National Public Radio has activated a link to my interview with Scott Simon about Vince Guaraldi. This is it. … [Read more...]
Recent Listening: Hal Weary, Bill Frisell, Emil Viklický
November 28, 2009 by
Hal Weary, A Rendezvous with Déjà Vu (halwearyjazz). Weary is a pianist from the west on the rise in New York City. The quintet numbers on his debut CD draw on the hard-bop/gospel spirit of Horace Silver and Art Blakey. On "Tenderly," he touches on but soon departs from Erroll Garner. Unaccompanied on "Praise Medley" he seems to refer to the Ellington of "Reflections in D." Weary and his sidemen, saxophonist Shantawn Kendrick, trumpet Kenyatta Beasley, bassist Gregory Williams and drummer … [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.
Recent Comments
Jim Eigo on Happy Fatha’s Day
Had the good fortune to see Fatha Hines in 1973 at the New School in NYC. There's a nice live recording of this concert too.Dick Unsworth on Happy Fatha’s Day
Haven't heard "Fatha" Hines and bassist Pedersen for ages. Thanks for the treat.Terence Smith on Happy Fatha’s Day
Earl Hines made every day Fatha's Day every time he played. Thanks to Doug Ramsey for this inspired choice of an inspired "Memories of You." ...Brew on Happy Fatha’s Day
Thanks for posting this gem. The Earl's rhythmic punch is always stunning. He could easily switch between smoothness and roughness like no one else. Like...W. Royal Stokes on Happy Fatha’s Day
Here’s Fatha’s show stopper, Doug. His left hand takes over the melody while his right sustains a 3-and-a-half-minute tremolo! I saw him do this tune...