Miles Davis At Newport 1955-1975:The Bootleg Series, Vol. 4 (Columbia/Legacy) Miles Davis’s importance and recognition grew dramatically in the decades covered by the recordings on these four volumes. When he played in an all-star group at the 1955 Newport Jazz Festival, the trumpeter was barely known to the general public. By the end of the 1950s, Davis had recorded Kind Of Blue, an album that sold in the millions and helped to make him that rarity, a modern jazz musician with a household … [Read more...]
The More Things Change…(Or Do They?)
The following post appeared on Rifftides nine years ago this spring. What thoughts does it stimulate in readers now? Have there been significant changes in jazz since 2008? Originally posted on March 4, 2008 Rifftides reader George Finch sent this message in reaction to a ten-year-old article in The Atlantic. There has been so little essential change in jazz since 1997 that The Atlantic piece might have been written last week. It consists mainly of a conversation among authors Tom Piazza, the … [Read more...]
Monday Recommendation: Mat Walerian
Mat Walerian, Matthew Shipp, Hamid Drake, Jungle: Live At Okuden (ESP-Disk) His adventurism ranges far and he occasionally makes harsh sounds, but Polish reed artist Mat Walerian ultimately projects a calming effect not often found in avant garde music. The album is from the concert that produced a previous Walerian album with American pianist Matthew Shipp. Here, drummer Hamid Drake adds energy to Walerian’s and Shipp’s empathetic partnership. Without creating rhythmic stumbling blocks that … [Read more...]
More About Bengt Hallberg’s “Dinah”
Rifftides readers following the discussion about this week’s Monday Recommendation, Bengt Hallberg’s Dinah, may be interested in the information that Ivan Sundberg sent from Sweden. He wrote: Hallberg´s album did reach the shores of the US. Already a year after the original Phillips release in Sweden an American label affiliated to Columbia issued it on a 12 inch vinyl on EPIC LN 3375. Leonard Feather contributed with deep insight liner notes of Hallberg and his music on it.This particular … [Read more...]
Weekend Listening: Monk’s Movie Music
Thelonious Monk, Les Liaisons Dangereuses 1960 (Sam Records/Saga) In the summer of 1959 in New York, Thelonious Monk recorded music for the sound track of the Roger Vadim film Les Liaisons Dangereuses. Adapted loosely from a 1782 novel by Choderlos de Laclos, the film’s erotic nature led elements of the French literary establishment to insist that “1960” be appended to the title. Having seen pre-production sections of the film starring Jeanne Moreau and Gerard Phillipe, Monk had its story … [Read more...]
Monday Recommendation: Bengt Hallberg
Bengt Hallberg Trio, Dinah (Phillips) When the Swedish pianist Bengt Hallberg died four years ago at the age of 80, most of his obituaries included a quote from a 1950s Miles Davis blindfold test that included Stan Getz’s celebrated recording of “Ack Värmeland du sköna,” (aka ”Dear Old Stockholm”). The piano player gasses me . . . I never heard anybody play in a high register like that. So clean, and he swings and plays his own things… Dinah, One of Hallberg’s most rewarding trio … [Read more...]
Bud Shank, Just Because…
…because you feel like hearing Shank play something you’ve never heard him do. You look around on the internet and see what you can find. There he is in Sao Paulo in 2004 at the Chivas Jazz Festival with Bill Mays, piano; Bob Magnusson, bass; and Joe LaBarbera, drums. They play “Nature Boy.” You decide that’s not enough Shank. You look again and the subtitles in the clip strongly indicate that he's not in The United States. The YouTube contributor doesn’t disclose the year or the exact … [Read more...]
Other Matters: Meet The Stamps Quartet
As I was writing liner notes for the next album by Cyrus Chestnut (pictured), the research led me to a remarkable performance of its title song. Published in 1989, "Sweet, Sweet Spirit" by gospel composer Doris Akers became a favorite of Elvis Presley, who sometimes sang it with The Stamps Quartet but did not record it with them. Gospel devotees consider The Stamps to be one of the genre’s quintessential groups. This may help to explain why. In the recording, Chestnut plays “There’s A … [Read more...]
Paul Desmond, Gone 40 Years
Several Rifftides readers have sent messages reminding me that Paul Desmond died 40 years ago today. Thanks to all of them. I hadn’t forgotten. One of Desmond’s most dedicated admirers, Svetlana Ilicheva, wrote from Moscow suggesting that Desmond’s solo on “Out of Nowhere” from a 1966 London radio broadcast would constitute a suitable memorial. Ms. Ilicheva explained that James Dobernig, whom she identified as “one of us,” sent her links to this and several other Desmond/Brubeck videos. … [Read more...]
The Enduring Memory Of A Friend
A friend from the military chapter of my life asked if I would republish a story that first ran on Memorial Day weekend five years ago. We present this with pleasure in recalling an extraordinary man and with renewed sadness at his loss. Originally posted on Rifftides on May 30, 2011 There is someone I think of every Memorial Day, and many other days. Cornelius Ram and I were among a collection of young men who accepted the United States Marine Corps’ bet that we weren’t tough enough or … [Read more...]
Recent Listening: Charlie Shoemake, Teacher
Charlie Shoemake Trio And Quartet: Central Coasting (CCJAZZI) In addition to being a premier jazz vibraphonist, Charlie Shoemake has long devoted himself to helping young musicians develop their skills. After he and his vocalist wife Sandi moved from Los Angeles to the Central California coast in 1990, his playing and teaching and playing activities continued, with young musicians making the 440-mile round trip to Cambria to absorb Shoemake’s lessons in improvisation, composition and harmonic … [Read more...]
Claudia Quintet In Action
As pointed out in a Rifftides review earlier this year, drummer John Hollenbeck’s Claudia Quintet… …has unity of thought, purpose and execution more often found in long-lived classical ensembles than in jazz. The difference, of course, is improvisation. Yet, Hollenbeck’s skills as composer-arranger, leader and drummer are so finely honed that it is often a challenge to differentiate between his canny orchestration and all-out blowing. Here is Hollenbeck with his Claudia sidemen in a television … [Read more...]
Readers Report: The Wrap-up
Rifftides readers replied in droves to our request for news about what you are listening to these days. Here is the final installment, which provides further evidence of the impressively wide range of your tastes and predilections in music. Larry Hollis, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA To One So Sweet Stay That Way: Hank Mobley In Holland (Nederlands Jazz Archief). From the Treasures of Dutch Jazz Series comes this more-than- welcome edition of a 1968 visit to the Continent from the … [Read more...]
Remembering Dave Pell’s Devotion To His Hero
Saxophonist and bandleader Dave Pell, a prominent figure in the west coast jazz of the 1950s and '60s, died on May 8. He was 92. Pell recorded extensively with his octet and the tribute group Prez Conference. Over the years the collective members of those bands included Art Pepper, Red Mitchell, Harry Edison, Mel Lewis, Benny Carter, John Williams and other leading musicians of the day. Pell's devotion to his hero Lester Young extended to the rescue of Young's instrument. Here's that story from … [Read more...]
Catching Up: Readers Report On Listening, Part 3
The staff is still sorting through the profusion of responses to our query about what music Rifftides readers are putting on their CD players and turntables these days. You are an eclectic bunch, witness this batch of responses. Peter Straub, Brooklyn, NY, USA Miles Davis Quintet LIVE in Europe 1967 presents the second great quintet of Davis, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, and Tony Williams playing music of great intelligence, spontaneity, and sophistication as they make their … [Read more...]
Catching Up: Readers Report, Part 2
Responses to the 2017 survey of what our readers around the world are listening to are piling into Rifftides world headquarters at a breathtaking rate. The staff complain that trying to put internet links to all the submissions, is all but taking their breath. The mangement says, “Tough, think of all the overtime hours.” They say, “Overtime pay would be better.” Well, the original idea was to provide the readers with links to all of the recordings mentioned. We may have to lighten up on that … [Read more...]
Monday Recommendation: Broadbent And Mancio
Georgia Mancio, Alan Broadbent, Songbook (Roomspin Records) Pianist and composer Alan Broadbent has found his lyricist. Further good news: in their Songbook, Georgia Mancio sings her words to Broadbent’s songs with taste, feeling and faultless intonation. Their collaboration began after the Anglo-Italian singer wrote a lyric to “The Long Goodbye,” a Broadbent composition for Charlie Haden’s 1991 Quartet West album Haunted Heart. A series of engagements in England gave the two opportunities to … [Read more...]
Catching Up: Readers Report, Part 1
Responses to our 2017 “Catching Up With You” reader survey are rolling in. This is what we asked of you four days ago: The Rifftides staff is interested in what our readers around the world are listening to. Please take a moment to send a message with your name, location and brief information about the most recent music on your smartphone, CD player, tape deck, 8-track, iPod, wire recorder, turntable or cylinder machine. Many of you listen to a wide range of music that the rest of us would like … [Read more...]
Catching Up With You
From time to time, Rifftides asks readers to send information about the music they turn on, and vice versa. It has been more than five years since we canvassed you about what you’re hearing. It’s time. Here is a variation on the introduction to the original 2006 survey: The Rifftides staff is interested in what our readers around the world are listening to. Please take a moment to send a message with your name, your location and brief information about the most recent music on your … [Read more...]
Monday Recommendation: Fay Claassen
Fay Claassen, Luck Child (Challenge) With exceptions, the Dutch singer departs from her incomparable interpretations of standard songs to explore contemporary pieces. They include the title tune written by guitarist Leni Stern, originally an instrumental called “Sandbox.” Sentimental and lyrical, it is dedicated to Claasen’s daughter. Claasen gives “One Trick Pony” a lilt in a version slightly slower and more thoughtful than Paul Simon’s 1980 original. Fred Hersch and Norman Winstone’s “Song … [Read more...]
Two John Handys, One a Captain
Once in a while, all of my New Orleans years come rushing back and fill me with music I haven’t thought about in ages. Tonight, it was the muscular alto saxophone of Captain John Handy. The son of a bandleader, he was born in Mississippi in 1900. Handy taught himself clarinet and in his middle teens was in New Orleans playing with trumpeter Punch Miller. After he switched to alto sax in the late 1920s, he developed a big sound with enough vibrato to be interesting but not annoying. Through the … [Read more...]
Weekend Extra: Billy Hart Seen And Heard
At the Portland Jazz Festival earlier this year, photographer Mark Sheldon captured a splendid image of drummer Billy Hart in action. There was no opportunity to use the picture in our Rifftides coverage of the PDX Festival, but Mr. Sheldon has granted us the right to show it to you now. Assuming that you wish to not only see Billy Hart but also hear him, we have him in action during a 2011 visit to Denmark. This is an opportunity to enjoy Hart enjoying his work in the company of tenor … [Read more...]
Charlie Haden On “First Song”
To follow yesterday’s recommendation, here is Charlie Haden with his Quartet West and his composition “First Song.” The pianist is Alan Broadbent, the tenor saxophonist Gary Foster, the drummer Larance Marable, the bassist—of course—Haden. From the Haden-Josef Woodard book (see the previous post), Haden explains to Woodard how “First Song” came about. So whenever I pick up my instrument, I always try to put myself in that place that nobody’s ever been: ”Ive never heard music … [Read more...]
Monday Recommendation: Charlie Haden Speaks
Woodard and Haden: Conversations With Charlie Haden (Silman-James) Interviews transcribed from tape recordings and transformed into print are often boring substitutes for writing. With judicious editing, however, the technique can be illuminating. Journalist Josef Woodard’s many chats with bassist Charlie Haden (1937-2014) provide valuable insights into what fueled Haden’s musical tastes and goals and the social conscience that was inseparable from his music. Woodard draws out Haden on child … [Read more...]
Recent Listening: Phelan Burgoyne Trio
Phelan Burgoyne Trio, Quiet Unquiet (Pumpkin Records) Drummer Burgoyne’s trio may seem now and then to be floating toward somnolence, but the tidal urgencies and complexities of his drumming are unlikely to encourage napping. The ingenuity and intellectual rigor of guitarist Rob Luft and alto saxophonist Martin Speake are equally responsible for keeping the listener’s attention. Burgoyne and Luft were Speake’s students at London’s Royal Academy of Music. Now the professor is a sideman in his … [Read more...]
Ella Fitzgerald At 100
Ella Fitzgerald (1917-1996) would have turned 100 years old today. She often affected audiences the way she was affecting Dizzy Gillespie when Bill Gottlieb took this celebrated photo. It is impossible to find the perfect performance by which to remember Ella, there were so many. Let’s settle (ha) for this one. She played well with others. Ms. Fitzgerald and I first met, more or less, when Norman Granz invited me backstage during intermission at a Jazz At The Philharmonic concert … [Read more...]