2011 July 04

Infielder, Trumpeter And—Oh, Yes—Husband

July 4, 2011 by Doug Ramsey

Los Angeles Times sportswriter Jerry Crowe's column makes much of the dual careers of Carmen Fanzone. The former Chicgo Cubs utility infielder is also a trumpet player. Here is a section of the column: The Detroit native played in parts of five major league seasons with the Cubs and Boston Red Sox from 1970 to 1974, batting .224 with 20 home runs and 94 runs batted in. Among his infrequent highlights, he homered in his first National League at-bat after being traded from the Red … [Read more...]

We Musn’t Forget Japan

July 4, 2011 by Doug Ramsey

The jazz community has not forgotten the victims of Japan’s disastrous March 11 earthquake and tsunami. Following a flurry of April concerts to benefit the victims, the efforts continue. Vitello’s, the Los Angeles jazz club, hosts its next installment later this month, with Sue Raney, Tom Warrington, Pinky Winters, Diane Hubka and other artists contributing their talents. Thanks to Bill Reed for alerting us to the relief concert. You will find details on his People vs. Dr. Chilledair (love that … [Read more...]

Doug Ramsey on Ahmad Jamal At The Winningstad
I have listened to and watched that video so often that I might be able to sing along with Jamal’s solo, but I have never...
Posted Mar 08, 2014
Terence Smith on Surviving In The Book Business: An Authors Fair
"Inklings" is a great name for a bookstore and for the supporters thereof. There's a place for the electronic store and book. But not to replace ink,...
Posted Mar 08, 2014
Terence Smith on Ahmad Jamal At The Winningstad
Wish I could have been there, but this article helps me participate a little. Like a million people, my first hearing of Ahmad Jamal was the...
Posted Mar 08, 2014
Don Conner on Surviving In The Book Business: An Authors Fair
I share your feelings about the plight of the book business in this country, knowing that the instrument I'm typing on has been a major...
Posted Mar 08, 2014
Mark Mohr on Surviving In The Book Business: An Authors Fair
Just read your post "Surviving in the Book Business: An Authors Fair" with great interest. Books and independent bookstores are near and dear to...
Posted Mar 07, 2014

CD Recommendation: Anton Schwartz

Anton Schwartz, Flash Mob (AntonJazz)

The front-line blend of the leader’s tenor saxophone and Dominic Farinacci’s trumpet may recall Hank Mobley and Kenny Dorham, but if this is hard bop, its 21st century attitude is Schwartz’s own. His compositions have a distinctive quality that incorporates disparate harmonies and rhythms. “Pangur Ban” could be a down home Irish reel, if there is such a thing. “Swamp Thang” has overtones suggesting that the swamp in question is on Georgia or southern Florida tribal land. Thelonious Monk’s and Kenny Clarke’s “Epistrophy” and Dorham’s “La Mesha” are interesting for Schwartz’s special treatments, but his 10 originals hold their own in that distinguished company. He and Farinacci play beautifully throughout. Pianist Taylor Eigsti, bassist John Shiflett and drummer Lorca Hart are an impressive rhythm team.

CD: Bob Dorough

Bob Dorough, Eulalia (Merry Lane Records)

In addition to endearing vocal performances of several of his best songs, Dorough gives listeners what may come as a surprise to many; his ingenuity as an arranger. The deceptive simplicity of “Eulalia,” the album’s sole instrumental, is one of several instances of his melody lines and the tang of his voicings giving energy and richness to a mid-sized ensemble. Dorough plays piano. Other soloists include alto saxophonist Phil Woods, bassist Steve Gilmore and Dorough’s daughter Aralee, a symphony flutist. Woods is on fire in Dorough’s gospel anthem “A Few Days of Glory” and in the classic “I’ve Got Just About Everything.” When Dorough recorded Eulalia, he was 88. His musicianship and wit were ageless.

CD: Rudy Royston

Rudy Royston, 303 (Greenleaf Music)

In his debut as a leader the young drummer from Denver (area code 303) fronts a septet of his generation’s more adventurous players. The eclecticism of the music encompasses Radiohead’s “High and Dry,” the Mozart motet “Ave Verum Corpus,” a drum feature inspired by Elvin Jones, and homage to Denver trumpeter Ron Miles. Even in “Bownze,” the Jones tribute, Royston refrains from drum exhibitionism. Throughout, he melds his work with the septet, which includes two bassists—Yasushi Nakamura and Mimi Jones, the ingenious saxophonist Jon Irabagon, Australian trumpeter Nadja Noordhuis, pianist Sam Harris and guitarist Nir Felder. Royston’s impressive compositions and arrangements provide ensemble unity.

CD: Alan Broadbent

Alan Broadbent, Heart to Heart (Chilly Bin)

Broadbent’s first solo piano album, recorded in 1991, was a highlight of Concord’s Maybeck series. He has continued to perform with a trio and with Charlie Haden’s Quartet West, but to many he is known primarily as the arranger-conductor for Diana Krall, Natalie Cole, Michael Feinstein and Paul McCartney. Producer George Fendel thought it was time for Broadbent to again record alone on a superb piano before an appreciative audience, so he presented him in the solo series at Portland’s Classic Piano store. From Haden’s “Hello My Lovely” to a blazing conclusion with “Cherokee,” Broadbent reminds us of his formidable command of the instrument, his harmonic chops and the joy he takes and gives in making music.

CD: Frank Wess

Frank Wess, Magic 201 (IPO)

The final track of the great tenor saxophonist and flutist’s final album is a lovely performance of Sammy Cahn’s 1937 standard “If it’s the Last Thing I Do,” giving the CD added poignancy. Wess died in October, 2013, after decades as one of the most respected members of the jazz generation that came to prominence after World War Two. No tempo in the album is above a medium walk, but you don’t go to Frank Wess expecting speed. You expect profundity, and that’s what you get here. As in Magic 101, his colleagues are pianist Kenny Barron, guitarist Russell Malone, bassist Rufus Reid and drummer Winard Harper. Wess’s “Embraceable You” duet with Barron is perfection.

Book: Derrick Bang

Derrick Bang, Vince Guaraldi at the Piano (McFarland)

Bang’s 2012 book is less a full-fledged biography than a comprehensive survey of Guaraldi’s career loaded with anecdotes. The pianist was a committed jazz artist who became famous through indelible identification with a major phenomenon of popular culture. Millions know him through his music for the Peanuts television specials. Yet, dedication to his work as an improvising musician lasted until the end of his life in 1976. Bang traces Guaraldi’s progress from early sideman work with Conte Candoli and Cal Tjader through his hit, “Cast Your Fate to the Wind,” to the success of the Charlie Brown soundtracks. Extensive quotes from colleagues help capture the personality that allowed Guaraldi to be simultaneously endearing and uncompromising.

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