Trio: Live in Europe 1959, at The Guardian. (Purchase Sonny Rollins Trio: Live in Europe 1959 from Amazon.com.)

Robert
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Recent Links :: 5 November 2012

• Clifford Brown: Steve Provizer discusses Clifford Brown at Brilliant Corners.
• Clifford Brown: Doug Ramsey also discusses Clifford Brown and shares a clip of him playing "Lady Be Good" at Rifftides.
• Clifford Brown: On October 30, his birthday, Clifford Brown was the Jazz Musician of the Day at All About Jazz.
• Clifford Brown, Bill Evans: Marc Myers discusses a new collection of photographs of Bill Evans and WKCR's plans to celebrate Clifford Brown's birthday at JazzWax.
• John Coltrane: Tim Niland reviews the classic John Coltrane album, A Love Supreme, at Music and More. (Purchase A Love Supreme from Amazon.com.)
• John Coltrane: According to Groove Notes, a new children's book about John Coltrane has been released. (Purchase Spirit Seeker: John Coltrane's Musical Journey from Amazon.com.)
• Coleman Hawkins: Marc Myers shares a clip of Coleman Hawkins playing in Belgium in 1962 at JazzWax.
• Oregon: John Kelman reviews the new Oregon album, Family Tree, at All About Jazz. (Purchase Family Tree from Amazon.com.)
 

Robert
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RIP, Art Tatum (1909-1956)

Jazz pianist Art Tatum died on November 5, 1956, at Queen of Angels Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, from complications resulting from kidney failure. He was just 47 years old. Tatum is interred in the Great Mausoleum of Glendale's Forest Lawn Cemetery, next to his wife Geraldine.

Tatum was nearly blind and yet was probably the greatest piano virtuoso that jazz has ever seen. Charlie Parker himself once said, "I wish I could play like Tatum’s right hand!" Pianist Teddy Wilson once observed, "If you put a piano in a room [and then] get all the finest jazz pianists in the world and let them play in the presence of Art Tatum. Then let Art Tatum play ... everyone there will sound like an amateur."

Jazz critic Leonard Feather called Tatum "the greatest soloist in jazz history, regardless of instrument."

Tatum plays "Someone to Watch Over Me" here:

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends Tatum's album, Art Tatum: The Tatum Solo Masterpieces, Vol. 3 (Pablo). (Purchase at Barnes & Noble.)

Robert
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