Here's an item purloined (with his permission) from bassist Bill Crow's column "The Band Room" in Allegro, the publication of New York Local 802 of the American Federation Of Musicians. Zoot Sims was one of the many tenor saxophonists who took Lester Young's style as a starting point for their own development. But Zoot also idolized Coleman Hawkins (pictured left). He once told me, "Hawk never played a wrong note in his life." Zoot had a classic Volvo that he was very fond of. He had it … [Read more...]

Franco Ambrosetti Quintet, Long Waves (Unit) The Swiss trumpeter and flugelhornist assembles a group of contemporaries to play his compositions and a couple of cherished standard songs. Ambrosetti's fluid improvisations, sometimes with a Miles Davis bent, are consistently impressive. So, too, is the work of the star-filled rhythm section of pianist Uri Caine, guitarist John Scofield, bassist Scott Colley and drummer Jack DeJohnette. Among the highlights are Ambrosetti's "Silli's Waltz," named … [Read more...]

It is sad to report that the great trumpeter Jack Sheldon has died at the age of 88. Sheldon sang with spirit, style, phrasing and good humor that paralleled his trumpet playing. This video is from his 1984 appearance at Lulu White's Mahogany Hall in the New Orleans French Quarter. The other members of his band were Dave Frishberg, piano; John Pisano, guitar; and Dave Stone, bass. Reader Peter Levin's comment is correct; the drummer is Frankie Capp. The tune is Duke Ellington's "Don't Get Around … [Read more...]

Recent Listening In Brief Spinning Song: Duck Baker Plays The Music Of Herbie Nichols We continue to consider relatively recent recordings that deserve greater recognition. In the New York jazz scene of the 1950s and early sixties, the breadth and depth of his talent won enormous respect for pianist and composer Herbie Nichols (pictured left). His composition "Lady Sings The Blues" was recorded by Billie Holiday, who adapted its title as the name of her autobiography. Nichols was in the … [Read more...]

Recent Listening In Brief Extracurricular obligations have made Rifftides posts few and far between. Thanks for bearing with us. We will get back to a regular schedule with brief reviews of recently released music. On a visit to Vancouver, British Columbia, pianist Bill Mays collaborated with alto saxophonist PJ Perry, a veteran of Rob McConnell's Boss Brass and a longtime stalwart of jazz in Canada. Their album of duets proceeds from the excitement they generate in Bud Powell's … [Read more...]

Many thanks to the Rifftides readers who have expressed concern about the lag between postings. It has, indeed, been several days since a new entry. The interregnum has been for a good cause…continuation of the blog. Sometimes that depends on meeting other obligations, as in this case. I took on a pair of freelance assignments that required lots of research, interviews and, of course, writing. In both cases they were notes for new albums. One CD is for a welcome Summit Records release by … [Read more...]

We remember the life of Paul Desmond, who bequeathed us decades of memorable moments in American music. We lost a great musician, and I one of my dearest friends, when Paul died in his early fifties. He was born on November 25, 1924. From his earliest days in San Francisco through decades as Dave Brubeck's alto saxophonist partner and with an enthusiastic following of his own, Desmond became one of the most celebrated soloists in jazz. Here is one reason, his 13-chorus solo on "Tangerine," … [Read more...]

We return, as promised, to further consideration of bassist David Friesen and his Circle 3 Trio's new double CD, Interaction. The album in fact highlights the work of two Friesen trios, with Portlander Joe Manis on tenor and soprano saxophone in both. The second disc, recorded at the Porgy and Bess Jazz Club in Vienna, Austria, has Reuben Bradley on drums. All of the compostions are Friesen's, with his "Flight of the Angels" on both discs. The live version of the tune in Vienna finds Manis and … [Read more...]

Bobby Shew And Bill Mays, Telepathy It was a coincidence that could not have been more welcome if it had had been planned; One day, the mailwoman brought two new albums that feature pianist Bill Mays. One is a reissue that has an estimable bonus in the presence of trumpeter and flugelhornist Bobby Shew. Mays and Shew recorded their vinyl album Telepathy in 1978 for the all-but-forgotten Jazz Hounds record company. Jordi Pujol of the resourceful Fresh Sound label has rescued it from … [Read more...]

On his Jazz Northwest broadcast this weekend, Jim Wilke remembers Ernestine Anderson, a singer who began making an impact in the music when she was a Seattle teenager. Her prominent recordings included "Don't Make Your Move Too Soon," which became omnipresent on jazz and other radio stations around the world. In his announcement, Mr. Wilke outlines his further plans for this Sunday's program:     On the eve of what would be her 91st birthday, the late Ernestine Anderson is remembered with a … [Read more...]

Seeking consideration, albums arrive by the dozens. The reviewer must decide which ones will get his attention. Wearing a blindfold and searching randomly through the burgeoning stacks of incoming CDs (and occasional LPs), is not productive. So, we fall back on name recognition, listening experience and trust, hoping to do justice to a few of the hordes of discs that the post office, FedEx, DHL and UPS deliver in ceaseless profusion. So...onward. Over the next few days, we shall consider a … [Read more...]

The young Canadian drummer Harry Vetro has followed his debut album as a leader, Northern Ranger, with a shorter CD of four tracks.  The new album has a similar title, Eastern Stranger, but perhaps that won't create confusion among Vetro devotees. As in his first recording, the music reflects the influence of the drummer-composer's nationality. It also captures a bit of the whimsy that occasionally peeped through the seriousness of the writing for strings on Vetro's initial CD. Indeed, whimsy … [Read more...]

  It may be too easy to take Louis Armstrong for granted. After all, he is one of the greatest musicians of the Twentieth Century. Perhaps we all conclude that we understand why. Then, along comes yet another reminder of the intensity, the sheer strength, of his musicianship. The most recent reissue to remind us of his inimitable energy and creativity is the Dot Time release Louis Armstrong Live In Europe. It's not just his astonishing trumpet playing that can drive home the point. It's … [Read more...]

Until recently, it may have seemed that the singer and songwriter Anne Phillips had resigned as a performer. She had not. Those who remember her 1959 debut album, Born To Be Blue, may be delighted to know that her years below the radar as a writer, arranger, conductor and studio musician did nothing to dilute her impact as a performer. She has buoyed her undiminished presence with a follow-up to her second rare album, Gonna Lay My Heart On The Line, released in 2000. The new one captures her in … [Read more...]

Who is your favorite singer from the Canadian province of Newfoundland? Don't have one? If you listen to Heather Bambrick, that could change. Ms. Bambrick is a nominee for the Juno Awards, Canada's equivalent of the Grammys. She is known in her country for singing with sensitivity about things that matter to her. Among them are racism, homophobia and other contemporary expressions of interpersonal aggression. She sets the tone of her new album Fine State, with "You've Got To Be Taught," Rodgers' … [Read more...]

One of the highlights of the 2019 Ystad Sweden Jazz Festival was a concert by Hannah Svensson. Now, Ms. Svensson's new album, Places And Dreams, presents her along with the colleagues who backed her at Ystad. They include her guitarist father Ewan Svensson and her good friend pianist Jan Lundgren, artistic director of the festival. From Lundgren's trio are Matz Nilsson, playing electric bass, and drummer Zoltan Csörcz. The album contains seven new songs written by Ms. Svensson, as well as a … [Read more...]