The Old and The New – Lionel Hampton

by | May 25, 2024 | Big Band, Orchestral

Lionel Leo Hampton was an iconic jazz musician and bandleader, known for the rhythmic vitality of his playing and his showmanship as a performer. Best known for his work on the vibraphone, Hampton was also a skilled drummer (his original instrument), pianist, and singer.  During a recording session in 1930, while accompanying Louis Armstrong, Satchmo asked Lionel to play a vibraphone that had been fortuitously left in the studio. The results were “Memories of You” and “Shine,” the first jazz recordings to feature improvised vibraphone solos. From that point on, the vibes became Hampton’s main instrument.  Above, you’ll hear an excitingly different treatment of In The Mood, –– like Glenn Miller never played it –– featuring the St. Petersburg State Orchestra and Lionel Hampton, still at his finest in 1994.

Midnight Sun was originally an instrumental composed by Lionel Hampton and Sonny Burke in 1947; it is now considered a jazz standard. This performance was around 1948.

This Kennedy Center performance of Air Mail Special is from a 1982 tribute to Benny Goodman.  You’ll probably recognize several well-known dignitaries in the audience.

Jammin’ with Cozy Cole

by | May 17, 2024 | Audio, Quartet/Quintet, Video

Cozy Cole was a free-wheeling drummer who made his mark in the world of jazz with some of the top bands of the 1930s and 40s. He continued to perform into the 70s in a variety of settings, alongside names like Jonah Jones, Stuff Smith, and Cab Calloway.  Because of his aggressive style, Cole is often cited as an influence by many of our contemporary rock drummers.

In my “What About Dat” page here at Mark of Jazz, I talk about one music genre crossing over to another. There is probably no better example than Cozy Cole’s 1958 hit recordings of Topsy Part 1 that made it to #27 on the Billboard Hot 100, and Topsy Part 2 that made it all the way to #3 … #1 on the Billboard Rhythm & Blues Chart, staying atop the latter for six weeks!  The original version of both tunes can be heard below, with a wonderfully laid back after hours jam session inbetween.  It begins with some simple blues, culminating with Coleman Hawkins joining Cole and the quartet for a captivating rendition of Lover Man (Where Can You Be).  The players are Cozy Cole (d), Coleman Hawkins (ts), Johnny Guarnieri (p), Barry Galbraith (g), and Milt Hinton (b).

 

Topsy Part 1

by Cozy Cole | Cozy Cole Hits

Topsy Part 2

by Cozy Cole | Cozy Cole Hits

SCJME Meets The NY Voices

by | May 12, 2024 | Big Band, Vocal Group

The South Carolina Jazz Masterworks Ensemble is a powerful 18 piece orchestra, comprised of the most outstanding jazz musicians, soloists, arrangers, and bandleaders from across the Carolinas. The group was created to perform the original American art form at the highest artistic level … and they consistently succeed in their mission, concert after amazing concert!  A few weeks ago, we had the pleasure of attending yet another in their regular series of performances, as they were joined by the New York Voices.   Although the quality is marginal, having been recorded from the audience with my iPhone, I couldn’t help but share a few bits and pieces of that musical evening here at The Mark of Jazz. It was much too enjoyable to simply leave the echoes hanging in the air over row ‘G’ seat 15!

The top video is the 1936 Louis Prima tune, Sing, Sing, Sing, followed by 3 audio segments, including a SC Jazz Masterworks Ensemble instrumental of a 1959 Frank Foster original, from the Count Basie album Chairman Of The Board.  The bottom video features everyone––including the audience––and closed the concert with the mildly raucous, Smack Dab in the Middle.

Avalon

by NY Voices | SCJME

Who Me?

by SCJME | Instrumental

Save Your Love for Me

by NY Voices | SCJME

Billy Taylor – America’s Jazz Ambassador

by | May 5, 2024 | Quartet/Quintet, Stuff

Musician, composer, teacher and all around jazz ambassador, Dr. Billy Taylor’s musical career is legendary. More than just an avid spokesman for “America’s Classical Music”, he fought for the recognition of Black musicians as key contributors to the American music scene … promoting jazz as a commentary against racial prejudice. Despite being one of the most remarkable jazz pianists of all time, the recipient of honors and awards worldwide, through it all, Billy always managed to remain a true gentleman of honor and humility.

The top video is The Way You Look Tonight, at a 1997 Anniversary Concert with Dr. Taylor accompanied by his trio, plus Stanley Turrentine and Gary Burton. In the center is my updated 1989 interview with Billy, brought forward from our Jazz Scene Podcast Page. Finally, bottom most is a light Bossa-Nova rendition of Here’s That Rainy Day … recorded in 2001 with Billy Taylor (p), Chip Jackson (b), and Winard Harper (d), joined by jazz violinist John Blake, Jr.

Time Out With Billy Taylor

by Fred Masey | Podcast #007