Lester Perkins of Jazz On The Tube pointed out that today is Jimmy Garrison’s birthday. Garrison,
who died in 1976, would have been 79. Perkins alerted his subscribers to a 1968 video from Danish television of the bassist featured with Elvin Jones’s trio on Garrison’s composition “Sweet Little Maia.” Joe Farrell was the soprano saxophonist. Jones and Garrison had been members of John Coltrane’s quartet. When this was televised, Coltrane had been dead less than a year. Farrell was attracting increasing attention as one of his most accomplished successors.
Garrison’s 42-year-old son Matthew is also a respected bassist. He was a member of Jack DeJohnette’s band at the recent Portland Jazz Festival. For the Rifftides review of the concert, click here.
To learn about Jazz On The Tube, go here.
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.
Wow, I am not that familiar with Joe Farrell’s overall work in jazz..He sounds terrific here with the esteemed members of Coltrane’s band! Dig the tune. Thanks for posting. Obviously, I need to hear more from Mr.Farrell.
I’ve loved Elvin since I heard my first Coltrane record. My buddy was an audiophile and when he set up his new system in the attic of his house, a few friends gathered with our best vinyl. I had “Crescent” with me. First time I heard Coltrane. First time my rock drummer friend heard Elvin. We were all transported to another world for the duration of that recording.
It’s hard to re-discover that kind of feeling when listening to music but I’m trying…lol.. music like this makes it easier. Thanks, Doug.