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.

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

The Glenn Miller Orchestra Scandinavia

by | May 9, 2020 | Big Band, Vocal Group

The Glenn Miller Orchestra Scandinavia, based in Stockholm Sweden, began operations July 1st 2010 with permission and authorization from Glenn Miller Productions in New York.  The band is led by Jan Slottenäs and, arguably, offers the finest reproduction of the original Glenn Miller sound anywhere.

Moonlight Serenade (The video above) became Glenn Miller’s signature song … opening and closing each performance of the band.  Below, Perfidia (Spanish for “perfidy”, meaning faithlessness, treachery or betrayal) is a throwback to the 1940s, replete with a vocal group that does The Modernaires proud.  In The Mood (Just below that) is a familiar tune for anyone who has ever seen a World War II movie!  While a frequently requested dance number for the Miller Band, it became closely associated with the war and the 40s era itself.    GMO Scandinavia primarily performs in Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland.  These videos were recorded at the Vasterås Concert Hall in Sweden, during 2015.

Doodlin’ / Airegin – Lambert, Hendricks & Ross

by | May 2, 2020 | Vocal Group

It’s no mystery why The Doodlin’ Song is so infectious when sung by Dave Lambert, Jon Hendricks and Annie Ross.  Many have performed it, but Lambert, Hendricks & Ross (Later Lambert, Hendricks & Bavan) own the franchise!

What do you get when you spell “Nigeria” backwards?  Would you believe Airegin, with some incredible scat singing by Dave and Jon!  Annie lays back here but discretely chimes in to round out the rich sound of these masters of Vocalese.

WNEW Radio – A New York Institution

by | Jul 5, 2019 | Lighter Side, Stuff

Once upon a time there was a Pop-Jazz radio station in New York City.  It was the station that invented the music and news format as well as the very concept of “DJ” personalities.  This iconic station was called WNEW-AM.  During its 58 year history it developed a nearly cult-like following, becoming the radio home for millions of listeners, entertaining them with air talent that were the very essence of class and decorum … personalities who redefined the image of what a Disc Jockey was supposed to be.

I wish I could say that legacy WNEW went on to live happily ever after, but in 1992 the music died.  The station jingles below were only some that were used on a regular basis between 1958 and 1966 to reinforce the station sound.

Metropolitan Radio Jingle

In the style of Count Basie

In the style of Dave Brubeck

In the style of Charlie Barnet

In the style of Erroll Garner

In the style of Stan Kenton

Sun Valley Serenade – Glenn Miller

by | Mar 29, 2019 | Big Band, Stuff

In The Mood is one of those songs that when you hear it, you naturally think of Glenn Miller. Here, it is in the forefront of “Sun Valley Serenade” a 1941 movie that was the first of only two motion pictures featuring the Glenn Miller Orchestra.  The other was 1942’s “Orchestra Wives”.

Chattanooga Choo Choo is also from “Sun Valley Serenade” which, in addition to the Miller Band, features Sonja Henie, John Payne and MIlton Berle,  You’ll also enjoy the harmonies of The Modernaires and a dazzling dance performance by The Nicholas Brothers.

Manhattan Transfer Christmas

by | Dec 21, 2018 | Vocal Group

SNOWFALL

A live performance of the arrangement from their best selling “The Christmas Album”.  It’s a rich blend of mellow harmonies that smoothly combine all four voices into one as only The Manhattan Transfer can do.

SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN

A swingin’ start to the Christmas season that celebrates the upbeat mood, magic and merriment of the jolly old elf … as if he is just around the corner.  Actually, he is!

Let It Snow – New York Voices

by | Dec 3, 2018 | Video, 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 a few pictures to their marvelous rendition of this Sammy Cahn – Jule Styne tune … written in July 1945!