Originally trained as a classical pianist, Sergio Mendes was drawn to jazz and ultimately to Brazilian music with its Bossa Nova beat and soft pop stylings. His music is timeless and his name and Brasil ’66 have become household words worldwide and across generations.
This is Thelonious Monk in Japan in 1963, playing with the kind of group that suited him best … a quartet. Charlie Rouse is the saxophonist who understood Monk’s music best and provided the perfect complement.
Recorded 1971 in Tivoli by The Jazz Giants: Dizzy Gillespie, trumpet; Thelonius Monk, piano; Kai Winding, trombone; Sonny Stitt, alto and tenor saxes; Al McKibbon, bass and Art Blakey, drums. It just doesn’t get better than that!
The Modern Jazz Quartet began in 1952, performing music influenced by classical, cool jazz, blues, and bebop. They carved out their own special niche playing elegant, restrained music, that utilized sophisticated counterpoint, while retaining a strong blues feel.
To celebrate the arrival of summer, here are not one but two unique treatments of the Gershwin classic. Summertime was originally an aria composed by George Gershwin for the 1935 opera Porgy and Bess. The lyrics are by DuBose and Dorothy Heyward, and Ira Gershwin. Through the years, the song has became a truly solid jazz standard.
A little adventure into Jazz/R&B with two incredible organists, Jimmy Smith and Jimmy McGriff. Also featuring Herman Riley (sax), Carl Lockett (guitar), and James Levy (drums). Recorded at the Montreux Jazz Festival, July 1992.
Originally recorded by the Dave Brubeck Quartet for its 1959 album Time Out, the quartet featured Dave Brubeck on piano; Paul Desmond, alto sax; Joe Morello, drums; and Eugene Wright, bass.
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