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Rifftides

Doug Ramsey on Jazz and other matters...

Archives for November 9, 2010

CD: Chet Baker

Baker, Chet, Sesjun.jpgChet Baker, The Sesjun Radio Shows (T2). The trumpeter and singer soars in two CDs compiled from 1970s and ’80s concerts on the Dutch radio program Tros Sesjun. Baker’s fleetness, lyricism, hard swing and vocal improvisations put this among the best work of his later years. Of the sidemen, pianists Harold Danko and Phil Markowitz, bassist Cameron Brown and drummer John Engels make outstanding contributions. Sound quality is superb. There are five stunning 1985 tracks by Baker with guitarist Philip Catherine and bassist Jean Louis Rassinfosse. Even the most hardened Baker detractors will find it difficult to dismiss these glowing performances.

CD: Rufus Reid

Reid Out Front.jpgRufus Reid, Out Front (Motéma). Passionate performances of compositions by its members highlight this album by the stalwart bassist’s new trio. Reid’s “Caress the Thought” evolves through changing atmospheres and rhythms into a crescendo and a peaceful resolution. Drummer Duduka Da Fonseca’s “Doña Maria” alternates between the samba tradition of his native Brazil and the mainstream jazz of his adopted country. Pianist Steve Allee drew on twelve-tone music in “The Rise of the Row,” but the mood of the piece is closer to Bill Evans than to Schoenberg. Throughout, Reid’s bass is remarkable for its depth, richness and power.

CD: Mike Barone

Barone Live Redux.jpgMike Barone, Live 2005! Redux (Rhubarb). Barone is one of the most accomplished big band arrangers never to become famous. For this reissue, he remixed to improve the sound, pruned overlong solos and added a track. Why “Grand Central” hit the editing room floor the first time around is a mystery. Ernie Watts and Vince Trombetta share the tenor sax glory in Barone’s pungent treatment of the John Coltrane classic. Alto saxophonist Kim Richmond, trumpeter Steve Huffsteter and Barone the trombonist also shine in the CD, but Barone the arranger cuts everyone. A few seconds into “When You’re Smiling,” you’ll be smiling.

DVD: Steinway

Thumbnail image for Note By Note.jpgBen Niles, Note By Note: The Making Of Steinway L1037 (docuramafilms). This gem of the documentarian’s art follows a 9-foot concert grand for a year, from its beginning as lumber to its arrival at the Steinway showroom in New York. Director Ben Niles and his crew equal the love, knowledge and skill that went into making the instrument. They incorporate conversation and playing by Hank Jones, Kenny Barron, Marcus Roberts, Harry Connick, Jr. and Bill Charlap. Classical pianists Hélène Grimaud, Lang Lang and Pierre-Laurent Aimard also appear. The film transmits to the viewer the emotion and pride of the Steinway craftsmen. Charlap narrates with understated authority.

Book: Maynard Ferguson

Maynard!.jpgRalph Jungheim, Maynard! (Buster Ann). Jungheim’s book is a collection of 30 transcribed reminiscences about the trumpeter and bandleader. Most of them are by musicians, but Ferguson’s valet, bus driver and instrument maker also contribute. Some of the anecdotes are amusing, some interesting, some appalling. The exclamation point after his name in the title applies to Ferguson’s spectacular playing and his ego. Even associates who had problems with his music and his insecurities had affection for him. The mystery of Ferguson’s supernatural chops is probably not explainable, but the book gives insights into his musicality and the contradictions in his character.

New Picks For Listeners, Viewers & Readers

New.jpg

Recommendations in the center column, under Doug’s Picks:
CDs by a trumpeter, a bassist and an arranger
A DVD documenting the birth of a piano
A book of stories about a brass phenomenon

Reilly’s Joyful Thanks

Pianist Jack Reilly will be at the Johns Hopkins Medicine Center in Baltimore today to pay musical tribute to the memory of the doctor who saved his life.
Reilly Joy.jpg For details, go here.

Doug Ramsey

Doug is a recipient of the lifetime achievement award of the Jazz Journalists Association. He lives in the Pacific Northwest, where he settled following a career in print and broadcast journalism in cities including New York, New Orleans, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland, San Antonio, … [MORE]

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