Happy Birthday, Benny Goodman

Clarinetist and bandleader Benny Goodman was born on May 30, 1909, in Chicago, Illinois. Goodman was, as critic William Ruhlmann says, "the first celebrated bandleader of the Swing Era ..."

Goodman led one of the most popular musical groups in America, and his January 1938 concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City is described by critic Bruce Eder as "the single most important jazz or popular music concert in history: jazz's 'coming out' party to the world of 'respectable' music." Goodman's bands also launched the careers of many major names in jazz, including Chrlie Christian, Teddy Wilson, Gene Krupa, and Lionel Hampton. During the age of segregation, Goodman also led one of the first well-known racially-integrated jazz groups.

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends Goodman's Carnegie Hall Concert - 1938 (Columbia), which, according to Lyons, "catches the band at its peak." The album is available on CD from Amazon.com.

Goodman's band can be heard playing "Honeysuckle Rose" from that Carnegie Hall concert here:

Robert
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RIP, Sun Ra (1914-1993)

Jazz composer, bandleader, and pianist Sun Ra (born Herman Poole Blount) died on May 30, 1993, in Birmingham, Alabama, just 8 days after his 79th birthday. His death was attributed to stroke and pneumonia. He was buried in the Elmwood Cemetery in Birmingham.

Jazz critic Scott Yanow said that "Of all the jazz musicians, Sun Ra was probably the most controversial," primarily because of Sun Ra's eclectic music, unorthodox lifestyle, and claims that he was of the "Angel Race" and that he was from Saturn. Ra himself said, "I write about whatever I hear, whenever the spirit hits me to write.""

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons describes Sun Ra's Arkestra as "a band of high contrast in which driving riffs, free soloing, sensuous orchestration, and atonal collective blowing spin like the vanes of a pinwheel."


Lyons recommends Sun Ra's album, Live at Montreux (Inner City). The album is available on CD from Amazon.com.

Sun Ra and His Arkestra play "Paradise" from their Sound of Joy album here:

Robert
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Recent Links :: 26 May 2015

Louis Armstrong: At The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong, Ricky Riccardi recounts the 1965 interview with Armstrong that was conducted by Dan Morgenstern and Jack Bradley.

Louis Armstrong: At The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong, Ricky Riccardi discusses Louis Armstrong's album, Louie and the Dukes of Dixieland. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

John Coltrane: New Jazz United shares a clip of John Coltrane with the Red Garland Quintet playing "Undecided." (The song is available on the album, All Mornin' Long, which can be purchased from Amazon.com.)

Miles Davis: Ian Patterson reviews Victor Svorinich's book, Listen To This: Miles Davis and Bitches Brew, at All About Jazz. (Purchase the book from Amazon.com.)

Miles Davis: New Jazz United shares a clip of Miles Davis performing "My Ship." (The song is available on the album, Miles Ahead, which can be purchased from Amazon.com.)

Miles Davis: On May 26, his birthday, Miles Davis was the Jazz Musician of the Day at All About Jazz.

Miles Davis: According to JazzTimes, the official Miles Davis Website has been revamped.

Duke Ellington: Peter Hum interviews jazz pianist Nancy Walker on the appeal of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn at The Ottawa Citizen.

James P. Johnson: According to JazzTimes, Jazz at Lincoln Center has announced its 2015 Ertegun Jazz Hall of Fame inductees, one of whom is pianist James P. Johnson.

Wes Montgomery: At Mother Jones, Jon Young reviews the album, In the Beginning, by Wes Montgomery. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Sun Ra: On his birthday, May 22, Sun Ra was the Jazz Musician of the Day at All About Jazz.

Robert
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Happy Birthday, Miles Davis

Jazz trumpeter Miles Davis was born on May 26, 1926, in Alton, Illinois. Davis was one of the great innovators in jazz and, in fact, in 20th century music in general. As critic William Ruhlmann notes, "To examine his career is to examine the history of jazz from the mid-'40s to the early '90s, since he was in the thick of almost every important innovation and stylistic development in the music during that period ..."

Davis helped found several of the major genres of modern jazz, including bebop, cool jazz, hard bop, modal jazz, and jazz fusion. His groups included many musicians who went on to greatness, including John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley, Wayne Shorter, Horace Silver, Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, Joe Zawinul, Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett, John McLaughlin, Paul Chambers, Ron Carter, Elvin Jones, Philly Joe Jones, and Jack DeJohnette. His album, Kind of Blue, is generally regarded as the best selling jazz album of all times and one of the most influential albums in jazz.

"Blue in Green," one of the cuts from Davis's great Kind of Blue album, can be heard here:

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends seven albums by Miles Davis, more than any other artist. These include:

• 'Round About Midnight (Purchase the CD at Amazon.com.)
• Porgy and Bess (Purchase the CD at Amazon.com.)
• Milestones (Purchase the CD at Amazon.com.)
• Kind of Blue (Purchase the CD at Amazon.com.)
• Four & More (Purchase the CD at Amazon.com.)
• Miles Smiles (Purchase the CD at Amazon.com.)
• Bitches Brew (Purchase the CD at Amazon.com.)

Robert
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RIP, Duke Ellington (1899-1974)

Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington died of lung cancer and pneumonia on May 24, 1974, in New York City. His funeral was held in New York's Cathedral of St. John Divine and was attended by thousands of individuals, including numerous celebrities. He is buried in the Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, New York.

Jazz critic Bob Blumenthal of The Boston Globe put it best when he said that "In the century since his birth, there has been no greater composer, American or otherwise, than Edward Kennedy Ellington." Ellington, who won 12 Grammy Awards, was not only a great composer and a great bandleader; he merged the two talents. As jazz critic William Ruhlmann notes, "Ellington used his band as a musical laboratory for his new compositions and shaped his writing specifically to showcase the talents of his bandmembers."

Ellington's band plays "Sophisticated Lady" here:

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Lyons recommends five of Ellington's albums:

• Rockin' in Rhythm, Duke Ellington and the Jungle Band, Vol. 3, 1929-1931 (MCA), available on vinyl at Amazon.com.
• Duke Ellington - 1940 (Smithsonian), available on vinyl at Amazon.com.
• The Duke Ellington Carnegie Hall Concerts: January 1943 (Prestige), available on CD from Amazon.com.
• The Golden Duke (Prestige), available on vinyl at Amazon.com.
• Pure Gold (RCA), available on vinyl at Amazon.com. 

Because so many of these recommended albums are available on vinyl only, Jim Determan has recommended the following alternatives on CD:

• The Original Decca Recordings (The Complete Brunswick and Vocalion Recordings of Duke Ellington, 1926-1931) (Decca/GRP), available on CD from Amazon.com.
• The Okey Ellington (Columbia Jazz Masterpieces), available on CD from Amazon.com.
• The Blanton-Webster Band (RCA Bluebird), available on CD from Amazon.com.
• Great Times! (Original Jazz Classics), available on CD from Amazon.com.
• Happy Go Lucky Local (Discovery), available on CD from Amazon.com.
• The Popular Duke Ellington (RCA Victor Europe), available on CD from Amazon.com. 

Robert
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RIP, Joe Pass (1929-1994)

Jazz guitarist Joe Pass died on May 23, 1994, in Los Angeles from liver cancer. He was 65 years old. He is buried in the Resurrection Cemetery in Piscataway, New Jersey.

Pass had, as Len Lyons puts it, "a prodigious dexterity, an encyclopedic harmonic knowledge, and a driving sense of swing." Jazz critic Scott Yanow said that "Joe Pass did the near-impossible. He was able to play up-tempo versions of bop tunes such as 'Cherokee' and 'How High the Moon' unaccompanied on the guitar."

Pass plays "How High the Moon" here:

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends the Joe Pass album, Virtuoso (Pablo), which is available on CD from Amazon.com.

Robert
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Recent Links :: 22 May 2015

John Coltrane, Miles Davis: At All About Jazz, K. Shackelford reviews the play, "Miles & Coltrane: Blue."

Keith Jarrett: At All About Jazz, Karl Ackermann reviews the Keith Jarrett album, Creation. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

John McLaughlin: According to JazzTimes and All About Jazz, John Mclaughlin will release a new album, entitled "Black Light," this fall.

Thelonious Monk: At The New Yorker, Richard Brody reviews the new Thelonious Monk box set, The Complete Riverside Recordings. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Sun Ra: According to Billboard, Minimal Group will release a new series of remastered, reissued, and unreleased recordings by Sun Ra this fall.

Sun Ra: At Pitchfork, Andy Beta discusses Sun Ra and his 1974 science-fiction film, "Space Is the Place." (Purchase the CD/DVD/book from Birdman Records.)

Wayne Shorter: Ben Ratliff reviews Wayne Shorter's May concert at Lincoln Center at The New York Times.

Wayne Shorter: Natalie Weiner interviews Wayne Shorter for Billboard.

Bessie Smith: NPR's All Things Considered interviews Queen Latifah about her role as Bessie Smith in the HBO movie, "Bessie."

Bessie Smith: At The Daily Beast, Ted Gioia discusses the career of Bessie Smith.

Fats Waller: On May 21, his birthday, Fats Waller was the Jazz Musician of the Day at All About Jazz.

Robert
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Happy Birthday, Sun Ra

Jazz composer, bandleader, and pianist Sun Ra (born Herman Poole Blount, 1914-1993) was born on May 22, 1914, in Birmingham, Alabama. Jazz critic Scott Yanow said that "Of all the jazz musicians, Sun Ra was probably the most controversial," primarily because of Sun Ra's eclectic music, unorthodox lifestyle, and claims that he was of the "Angel Race" and that he was from Saturn.

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons describes Sun Ra's Arkestra as "a band of high contrast in which driving riffs, free soloing, sensuous orchestration, and atonal collective blowing spin like the vanes of a pinwheel."


Len Lyons recommends Sun Ra's album, Live at Montreux (Inner City). The album is available on CD from Amazon.com.

Sun Ra and His Arkestra play "Of the Other Tomorrow" from that album here:

Robert
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Happy Birthday, Fats Waller

Jazz pianist Fats Waller (1904-1943) was born on May 21, 1904, in New York City. Jazz critic Richard S. Ginell said that Waller was "one of the greatest pianists jazz has ever known" and "also one of its most exuberantly funny entertainers" with an "extraordinarily light and flexible touch."

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 at Amazon.com, 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.

Waller performs "Ain't Misbehavin'" here:

Robert
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RIP, Coleman Hawkins (1904 - 1969)

Jazz saxophonist Coleman Hawkins died on May 19, 1969, at the age of 64 in New York City. His health had been failing for several years, and he suffered from a liver ailment. Hawkins finally succumbed to pneumonia and is interred in the Yew Plot at the Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx.

In his obituary for Hawkins in the New York Times, critic John S. Wilson said, "During Mr. Hawkins's career, which spanned almost half a century, he created the first valid jazz style on the tenor saxophone, influenced countless saxophonists and was in the vanguard of jazz development." Miles Davis once said, "When I heard Hawk, I learned to play ballads."

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons does not recommend any Coleman Hawkins albums per se, but Hawkins appears on a couple of recommended albums by other artists:

• Fletcher Henderson and Don Redman, Developing an American Orchestra 1923-1927 (Smithsonian Collection). Unfortunately, that album is only available in vinyl.
• Lionel Hampton, The Complete Lionel Hampton, 1937-1941 (RCA AXM6-5536, 6 LPs). The album is available on CD from Amazon.com. 

Coleman Hawkins plays his most famous piece, "Body and Soul," here:

Robert
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Recent Links :: 18 May 2015

Louis Armstrong, Dave Brubeck, John Coltrane: Nextbop shares animated shorts from Blank on Blank, featuring Louis Armstrong, Dave Brubeck, and John Coltrane.

Herbie Hancock: New Jazz United shares a clip of the Herbie Hancock Trio performing "Triangle." (The song is available on the album, Inventions and Dimensions, which can be purchased from Amazon.com.)

Chick Corea, Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter: According to The Jazz Line, the 2015 Jazz Journalists Association Jazz Award Winners have been announced. They include:

• Keyboards Player of the Year: Chick Corea.
• Historical Record of the Year: Miles Davis, Miles At The Fillmore (Miles Davis Bootleg Series Vol 3). (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Midsize Ensemble: Wayne Shorter Quartet.

Miles Davis: New Jazz United shares a clip of the Miles Davis Quintet playing "Tadd’s Delight." (The song is available on the album, 'Round About Midnight, which can be purchased from Amazon.com.)

Keith Jarrett: At The Guardian, John Fordham reviews Keith Jarrett's Creation. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Charles Mingus: New Jazz United shares a clip of Charles Mingus with the Wally Cirillo Quartet playing "Smog L.A." (The song is available on the album, Jazz Composers Workshop, which can be purchased from Amazon.com.)

Wes Montgomery: At JazzWax, Marc Myers reviews Wes Montgomery's In the Beginning. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Woody Herman: On May 16, his birthday, Woody Herman was the Jazz Musician of the Day at All About Jazz.

Robert
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Happy Birthday, Betty Carter

Jazz singer Betty Carter (1929-1998) was born in Flint, Michigan, on May 16, 1929. Carter was especially known for her ability to capture the instrumental timbres in her voice. In fact, she insisted that the voice was as legitimate an instrument in jazz as any other. She was also fiercely independent and had her own Bet-Car label in the 1970s.

Jazz critic Steve Huey said that Carter was "Arguably the most adventurous female jazz singer of all time," and fellow vocalist Carmen McRae once claimed that "there's really only one jazz singer - only one: Betty Carter."

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends the album Betty Carter (Bet-Car MK 1002). Jim Determan, who updated the Lyons list, also recommends The Audience with Betty Carter, which was not available when Lyons wrote his book.

• Purchase Betty Carter from Amazon.com.
• Purchase The Audience with Better Carter from Amazon.com.

Carter sings "How High the Moon" here:

Robert
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Happy Birthday, Woody Herman

Jazz clarinetist and big band leader Woody Herman (1913-1987) was born on May 16, 1913, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Critic Scott Janow describes Herman as "A fine swing clarinetist, an altoist whose sound was influenced by Johnny Hodges, a good soprano saxophonist, and a spirited blues vocalist" but adds that his "greatest significance to jazz was as the leader of a long line of big bands."

Herman was particularly good at finding talented individuals — like Stan Getz, Bill Harris, and Zoot Sims — and allowing them to "find themselves." Herman was also interested in playing and creating new music, and his band was the first to absorb the innovations of bebop.

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends the album, The Three Herds (Columbia). The album is available as an import from Amazon.com.  Jim Determan also recommends as an alternative The Thundering Herds 1945-1947 (Columbia), and this album can be purchased at Amazon.com.

His first band — sometimes known as "The Band That Plays the Blues" — plays its first hit, "Woodchopper's Ball," here:

Robert
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Recent Links :: 13 May 2015

Art Blakey: At All About Jazz, Marc Davis reviews the Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers album, Moanin’. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Anthony Braxton: Mark Corroto reviews the Anthony Braxton Quartet's album, (Santa Cruz) 1991 1st Set, at All About Jazz. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

John Coltrane: As part of the "Building a Jazz Library" series at All About Jazz, John Eyles lists the best John Coltrane albums.

John Coltrane: Open Culture shares an animated version of an interview between Frank Kofsky and John Coltrane.

Keith Jarrett: On May 8, his birthday, Keith Jarrett was the Jazz Musician Of The Day at All About Jazz.

Keith Jarrett: At The Ottawa Citizen, Peter Hum reviews Keith Jarrett's album, Creation. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Keith Jarrett: All About Jazz celebrates Keith Jarrett's 70th birthday by republishing an October 2003 article from its "Genius Guide to Jazz" series.

Keith Jarrett: At Do the Math, Ethan Iverson discusses Keith Jarrett's legacy, including his classical recordings.

Keith Jarrett: Rachel Martin interviews Keith Jarrett at NPR's Weekend Edition Sunday.

Wes Montgomery: Peter Hum reviews Wes Montgomery's album, In the Beginning, at The Guardian. Charles L. Latimer has a brief review of the album at I Dig Jazz. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Bud Powell: New Jazz United shares a clip of the Bud Powell Trio playing "Little Willie Leaps."

Bessie Smith: The Telegraph discusses HBO's biopic about Bessie Smith.

Robert
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Happy Birthday, King Oliver

Joe "King" Oliver (1885-1938) was born on May 11, 1885, in Aben, Louisiana. Oliver played cornet in New Orleans brass bands and dance bands before forming his own group, which included talents like Kid Ory, Baby Dodds, Johnny Dodds, Lil Hardin, and Louis Armstrong, who once said that "if it had not been for Joe Oliver, jazz would not be what it is today."

Oliver was also a well-known composer, and his tunes include "Dipper Mouth Blues", "Sweet Like This", "Canal Street Blues", and "Doctor Jazz."

In his 101 Best Jazz Albums, Lyons recommends the album, King Oliver's Jazz Band, 1923 (Smithsonian). That album is not available in CD or MP3 format but is occasionally available in vinyl at Amazon.com.

Jim Determan recommends the following alternatives on CD. He calls the Retrieval CD "the definitive reissue." He also lists the Milestone CD below, although he adds that the "only reason to pick up this set is for the seven interesting tracks by The Red Onion Jazz Babies, featuring Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet, and Alberta Hunter; or if you can't find the Retrieval set."

• King Oliver: King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band: The Complete Set (Retrieval), available from Amazon.com.
• King Oliver: Louis Armstrong with King Oliver (Milestone), available from Amazon.com.

Oliver's band plays one of his compositions, "Canal Street Blues," here:

Robert
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Happy Birthday, Keith Jarrett

Jazz pianist Keith Jarrett turns 70 today. Jarrett, whom critic Scott Janow calls "one of the most significant pianists to emerge since the 1960s," was born on May 8, 1945, in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons notes that "During the 1970s [Jarrett] revived and reshaped the virtually dormant solo piano medium, and inspired pianists to continue the tradition ..." In 2008, Jarrett was inducted into the Downbeat Hall of Fame.

In Lyons's book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Lyons recommends Jarrett's album, The Koln Concert, which is available on CD from Amazon.com.

Part 1 of that concert can be heard here:

Robert
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Recent Links :: 7 May 2015

Louis Armstrong: At Jazz Lives, Michael Steinman discusses his love for Louis Armstrong and shares clips of Armstrong performing "It's All in the Game" and "On a Coconut Island."

Dave Brubeck: As part of the "Falling in Love Supreme" series on Capital Public Radio, educator Roy Childs talks about hearing Dave Brubeck for the first time.

Ornette Coleman: The Notes You Don't Play shares an interview with Ornette Coleman.

John Coltrane, Milt Jackson: New Jazz United shares a clip of Milt Jackson and the John Coltrane Quintet playing "Three Little Words." (The song is available on the album, `Bags & Trane, which can be purchased from Amazon.com.)

Duke Ellington: Chris Mosey reviews Duke Elllington and His Orchestra: The Treasury Shows, Volume 19 at All About Jazz. (Purchase the album from Storyville Records.)

Bill Evans: At JazzWax, Marc Myers discusses Bill Evans's recording, "The Dolphin." (The song is available on the album, From Left to Right, which can be purchased from Amazon.com.)

Keith Jarrett: John Kelman reviews Keith Jarrett's album, Creation, at All About Jazz. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Wayne Shorter: At Zeal Jazz & Cabaret News & Reviews, Dan Ouelette shares his notes from interviews with Wayne Shorter.

Robert
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Recent Links :: 4 May 2015

Cannonball Adderley, Ornette Coleman, Eric Dolphy, Charlie Parker: As part of the All About Jazz series, "Building a Jazz Library," Bob Bernotas lists the top jazz alto saxophone albums, including:

• Cannonball Adderley, Somethin' Else. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Ornette Coleman, The Shape of Jazz to Come. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Eric Dolphy, Far Cry. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Charlie Parker, The Complete Savoy & Dial Master Takes. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Miles Davis: According to JazzTimes and All About Jaz, Columbia/Legacy will release Miles Davis at Newport 1955-1975: The Bootleg Series, Vol. 4 in July. (Pre-order the album from Amazon.com.)

Miles Davis: At Ken Franckling's Jazz Notes, Ken Franckling discusses Miles Davis’s breakthrough performance at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1955.

Miles Davis: At Open Culture, Josh Jones recounts several stories from the early 1970s, when Miles Davis opened for Neil Young, Steve Miller, and other groups.

Dizzy Gillespie: As part of All About Jazz's "One LP" series, jazz trumpeter John Faddis talks about the 1954 Soul Mates album that featured Dizzy Gillespie and Roy Eldridge. (Purchase the vinyl record from Amazon.com.)

James P. Johnson: At Jazz Lives, Michael Steinman discusses two of James P. Johnson's 1939 piano solos, "Blueberry Rhyme" and "If Dreams Come True."

Thelonious Monk: According to JazzTimes and All About Jazz, Concord Music Group will reissue the 15-CD Thelonious Monk anthology, The Complete Riverside Recordings, in May.

Charlie Parker: Ehsan Khoshbakht shares a photo of Charlie Parker unpacking his saxophone at the Royal Roost in New York City in 1949 at Take the "A" Train.

Robert
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Happy Birthday, John Lewis

Jazz pianist John Lewis was born on May 3, 1920, in La Grange, Illinois.

Lewis is best known as the musical director of the Modern Jazz Quartet, which was formed to provide members of Dizzy Gillespie's band more improvisational freedom.  As critic Scott Yanow points out, Lewis had a vision of "making jazz seem respectable by occasionally interacting with classical ensembles and playing concerts at prestigious venues, but always leaving plenty of space for bluesy and swinging improvising."  Unfortunately, differences between vibraphonist Milt Jackson and Lewis led to the former's departure from the Modern Jazz Quartet in 1974 and the group's break-up.

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends the Modern Jazz Quartet's album, European Concert (Atlantic).  The album is available from Amazon.com.

The Modern Jazz Quartet, with Lewis on piano, plays one of his compositions, "Django," here:

Robert
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