I should have long since added Chris Albertson’s Stomp Off blog to the Personal Jazz Sites roll under Other Places at the 
of the middle column. It is hereby added. For your first Albertson fix, I recommend that you take in his latest entry. It has to do with a jam session he recorded in Copenhagen in 1953 that included Art Farmer, Clifford Brown, Gigi Gryce, Jimmy Cleveland and others who were touring with Lionel Hampton’s band, as well as several Danish musicians.
Albertson (pictured) incorporates two fairly lengthy audio samples of the jam festivities, which coincided with a populous party. Perhaps you will be able to identify the soloists. I can only guess. Chris’s accompanying essay explains the circumstances, among them a celebration of the Hamptons’ wedding anniversary and his friendship with the storied jazz patron Baron Timme Rosenkranz. To reach Stomp Off, go here.
Other Places: Stomp Off
November 14, 2010 by
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
Red Sullivan on Correspondence: Shearing And You Know Who
The second Shearing/Nancy Wilson album, Hello Young Lovers, also on Capitol, but lesser known, is even superior. Orchestrations - well, arrangements anyway, are Shearing's own...Terence Smith on A Dave Brubeck Memorial Service
Thank you to Doug Ramsey for conveying so well the celebration of Dave Brubeck's life and works, may it continue. Sometimes it seems like...Terence Smith on Correspondence: Shearing And You Know Who
Most Rifftidesers are doubtless aware that George Shearing is the consummate accompanist for singers. The numerous collaborations with Nat Cole ( imagine Nat Cole hiring...des stanley on John Lewis, “Django” and Django
thank you doug for that glimpse of two gentlemen of jazz,discussing and playing that timeless reminder of what the music is all aboutJohn C on A Dave Brubeck Memorial Service
Thanks Doug. Just beautiful. We must never let Dave's beliefs, spirit, or music be forgotten. May it all live on for future generations to learn...