Since his death on December 5, the tributes to Dave Brubeck keep appearing all over the world in print, on the air and through the internet. His oldest son Darius, who was with his father at the end, sent us a link to the article he wrote at the request of South Africa’s Mail and Guardian newspaper. This excerpt touches on the social consciousness that guided Brubeck from the earliest days of his career: I lived in South Africa from 1983 to 2005, teaching jazz at the University of … [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.
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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...