A Super Saxy Battle

by | Oct 2, 2020 | Septet/Octet

On July 15, 1979 at the North Sea Jazz Festival something very special happened.  Five legends of the tenor saxophone descended upon The Hague in the province of South Holland … they were Illinois Jacquet, Dexter Gordon, Arnett Cobb, Buddy Tate and Budd Johnson.   They were joined by Hank Jones at the piano, Gene Ramey on bass and Gus Johnson playing drums.  It was an all-star cast and a performance those jazz fans will never forget!

Two of my favorite performances were Lionel Hampton’s Flying Home (Top video) and The Hague Blues in ‘C’ (Below) which was written especially for the occasion.

September Song / 2:19 Blues – Wynton Marsalis & Sarah Vaughan

by | Mar 6, 2020 | Orchestral, Septet/Octet, Vocal

To open we have three musical icons, Wynton Marsalis and Sarah Vaughn teaming up to present the classic September Song.  The third legendary artist is John Williams conducting the Boston Pops Orchestra … or is that four musical icons? 

Next Wynton is in Marciac France with his Septet in another live performance.  2:19 Blues was recorded in 2015 and features Marsalis doubling on trumpet and handling vocals … together with Walter Blanding and Victor Goines playing saxophones, Sam Chess on trombone, Dan Nimmer at the piano, Carlos Henriquez with his bass, and Jason Marsalis on drums.  It’s down and dirty blues at its best!

The Great Jam Session 1958

by | Aug 17, 2018 | Septet/Octet, Vocal

A  jam session in jazz is a completely spontaneous moment in time that occurs only once. The music never happened before and will never happen again … not exactly the same way. After the crowd is gone and it’s only the musicians, maybe a few staff, that’s when the blowin’ really begins. It’s strictly from the heart. Here, Cozy Cole, Coleman Hawkins, Roy Eldridge, Johnny Guamieri, Barry Galbraith, Milt Hinton and Carol Stevens stretch out after hours.

Legendary New York DJ William B. Williams narrates the festivities. Thanks to Drummerworld.com for the video.

Santiago / So It Is – Preservation Hall Jazz Band

by | Mar 2, 2018 | Septet/Octet

Preservation Hall Jazz Band has held the torch of New Orleans music aloft for more than 50 years, keeping the history they were founded to preserve alive and well.  This is Santiago, recorded live at One Eyed Jacks.

The second tune by Preservation Hall Jazz Band is called So It Is.  The members of the ensemble are Ben Jaffe, Branden Lewis, Charlie Gabriel, Walter Harris, Kyle Roussel, Ronell Johnson and Clint Maedgen.

Old Black Magic / Night Train – Louis Prima & Keely Smith

by | Jan 19, 2018 | Lighter Side, Vocal

The music of Louis Prima and Keely Smith, along with Sam Butera and the witnesses, was rooted in New Orleans jazz, swing music, and jump blues.  They liked to have fun with their performances and frequently appeared in Las Vegas, as well as on numerous recordings.
While Louis and Keely clown, Sam Butera lays down what is probably THE definitive version of “Night Train”.  Sam’s solos were worth waiting for but he rarely got an entire tune to himself.