Manhattan Transfer Christmas II

by | Dec 14, 2024 | Holiday, Orchestral, Vocal Group

In 1969, Tim Hauser formed a vocal group in New York City called The Manhattan Transfer. The videos below feature the fourth edition of the group, consisting of Tim Hauser, Alan Paul, Janis Siegel, and Cheryl Bentyne, who performed mostly cool and smooth jazz, tinged with pop, soul, funk, and even acappella. These cuts are from The Transfer’s 2005 DVD, “The Christmas Concert.” (For more Manhattan Transfer Christmas, see our MOJ post of December 21,2018)

A special MHT arrangement of Mel Torme’s The Christmas Song.  Listen to the rich blend of mellow harmonies, smoothly combining all four voices into one.

Happy Holidays adds some upbeat flavor to the Christmas season that celebrates all the magic and merriment of the jolly old elf himself … and it’s all just ’round the corner!

The foursome captures the warmth of a cozy fire against the backdrop of a cold wintry night with their uniquely gentle version of Let It Snow. Oh … the song was written during a California heatwave!

Four Songs – Four Freshmen II

by | Nov 30, 2024 | Quartet/Quintet, Vocal Group

In 1948, four young men, at Butler University in Indianapolis, created a sound that forever changed the way vocal harmony was sung. Their style embraced the Barbershop Quartet tradition, but took it a giant step further, adding Jazz influences and ultimately even exerting an influence on Rock and Roll. Known as The Four Freshmen, the group started with two brothers … Don and Ross Barbour, their cousin Bob Flanigan, and friend Hal Kratzsch.  With a soaring, true tenor in Bob Flanigan, the group created a sound that has endured for over 6 decades.  This is the second iteration of The Freshmen, circa 1956 through 1972.  Performing are Bob Flanigan, Ross Barbour, Don Barbour and Ken Albers, who replaced Hal.

(See MOJ Post of October 26, 2017 for more Four Freshmen)

Day In Day Out was originally recorded by The Four Freshmen on the 1972 Stan Kenton “Live At Butler University” LP. This version, also a live performance, may actually be even better than the original!

Shangrila is a love song from their 1962 Capitol LP “Stars in Our Eyes” … an album tip of the cap to other vocal groups. The Four Coins had the original hit on this tune, but nobody does it quite like The Freshman!

You Stepped Out Of A Dream was a television spoof, with the foursome in a “Let me take you away from all this” mode. The Stan Kenton Orchestra backs their efforts, creating the classic Kenton-Freshman sound!

Angel Eyes was recorded on their 1964 tour in Japan. As with the other videos in this group, visual quality is not the best … but the audio and the Freshmen’s sound are second to none. (Bill Comstock replaced Don Barbour here).

Byrd In Hand

by | Oct 12, 2024 | Septet/Octet, Tentet, Vocal Group

Cristo Redentor

by Donald Byrd | A New Perspective

Donald Byrd was considered one of the finest hard bop trumpeters of the post-Clifford Brown era. He recorded prolifically as both a leader and sideman from the mid-’50s into the mid-’60s and established a reputation as a solid stylist, with a clean tone and clear articulation. Toward the end of the 1960s, Byrd experimented with funk, fusion, and even dipped a toe into the waters of gospel. Jazz purists utterly despised it, but enraptured fans regard it as some of the most innovative, enduring work of its kind.

Cristo Redentor is reflective of his father’s ministerial influence, and features Byrd on trumpet, Hank Mobley on tenor sax, Herbie Hancock playing piano, Lex Humphries at the drums, Butch Warren on bass, Donald Best on vibes, and Kenny Burrell playing guitar –– talk about a stellar lineup!  (Below) the video is Stevie Wonder’s You’ve Got It Bad Girl, with Donald Byrd playing flugelhorn and trumpet; Fonce Mizell, trumpet; Allan Barnes, tenor and flute; Nathan Davis, soprano sax; Kevin Toney, electric piano; Larry Mizell, synthesizers; Barney Perry, electric guitar; Henry Franklin, electric bass; Keith Killgo, drums, and Ray Armando, congas and percussion –– all recorded live at Montreux on July 5th, 1973.

 

SCJME Meets The NY Voices

by | May 12, 2024 | Big Band, Vocal Group

The South Carolina Jazz Masterworks Ensemble is a powerful 18 piece orchestra, comprised of the most outstanding jazz musicians, soloists, arrangers, and bandleaders from across the Carolinas. The group was created to perform the original American art form at the highest artistic level … and they consistently succeed in their mission, concert after amazing concert!  A few weeks ago, we had the pleasure of attending yet another in their regular series of performances, as they were joined by the New York Voices.   Although the quality is marginal, having been recorded from the audience with my iPhone, I couldn’t help but share a few bits and pieces of that musical evening here at The Mark of Jazz. It was much too enjoyable to simply leave the echoes hanging in the air over row ‘G’ seat 15!

The top video is the 1936 Louis Prima tune, Sing, Sing, Sing, followed by 3 audio segments, including a SC Jazz Masterworks Ensemble instrumental of a 1959 Frank Foster original, from the Count Basie album Chairman Of The Board.  The bottom video features everyone––including the audience––and closed the concert with the mildly raucous, Smack Dab in the Middle.

Avalon

by NY Voices | SCJME

Who Me?

by SCJME | Instrumental

Save Your Love for Me

by NY Voices | SCJME

Sun Valley Serenade

by | Aug 19, 2023 | Big Band, Stuff, Vocal Group

The Glenn Miller Orchestra appeared in only two movies, the first of which was “Sun Valley Serenade” in 1941.  Chatanooga Choo-Choo (top) and a colorized version of In The Mood (lower) are both from that film.  “Chattanooga Choo-Choo” features a lot more than just the band, with performances by the Nicholas Brothers, The Modernaires, Dorothy Dandridge, and skating star Sonja Henie.  The song, which was nominated for a best song Oscar, was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1996, and was awarded the first Gold Record for sales of 1.2 million.

“In The Mood” was one of the best known tunes of the 1940s and was the biggest hit of Glenn Miller’s career … helping to make him the top bandleader in the world!  By the way, the other movie that featured the Miller Band was called “Orchestra Wives” the following year, in 1942.

Transitions – Jon Hendricks/LH&R

by | May 14, 2023 | Vocal Group

Vocalese is a technique by which a jazz singer adapts the human voice to an instrument. In 1957, Dave Lambert, Jon Hendricks and Annie Ross –– LH&R –– applied the style beyond the usual intimacy of a small combo, to full big band arrangements … with special emphasis on music of the Count Basie Orchestra. Lambert, Hendricks and Ross’ 1961 treatment of Four (Above) is a classic example.

From 1962 to 1964, Yolande Bavan replaced Ross and they became Lambert, Hendricks and Bavan. After the group disbanded in 1966, Jon Hendricks continued to perform into the mid-1980s, with the ultimate incarnation of Jon Hendricks and Company, consisting of his wife Michele, Daughter Judith and vocalist Bob Gurland. Their 1982 rendition of Count Basie’s Jumpin’ At The Woodside (Below) testifies to Hendricks’ enduring excellence and dedication to this unique musical genre.

Rat Pack Rides Again!

by | Feb 23, 2023 | Big Band, Vocal Group

It was 1965 in St. Louis and The Rat Pack performed Birth Of The Blues live as only Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. could.  However, you may notice one new member of the group for this particular performance … Johnny Carson!  Actually, he held up his end pretty well and his voice wasn’t terrible either.  Great song, fast company and some unforgettable shtick.

We Need A Little Christmas

by | Dec 23, 2022 | Big Band, Vocal, Vocal Group

‘Tis the season to be snowy!  New York Voices is the Grammy Award winning vocal ensemble renowned for their excellence in jazz and the art of group singing. Like the great groups that came before, such as Lambert, Hendricks and Ross, Singers Unlimited, Manhattan Transfer and, of course, The Four Freshmen, they have learned from the best and taken their musical form to new levels.  I couldn’t resist adding some visuals to their marvelous rendition of the Sammy Cahn – Jule Styne tune, Let It Snow … written in July 1945!

Marshmallow World may not be jazz, but it is definitely Christmas … and these two characters are definitely Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra (in a 1967 TV special).

Finally, I have brought The Christmas Show forward from our Jazz Scene Podcast page.  May you enjoy every minute of this musical Christmas card and have the Merriest of all Christmases with the ones you love!

The Christmas Show

by Fred Masey | Jazz Scene Podcast

Days Of Auld Lang Syne

by | Dec 31, 2021 | Holiday, Lighter Side

Since our first posts five years ago, Mark Of Jazz has treated entrance into the New Year nostalgically, even reverently.   With the current state of the world so uncertain and somewhat confusing, I thought we could all use a few lighter moments, maybe even a grin or two. Auld Lang Syne is a song we all know and nearly always sing to say goodbye to the old year and welcome in the new … but what do those words mean?  Where did they come from?

The Peanuts Gang is always great fun and we launch into the New Year by partying with them, even though this performance doesn’t feature jazz.  Then, an a capella rendition of the tune by the original Straight No Chaser in a live 2009 concert at the Angel Orensanz Theatre in New York.  Finally I have brought my Days Of Auld Lang Syne podcast forward from our Jazz Scene Podcast page.  Yes … it IS jazz and answers the who, what when, where and why of the song that has played with people’s heads for generations and beyond.

Here’s wishing you a HAPPY, HEALTHY and PROSPEROUS 2022 … and hoping that you enjoy our little MOJ celebration!

Straight No Chaser was a group of college guys singing just for fun back in the 90s.  Their career skyrocked and, as often happens, personnel changed … but these are the 10 who started it all.

Days Of Auld Lang Syne

by Fred Masey | Jazz Scene Podcast

My Way – The Three Tenors

by | Jan 22, 2021 | Trio, Vocal Group

The Three Tenors?  Jazz?  Well, when you add Frank Sinatra to the mix and understand the musical reverence they have for him, it begins to make sense.  In July 1994, José Carreras, Plàcido Domingo, and Luciano Pavarotti, together with conductor Zubin Mehta and The L.A. Philhrmonic, performed “A Tribute to Hollywood” medley at their legendary concert at the Los Angeles Dodger Stadium.  Old Blue Eyes was in attendance and his reaction to the trio’s uniquely tender rendition of My Way demands that I share this with you.