Bird’s Centennial: Celebration Pt. 1

by | Aug 29, 2020 | Quartet/Quintet

In celebration of “Bird’s” Centennial”, August 29, 2020, here are a couple of tunes from, perhaps, the greatest recording session of all time at the WOR Studios in New York on November 26,1945.  In addition, the video features the original Charlie Parker Quintet playing Out Of Nowhere, also recorded at the WOR Studios a few years later in1947 … with Miles Davis (trumpet), Charlie Parker (alto sax), Duke Jordan (piano), Tommy Potter(bass), Max Roach (drums).

Ko-Ko, which sort of became Bird’s theme song, and Billie’s Bounce are both from the 1945 session.  It was the first session in two years due to a ban on such recording to save on shellac as part of the war rationing effort.  The dream date called for Parker, of course, Miles Davis on trumpet, Bud Powell on piano, Curly Russell on bass, and Max Roach on drums. However, Bud Powell couldn’t make the date and Dizzy Gillespie ended up playing piano, as well as sitting in for Miles on a few sets!

Ko-Ko

by Charlie Parker | The Charlie Parker Story

Billie's Bounce

by Charlie Parker | The Charlie Parker Story

Next week Bird’s Centennial Celebration Part 2 features the only two existing pieces of footage showing Charlie Parker in performance.

Andre Previn & His Friends

by | Aug 21, 2020 | Audio, Trio

Andre Previn actually started out playing jazz but ultimately became primarily known for his classical piano, conducting, composing and arranging in other genres, including Hollywood films (He scored more than 50 during his career).  So, when someone says “Wow, he plays jazz too!” … I say “Wow, he plays classical too!”  On Black & Blue Previn teams up with his friends Shelly Manne and Leroy Vinegar, while A Toujours hands the bass over to Red Mitchell.  Through the years, with these trios, he recorded an entire jazz series of show tunes, piano standards and works of legendary composers. On Ellington’s Cotton Tail Andre is joined by Joe Pass and Ray Brown for some masterful syncopation!

Black and Blue

by Andre Previn | Andre Previn Plays Fats Waller

Cotton Tail

by Andre Previn | After Hours

A Toujours

by Andre Previn | Gigi

Whisper Not – Milt Jackson, Benny Golson & Art Farmer

by | Aug 14, 2020 | Sextet

This is a reunion of sorts, because it’s the first time that Milt Jackson, Benny Golson and Art Farmer have played together since 1958.  Whisper Not was recorded at Jazzbaltica, Salzau, Germany in June, 1997.  The trio is joined by Ulf Wakenius 0n guitar, Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen on bass and Jonas Johansen playing drums.  Listen for NHOP’s jaw-dropping bass solo.  You just don’t hear bigger or better than these giants, who once again prove that music truly is the international language!

Jumpin’ Blues / Greensleeves – Kenny Burrell

by | Aug 7, 2020 | Big Band, Quartet/Quintet

Kenny Burrell and Jimmy Smith were a “dynamic duo” on many jazz recordings throughout the years, mostly albums headlined by Jimmy.  Jumpin’ Blues, recorded at NYC Town Hall in February of 1985, can be found on Smith’s blockbuster album Midnight Special.  It features Kenny Burrell on guitar, Jimmy Smith playing  the Hammond B-3, Grady Tate on drums and adds Stanley Turrentine on tenor sax to add yet another dimension to the already potent trio.

Greensleeves was recorded 20 years earlier in 1965 and netted Gil Evans a Grammy Award nomination in 1966 for Best Instrumental Arrangement.  The album itself was nominated for Best Instrumental Jazz Performance.  Burrell is on guitar, with Roger Kellaway on piano, Grady Tate at the drums, Willie Rodriguez on conga and Joe Benjamin playing double bass.  The tune starts out like a lamb, as you would expect, and morphs into a very swinging lion before all is said and done!

 

Greensleeves

by Kenny Burrell | Guitar Forms