Joey Alexander – Like Fine Wine

by | Jul 31, 2020 | Trio

Back in June of 2017, I first posted a performance of prodigy pianist Joey Alexander at the tender age of 11 … the same age he performs Giant Steps in the first video, along with Larry Grenadier on bass and Ulysses Owens, Jr. on drums.  The bottom video features an original composition entitled Space, from his 2019 Indonesian concert.  Now 17, he is even more spectacular and jaw-dropping than ever!   Like a fine wine, Joey gets better with age … pretty much on a par with some of his heroes like Chick Corea, Bill Evans and John Coltrane.

In his young life, Alexander has already played with Wynton Marsalis at Jazz at Lincoln Center, played at the Grammy Awards, released no fewer than 5 albums, played at the Montreal and Newport Jazz Festivals and has performed at the White House at the request of two presidents.  It has been said that he started playing at 6, and ‘got serious’ at 7.  Beyond remarkable!

 

The Inventive Genius of Herbie Hancock

by | Jul 24, 2020 | Trio

Speak Like A Child is a composition by Wayne Shorter, recorded in 1983 in Lugano, Italy.  It features Herbie Hancock on piano, Ron Carter on bass and Billy Cobham playing drums.

Eye Of The Hurricane is a Hancock original.  Also recorded at Palazzo dei Congressie, Lugano in 1983, it displays the unusual and inventive talents of all 3 musicians to the delight of all!

Along Came Betty – Art Blakey

by | Jul 18, 2020 | Sextet

In 1958 Benny Golson was inspired by the woman he was dating to write “Along Came Betty”.  It has since become a favorite of saxophonists, guitarists and piano players.  Eventually, Jon Hendricks wrote some lyrics. The first recording of “Along Came Betty” was on the seminal hard bop album “Moanin’” by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers.  It featured an all-Philadelphia cast of Art Blakey (drums), Lee Morgan (trumpet), Benny Golson (tenor saxophone), Jymie Merritt (bass) and Bobby Timmons (piano).

The ensemble for this updated performance consists of Javon Jackson (Tenor), Phill Harper (trumpet), Benny Green (piano), Robin Eubanks (trombone), Peter Washington (bass) and of course Art Blakey (drums).

Here’s To The People / I’m An Old Cowhand – Sonny Rollins

by | Jul 11, 2020 | Quartet/Quintet, Trio

For nearly 70 years, Sonny Rollins has been one of the most influential saxophonists in jazz. Like Miles Davis, he has experimented with many different sounds and evolved through several stylistic periods … but I prefer his more straight ahead stuff the most, as exemplified here.

Here’s To The People is an original tune, recorded live in 1992 at the Philharmonic Hall in Munich, Germany. Sonny’s sextet includes Clifton Anderson on trombone, Mark Soskin at the piano, Jerome Harris on electric guitar, the great Bob Cranshaw on electric bass, and Yoron Israel playing drums. If you like a driving tenor sax, this one’s for you!

I’m An Old Cowhand incorporates Rollins and a couple of the most innovative collaborators in jazz, with a highly creative effort that will take you back to the cowboy movies of your kidhood. Listen for Shelly Manne on drums and Ray Brown on bass escorting you across musical lines to the days of Bob Steele, Lash LaRue and Johnny Mack Brown!

I'm An Old Cowhand

by Sonny Rollins | Way Out West

The Nutty Squirrels Got Jazz

by | Jul 3, 2020 | Stuff, Video

Wel-l-l, it’s not exactly your everyday sound, although they do swing a sort of traditional scat.  No, they’re not exactly Mel Torme or Ella Fitzgerald — or even Barry Fitzgerald — but the unique jazz stylings of The Nutty Squirrels are guaranteed to bring a smile to your face and provide a slightly skewed break from the everyday pressures and tensions of life. I thought an adventure into the bazaar might be just the ticket to tickle your silly hormones … and these guys can actually be addictive in a ‘kids of all ages’ kind of way.

The video, Uh-Oh is a kicky little tune to which I added some visuals just for the fun of it.  You’ll hear Charlie Parker’s familiar Yardbird Suite just below that. Both selections feature Don Elliott on vocals, trumpet, vibes and other instruments, plus Alexander “Sascha” Burland on vocals. Among the New York based session musicians are Cannonball Adderley on alto sax, Bobby Jaspar on flute and Sam Most playing clarinet.

 

Yardbird Suite

by The Nutty Squirrels | Bird Watching

Two Tenors – John Coltrane & Stan Getz

by | Jun 26, 2020 | Quartet/Quintet

Ballads.  Put your feet up on a rainy Sunday afternoon and let the music wash away the week.  In a rare appearance together, John Coltrane and Stan Getz were actually supposed to be playing Autumn In New York … but it’s the one tune they don’t play!  The medley they do play consists of Autumn Leaves, What’s New and Moonlight In Vermont.  Besides Coltrane and Getz on tenors, Wynton Kelly is at the piano, Paul Chambers is on bass and Jimmy Cobb plays the drums.

Take The ‘A’ Train / Rosetta – Roy Eldridge

by | Jun 20, 2020 | Big Band

Take The ‘A’ Train to Jazz At The Philharmonic in Paris.  The year was 1960 and Roy Eldridge was featured with all stars like Benny Carter, Don Byas, Coleman Hawkins and Jo Jones, among others from the ‘who’s who’ of jazz.  An historic performance of the Ellington tune!

An Eldridge original, Rosetta, was performed just 5 years later in Paris at the Jazz festival à la Mutualité with notables such as Earl Hines, Stuff Smith, Ben Webster, Don Byas and Kenny Clarke, to name just a few of the all-stars on hand.

Sharky’s Machine

by | Jun 14, 2020 | Soundtrack, Video

Sharky’s Machine is a brutal, hard-boiled crime drama starring Burt Reynolds as a burned-out Atlanta cop transferred to the absolute slime hole of Atlanta’s vice department, after a drug deal turns sour.  It’s a very different role for Reynolds from the more lovable, buffoonish roles we have come to know.  The soundtrack that drives the movie is superb, featuring Randy Crawford, Manhattan Transfer, The Crusaders, Sarah Vaughan, Joe Williams, Chet Baker, Peggy Lee and more!

In the top video I’ve combined the opening title sequence for the movie (1981) with a live performance of Street Life, by singer Randy Crawford and The Crusaders in 2003 at Montreux … including founder Joe Sample on piano and Ray Parker, Jr. on guitar.  This is followed by two tunes from the soundtrack album, 8 To 5 I Lose by Joe Wiliams and My Funny Valentine by the very sultry Julie London.  Topping things off is The Manhattan Transfer with, arguably, the most outstanding version they’ve recorded of Route 66.  So, take a listen and get your kicks!

8 To 5 I lose

by Joe Williams | Soundtrack From Sharky's Machine

My Funny Valentine

by Julie London | Soundtrack From Sharky's Machine

D-Day – Danny Boy

by | Jun 5, 2020 | Big Band, Video

On June 6th 1944, 76 years ago, a bunch of mostly American and Brit kids saved the world from Nazism and preserved the freedom we, now, seem so ready to relinquish. Danny Boy seemed the right mood and Glenn Miller the right orchestra for a salute to all those heroic members of The Greatest Generation who so willingly made the ultimate sacrifice for liberty and justice for all.

Happy Reunion – Duke Ellington & Paul Gonsalves

by | May 29, 2020 | Solo/Duo

Happy Reunion was a frequent concert feature for Gonsalves in the Ellington band’s later years.  Here, Paul was at the end of his career and no longer anywhere near his prime.  Still, if you take into account the close, enduring friendship between these men, and the fact that they even died only 4 months apart, this rare collaboration with just the two of them, makes for a tender and most memorable moment.

The story behind this performance seems to be that Paul Gonsalves, who had a long history of alcohol and drug abuse, had been under the weather and was late for a rehearsal with the full band. The usual Ellington strategy with a wayward musician was to call upon him for one solo after another. This video was recorded the next afternoon as the legendary tenor man again shows up late and is greeted by Ellington with, “Stinky, you juiced again?” At the end of the classic duo’s number, Gonsalves requests four kisses … an Ellington specialty. It’s a happy reunion and everything is forgiven, as always.