Body and Soul is an old favorite with a new twist. Michel’s arrangement is reverent but with serious chops. Petrucciani is joined by bassist Miroslav Viteous and drummer Steve Gadd, two of the best in jazz.
Cantabile is an Italian word that means “singable” or “songlike”. In instrumental music, it is a particular style of playing designed to imitate the human voice. The trio recorded both tunes in Munich during July of 1997.
If you’re like most people, when you think of Michel LeGrand you think of film scores, orchestras and swirling strings. Well fasten your seatbelt because he was one whale of a jazz pianist as well and swung with the best of them! His pen and his baton will be sorely missed, Michel having passed away last month at the age of 87.
“You Must Believe In Spring” was recorded at the Festival International de Jazz in Montreal. It features Michel Legrand (p), Phil Woods (as), Eric Lagace (b) and Ray Brinker (d).
“The Jitterbug Waltz” was recorded in 1958 in New York for the album “LeGrand Jazz”. It’s an interesting mix of Michel with artists such as Herbie Mann, Barry Galbraith, Miles Davis, Phil Woods, Jerome Richardson, Eddie Costa, Paul Chambers and Kenny Dennis. Listen for the silky smooth changes in tempo and subtle harp glissandos of Betty Giamann … not your everyday addition to a jazz combo.
Natalie Cole is one of only a handful of performers whose apple didn’t fall very far from the tree. In the top video she proves it by singing a duet with Nat that was cleverly constructed in 1991, by mixing his 1951 recording with Natalie’s live performance. It’s Unforgettable … and it really is! Like her dad, she was probably best known for her work in ‘pop’ music but, oh, she could swing!
As for Nat ‘King’ Cole, many who only knew him as a singer didn’t realize that he was one helluva piano player. In fact, some might say he was a great piano player who just so happened to know how to sing. In the bottom video, sample both the voice and fingers of ‘The Velvet Rasp’ himself.
Moment’s Notice is a high-spirited tune written by John Coltrane and recorded by the great McCoy Tyner in 2002 at Jazz Baltica. He is joined by Bobby Hutcherson on vibes, Charnett Moffett on bass and Eric Harland cookin’ on drums.
To join our Mark Of Jazz Facebook discussion group.
For more posts and to leave comments on Twitter.
As well as follow and download the Jazz Scene Podcast on iTunes, too!