Sonny Side Up – Pt. 2

by | Oct 31, 2025 | Quartet/Quintet, Trio

Four is a tune from Sonny Rollins’ 1968 concert in Denmark. Its authorship is traditionally attributed to Miles Davis who first recorded it in 1954, but any number of sources say Four was actually composed by saxophonist Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson. It’s still a matter of debate in jazz circles. Whoever deserves the credit, it has become a jazz standard recorded by a countless number of musicians throughout the years. (Above) is Sonny’s rendition, with NHOP on bass, Kenny Drew at the piano, and Tootie Heath playing drums. Rollins sets the scene with an unaccompanied introduction in which he does not ‘quote’ every song he ever heard … it only seems that way. My One and Only Love (below) is a popular song from 1953. Notable renditions by Frank Sinatra (1953), and later by John Coltrane with Johnny Hartman (1963), have made it part of the musical repertoire of jazz standards. This recording from the Montreal Jazz Festival in 1982 marks one of Sonny’s rare performances with the recently departed (10/2025) legendary drummer Jack DeJohnette. Also featured is Bob Cranshaw (b), Bobby Broom (g), and Yoshiaki Masuo (g). Listen for a killer sax solo by Sonny Rollins at the end!

Sonny Side Up – Pt. 1

by | Oct 26, 2025 | Quartet/Quintet, Sextet, Trio

Sonny Rollins is not only the most enduring tenor saxophonist of the bebop and hard bop eras, but also one of the greatest jazz saxophonists of all time. In a career that spanned more than 70 years, Sonny thrilled millions of fans around the world, and recorded north of sixty albums! As a composer, a number of his compositions have become jazz standards … as a musician, he has been called “the greatest living improviser” and has even been referred to as “the real Charlie Parker.”

Speaking of standards (below top) sample some 1965 Rollins on There Will Never Be Another You, together with Alan Dawson on drums and the great Niel Henning Orsted Pedersen (NHOP) playing bass … in concert, in Denmark.

Sonny Rollins poked a toe into several musical genres including Pop Country … tunes like “I’m an Old Cowhand” and Tennessee Waltz (middle left) recorded in Munich in 1992 … no Patti Page here. The sextet includes Clifton Anderson (tb), Mark Soskin (p), Jerome Harris (g), Bob Cranshaw (b), and Yoron Israel (d). The familiar Smoke Gets in Your Eyes (bottom left) recorded in Prague in 1982, adds Masuo and Bobby Broom (g), Lincoln Goins (b), and Tommy Campbell (d), to Sonny’s tenor.

Taylor Made

by | Oct 17, 2025 | Quartet/Quintet, Trio

Musician, composer, teacher and all around jazz ambassador, Dr. Billy Taylor did it all!  His musical career is legendary. More than just the embodiment of “America’s Classical Music,” Billy 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, he always managed to remain a true gentleman of honor and humility.

(Upper left) In 2009 The Billy Taylor Trio takes George and Ira Gershwins’ The Man I Love to a whole new level, as Chip Jackson on bass and Steve Johns playing drums blend seamlessly with Taylor’s inimitable piano touch.  Winard Harper takes over on drums, and guest violinist John Blake, Jr. joins the group for Thelonious Monk’s own Blue Monk (upper right), recorded in 2000 at the C.D. Hylton High School, Woodbridge VA.

Also in 2000, that same trio welcomes the new millennium at the Manchester Craftsman’s Guild in Pittsburgh with Pensativa (lower left), a jazz composition by pianist Clare Fischer … and Caravan (lower right) as Winard Harper stretches out with an amazing drum solo. For more Billy Taylor magic, don’t miss our previous posts from April 14, 2017; October 7, 2018; November 9, 2019 and November 22, 2024!

Mellow McRae

by | Oct 4, 2025 | Quartet/Quintet, Vocal

Carmen McRae is considered one of the most influential jazz vocalists of the 20th Century. She was known for her behind-the-beat phrasing and ironic interpretation of lyrics, both of which seemed to come to her quite naturally. Carmen didn’t just sing a song, she owned it! The three tunes below are prime examples, and while McRae could swing with the best of them, I always felt she shone brightest in a mellow mood.

(Topmost) is the 1935 standard I’m in the Mood for Love, with Carmen accompanying herself on the piano. She was joined by Scott Colley on bass and Mark Pulice playing drums, in 1990 at the Good Day Club in Tokyo. Ruby My Dear (middle) may be the most beautiful Thelonious Monk composition since ‘Round Midnight. It was recorded in 1988 at the Newport Jazz Festival, with Clifford Jordan playing tenor and Eric Gunnison on piano, joining Carmen and her rhythm section on stage. At the Bern Jazz Festival, also in 1988, she eschews the usual uptempo arrangements of Have You Met Miss Jones (bottom) in favor of a more heartfelt version all her own. Dizzy Gillespie adds a few notes of counterpoint to her amazing vocal.