For the next few days—at least—Rifftides will be in semi-suspension while I face down a couple of deadlines. I should be able to tell you sometime next week about the more urgent one. In the meantime, the staff will continue to monitor and post your comments. When possible, I will contribute a tidbit or two, starting now.
Early this
month, Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz rebroadcast her 2006 program with Bud Shank (1926-2009). She kept marveling that the two had never before met, and they had a fine chat about his days with Charlie Barnet and Stan Kenton and his career as a saxophonist and flutist who transcended the “West Coast” label. Mostly, though, they made music. Shank brought bassist Martin Wind and drummer Tim Horner. The impromptu Shank-McPartland quartet played “Alone Together,” “Beautiful Love,” “Lover Man” and other good tunes, including “Emily” as a fast waltz. There are plenty of reminders of what a good accompanist McP is. If you missed the program or wish to hear it again, go here and click on “Listen Now.”
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.
Thanks for writing about this episode. I missed it the first time around but caught it the second time. Marian and Bud sounded great!
Thank you for the reminder of this episode. Although I buy whatever in the series shows up in my local shop, I was unfamiliar with this.
My favourite? With Bill Evans.
Mine too! They were both enjoying themselves and having a great time. Bill’s playing was absolutely incredible! I’ve listened to this episode often and it still gives me goosebumps! I’ve read that Bill often said how much he enjoyed this session with Marian.
I have listened to the whole broadcast, and I loved it. It’s amazing how Marian plays at her age. Perfectly modern, though warm and soulful. She has the right feeling for the music because she really listens.