Recent Links :: 31 August 2013

• John Coltrane: C. Michael Bailey reviews the John Coltrane album, Afro Blue Impressions, at All About Jazz.
• Miles Davis: Jeffrey Hyatt recaps Philip Bailey's Wall Street Journal piece on the Miles Davis composition, "Blue in Green," at Miles Davis Online.
• Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Pass, Oscar Peterson, Art Tatum: According to All About Jazz, Concord Music Group will release five new titles in its Original Jazz Classics Remasters series in September. These include:
  • Duke Ellington & His Orchestra, The Ellington Suites
  • Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Pass, Ray Brown, Mickey Roker, Dizzy’s Big 4
  • Oscar Peterson & Stephane Grappelli, Skol
  • Art Tatum, The Art Tatum Solo Masterpieces, Vol. 1
• Charlie Parker: On August 29, his birthday, Charlie Parker was the Jazz Musician of the Day at All About Jazz.

Robert
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RIP, Lionel Hampton (1908-2002)

Jazz vibraphonist Lionel Hampton died from congestive heart failure on August 31, 2002, in New York City at the age of 94. He is buried in the Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx, New York.

Hampton was the first jazz vibraphonist and a long-lived talent, who played with jazz giants from Louis Armstrong to Benny Goodman to Charles Mingus. Len Lyons said that Hampton "was the master of a rhythmic vitality that enlivened every band he played in," and critic Scott Yanow said that Hampton "achieved the difficult feat of being musically open-minded ... without changing his basic swing style."

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Lyons recommends Hampton's album, The Complete Lionel Hampton, 1937-1941 (RCA AXM6-5536, 6 LPs). The album is available on CD from Amazon.com.

In addition to that album, Jim Determan recommends the following, commenting that "These three volumes contain much of material from the all star sessions that made up the LP boxed set. The first volume is Hampton's pick of his favorites from these sessions.":

• Lionel Hampton: Vol. 1 Hot Mallets! The All-Star Groups (RCA), available from Amazon.com.
• Lionel Hampton: Vol. 2 The Jumpin' Jive: The All-Star Groups: 1937-1939 (RCA), available from Amazon.com.
• Lionel Hampton: Vol. 3 Tempo and Swing: The All-Star Groups: 1939-1940 (RCA), available from Amazon.com.

Hampton plays "Flying Home" here:

Robert
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Happy Birthday, Charlie Parker

Jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker was born on August 29, 1920, in Kansas City. Parker was arguably the most influential jazz musician of all time. As Len Lyons puts it, "If you have never heard Charlie Parker, the experience could permanently change the way you think about music." Parker led the development of bebop, which differed from the straightforward, dance-able tunes of the swing era, replacing these with rapid tempos, fragmented asymmetrical phrasing, intricate melodies, and rhythm sections that did more than just keep time.

In his 101 Best Jazz Albums, Lyons recommends two of Parker's albums:

• The Very Best of Bird (Warner Brothers 2WB 3198, 2 LPs)
• Bird/The Savoy Recordings (Master Takes) (Savoy SJL 2201, 2 LPs)

Unfortunately, both are available only on vinyl. Instead, Jim Determan (who has updated the Lyons list for CD) recommends the following:

• The Legendary Dial Masters, Vols. 1 and 2 (Jazz Classics) (Purchase the CD at Barnes & Noble.)
• Best of The Complete Savoy & Dial Studio Recordings (Purchase the CD at Barnes & Noble.)
• The Complete Savoy & Dial Master Takes (Purchase the CD at Barnes & Noble.)
• The Complete Savoy & Dial Studio Recordings 1944-1948 (Purchase the CD at Barnes & Noble.)

About the latter three, Determan says, "Three reissues let you choose the depth to which you want to delve into this material. These recordings are the basis of bop, so I would recommend the 3 CD Complete Master Takes set, which covers most of what was on the two double albums [Len Lyons] recommended. If you’re not sure and want to try out just a cross-section, then pick up the first disk. If you already know you are a serious fan, then you may be inclined to go for the Complete Recordings."

Parker's Septet plays "All the Things You Are" here:

Robert
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Recent Links :: 28 August 2013

• John Coltrane: Ian Patterson reviews Tony Whyton's book, Beyond A Love Supreme: John Coltrane And The Legacy Of An Album, at All About Jazz. (Purchase the book from Amazon.com.)
• John Coltrane: All About Jazz shares a section from Tony Whyton's book, Beyond A Love Supreme: John Coltrane And The Legacy Of An Album. (Purchase the book from Amazon.com.)
• John Coltrane: Tim Niland reviews the John Coltrane album, Afro Blue Impressions, at Music and More. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• John Coltrane: At Rifftides, Doug Ramsey discusses John Coltrane's version of the Bing Crosby song, "Love Thy Neighbor."
• Chick Corea: John Kelman reviews the Chick Corea album, The vigil at All About Jazz. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Wayne Shorter: Squidoo shares a list of the five best compositions by Wayne Shorter.
• Lester Young: At JazzWax, Marc Myers discusses the album, Lester Young: Boston 1950. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Lester Young: Michael Steinman shares a video of Lester Young playing clarinet at Jazz Lives.
• Lester Young: On August 27, his birthday, Lester Young was Jazz Musician of the Day at All About Jazz.

Robert
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Happy Birthday, Lester Young

Jazz saxophonist Lester Young was born on August 27, 1909, in Woodville, Mississippi. Nicknamed "Prez," Young was one of the most important tenor sax players in the history of jazz, and Len Lyons ranks him as "the most innovative instrumentalist in jazz between Louis Armstrong and Charlie Parker."

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends The Lester Young Story, Vol. 1 (Columbia JG 33502, 2 LPs). Unfortunately, this album is only available on vinyl. A good alternative on CD is the British import, The Lester Young Story, which is re-issued on the Proper label and contains four CDs. (Purchase the CD, The Lester Young Story, at Barnes & Noble.)

As jazz critic Scott Yanow points out, Young "came up with a completely different conception in which to play his horn, floating over bar lines with a light tone rather than adopting Coleman Hawkins' then-dominant forceful approach." That style can be heard on his solo on "Oh, Lady, Be Good," recorded in 1936 with Count Basie, here:

Robert
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Recent Links :: 26 August 2013

• Cannonball Adderley: C. Michael Bailey reviews the remastered Cannonball Adderley and Milt Jackson album, Things Are Getting Better, at All About Jazz. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Count Basie: On August 21, his birthday, Count Basie was the Jazz Musician of the Day at All About Jazz.
• Charlie Christian, Benny Goodman: Jazz Lives shares Mel Powell's reminiscences of taking Charlie Christian to the draft board and of listening to Benny Goodman in rehearsal.
• John Coltrane: At JazzWax, Marc Myers has a fascinating piece on the late pianist Cedar Walton and his playing on several alternative versions of John Coltrane's album, Giant Steps. (The seven alternate versions of Giant Steps with Cedar Walton, recorded in April 1959, can be found on John Coltrane, Heavyweight Champion: The Complete Atlantic Recordings, available from Amazon.com.)
• Bill Evans: C. Michael Evans reviews the re-issued Bill Evans album, How My Heart Sings, at All About Jazz. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Charlie Parker: At All About Jazz, C. Michael Bailey reviews Charles Haddix's book, Bird: The Life and Music of Charlie Parker. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Robert
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Happy Birthday, Wayne Shorter

Jazz saxophonist and composer Wayne Shorter turns 80 today, having been born on August 25, 1933, in Newark, New Jersey. Shorter is regarded by many as the greatest living composer in jazz and has won 9 Grammy Awards. He worked with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers in the late 1950s, Miles Davis's second quintet in the 1960s, and Weather Report in the 1970s.

Critic Richard S. Ginell describes Shorter's style as a "more succinct manner on tenor sax, retaining the tough tone quality and intensity and, in later years, adding an element of funk."

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends the following recordings that include Shorter:

• Miles Davis: Miles Smiles (Buy at Barnes & Noble)
• Miles Davis: Bitches Brew (Buy at Barnes & Noble)
• V.S.O.P.: The Quintet (Buy at Barnes & Noble)
• Weather Report: 8:30 (Buy at Barnes & Noble)

Shorter plays "Speak No Evil" here:

Robert
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Happy Birthday, Count Basie

Jazz pianist, bandleader, and composer, William "Count" Basie was born on August 21, 1904, in Red Bank, New Jersey. Basie first formed his own jazz orchestra in 1935, taking them to Chicago the following year for their first recording. He led the group for almost 50 years, featuring what critic William Ruhlmann calls "a light, swinging rhythm section that [Basie] led from the piano, lively ensemble work, and generous soloing."

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends two recordings of Count Basie: The Best of Count Basie and 16 Men Swinging. Unfortunately, these are only available in vinyl. Jim Determan, who has updated Lyons's list of albums for CD, recommends instead the following titles:

• Count Basie: The Complete Decca Recordings (Buy at Barnes & Noble)
• Count Basie: April in Paris (Buy at Barnes & Noble)
• Count Basie: Count Basie Swings, Joe Williams Sings (Buy at Barnes & Noble)

Basie and his orchestra play "Basie Boogie" here: 

Robert
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Recent Links :: 19 August 2013

• Art Blakey, John Coltrane, Charles Mingus: According to Elements of Jazz, Verse Music Group and Naxos of America have announced the reissue of the 1950’s jazz catalog, Bethlehem Records. Included are albums by Art Blakey, John Coltrane, and Charles Mingus.
• Miles Davis: New Jazz United shares a video of Miles Davis playing, “He Loved Him Madly,” his tribute to Duke Ellington.
• Bill Evans: On August 16, his birthday, Bill Evans was the Jazz Musician of the Day at All About Jazz.
• Wes Montgomery: At All About Jazz, C. Michael Bailey reviews the Wes Montgomery album, So Much Guitar!. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Wayne Shorter: John Fordham reviews the Wayne Shorter album, Beginnings, at The Guardian. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Robert
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Happy Birthday, Bill Evans

Jazz pianist Bill Evans was born on August 16, 1929, in Plainfield, New Jersey. As jazz critic Richard S. Ginell notes, "There is no more influential jazz-oriented pianist" than Evans, who "brought a new, introverted, relaxed, lyrical, European classical sensibility into jazz."

A wonderful biography of Evans is Peter Pettinger's Bill Evans: How My Heart Sings. (Available from Barnes & Noble)

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends two albums by Evans, The Village Vanguard Sessions and Intuition. Both are available from Barnes & Noble: the remastered The Complete Village Vanguard Recordings, 1961 and Intuition.

Evans plays "Waltz for Debbie" here:

Robert
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Recent Links :: 15 August 2013

• George Benson: GLT Jazz Next features an interview with George Benson.
• Anthony Braxton: At The Free Jazz Collective, Paolo Casertano reviews the Anthony Braxton album, Sax Quintet (New York) 1998.
• John Coltrane: According to All About Jazz, Concord Music Group is reissuing a remastered and expanded edition of John Coltrane’s album, Afro Blue Impressions, later in August. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Miles Davis: New Jazz United shares a video of Miles Davis's "Spanish Key," from the album Bitches Brew. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Miles Davis: At Miles Davis Online, Jeffrey Hyatt speculates on how "awesome" a collaboration between Miles Davis and Nile Rodgers might have been.
• Dizzy Gillespie: At Rifftides, Doug Ramsey discusses Arturo Sandoval's recently announced Presidential Medal of Freedom and argues that Dizzy Gillespie, Sandoval's mentor, should also be given the award.
• Keith Jarrett: Peter Hum reviews three jazz trio recordings, including Keith Jarrett's Somewhere at The Ottawa Citizen.
• Oscar Peterson: On August 15, his birthday, Oscar Peterson was the Jazz Musician of the Day at All About Jazz.

Robert
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Happy Birthday, Oscar Peterson

Pianist Oscar Peterson was born on August 15, 1925, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Peterson won eight Grammy Awards over his career and is one of the few pianists whose technique approaches that of the great Art Tatum, who was a major influence on Peterson. As critic Scott Yanow notes, "Peterson's speed, dexterity, and ability to swing at any tempo were amazing. Very effective in small groups, jam sessions, and in accompanying singers, [Oscar Peterson] was at his absolute best when performing unaccompanied solos."

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 DC, 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.

Peterson plays solo piano here on "I Can't Get Started":

Robert
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Recent Links :: 9 August 2013

• Louis Armstrong: On August 4, his birthday, Louis Armstrong was the Jazz Musician of the Day at All About Jazz.
• Louis Armstrong: At his blog, The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong, Ricky Riccardi discusses the 13th annual Satchmo Summerfest.
• Count Basie: At JazzWax, Marc Myers lists ten more great big band albums from 1958, including:
  • Count Basie: Basie Playes Hefti. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
  • George Russell: New York, N.Y.. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Chick Corea: At The Guardian, John Fordham reviews the Chick Corea album, The Vigil. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Thelonious Monk: At All About Jazz, Mark Carroto reviews the Thelonious Monk limited edition release, Newport '59.
• Airto Moreira: On August 5, his birthday, Airto Moreira was the Jazz Musician of the Day at All About Jazz.

Robert
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RIP, Cannonball Adderley (1928-1975)

Alto saxophonist Julian Edwin "Cannonball" Adderley died of a stroke on August 8, 1975, in Gary, Indiana. He was just 46 years old. He was buried in the Southside Cemetery, in Tallahassee, Florida.

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends Cannonball Adderley's album Coast to Coast. Unfortunately, the album is only available in vinyl. Jim Determan, who has updated Lyons's list of albums for CD, recommends instead the following titles:

• Cannonball Adderley Quintet in San Francisco (Buy at Barnes & Noble)
• Cannonball Adderley Sextet in New York (Buy at Barnes & Noble)

A good example of Adderley's high-spirited style is "This Here," which features what reviewer Steve Leggett called the "soulful, blues-filled tone in [Adderley's] horn playing":

Robert
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Happy Birthday, Luckey Roberts

Stride pianist Charles Luckeyeth "Luckey" Roberts was born on August 7, 1887, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Along with James P. Johnson and Willie "The Lion" Smith, he developed stride piano in the years following World War I.

Roberts is reported to have had very large hands, which allowed him to span 14 keys on the piano, and his right hand was particularly fluid. He played for the Vanderbilts, Astors, and other wealthy families in New York.

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends the album, Luckey and the Lion: Harlem Piano (Good Time Jazz). (Buy the CD at Barnes & Noble.)

Roberts plays his "St. Louis Blues" here:

Robert
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RIP, Bix Beiderbecke (1903-1931)

Jazz cornetist Bix Beiderbecke died on August 6, 1931, in Queens, New York, at the age of 28. The official cause of his death was "lobar pneumonia" and "brain edema," but many individuals believe that Beiderbecke died of an alcoholic seizure during delirium tremens. Beiderbecke was buried in the Oakdale Memorial Gardens cemetery in his home town of Davenport, Iowa.

Beiderbecke was one of the first great soloists of jazz and played a sensitive, "cool" style of jazz that contrasted with the hot, hard playing of someone like Louis Armstrong. Jazz critic Terry Teachout called Beiderbecke and Armstrong "the two most influential figures in the early history of jazz."

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends The Bix Beiderbecke Story: Bix and Tram, Vol. 2 (Columbia). Unfortunately, this album is not available in CD or MP3 format. According to Jim Determan, who has updated the Lyons book for CD, there are two good alternatives:

• Bix Beiderbecke: Singin' the Blues, Volume 1 (Sony), which Determan says "is a better collection than [The Bix Beiderbecke Story], since it includes the best tracks from the LP, has more cuts, and includes Bix's unique piano solo, 'In a Mist.'" It is available on CD from Amazon.com.
• Bix Beiderbecke: Bix & Tram (JSP), which Determan claims "has superior remastering by John R. T. Davies on most tracks, and makes an excellent choice, especially for those who want more than one Beiderbecke disc." It is available on CD from Amazon.com.

Beiderbecke leads His Gang on "Royal Garden Blues" here:

Robert
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Happy Birthday, Airto Moreira

Brazilian percussionist Airto Moreira was born on August 5, 1941, in Itaiópolis, Brazil. Moreira and his wife, singer Flora Purim, moved to the United States in 1967 and began playing with a number of jazz musicians, including Joe Zawinul and Miles Davis.

Moreira participated in several of Davis's jazz fusion projects, including the highly influential album Bitches Brew. Moreira and other musicians who had played with Miles — Joe Zawinul, Wayne Shorter, and Miroslav Vitous — then formed Weather Report, and Moreira played percussion on their first album, Weather Report. Moreira then left Weather Report to join Chick Corea's new band Return to Forever, where he played drums on the group's first two albums, Return to Forever and Light as a Feather.

Moreira and Purim also recorded 500 Miles High/At Montreux, a marvelous live album that Len Lyons included in his list of the 101 best jazz albums. As Lyons notes, the album features their "raw, spontaneous, and loose style."

A nice example of Moreira and Purim's music is "Samba de Flora":

Robert
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Happy Birthday, Louis Armstrong

The great jazz trumpeter and singer, Louis Armstrong, was born on August 4, 1901, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Armstrong was one of the greatest influences in the history of jazz and shifted the focus of jazz from the collective music of the traditional New Orleans ensemble to a music that valued solo performance and virtuosity.

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends two records of Louis Armstrong:

• Louis Armstrong and Earl Hines: The Genius of Louis Armstrong, Vol. 1 1923-1933 (Columbia CG 30416, 2 LPs)
• Louis Armstrong and Earl Hines: Louis Armstrong and Earl Hines, 1928 (Smithsonian Collection R-002, 2 LPs)

Unfortunately, these are only available in vinyl. Jim Determan, who has updated Lyons's list of albums for CD, recommends instead the following Columbia titles:

• Louis Armstrong: The Complete Hot Fives and Hot Sevens (Buy at Barnes & Noble)
• Louis Armstrong: Hot Fives and Sevens (Buy at Barnes & Noble)
• Louis Armstrong: The Big Band Recordings 1930-1932 (Buy at Amazon.com)
• Louis Armstrong: The Hot Fives, Volume I (Buy at Barnes & Noble)
• Louis Armstrong: The Hot Fives & Hot Sevens, Volume II (Buy at Barnes & Noble)
• Louis Armstrong: The Hot Fives & Hot Sevens, Volume III (Buy at Barnes & Noble)
• Louis Armstrong and Earl Hines: Louis Armstrong and Earl Hines, Volume IV (Buy at Barnes & Noble)
• Louis Armstrong: Louis in New York, Volume V (Buy at Amazon.com)
• Louis Armstrong: St. Louis Blues, Volume VI (Buy at Amazon.com)
• Louis Armstrong: You're Drivin' Me Crazy, Volume VII (Buy at Amazon.com)
• Louis Armstrong: Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, 1923-1934 (Buy at Amazon.com)

A good example of Armstrong's improvisational genius is "Weather Bird," in which he and pianist Earl Hines turn a traditional ragtime piece into a brilliant interchange of call and response and broken rhythms.

 
Robert
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Recent Links :: 1 August 2013

• Count Basie: At Marc Myers lists his 10 favorite big band recordings from 1958, including:
  • Count Basie: Chairman of the Board. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
  • Duke Ellington: The Cosmic Scene. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Charlie Christian: On his birthday, July 29, Charlie Christian was the Jazz Musician of the Day at All About Jazz.
• Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Pass, Oscar Peterson, Art Tatum: According to JazzTimes, Concord Music Group will release five new titles in its Original Jazz Classics Remasters series on September 17. These albums include:
  • Duke Ellington & His Orchestra: The Ellington Suites
  • Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Pass, Ray Brown, Mickey Roker: Dizzy’s Big 4
  • Oscar Peterson & Stephane Grappelli: Skol
  • Art Tatum: The Art Tatum Solo Masterpieces, Vol. 1.
• Herbie Hancock: According to JazzTimes, Columbia/Legacy Recordings will release Herbie Hancock: The Complete Columbia Album Collection 1972-1988, a 34-disc box set, on November 12.
• McCoy Tyner: George Colligan reviews the McCoy Tyner album, Soliloquy, at Jazz Truth. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Robert
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