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.

What Are You Doing New Years Eve – Diana Krall & Seth MacFarlane

by | Dec 27, 2019 | Video, Vocal

When you find two people who ask the eternal question with such passion, with such tenderness and longing, is it fair to keep them apart?  Rather than posting two videos, I thought I would at least join them lyrically as best I could into one … and ask Diana Krall and Seth MacFarlane to convey my sincerest wishes for a most healthy, happy and prosperous New Year!  By the way, What Are You Doing New Years Eve?

Makin’ Whoopee – Dr. John & Ricki Lee Jones

by | Apr 12, 2019 | Video, Vocal

Combine some blues with pop, add a dash of jazz, stir in a bit of boogie woogie with a smattering of rock and roll — not to mention the occasional touch of Louisiana voodoo — and you have the recipe for Dr. John!  His music is a perfect example of the influence and integration of jazz with other musical styles, or the other way around if you like.  Serve up Ricki Lee Jones as a delicious side dish to provide the Good Doctor with a gentle counterpoint, and it is impossible to keep your feet still whether you usually prefer Led Zeppelin or Miles Davis!

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas – Kenny G

by | Dec 7, 2018 | Smooth Jazz, Video

This is Kenny G’s official Christmas video and features clips from five of the best traditional holiday movies ever.  There is good reason they are viewed continually by millions every year … nothing compares, period!  With Hollywood icons like Burgess Meredith and Jimmy  Stewart in the background of Kenny’s gently nostalgic performance, the experience is nothing less than pure emotional magic.

Let It Snow – New York Voices

by | Dec 3, 2018 | Video, Vocal Group

‘Tis the season to be snowy!  New York Voices is the Grammy Award winning vocal ensemble renowned for their excellence in jazz and the art of group singing. Like the great groups that came before, such as Lambert, Hendricks and Ross, Singers Unlimited, Manhattan Transfer and, of course, The Four Freshmen, they have learned from the best and taken their musical form to new levels.  I couldn’t resist adding a few pictures to their marvelous rendition of this Sammy Cahn – Jule Styne tune … written in July 1945!

Fantan – Shelly Manne and His Men

by | Jul 20, 2018 | Quartet/Quintet, Video

Fantan is a Russ Freeman composition … light ‘n easy bebop for lovers of “The West Coast Sound” during the1950s and early 60s. When talking about creative drummers, you have to put Shelly Manne at the top of the list. He was born in New York but after honing his chops with jazz giants from Stan Kenton to Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie, in 1952 Shelly left the New York scene for Los Angeles. It was there that he really came into his own, as a pioneer and lynchpin of the West Coast “cool jazz” sound. Here he is featured with Russ Freeman on piano, Conte Candoli on trumpet, Ritchie Kamuca doing tenor sax duty and Monte Budwig keeping time on bass.

The Flying Scotsman / Wallflower – Gerry Mulligan

by | Jan 26, 2018 | Quartet/Quintet, Video

Brilliant performance of The Flying Scotsman at the 1990 International Jazz Festival in Bern Switzerland … featuring Gerry Mulligan (bs), Bill Charlap (p), Dean Johnson (b) and David Ratajczak (d).

Gerry Mulligan is at his soulful best as the quartet performs Wallflower at the 1990 Jazz Festival in Bern. The first festival took place in 1976 and has been thrilling fans with world class jazz every spring since.

On Green Dolphin Street – John Coltrane

by | Dec 1, 2017 | Quartet/Quintet, Video

This video was taken on March 28, 1960 in Düsseldorf, West Germany during Coltrane’s first time in Europe. The band is one of Miles Davis’s first great quintets, but without Miles who chose to sit out this particular night.  It’s John Coltrane on tenor with sidemen Wynton Kelly on Piano, Paul Chambers bass and Jimmy Cobb drums … all stars in their own right.  The clip is sourced from the John Coltrane “Jazz Icons” DVD.