Stan Kenton could be grandiose in his music. Otherwise, for the most part, he was down to earth. In the 1950s following a concert, a reporter asked him, "Mr. Kenton, where is jazz going from here?" "Well," Kenton said, "tomorrow night we'll be in Detroit." That is still the best response I've found … [Read more...]
Archives for June 2009
Find Old Recommendations
Rifftides reader Russ Mitchell asks: Is there ONE place to find ALL of Doug's picks? If there is, I can't find it. They are archived. Follow these (relatively) simple directions: 1. Click on the Archives link in the center column, just below Doug's Books. 2. Scroll 'way down to the heading, Category … [Read more...]
The News From JazzTimes: It’s True
The following announcement is posted on the JazzTimes web site: Important Message From JazzTimes Management By JazzTimes To our readers and members of the jazz community: JazzTimes has temporarily suspended publication of the magazine and has furloughed the bulk of its staff while it finalizes a … [Read more...]
The Jazz Times Dilemma Examined
There is still no confirmation, and no denial, of reports that Jazz Times will go out of business as a print publication. General economic decline, the increasing loss of advertising life blood and the necessity to shrink staffs weaken all magazines and newspapers. Nasty fiscal weather is even more … [Read more...]
Bad Times At Jazz Times
Unconfirmed reports continue to filter out of Silver Spring, Maryland, that Jazz Times magazine's precarious advertising revenue position will force it to cease publication. In his latest post on the matter, my artsjournal.com colleague Howard Mandel quotes a recently dismissed Jazz Times associate … [Read more...]
Prez And Pell Correspondence, Illustrated
The story about Dave Pell's restoration of Lester Young's Dolnet tenor saxophone brought a message from documentary producer Ken Koenig and one from Jim Harrod, moderator of the Jazz West Coast listserve. Each of their responses took the form of a photograph. Mr. Harrod sent a copy of a Dolnet ad … [Read more...]
56 Years Of Rust: Pell Rescues Prez’s Horn
The following article appeared in the Fall, 2008, issue of the British magazine, Jazz Review. By Doug Ramsey Lester Young drew on Louis Armstrong, Frank Trumbauer, Bix Beiderbecke and his own genius to create one of the most personal styles in music. In the 1930s he provided an evolutionary step … [Read more...]
Progress Report: Dave Pell Responds
Everything is fine with the horn..play it everyday...recording a new CD, and it records sensationally, with Johnny Vana. Did a concert tonight in Palm Desert with Med Flory and Don Shelton..and we sounded just like 3 brothers. Am booked at Sweet and Hot Festival with my tribute to Lester Young in … [Read more...]
Lester Young, 1950
For a project connected with his Jazz At The Philharmonic operation, the impresario Norman Granz filmed Lester Young with trombonist Bill Harris, Pianist Hank Jones, bassist Ray Brown and drummer Buddy Rich. Although they bypass the melody, the piece is "Pennies From Heaven." For decades, there has … [Read more...]