Tin Tin Deo – Tommy Flanagan Trio

by | Jun 21, 2019 | Trio

Tin Tin Deo was written by Gil Fuller and Chano Pozo … first recorded by James Moody and His Bop Men.  The song has become a jazz standard but I’ve often wondered, “What does it mean?”  It could be an eggcorn of “te entiendo” which is Spanish for “I understand you.”  Granted, that may be a bit of a stretch but lots of old jazz men named their songs based on what they heard rather than what may have been grammatically correct. It’s no farther out than Charles Mingus’ “Ecclusiastics” or Miles Davis’ “Solar” which many people pronounce so-LAR instead of soler.  This recording features Tommy Flanagan on piano, George Mraz on bass and Lewis Nash drums.

Thad Jones & Mel Lewis Big Band

by | Jun 15, 2019 | Big Band

The Thad Jones & Mel Lewis Big Band was formed in New York City in 1965, but performed in countries all around the world for decades, including The Soviet Union during The Cold War years.  Come Sunday is a Duke Ellington composition written in 1942 as part of the first movement of a suite entitled Black, Brown and Beige.  The Groove Merchant is a Jerome Richardson original written for the band’s Central Park North album.

Both tunes performed here are from a September 1969 concert in Soburg, Denmark.  The personnel roster reads like a “Who’s Who” of jazz musicians, most of whom went on to individual greatness with their own bands.  Featured are Thad Jones (flhrn); Snooky Young, Al Porcino, Richard Williams, Danny Moore (tp); Jimmy Knepper, Eddie Bert, Astley Fennell (tb); Cliff Heather (b-tb); Jerry Dodgion, Jerome Richardson (as); Eddie Daniels, Joe Henderson (ts); Pepper Adams (bars); Sir Roland Hanna (p); Richard Davis (b); Mel Lewis (d).

An Earlier, Gentler Sarah

by | Jun 7, 2019 | Vocal

Just two words:  Sarah Vaughan.  That pretty much says it all.  Notice the slight nervousness of a young girl who wasn’t quite yet “Sassy” in this 1958 recording of Lover Man.

Eleven years later, Sarah shows greater polish and raises some goosebumps with Polka Dots And Moonbeams.  Her trio of Johnny Veith (p), Gus Mancuso (b) and Eddy Pucci (d) offer the perfect complement for The Divine One.

Land Of Passion – Hubert Laws

by | May 31, 2019 | Quartet/Quintet

Whether playing jazz, pop or R&B, flutist Hubert Laws possesses  a distinctive, instantly recognizable sound.  While he swings with the best of them, his classical roots are evident throughout his music.  Laws’ contributions to the Count Basie Big Band, Gil Evans Orchestra and The Crusaders, as well as his own highly successful jazz ensembles, notably place him in the company of the most recognized and respected flutists in the history of jazz,

“Land Of Passion”, a Hubert Laws original, features Hubert on flute, David Budway, piano, Rob Mullins, keyboards, John Leftwich, bass, and Ralph Penland, on drums.

The Trumpet of Blue Mitchell

by | May 24, 2019 | Quartet/Quintet

Blue Mitchell was the complete trumpet player, with a direct, lightly swinging sound that fit right in with Blue Note records’ musical mindset of the 1960s. That sound comes through loud and clear on “Hi-Heel Sneakers” as he is joined by Junior Cook on tenor sax, Chick Corea piano, Gene Taylor on bass and Al Foster playing drums.

Hi-Heel Sneakers

by Blue Mitchell | Down With It

Mitchell often tends to be overlooked today, perhaps because he spent most of his career as a much sought after side man. Given that he led his own group for only a short period of time, he never really had the chance to stand out in the public eye, despite his considerable talent. Listening to “Park Avenue Petite” it’s easy to hear where he got the nickname “Blue”. Here he’s joined by Wynton Kelly at the piano, Sam Jones on bass and Philly Joe Jones on drums.

Park Avenue Petite

by Blue Mitchell | Blue Soul

Honeysuckle Rose / Tea For Two – Anita O’Day

by | May 17, 2019 | Vocal

Anita O’Day was one of the most original and unique voices of 20th century jazz. Since Anita never sang a song the same way twice, I hope you enjoy this rendition of Honeysuckle Rose, because you aren’t likely to hear it again!.

Frequently, Anita liked to combine a bit of vocalese with bebop, as she did here with Tea For Two.  It’s a surprising arrangement, featuring both her trio and the usual self-confidence that was her hallmark.

Mr. Pastorius / Eighty One – Miles Davis

by | May 10, 2019 | Quartet/Quintet

Miles Davis and his band recorded Mr. Pastorius on October 18, 1989 at Chelsea Studios in New York City.  The tune was written by Marcus Miller as a tribute to bassist Jaco Pastorius and features Miles on trumpet, Marcus Miller on bass, Kenny Garret playing alto sax, Ricky Wellman drums and Adam Holzman on Keyboards.

Eighty-One is from the 1965 Miles Davis album E.S.P.  Call it hard bop, post bop or modal jazz … by any other name, it still features the solid sound of Miles’ trumpet and some of the top musicians in jazz. Wayne Shorter plays tenor, Herbie Hancock is at the piano, Ron Carter is on double bass and Tony Williams plays drums.  It was recorded during one of my favorite periods of Davis’ several evolutions. 

Eighty-One

by Miles Davis | E.S.P.

Poinciana – Ahmad Jamal

by | May 3, 2019 | Quartet/Quintet

“Poinciana” was written in 1936 by Nat Simon and Buddy Bernier, based on a Cuban folk song called “La canción del árbol”.  Ahmad Jamal included a jazz cover version of the song in his album “Poinciana”, released in 1963, and it has since become associated with him to the extent that it might actually be considered his theme song.  It is certainly his most requested song during personal appearances.

Some Smooth Jazz

by | Apr 26, 2019 | Smooth Jazz

While the Mark of Jazz usually features more traditional jazz, I believe it is important to understand as many aspects of the genre as possible, and, after all, by any other name good music is still good music!.  Smooth jazz is one of the more recent iterations of the idiom and is represented most ably by award winning composer, producer, music publisher Dimitri K. Born in Sofia, Bulgaria, Dimitri has written more than 250 songs which can be heard on over 300 radio stations on five continents!  His recorded music is part of the Golden Music Library of the National Radio in Sofia.  His use of instruments not often found in jazz provides a unique musical experience.

Even though he plays violin, as well as some guitar and piano himself, Dimitri prefers to use only top flight soloists when recording his music.  “I Saw Her” features  Alvin L. Guile’s on piano and Jamie Strefeler on oboe; “You’ve Got Me” spotlights Harry Hall playing sax and John Valeri with the guitar; finally, on “A Day In Paris”  we have Konstantin Dimitrov with the violin, Rob Mullins on piano and John Valeri playing guitar.

You've Got Me

by Dimitri K. | Slim Profile

A Day In Paris

by Dimitri K. | 7/8

Thelonious Monk In Japan

by | Apr 19, 2019 | Quartet/Quintet

Bolivar Blues was recorded in 1963 in Japan just two days after the concert that produced the Columbia set Monk in Tokyo.  This studio session was created for TV broadcast while Thelonious Monk was touring the country, 

Evidence was part of that same studio session and featured Monk on piano, Frankie Dunlop drums, Butch Warren playing bass and the incomparable Charlie Rouse on sax. Charlie has the uncanny ability to match Thelonious’ unique style note for note!