Cleo Laine, On Her Own

by | Apr 25, 2020 | Vocal

Early Autumn

by Cleo Laine | Precious

Born in a London suburb, Cleo Laine showed early singing talent, which was nurtured by her Jamaican father and English mother. She gained recognition in both jazz and pop, becoming known for her scat singing, evidenced here in Crazy Rhythm.

In Don’t Talk about me When I’m Gone Cleo uses her more than 3 octave vocal range to subtle advantage. Her big break came when she met composer, saxophonist  Sir John Dankworth in the 50s … they remained a team for most of her career..

Monk’s Dream – Mulgrew Miller

by | Apr 17, 2020 | Trio

Recorded at the Tuscia in Jazz Festival, Ronciglione, Italy in 2006, Mulgrew Miller pays an exceptional tribute to Thelonious Monk by not wasting a single note in this memorable performance of Monk’s original tune.  Mulgrew is joined here by Buster Williams playing bass and Jimmy Cobb on drums.

Ron Carter – Mr. Bass Man

by | Apr 10, 2020 | Quartet/Quintet, Trio

The Golden Striker is a tune by John Lewis of MJQ.  This arrangement has Ron Carter on double bass, Mulgrew Miller on piano and Bobby Broom playing guitar. The trio was recorded at Jazz Sous Les Pommiers in Caen France, June 3, 2011..

Want to hear an amazing bass line?  Here’s My Funny Valentine with Ron Carter performing the jaw-dropping bass chores, Art Farmer guesting on trumpet, Billy Higgins on drums and Cedar Walton playing piano at Sweet Basil in 1990.

D&E Blues / Monterey Mist – Modern Jazz Quartet

by | Apr 4, 2020 | Quartet/Quintet

The Modern Jazz Quartet performed and recorded jazz, off and on, for some 45 years between 1952 and 1997.  As with any group of musicians there were occasional personnel changes but the core group remained for most of that time.  The personnel probably most frequently identified with MJQ are John Lewis at the piano, Milt Jackson on vibes, Percy Heath playing bass and Connie Kay on drums.  These are the artists on both D&E Blues, written by John Lewis and Monterey Mist, a Milt Jackson composition.

D&E Blues, the tune on top, offers the texture and tempo we have become accustomed to with this group … easy going, smooth and relaxing.  Monterey Mist, on the other hand, provides a seriously cooking contrast by MJQ that has the recipe to make even the casual jazz listener sit up and smile!