Although most modern jazz pianists don’t acknowledge the fact or don’t know it, modern jazz piano begins with Earl Hines. For the most dramatic evidence, listen closely to Hines in the 1920s, especially in the mind-blowing “Weatherbird†duet with Louis Armstrong or his QRS recordings from … [Read more...]
Archives for February 23, 2006
Coming Soon
In the next day or so, I'll post impressions of the Portland Jazz Festival, including performances by McCoy Tyner, Miguel Zenon, Bill Frisell, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Dave Peck and Lynn Darroch. We're overdue for new Doug's Picks. Watch this space or, more accurately, the space in the right-hand … [Read more...]
Paul and Frank
Take Five: The Public and Private Lives of Paul Desmond has been running neck and neck with Frank Sinatra: The Life as best-selling book on jazz at the Barnes and Noble website. Yesterday we were first. Today we're second. And you thought the Winter Olympics were exciting. … [Read more...]