Recent Links :: 30 December 2013

Louis Armstrong: Ricky Riccardi shares his 15 favorite blog entries from 2013 at The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong.

Bill Evans: At Rifftides, Doug Ramsey shares a video of Bill Evans rehearsing for a 1966 Danish television broadcast.

Coleman Hawkins: At Rifftides, Doug Ramsey shares a video of Coleman Hawkins in Holland in 1935.

Charles Mingus: Open Culture shares Charles Mingus's egg recipe, which includes "enough alcohol to put down an elephant."

Charlie Parker: Doug Ramsey shares a video of Charlie Parker and his quintet playing "White Christmas" at Rifftides.

Wayne Shorter: R. J. DeLuke's interview with Wayne Shorter is at All About Jazz.

Wayne Shorter: At NPR Music, Francis Davis discusses Wayne Shorter in light of his album, Without a Net, which won Best Album winner in the recent NPR Music Jazz Critics Poll. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

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.

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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).

n his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends the album Breaking Point (Blue note).  The CD is available from Amazon.com.

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 Amazon.com. Lyons called that album "a magical reunion of the most important young players to emerge in the mid-1960's."

Hubbard plays "Little Sunflower" here:

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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 Amazon.com.

Robert
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Recent Links :: 26 December 2013

Anthony Braxton, Wayne Shorter: The Free Jazz Collective provides 10 top ten lists for 2013. Included are:

• Anthony Braxton, Echo Echo Mirror House, selected by Colin Green. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Wayne Shorter Quartet, Without a Net, selected by Troy Dostert. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter: At All About Jazz, Jeff Dayton-Johnson lists his favorite releases of 2013, which include:

• Miles Davis, Live in Europe 1969: The Bootleg Series, vol. 2. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Herbie Hancock, The Complete Columbia Album Collection 1972- 1988. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Wayne Shorter, Without A Net. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Duke Ellington: Chris Mosey reviews the album, Duke Ellington And His Orchestra: The Treasury Shows Vol. 17, at All About Jazz. (Purchase the album from Storyville Records.)

Ella Fitzgerald: New Jazz United shared a video of Ella Fitzgerald singing "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve." (The song is available on the album, Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas, which can be purchased from Amazon.com.)

Wayne Shorter: At NPR Music, Francis Davis discusses Wayne Shorter in light of his album, Without a Net, which won Best Album winner in the recent NPR Music Jazz Critics Poll. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

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Christmas Jazz :: Louis Armstrong, "White Christmas"

From the album "What a Wonderful Christmas," available on CD from Amazon.com.

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Christmas Jazz :: Dave Brubeck, "Silent Night"

From the album "A Dave Brubeck Christmas," available on CD from Amazon.com.

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Christmas Jazz :: Oscar Peterson, "Christmas Waltz"

From the album "Have Yourself a Jazzy Little Christmas," available on CD 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."

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 Amazon.com.

Peterson plays "When I Fall in Love" at:

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Christmas Jazz :: Joe Pass, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"

From the album "Six String Santa," available on CD from Amazon.com.

Robert
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Recent Links :: 21 December 2013

Louis Armstrong: At The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong, Ricky Riccardi discusses the 1965 concert in East Berlin by Louis Armstrong and his All Stars, a video of which was recently shown on German television.

Louis Armstrong: Talk About Jazz shares a clip from Louis Armstrong's album, The Complete Hot Five & Hot Seven Recordings, Vol. 1-3. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Miles Davis: According to the City Room blog of the New York Times, West 77th Street between Riverside Drive and West End Avenue in New York City has been official renamed “Miles Davis Way.”

Miles Davis, Duke Ellington: At NPR's Morning Edition, Nick Spitzer highlights three jazz Christmas songs, including:

• Miles Davis and Bob Dorough, "Blue Xmas." (The song is available on the album, Three Suites, which can be purchased from Amazon.com.)
• Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, "The Nutcracker Suite." (The song is available on the album, Jingle Bell Jazz, which can be purchased from Amazon.com.)

Billie Holiday: Talk About Jazz shares a clip from Billie Holiday's album, Lady In Autumn: The Best of the Verve Years. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Keith Jarrett: At Music and More, Tim Niland reviews the Keith Jarrett album No End. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Wayne Shorter: The staff of Nextbop/The Art of Cool Project list #20 through #12 of their favorite jazz albums on 2013. Tied at #12 is Wayne Shorter's Without a Net. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

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Christmas Jazz :: Chick Corea, "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"

From the album "A GRP Christmas Collection," available on CD from Amazon.com.

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Christmas Jazz :: Ella Fitzgerald, "Winter Wonderland"

From the album "Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas," available on CD from Amazon.com.

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Christmas Jazz :: Carmen McRae, "The Christmas Song"

From the album "Jingle Bell Jam," available on CD from Amazon.com.

Robert
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Recent Links :: 18 December 2013

John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Earl Hines, Keith Jarrett, Wayne Shorter: NPR Music announced its list of 100 jazz critics' favorite recordings of 2013. Among the albums listed were:

• Wayne Shorter, Without a Net, ranked #1 overall. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Keith Jarrett/Gary Peacock/Jack DeJohnette, Somewhere, ranked #12 overall. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Miles Davis Quintet, Live in Europe 1969: The Bootleg Series Vol. 2, ranked #1 among reissues. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Miles Davis, The Original Mono Recordings, ranked #5 among reissues. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• John Coltrane, Sun Ship: The Complete Session, ranked #7 among reissues. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Herbie Hancock, The Complete Columbia Album Collection: 1972-1988, ranked #8 among reissues. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Earl Hines, The Classic Earl Hines Sessions: 1928-1945, ranked #10 among reissues. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Ella Fitzgerald: At NPR's Fresh Air, Kevin Whitehead discusses the Chick Webb-Ella Fitzgerald boxed set, The Complete Chick Webb & Ella Fitzgerald Decca Sessions (1934-1941). (Purchase the album from Mosaic Records.)

Fletcher Henderson: On December 18, his birthday, Fletcher Henderson was the Jazz Musician of the Day at All About Jazz.

Wayne Shorter: Matt Marshall lists his favorites releases of 2013 at All About Jazz. His list includes Wayne Shorter's Without a Net. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

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.

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.

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

Robert
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Christmas Jazz :: Charlie Parker, "White Christmas"

From the album "A Cool Yule," available on CD from Amazon.com.

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Christmas Jazz :: John McLaughlin, "O Come O Come Emmanuel"

From the album "Jazz To The World," available on CD from Amazon.com.

Robert
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Recent Links :: 16 December 2013

Cannonball Adderley, Duke Ellington, Herbie Hancock: At Ottawa Citizen, Peter Hum lists "Ten Gift Ideas for Jazz Bookworms," including:

• Walk Tall: The Music & Life of Julian “Cannonball” Adderley by Cary Ginell. (Purchase the book from Amazon.com.)
• Duke: A Life Of Duke Ellington by Terry Teachout. (Purchase the book from Amazon.com.)
• You’ll Know When You Get There: Herbie Hancock and the Mwandishi Band by Bob Gluck. (Purchase the book from Amazon.com.)

Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller: At The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong, Ricky Riccardi recalls the WNEW radio broadcast of a jam that included Louis Armstrong and Fats Waller.

Anthony Braxton, Keith Jarrett: According to JazzTimes, the NEA Jazz Masters concert on January 13 will be broadcast live on the Web and will include 2014 NEA Jazz Masters Anthony Braxton and Keith Jarrett.

Miles Davis: At All About Jazz, Jeff Winke discusses Miles Davis's album, Birth of the Cool. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Wayne Shorter: Anthony Dean-Harris lists his favorite albums of 2013 at NextBop.com. His list includes Wayne Shorter's Without a Net. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

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Christmas Jazz :: Herbie Hancock, "Deck the Halls"

From the album "Jingle Bell Jazz," available on CD from Amazon.com.

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Christmas Jazz :: Fats Waller, "Winter Weather"

From the album "Fats Waller: The Complete Collection, Vol. 11," available on CD from Amazon.com.

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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."

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 Amazon.com.

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

Robert
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Christmas Jazz :: Joe Pass, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"

From the album "Six String Santa," available on CD from Amazon.com.

Robert
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Recent Links :: 13 December 2013

Dave Brubeck: At NextBop.com, Ben Gray provides a look at covers of Vince Guaraldi’s composition, "Linus and Lucy." Included is a version by Dave Brubeck, from his 1981 Quiet as the Moon album. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Keith Jarrett, Wayne Shorter: At All About Jazz, John Kelman lists his favorite releases of 2013. The list includes:

• Miles Davis, Live in Europe 1969, Volume 2. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Herbie Hancock, The Complete Columbia Album Collection 1972-1988. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Keith Jarrett, Concerts: Bregenz Munich. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Wayne Shorter, Without a Net. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Duke Ellington: At Jazz Backstory, Monk Rowe talks about Duke Ellington's "Nutcracker Swing." (The song is available on the album, Three Suites, which can be purchased from Amazon.com.)

Thelonious Monk: At Music and More, Tim Niland reviews the Thelonious Monk album, Thelonious Monk - Paris 1969. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Wayne Shorter: John Kelman lists his favorite live shows of 2013 at All About Jazz. The list includes Wayne Shorter 80th Birthday Celebration on June 29 at the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal.

Robert
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Christmas Jazz :: Louis Armstrong, "Christmas in New Orleans"

From the album "What a Wonderful Christmas," available on CD from Amazon.com.

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Christmas Jazz :: Miles Davis, "Blue Xmas"

From the album "Blue Xmas," available on CD from Amazon.com.

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.

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, "Polka Dots and Moonbeams," here:

Robert
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Christmas Jazz :: McCoy Tyner, "I'll Be Home for Christmas"

From the album "Jingle Bell Jazz," available on CD from Amazon.com.

Robert
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Happy Birthday, McCoy Tyner

Jazz pianist McCoy Tyner was born on December 11, 1938, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

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."

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

• Echoes of a Friend (Milestone) Purchase from Amazon.com.
• Enlightenment (Milestone) Purchase from Amazon.com.

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

Robert
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Christmas Jazz :: Duke Ellington Orchestra, "Jingle Bells"

From the album "Duke Ellington Christmas," available on CD from Amazon.com.

Robert
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Recent Links :: 9 December 2013

Louis Armstrong: At The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong, Ricky Riccardi discusses the 1928 recording of "Basin Street Blues" by Louis Armstrong and His Orchestra. (The song is available on the album, The Complete Hot Five & Hot Seven Recordings, which can be purchased from Amazon.com.)

Count Basie: At Jazz Lives, Michael Steinman praises Count Basie "the original Parent of many virtues we prize.""

Anthony Braxton: The Free Jazz Collective is preparing for its annual "Happy New Ears" award for the "most innovative listening experience of the year," and the longlist includes Anthony Braxton's Echo Echo Mirror House. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Miles Davis: Jason Sositko discusses what he calls "The Late 70's Lost Years of Miles Davis" at HubPages. He focuses on the albums:

• Circle In the Round. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Water Babies. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Miles Davis: At JazzWax, Marc Myers recommends six box sets for the holidays, including Miles Davis: Live In Europe 1969, the Bootleg Series Vol. 2. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Sonny Rollins: At JazzWax, Marc Myers shares videos of:

• Miles Davis and B.B. King playing in Barcelona.
• Duke Ellington playing "Blues for Joan Miro."
• Sonny Rollins discussing trumpeter Don Cherry.

Wayne Shorter: According to All About Jazz, Wayne Shorter was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Improvised Jazz Solo for "Orbits," from the album Without a Net. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Robert
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Christmas Jazz :: Ella Fitzgerald, "Sleigh Ride"

From the album "Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas," available on CD from Amazon.com.

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Christmas Jazz :: Modern Jazz Quartet, "England's Carol (Part 1)"

From the album "Jingle Bell Jam," available on CD from Amazon.com.

Robert
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Recent Links :: 8 December 2013

Dave Brubeck: On his birthday, December 6, Dave Brubeck was the Jazz Musician of the Day at All About Jazz.

Chick Corea, Eric Dolphy, Charles Mingus, Art Tatum, Fats Waller: At NextBop.com, Ben Gray does a marvelous job of discussing covers of the Fats Waller tune, "Jitterbug Waltz," including those by:

• Chick Corea. (The song is available on the album, Past, Present, & Futures, which can be purchased from Amazon.com.)
• The Charles Mingus Sextet with Eric Dolphy. (The song is available on the album, Cornell 1964, which can be purchased from Amazon.com.)
• Art Tatum. (The song is available on the album, Solo Masterpieces, Volume 3, which can be purchased from Amazon.com.)

John Coltrane: At All About Jazz, Nenad Georgievski analyzes the John Coltrane album, Live at Birdland. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Robert
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Recent Links :: 7 December 2013

Art Blakey: Jason Sositko talks about the Art Blakey album, Moanin', at HubPages. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Dave Brubeck: A year after Dave Brubeck's death, Doug Ramsey announces on Rifftides a new Website devoted to Brubeck, John Bolger's Dave Brubeck Jazz.com.

John Coltrane: At NPR's A Blog Supreme, David Brent Johnson looks at five jazz versions of spirituals, including John Coltrane's "Spiritual." (The song is available on the album, Live at the Village Vanguard, which can be purchased from Amazon.com.)

Miles Davis: At HubPages, Jason Sositko debates which of Miles Davis's phases was the most groundbreaking, acoustic or electric.

Miles Davis: Jason Sositko has a long discussion of Miles Davis's electric music from 1969 to 1975 at HubPages.

Miles Davis: At HubPages, Jason Sositko looks at the final 10 years of Miles Davis's life, including the following albums:

• Amandla (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Aura (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Decoy (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Star People (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Tutu (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• We Want Miles (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Billie Holiday: Jason Sositko discusses Billie Holiday's song, "Strange Fruit," at HubPages. (The song is available on the album The Best of Billie Holiday, which can be purchased from Amazon.com.)

Lester Young: At Do the Math, Ethan Iverson shares a transcription of Lester Young's version of "Tea for Two."

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Christmas Jazz :: Chick Corea, "What Child Is This?"

From the album "Jazz to the World," available on CD from Amazon.com.

Robert
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Recent Links :: 6 December 2013

Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker: According to JazzTimes, the Recording Academy has announced the newest additions to its Grammy Hall of Fame, and the following jazz classics are included:

• Louis Armstrong, "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen." (Purchase the MP3 from Amazon.com.)
• Miles Davis, Relaxin' With the Miles Davis Quintet. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Charlie Parker, Yardbird Suite. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Dave Brubeck: All About Jazz reports on the many tributes to Dave Brubeck a year after his death.

John Coltrane: At HubPages, Jason Sositko talks about John Coltrane's piece, "Alabama." ("Alabama" is available on the album, Live at Birdland, which can be purchased from Amazon.com.)

Miles Davis: At HubPages, Jason Sositko discusses the four albums that Miles Davis recorded in 1956 for Columbia Records:

• Cookin' with the Miles Davis Quintet. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Relaxin' with the Miles Davis Quintet. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Steamin' with the Miles Davis Quintet. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Workin' with the Miles Davis Quintet. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Miles Davis: At HubPages, Jason Sositko discusses several albums from Miles Davis's funk era, including:

• Bitches Brew and in particular "Miles Runs the Voodoo Down." (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• In Concert: Live at Philharmonic Hall. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Dark Magus: Live at Carnegie Hall. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• On the Corner. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Miles Davis: At HubPages, Jason Sositko talks about the Miles Davis classic, Birth of the Cool. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Miles Davis: Jason Sositko reviews a number of Miles Davis gift sets at Goody Guides. The sets include:

• The Complete Columbia Album Collection. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Chronicle: The Complete Prestige Recordings of Miles Davis. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Miles Davis: The Original Mono Recordings. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

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 "Blue Rondo A La Turk" 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 Amazon.com.
  
• Greatest Hits (Columbia/Sony) Purchase from Amazon.com.

Robert
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Christmas Jazz :: Woody Herman, "Let It Snow ..."

From the album "Blowin' Up a Storm: The Columbia Years, 1945-1947," available on CD from Amazon.com.

Robert
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Recent Links :: 5 December 2013

Miles Davis: At HubPages, Jason Sositko discusses the Miles Davis-Gile Evans collaboration and, in particular, these albums:

• Miles Davis and Gil Evans: The Complete Columbia Studio Recordings. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Miles Ahead. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Porgy and Bess. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Sketches of Spain. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Quiet Nights. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Miles Davis: At HubPages, Jason Sositko talks about Miles Davis's "Parisian love affair."

Miles Davis: At Special Anomaly, Jason Sositko discusses the Miles Davis album, Get Up With It. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Art Blakey, Eric Dolphy, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Cecil Taylor: Squidoo lists the 10 best classic Blue Note jazz albums, including:

• Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, Moanin'. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Eric Dolphy, Out to Lunch. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Herbie Hancock, Speak Like a Child. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Wayne Shorter, Speak No Evil. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Cecil Taylor, Conquistador. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Robert
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RIP, Dave Brubeck (1920-2012)

Jazz pianist and composer Dave Brubeck died of heart failure on December 5, 2012, in Norwalk, Connecticut, one day before his 92nd birthday.

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 Amazon.com.
  
• Greatest Hits (Columbia/Sony) Purchase from Amazon.com.

The Dave Brubeck Quartet plays "Unsquare Dance" here:

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Christmas Jazz :: Dave Brubeck, "Joy to the World"

From the album "A Dave Brubeck Christmas," available on CD from Amazon.com.

Robert

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Recent Links :: 4 December 2013

Louis Armstrong: At The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong, Ricky Riccardi discusses the 1936 recording of "Thankful" by Louis Armstrong and His Orchestra. (Available on the album, The Complete Louis Armstrong Decca Sessions 1935-46, available from Mosaic Records.)

Louis Armstrong: At The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong, Ricky Riccardi discusses the December 3, 1963, recording of "Hello Dolly" by Louis Armstrong and His All Stars. (Available on the album, The Complete Louis Armstrong Decca Sessions 1935-46, available from Mosaic Records.)

Keith Jarrett: Jazz Chronicles has its list of the best jazz recordings of 2013. The list includes the Keith Jarrett/Gary Peacock/Jack DeJohnette album, Somewhere. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Keith Jarrett: At NPR's All Things Considered, Banning Eyre reviews Keith Jarrett's new double-CD set No End. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Chuck Mangione: On November 29, his birthday, Chuck Mangione was the Jazz Musician of the Day at All About Jazz.

Jaco Pastorius: On December 1, his birthday, Jaco Pastorius was the Jazz Musician of the Day at All About Jazz.

Robert
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