In today's Los Angeles Times, David Ritz writes from a personal standpoint about the nearly simultaneous loss of three important musicians. Ritz is the author or co-author of several books about blues and soul artists including Ray Charles. The headline on his op-ed piece is "Ray Charles' Heavenly Trio." Here's the first paragraph: In summer 1957, I was a teenager who had just moved to Texas from the East Coast. One Sunday afternoon, I happened to walk into a large social hall in South Dallas … [Read more...]
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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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mel on Sam Most, Johnny Smith…Gone
I recommend this video documentary - Sam Most - Jazz Flutist: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVDrQk7tERM RIP Sam Most RIP Johnny SmithBrew on A Desmond Oberlin Masterpiece, Complete
By the way: I now can proudly tell you all that the original 10" release & the later 12" LP are both in my possession. The...dick vartanian on Happy Fatha’s Day
It would be ridiculous to say I can't play like that - I can't even think like that. Superb !!Malcolm Norman on A Desmond Oberlin Masterpiece, Complete
I'll now reply to myself with a reprimand for having been so capitvated by the thought of an extra minute's Desmond Oberlin solo that my...Malcolm Norman on A Desmond Oberlin Masterpiece, Complete
The ultimate frustration is that I, outside the U.S. (i.e. Germany), cannot access the video even when using a proxy giving me a U.K. IP-number!...