Jam Session

by | Jan 5, 2025 | Big Band, Quartet/Quintet

Unlike most performances that have a fixed group –– like Duke Ellington and his Orchestra or the Oscar Petersen Trio –– with a jam session, jazz musicians improvise and do something different each time they play a tune.  Producer Norman Granz loved jam sessions, and in his Jazz At The Philharmonic shows during 1944-60, he presented the greatest of the swing and bop soloists, together onstage, in both the US and Europe.

In 1967, Granz had a brief revival of JATP, including a concert for television presented by the BBC in England … the videos below are from that concert.  The all-star lineup speaks for itself: trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, flugelhornist Clark Terry, tenors Zoot Sims, James Moody and Coleman Hawkins (past his prime but worth seeing), altoist Benny Carter, pianist Teddy Wilson, bassist Bob Cranshaw and drummer Louie Bellson.  Topmost is a 1947 Dizzy Gillespie composition called Ow.  Below that is Benny Carter with Duke and Gershwin’s I Can’t Get Started, seguing into Coleman Hawkins’ wistful solo of Body and Soul.

Dexter Gordon Takes Belgium

by | Jun 23, 2024 | Quartet/Quintet

Dexter Gordon filmed 3 concerts in 1964 while living in Europe … Holland, Switzerland and Belgium. Body and Soul is from the Belgium session, and particularly highlights his classic style and silky tone.

“Long tall Dexter” was an early influence on both John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins,  as well as many other greats.  As above, accompanying Dex on  Lady Bird are George Gruntz on piano, Guy Pedersen on bass, and Daniel Humair playing drums.

Jazz at Trinity Church – NYC

by | Jun 18, 2023 | Solo/Duo

On May 7, 2023 NEA Jazz Master pianist Kenny Barron and eight-time Grammy-winning bassist Christian McBride went to church –– to play, not to pray.  That’s gospel!  As part of Trinity’s music series, in association with Jazz House Kids, the dynamic duo played practically nonstop for more than an hour, to the delight of a packed houseful of fans and supporters.

The top-tune is Billy Strayhorn’s Isfahan, while below that, McBride performs a few finger gymnastics on the more familiar Body and Soul.

Body and Soul – Billy Taylor

by | Nov 9, 2019 | Trio

On March 2nd 2000, The Billy Taylor Trio played this soulful but swinging arrangement of “Body and Soul” live at the Manchester Craftsman’s Guild in Pittsurgh, Pennsylvania.  Featured on piano was the great Dr. Billy Taylor, Chip Jackson was on bass and the amazing Winard Harper played drums. Dr. Taylor became the most prominent spokesman for the virtues of jazz and was the first to describe it as “America’s Classical Music”.

Body and Soul / Cantabile – Michel Petrucciani

by | Feb 22, 2019 | Trio

Body and Soul is an old favorite with a new twist.  Michel’s arrangement is reverent but with serious chops.  Petrucciani is joined by bassist Miroslav Viteous and drummer Steve Gadd, two of the best in jazz.

Cantabile is an Italian word that means “singable” or “songlike”.  In instrumental music, it is a particular style of playing designed to imitate the human voice.  The trio recorded both tunes in Munich during July of 1997.

Body and Soul – Oscar Peterson

by | Jun 15, 2018 | Orchestral

Oscar Peterson performs “Body and Soul” with John Williams and The Boston Pops Orchestra.  His ability to play ‘more notes per measure’ than nearly anyone else was one of the defining characteristics of his destinctive style.