Bud Powell once performed an entire set using only his left hand, after being criticized for relying too much on his right. In tribute to Bud’s influence, Phineas Newborn performs “Blues For The Left Hand Only”.
“The New Blues” is a laid back blues number also featuring Newborn’s trio, with Al McKibbon on bass and Kenny Dennis playing drums. Both videos are from the 1962 Jazz Scene TV series, with Oscar Brown, Jr.
Cab Calloway was one of the most colorful and popular entertainers of the 30s and 40s. Calloway hit the big time with “Minnie the Moocher” (1931) … a number one song that sold more than a million copies. The tune’s famous call-and-response “hi-de-hi-de-ho” chorus was first improvised when Cab couldn’t remember a lyric and it became his signature phrase for the rest of his career. His abundant scat-singing was perfected with coaching from none other than Louis Armstrong, the master of non-lyric lyrics.
Move over Michael Jackson because Cab Calloway was more than just a singer and bandleader. His ‘dance’ moves, including early moonwalking, were so popular with the crowd that he became a regular at Harlem’s Cotton Club. Cab’s moves were accurately captured on film for a 1932 ‘Betty Boop’ cartoon, as demonstrated in the video below! Michael J. may have popularized such gyrations during the 60s and 70s but Calloway came first!
In 1972 two stars collided to make wonderful music together! Of course, they didn’t do it alone. The great Ben Webster on tenor and the incomparable Oscar Peterson playing piano were joined in Hannover, Germany by Niels Henning Orsted Pedersen (Aka The Great Dane with the Never-Ending Name) with his bass, and Tony Inzalaco on drums. Here is just a sample of the results. It’s called Poutin’ … but it left the crowd smilin’ and wanting more.
Here is a sort of bonus this week as the same Benny Goodman Quartet — different year, 1937 — plays “I Got A Heartful Of Music”. Compare it with the 1972 performances. They haven’t lost much of a step in all those years … and Krupa is nuts!
This is the Original Benny Goodman Quartet! Except for guest bassist George Duvivier, it’s the same amazing group, along with the rest of the Benny Goodman Orchestra, that brought down the house with their Carnegie Hall Concert in 1938! The concert has been described by critics as “the single most important jazz or popular music concert in history … jazz’s ‘coming out’ party to the world of ‘respectable’ music.” The Quartet, which went on to perform for years to follow, was one of the first integrated jazz groups to achieve popularity during a era of pervasive racial segregation.
In 1972 Timex reunited clarinetist Benny Goodman, pianist Teddy Wilson, vibraphonist Lionel Hampton, drummer Gene Krupa — adding Duvivier on bass — for a television special from Lincoln Center in New York. Like Timex watches, which were always said to “keep on ticking”, this timeless group still kept on swinging. Goodman’s “Avalon” (Top) and the ever popular “Moonglow” (Lower) are here to prove it.
I’ll Remember April was recorded in 2005 at the Marciac Jazz Festival in France. Phil Woods and his alto are joined by Ben Aronov (piano) Reginald Johnson (bass) Doug Sides (drums) and the lush strings of The Orchestre du Conservatoire National Regional de Toulouse.
Señor Blues is a Horace Silver composition that has become something of a jazz standard. This recording is from the Legends Of Jazz television series hosted by Ramsey Lewis on PBS in 2006. This arrangement adds the distinctive sound of David Sanborn to the already solid Phil Woods Quartet.
Frank Sinatra said Ella Fitzgerald was the best singer (male or female) he ever heard and the only one who made him nervous to sing with, because he had to be up to her standards. Two legends and only one word to describe them: Respect! Frank even lets Ella dominate their performances to showcase her greatness. He was always the gentleman. Talent like Frank and Ella are extinct now and nobody comes close to them … not then, not now.
It was 1967 and both singers were in their prime on That’s Why The Lady Is A Tramp! At one point they respectfully bow to each other, since hugging was not yet a public possibility … still they managed it, lyrically.
Frank may have met his match on Moonlight In Vermont and he knew it. You can tell by the way he looks at her while they’re singing. They sound so perfect, I wish they had made an album together.
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?
Since it’s that time of year when we take a critical look back at the past eleven months (don’t stare) I thought you might like to review the top 50 jazz albums of 2019, according to JazzTimes. Let’s see how many selections you agree with.
Tony Bennett makes you want to slip on your galoshes and follow him into the snow with this rendition of Winter Wonderland. It features the Count Basie Orchestra and is certain to add Holiday spring to anyone’s step!
My Favorite Things is a classic song swung by a classic performer with a classic band. While the tune was written for a Broadway play, not as a Christmas song, the season wouldn’t be complete without it.
To join our Mark Of Jazz Facebook discussion group.
For more posts and to leave comments on Twitter.
As well as follow and download the Jazz Scene Podcast on iTunes, too!