Bill Evans On Rock Music
An interesting perspective on rock from the iconic jazz musician. As private as Evans so often seems to be, he is quite candid in his opinion when it comes to music. He compares and contrasts rock with jazz and, while he finds a functional place for the newer genre, Bill reveals himself to be something of a musical snob!
The Boss
The music is Blues in Hoss Flat by the Count Basie Orchestra. This is the same version as in the 1961 movie, “The Errand Boy” starring Jerry Lewis. The song can be found on the 1958 Basie album “Chairman of The Board” … Lewis’ pantomime is timeless.
Joey Alexander needs to be experienced!
This Indonesian lad is a musical prodigy, who at 10 can already break down a song and recompose it on the spot. He is a reincarnation of great jazz pianists of the past, now making their way back through a kid’s body.
Lee Morgan & “The Sidewinder”
Recollections of the phenomenal talent of trumpet player Lee Morgan and the story behind the landmark tune “The Sidewinder” as told by Bob Cranshaw, bassist on the session. Like many of the greats, Morgan was with us all too briefly … and a tune born ‘of the moment’ led to an entirely new genre of funky jazz that is a driving force even today.
Buddy Rich With Larry King
In November of 1985 Larry King interviewed iconic drummer Buddy Rich, covering ground from his early interest in drums through his feelings about other musicians and his heart attack. Buddy’s comments about the support he received from Frank Sinatra during this time are especially revealing about both performers.
Johnny Carson had a way of drawing people out … from the ridiculous to the sublime, they laid their souls bare in front of the world. On the left, Don Rickles surprises Frank Sinatra with a few antics that are enough to have even Carson looking for a place to hide. On the right, the great Bill Evans and an ‘unplugged’ Tony Bennett team up for a sample of the album where, soloing together, they wove their own special musical tapestry.
Count Basie Talks Pianos
What does Count Basie look for in a piano? Back in 1980, Oscar Petersen interviewed him on the subject and the result is both informative and enjoyable. Not just two musical giants, but two friends!
Producing 78RPM Records – 1937
Before streaming or downloading … before CDs, tape cassettes, 8-tracks or reel-to-reel tapes … even before 45s, 33s or the concept of an album, there was the 78RPM record. This was, typically, a brittle 10 inch shellac based disc that most often held a single 2 to 4 minute song on one or both sides. Coming into popularity during the early 1900s, the 78 was pretty much the first way a person could actually bring music home and play it in their own living room, on their own ‘talking machine’. I thought you might like to see how this great, great, great, great grandfather of today’s music delivery systems was made!
The phonograph record played a significant role in the rapid spread of jazz across America. Even those who could not get to concerts or clubs were now able to share in the latest performances of the country’s most popular bands. 78RPM records are still available for collectors, if they can find a proper turntable with which to play them.
“Don’t play what’s there, play what’s not there.” — Miles Davis
To the left, Miles Davis according to Herbie Hancock. To the right, a classic interview with Miles, In His Own Words.
Wynton Marsalis, internationally acclaimed musician, composer and bandleader sat down in 1994 with 60 Minutes’ Ed Bradley, for a frank and honest discussion of his music and the origins of jazz.
Like many of today’s classically trained jazz musicians, his playing is technically almost perfect but it has been said he lacks the soul and musical empathy of many of his predecessors. Does he? What does he think of such accusations and some of his jazz elders?
Dr. Billy Taylor explains how jazz musicians improvise. He demonstrates the technique of using the framework of melody, harmony and rhythm from the song you are playing, to compose your own music within it.
Dr. Taylor was not only one of the premier pianists in jazz, but a proponent of spreading and teaching the appreciation of “America’s Classical Music”, particularly to young people. In fact, he coined that phrase!
The Carrot Trick
Linsey Pollak turns a carrot into a clarinet using an electric drill, a carrot, and a saxophone mouthpiece … then plays it, all in less than 5 minutes. Linsey is an Australian musician, instrument maker, composer, musical director and community music facilitator. He has recorded 31 albums and toured his solo shows around the world.
As for the carrot clarinet? You have to see it to believe it!