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!
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!
Here’s some rare footage of 3 of the top jazz guitarists of all time, Kenny Burrell, Barney Kessel and Grant Green. The videos were recorded in 1969 for a French TV show that never aired … along with Burrell, Kessel and Green, are Larry Ridley on bass and Don Lamond on drums. The video TO THE RIGHT features all 3 guitarists with an easy swinging tune of “Rhythm Changes”.
BELOW on the upper left all 3 men again collaborate on the familiar blues theme “Blue Mist”. Although the performance is incomplete, I included it because of some great guitar licks that’ll make you glad you have ears! Upper right Kenny steps forward with “Imagination.” Lower left offers Barney with “I’m Glad There Is You”, while at the lower right Grant dazzles with his virtuosity on “I Wish You Love.”
It’s always a beautiful day in this neighborhood when Wynton Marsalis is in town. A young Wynton lends his trumpet to the mix as he joins the great jazz pianist Johnny Costa, guitarist Joe Negri and drummer Bobby Rawsthone for a memorable rendition of a Mister Rogers classic tune, “Its You I Like,” plus a straight ahead trumpet rendition of “Blue Monk”. Few people realize that Fred Rogers was a hard core jazz buff, composer and actually played the drums quite well!
Did you know that Wes played with his thumb rather than using a pick … and that his thumb was double jointed? This is Wes in 1965 performing a free swinging blues, before his trademark ‘pop’ sound caught on. He is accompanied by a group of young Dutch musicians, probably all still in their early twenties.
First, Art Tatum with Slam Stewart and Tiny Grimes in 1943 perform “Tiny’s Exercise”. Then “Art’s Blues” from the 1947 film “The Fabulous Dorseys”. It’s Art Tatum plus Tommy Dorsey (TB), Jimmy Dorsey (C), Charlie Barnet (TS), Ray Bauduc (D) and Ziggy Elman (T).
Here is Art Tatum in 1954 with “Yesterdays”, as only he can play it. Although legally blind, like so many great musicians, the purported handicap seemed to open a little wider window to his soul.
Here are three classic musical performances by Lady Day and Satchmo Armstrong from the 1947 motion picture “New Orleans”. The film is a tribute to the birth of jazz, and also features Woody Herman along with some of music’s greatest legends. The video at the top is The Blues Are Brewin’ with Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans at the lower left and Dixie Music Man on the lower right.
Here are some low down blues from 1973 … featuring Illinois Jacquet (ts), Wild Bill Davis (org) and Al Bartee (d). Although pure jazz, Illinois is credited with introducing a sound later recognized as the first R&B sax solo ever recorded. He was also one of the few jazz musicians to play bassoon.
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.
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