Long before he won the Thelonious Monk Institute Composers Competition in 2000, Michael Weiss established himself as a pianist. Fresh out of Dallas in his early twenties, he was soon working with Jon Hendricks, Junior Cook, Charles McPherson and Lou Donaldson, among others. He went on to play with Art Farmer, George Coleman, Frank Wess, Slide Hampton, and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. Following his Village Vanguard debut as a leader in 2006, The New York Times noted that Weiss was "a confident … [Read more...]
The nonagenarian pianist presented de Barros with every biographer’s hope, unrestricted access to his subject’s personal papers and nearly unrestricted access to her private thoughts. He made the most of it, turning exhaustive research and hundreds of hours of interviews into a true story with the sweep of a novel. From the early discovery of McPartland’s musical gift through her wartime service, her ecstatic and stormy marriage to Jimmy McPartland, her growth as a pianist, her deep affair with Joe Morello, and the radio show that made her a national figure, she has had a fascinating life. It makes a splendid read.
Mulligan’s Concert Jazz Band had three fewer musicians than most big jazz outfits. Its size permitted precision, flexibility and subtlety, yet the band had the power of sprung steel. In this concert from a half century ago, the CJB is as fresh as yesterday. Arrangements by Mulligan, Bob Brookmeyer, Al Cohn and Johnny Mandel set standards to which big band writers still aspire. Bassist Buddy Clark and drummer Mel Lewis inspired Mulligan, Brookmeyer, Conte Candoli, Gene Quill and Zoot Sims to some of the best soloing of their careers. This beautifully produced issue of the complete concert is a basic repertoire item.
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Iola Brubeck on Stompin’ For Mili
As a matter of fact, I learned not long ago that the great still-photographer, Bob Willoughby, arranged for Paul to meet Audrey on the set...Frank Roellinger on Stompin’ For Mili
What a find, Doug! I recall reading about this film over 50 years ago on the notes to "Brubeck Time" but assumed that I...Doug Ramsey on Stompin’ For Mili
I don't know whether it was the first time. I doubt it. "Balcony Rock" itself is on the Jazz Goes To College album, recorded in...Tony Burrell, II on Stompin’ For Mili
Interesting that as long as I have been a Brubeck fan, for about 55 some odd years now, I do not remember hearing this album....Terence Smith on Stompin’ For Mili
Thank you so much, Doug Ramsey, Brandon Bloch, Dave Brubeck, Paul Desmond, Bob Bates and Joe Dodge! And John Bolger! Like umpteen other people, I have always...