Bird’s Centennial: Celebration Pt. 2

by | Sep 5, 2020 | Orchestral, Quartet/Quintet

The first video is one of only two existing pieces of footage of Charlie Parker in performance. This session was recorded in October 1950 in an effort to add video to some previously recorded audio tracks. Bird was smiling because Hawkins, Rich and company were trying to mime their own improvised solos and it wasn’t working out so well. Bird had a good time with it until he got into “trouble” with the producer for laughing at Hawkins. I believe the tune they are attempting to re-dress is called Celebrity.

The second video is the other piece of performance footage and is entitled Hot House.  It was recorded in 1951 and ‘co-features’ Dizzy Gillespie in the days before his trumpet developed its trade mark distinctive ‘curve’.  The two audio selections, Lover Man and They Can’t Take That Away From Me are simply more ‘Bird’ at his best, including a cut from his album with strings.

In this session Bird was, of course, on alto, Coleman Hawkins on tenor, Hank Jones played piano, the great Ray Brown played bass, and you’re sure to recognize Buddy Rich on drums.

When Parker got together with Dizzy Gillespie to jam, you knew the music had to be hot, so the tune was bound to be a few degrees above normal, too!  If you look closely toward the end, you’ll spot Dick Hyman at the piano.

Lover Man

by Charlie Parker | Original Recordings of Charlie Parker

They Can't Take That Away From Me

by Charlie Parker | Charlie Parker With Strings

Bird’s Centennial: Celebration Pt. 1

by | Aug 29, 2020 | Quartet/Quintet

In celebration of “Bird’s” Centennial”, August 29, 2020, here are a couple of tunes from, perhaps, the greatest recording session of all time at the WOR Studios in New York on November 26,1945.  In addition, the video features the original Charlie Parker Quintet playing Out Of Nowhere, also recorded at the WOR Studios a few years later in1947 … with Miles Davis (trumpet), Charlie Parker (alto sax), Duke Jordan (piano), Tommy Potter(bass), Max Roach (drums).

Ko-Ko, which sort of became Bird’s theme song, and Billie’s Bounce are both from the 1945 session.  It was the first session in two years due to a ban on such recording to save on shellac as part of the war rationing effort.  The dream date called for Parker, of course, Miles Davis on trumpet, Bud Powell on piano, Curly Russell on bass, and Max Roach on drums. However, Bud Powell couldn’t make the date and Dizzy Gillespie ended up playing piano, as well as sitting in for Miles on a few sets!

Ko-Ko

by Charlie Parker | The Charlie Parker Story

Billie's Bounce

by Charlie Parker | The Charlie Parker Story

Next week Bird’s Centennial Celebration Part 2 features the only two existing pieces of footage showing Charlie Parker in performance.

Andre Previn & His Friends

by | Aug 21, 2020 | Audio, Trio

Andre Previn actually started out playing jazz but ultimately became primarily known for his classical piano, conducting, composing and arranging in other genres, including Hollywood films (He scored more than 50 during his career).  So, when someone says “Wow, he plays jazz too!” … I say “Wow, he plays classical too!”  On Black & Blue Previn teams up with his friends Shelly Manne and Leroy Vinegar, while A Toujours hands the bass over to Red Mitchell.  Through the years, with these trios, he recorded an entire jazz series of show tunes, piano standards and works of legendary composers. On Ellington’s Cotton Tail Andre is joined by Joe Pass and Ray Brown for some masterful syncopation!

Black and Blue

by Andre Previn | Andre Previn Plays Fats Waller

Cotton Tail

by Andre Previn | After Hours

A Toujours

by Andre Previn | Gigi

Whisper Not – Milt Jackson, Benny Golson & Art Farmer

by | Aug 14, 2020 | Sextet

This is a reunion of sorts, because it’s the first time that Milt Jackson, Benny Golson and Art Farmer have played together since 1958.  Whisper Not was recorded at Jazzbaltica, Salzau, Germany in June, 1997.  The trio is joined by Ulf Wakenius 0n guitar, Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen on bass and Jonas Johansen playing drums.  Listen for NHOP’s jaw-dropping bass solo.  You just don’t hear bigger or better than these giants, who once again prove that music truly is the international language!

Jumpin’ Blues / Greensleeves – Kenny Burrell

by | Aug 7, 2020 | Big Band, Quartet/Quintet

Kenny Burrell and Jimmy Smith were a “dynamic duo” on many jazz recordings throughout the years, mostly albums headlined by Jimmy.  Jumpin’ Blues, recorded at NYC Town Hall in February of 1985, can be found on Smith’s blockbuster album Midnight Special.  It features Kenny Burrell on guitar, Jimmy Smith playing  the Hammond B-3, Grady Tate on drums and adds Stanley Turrentine on tenor sax to add yet another dimension to the already potent trio.

Greensleeves was recorded 20 years earlier in 1965 and netted Gil Evans a Grammy Award nomination in 1966 for Best Instrumental Arrangement.  The album itself was nominated for Best Instrumental Jazz Performance.  Burrell is on guitar, with Roger Kellaway on piano, Grady Tate at the drums, Willie Rodriguez on conga and Joe Benjamin playing double bass.  The tune starts out like a lamb, as you would expect, and morphs into a very swinging lion before all is said and done!

 

Greensleeves

by Kenny Burrell | Guitar Forms

Joey Alexander – Like Fine Wine

by | Jul 31, 2020 | Trio

Back in June of 2017, I first posted a performance of prodigy pianist Joey Alexander at the tender age of 11 … the same age he performs Giant Steps in the first video, along with Larry Grenadier on bass and Ulysses Owens, Jr. on drums.  The bottom video features an original composition entitled Space, from his 2019 Indonesian concert.  Now 17, he is even more spectacular and jaw-dropping than ever!   Like a fine wine, Joey gets better with age … pretty much on a par with some of his heroes like Chick Corea, Bill Evans and John Coltrane.

In his young life, Alexander has already played with Wynton Marsalis at Jazz at Lincoln Center, played at the Grammy Awards, released no fewer than 5 albums, played at the Montreal and Newport Jazz Festivals and has performed at the White House at the request of two presidents.  It has been said that he started playing at 6, and ‘got serious’ at 7.  Beyond remarkable!

 

The Inventive Genius of Herbie Hancock

by | Jul 24, 2020 | Trio

Speak Like A Child is a composition by Wayne Shorter, recorded in 1983 in Lugano, Italy.  It features Herbie Hancock on piano, Ron Carter on bass and Billy Cobham playing drums.

Eye Of The Hurricane is a Hancock original.  Also recorded at Palazzo dei Congressie, Lugano in 1983, it displays the unusual and inventive talents of all 3 musicians to the delight of all!

Along Came Betty – Art Blakey

by | Jul 18, 2020 | Sextet

In 1958 Benny Golson was inspired by the woman he was dating to write “Along Came Betty”.  It has since become a favorite of saxophonists, guitarists and piano players.  Eventually, Jon Hendricks wrote some lyrics. The first recording of “Along Came Betty” was on the seminal hard bop album “Moanin’” by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers.  It featured an all-Philadelphia cast of Art Blakey (drums), Lee Morgan (trumpet), Benny Golson (tenor saxophone), Jymie Merritt (bass) and Bobby Timmons (piano).

The ensemble for this updated performance consists of Javon Jackson (Tenor), Phill Harper (trumpet), Benny Green (piano), Robin Eubanks (trombone), Peter Washington (bass) and of course Art Blakey (drums).

Here’s To The People / I’m An Old Cowhand – Sonny Rollins

by | Jul 11, 2020 | Quartet/Quintet, Trio

For nearly 70 years, Sonny Rollins has been one of the most influential saxophonists in jazz. Like Miles Davis, he has experimented with many different sounds and evolved through several stylistic periods … but I prefer his more straight ahead stuff the most, as exemplified here.

Here’s To The People is an original tune, recorded live in 1992 at the Philharmonic Hall in Munich, Germany. Sonny’s sextet includes Clifton Anderson on trombone, Mark Soskin at the piano, Jerome Harris on electric guitar, the great Bob Cranshaw on electric bass, and Yoron Israel playing drums. If you like a driving tenor sax, this one’s for you!

I’m An Old Cowhand incorporates Rollins and a couple of the most innovative collaborators in jazz, with a highly creative effort that will take you back to the cowboy movies of your kidhood. Listen for Shelly Manne on drums and Ray Brown on bass escorting you across musical lines to the days of Bob Steele, Lash LaRue and Johnny Mack Brown!

I'm An Old Cowhand

by Sonny Rollins | Way Out West

The Nutty Squirrels Got Jazz

by | Jul 3, 2020 | Stuff, Video

Wel-l-l, it’s not exactly your everyday sound, although they do swing a sort of traditional scat.  No, they’re not exactly Mel Torme or Ella Fitzgerald — or even Barry Fitzgerald — but the unique jazz stylings of The Nutty Squirrels are guaranteed to bring a smile to your face and provide a slightly skewed break from the everyday pressures and tensions of life. I thought an adventure into the bazaar might be just the ticket to tickle your silly hormones … and these guys can actually be addictive in a ‘kids of all ages’ kind of way.

The video, Uh-Oh is a kicky little tune to which I added some visuals just for the fun of it.  You’ll hear Charlie Parker’s familiar Yardbird Suite just below that. Both selections feature Don Elliott on vocals, trumpet, vibes and other instruments, plus Alexander “Sascha” Burland on vocals. Among the New York based session musicians are Cannonball Adderley on alto sax, Bobby Jaspar on flute and Sam Most playing clarinet.

 

Yardbird Suite

by The Nutty Squirrels | Bird Watching