CiTR -- The Jazz Show
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The Jazz feature tonight is an album that this writer deems an essential Jazz album. "Out of the Afternoon" presents drum master Roy Haynes leading a very special quartet. Mr. Haynes just celebrated his 99th Birthday recently. Roy presents a young up and coming phenomena called Roland Kirk on tenor saxophone, manzello (an elongated alto saxophone) and the stritch (a soprano saxophone variant) and the flute and various whistles. Roland is a creative force here and a one-man band sometimes blowing all 3 horns at once! On piano is Tommy Flanagan and on bass is the great Henry Grimes. This album issued first on Impulse Records is a true classic and one for the ages. Tonight's Jazz feature "Out of the Afternoon".
Alto saxophonist Frank Strozier remains one of the great underrated masters of his horn. He was born in Memphis and came up with his friends, George Coleman, Harold Mabern, and the great Booker Little. After Memphis he moved to Chicago and attained several university degrees and began building his reputation as a prime voice on the alto. He later moved to New York and played with many important people like Miles Davis and drummer Roy Haynes. Later moving to Los Angeles he worked in the studios and performed Jazz with Oliver Nelson's Band and Shelly Manne's groups among others. He returned to New York in 1973 and continued to record under his name and appear as a sideman until the mid-80's when he stopped playing the saxophone and flute and did some gigs playing piano, . He also taught ischool until he retired. Strozier is still alive. He was born in Memphis on June 13,1937 and as of now he's be 86. We'll hear him in 4 extended pieces recorded in January 1976 in concert at the Ramada Inn inn Schenectedy, New York than have never been heard on any commercial recordings. This is Frank at his unfettered best with Frank Stagnitta on piano, Frank Tate on bass and Larry Jackson on drums. Look out! Frank Strozier our Jazz Feature artist tonight!
Tonight's Jazz Feature focuses on the obscure but fine trumpeter and flugelhornist named Wilbur Harden. Little is known about Harden other than he was born in Birmingham, Alabama on Dec. 31,1924 and after working in some major R&B bands moved to Detroit in 1957 and began working with Yusef Lateef.. He became part of the talented Detroit Jazz scene then ventured to New York to record as he signed with Savoy Records. His 4 albums for Savoy were done in 1958 and he also recorded with John Coltrane as well in 1958 and later with trombonist Curtis Fuller. After 1960 nothing more was heard from Wilbur and ill health and a nervous breakdown forced him to stop playing. He died in obscurity in New York on June 10,1969 at age 44. This fine recording called "Mainstream 1958" is an excellent one and features Wilbur and his compositions. It is a solid date with Harden and John Coltrane, at an early peak, Tommy Flanagan on piano, Doug Watkins on bass and Louis Hayes on drums. If there is a masterpiece in Harden's short discography this album may qualify. Enjoy the sounds of Wilbur Harden, John Coltrane and company on tonight's Jazz Feature.
Tonight's Jazz Feature is one of the most intense and incendiary recordings by Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. It was done in February 1964. The fire and intensity was perhaps driven by the fact that several of the members of this long standing edition of the Messengers were hinting at leaving to move on to other bands or forming their own groups. The personnel of this band had been together since the end of 1961 and consisted of Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Curtis Fuller on trombone, Wayne Shorter on tenor saxophone and was also the band's musical director, Cedar Walton on piano, Reginald Workman on bass (the only living member) and of course the master fire stoker Art Blakey on drums. "Free For All" is the apt album title and the album was issued on Blue Note Records and is tonight's Jazz Feature. Listen here!!!
Tonight is a special Jazz Feature as we present and interview by the author of the newest and indeed one one the finest documents on the Vancouver Jazz scene. The book is a series of 30 biographies that cover the spectrum of the Jazz scene from the mid 1950's up to the present. It's called "Journeys To The Bandstand" by Chris Wong. Mr.Wong is my guest then we return with a Jazz Show debut recording done at Vancouver's original Cellar with alto and tenor saxophone master Art Pepper playing with three of Vancouver's finest players: pianist Chris Gage, bassist Stan "Cuddles" Johnson and drummer Jimmy Wightman all from an evening on July 23.1959. This wonderful recording was made by the ex-manager of the club, Dave Quarin and it's with his kind permission that you can listen to it on The Jazz Show tonight.
In Vancouver B.C. where we broadcast today is a statutory holiday called Family Day. In honor of Family Day we will present tonight a wide variety of famous Jazz families, We'll hear selections by The Montgomery Brothers, The Adderley Brothers, The Heath Brothers, The Mangione Brothers, The Turrentine Brothers, The Shorter Brothers, The Ayler Brothers, The Newborn Brothers (Phineas and Calvin), The Jones Brothers, A wide variety of music by all of them. Relax and enjoy The Jazz Show's tribute to Family Day.
Tonight's Jazz Feature will be heard a bit later than usual as a guest was expected. The Jazz Feature will be pianist Andrew Hill's Blue Note debut album "Black Fire". Andrew Hill was somewhat unfairly lumped into the "free form Jazz" category as his music was different from the norm and innovative and Hill did emerge in the 1960;s, a time of change for Jazz. However Hill's music while different and fresh was structured and defined by chord progressions. His compositions were unique and took odd turns and twists much like Thelonious Monk's tunes. Producer Alfred Lion new Hill's music wasn't for everyone but he believed in Hill's genius and talent much like he did of Monk a decade earlier. Lion was the first to record Monk and his music. Hill on piano is supported by some great musicians such as Joe Henderson on tenor saxophone delivering some of his most creative work here. Richard Davis on bass and the great Roy Haynes on drums who was a last minute replacement for Philly Joe Jones who was unable to make the date. I can't imagine any other drummer than Roy Haynes for this music. "Black Fire" is the beginning of a long list of important recordings by Andrew Hill for Blue Note. We must thank Blue Note's Alfred Lion for believing in Andrew Hill's talent. "black Fire": tonight's Jazz Feature.
Along with the Fundrive promos an exciting variety of music from various eras of Jazz tonight. The Jazz Feature will return next week.
Tonight The Jazz Show celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the birth of one of the important pioneers of Modern Jazz and the definitive voice of the trombone: Mr. J.J.Johnson. Johnson was born on January 22,1924 and passed away on February 4,2001 at age 77. He recorded a lot in his long career with small bands and large ensembles and of course was an accomplished composer, arranger. The album on hand is to this writer a definitive album with J.J. and his working band with Harold Mabern on piano, Arthur Harper on bass and Frank Gant on drums. It was recorded for Impulse Records on May 1, 1964. The album is called "Proof Positive" and it has been a favorite and a worthy 100th Birthday tribute to one of Jazz Music's great master, Mr. J.J. Johnson.
Tonight's Jazz Feature is a recording done at San Francisco's Jazz Workshop on October 27,1962 by the Max Roach Quartet with drum master Max Roach at the helm with Clifford Jordan on tenor saxophone, Mal Waldron on piano and Eddie Khan on bass. Two extended works are featured. The first is the title track "Speak Brother Speak" depicts speakers on a soapbox expounding on the state of the nation. The second piece is an extended work based on a theme by Villa-Lobos called Prelude by retitled by Max Roach as "A Variation". It again offers extended solo opportunities for everyone to say their say. The band is so fine that these extended performances stand up and never drag on. "Speak Brother Speak" celebrates the accomplishments of Dr.Martin Luther King and Martin Luther King Day today January 15,2024.
Tonight's Jazz Feature honors the late, great Les McCann who passed away December 29,2023 at age 88. This fine album featuring pianist McCann's working trio with bassist Herbie Lewis and drummer Ron Jefferson was called "Les McCann LTD". McCann had been appearing at New York's Village Gate with the LTD and recording for his label Pacific Jazz but this was a one-night only get together with very limited rehearsal with three of McCann's favorite horn players including trumpeter Blue Mitchell, and the great tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine and the lesser known Frank Haynes. All six compositions are by McCann and reflect his talents as a writer. This is one fine way to honor a musician that was loved by just about everyone. Les McCann in New York is tonight's Jazz Feature.
Tonight's Jazz Feature has been an important part of tonight's Christmas Jazz Show for many years and tradition will continue with the famous and lasting Christmas Eve (1954) recording session with the Miles Davis All-Stars. It's sometimes known as the "Bags' Groove Session" as that tune written by Milt Jackson is the opener. The All-Stars are of course, Miles Davis on trumpet, Milt Jackson on vibes, Thelonious Monk on piano, Percy Heath on bass and Kenny Clarke on drums. Four tunes were recorded and the session has gone into Jazz History as a very important document and timeless music. The men creating this music were just playing what they always played doing it so very well. The tunes are "Bags' Groove by Milt Jackson, Bemsha swing by Thelonious Monk, The Man I Love by the Gershwin Brothers, and Miles Davis', Swing Spring. The spirit of Christmas seems to be evident throughout the session without any actual reference to Christmas music, There will be more tributes to Christmas tonight so when the big day rolls around..... Merry Christmas to Jazz fans everywhere and to a brighter 2024.
Tonight's Jazz Feature is an obscure by excellent album by a group of fine players based in Los Angeles. The leader is the great Harold Land on tenor saxophone along with a fine lesser known trumpeter named Martin Banks. Amos trice is on piano, Clarence Jones on bass and Leon Pettis on drums. Save for Land, none of these players are well known but their music is world class. The album was recorded in 1960 and not ever issued until 1980, undeservedly delayed. The tunes are by Land(2) Amos Trice(1), Martin Banks(1) and one by original producer, writer Leonard Feather plus a well chosen ballad standard. The album is entitled "Take Aim" and it aims to please those who love real Jazz. It's tonight's Jazz Feature.
Tonight's Jazz Feature is a one time meeting of two great Jazz stars. They knew one another but never played together and were brought together by the producing genius of Norman Granz. Granz was one of the great entrepreneurs of Jazz. Tenor saxophonist Stan Getz was one of the major voices of that instrument and vibraphonist Lionel Hampton was one of the pioneers of that instrument and had been prominent since the early 1930s. Creative sparks flew on this session and the combination of Getz and H Hampton worked beautifully. The rhythm section was made up of people who worked with Getz throughout most of 1955 and Lou Levy is on piano, Leroy Vinnegar is on bass and the drummer is the magnificent Shelly Manne. The repertoire is a collection of good standard tunes, a ballad medley and two up tempo burners. Enjoy this classic one time get together from August 1, 1955. Hamp and Getz!
Tonight's Jazz Feature is a suite in 6 movements written by the late Gary McFarland and it's titled "America The Beautiful: An Account of It's Disappearance". McFarland wrote this music in 1968 over deep concerns about his beloved America which was in that year in turmoil...race riots, assassinations, the Vietnam War plus the wanton destruction of the environment manifested by endless shopping malls, tract housing, garbage strewn everywhere and unmitigated greed. This suite is McFarland's protest of all of these happenings. However it is not an angry suite but more a lament for what was happening to the nation. It is an orchestral piece with the odd solo movements and played by first call New York musicians such as trumpeters, Marvin Stamm, Snooky Young and reed masters like Jerome Richardson, Romeo Penque, pianist Warren Bernhardt, guitarist Eric Gayle, bassist Jerry Jemmott and Chuck Rainey and drummer Bernard Purdie to name but a few. The music of Gary McFarland and his "America The Beautiful" suite is tonight's special Jazz Feature.
Tonoght's Jazz Show celebrates the Birthday Anniversary of a trumpet player who gave a whole generation of younger players the basis for their style and approach to the trumpet/ Even though Clifford Brown died in a car crash at age 25 on June 26, 1956, his trumpet work is still the standard for most young players to strive to attain. Tonight's Jazz Feature spotlights the Clifford Brown/Max Roach Quintet at it's best that was done in the optimum conditions of the recording studio during the time the Quintet was performing at New York's leading Jazz club, Basin Street in February 1956. The Quintet had jelled to perfection and their newest member, the great tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins and Brown made a coherent and perfectly blended front line. The rest of the bad consisted of Richard Powell on piano, George Morrow on bass and Rollins, Brown and drum great Max Roach. This recording marks the last studio performance of the Roach/Brown Quintet at their best with great arrangements by their pianist Richard Powell. This band was one of the very finest in their day and their music still remains fresh and exciting. Happy Birthday Anniversary to Clifford Benjamin Brown (Oct 30, 1930/ June 26,1956).
Carla Bley passed away on Oct 17, 2023 at age 87 but her music and her compositions occupy an important segment of modern music and Jazz. Her great legacy of compositions and her orchestra represented her broad and eclectic talent over many years and tonight's Jazz Feature is very fine representation of her music and orchestra. The album was recorded with her band full of incredible musicians from all over the world and is called "Big Band Theory". It features some very prominent players like trumpeter Lew Soloff, trombonist Gary Valente, tenor saxophonist Andy Sheppard and the great Danish alto saxophonist Wolfgang Puschnig. and violinist Alex Balanescu. Tonight's Jazz Feature is a trubute to the music of the one and only Carla Bley......enjoy and experience her world!
Tonight's Jazz Feature is an important album by pianist/composer Thelonious Monk called "Monk's Music". It is a series of older Monk compositions with one new piece played by a larger group than Monk usually recorded with at that time. It was done in one evening on June 26,1957. Monk selected the band and it included Ray Copeland on trumpet, Gigi Gryce on alto saxophone, John Coltrane and Coleman Hawkins on tenor saxophones, Wilbur Ware on bass and Art Blakey on drums and of course Monk on piano. As an extra feature I'll play the results of the evening before which seemed lost as Monk was exhausted and had to go home. The evening was salvaged by the band agreeing to record a long 12 bar blues written by Gigi Gryce that was called "Blues for Tomorrow". The Monk album was fully completed the next night and is considered one of Monk's finest recording dates. "Monk's Music" is the Jazz Feature tonight....don't miss it!
Tonight's Jazz Feature is pianist/composer Sharon Minemoto who has been a long standing star on the Vancouver Jazz scene. This is her latest album just released on the Cellar Live label. It's called "Dark Nights, Bright Stars" and it features her long standing group of her favorite musicians. Jon Bentley on tenor and soprano saxophones, Darren Radke on bass, and Bernie Arai on drums. These musicians all met when they were students at Capilano University and enrolled in the music program. Their chemistry and feel for one another is very evident on this fine recording. All the compositions are by Sharon Minemoto and reflective of the changes in her life and times. This album should demonstrate to anyone who hears this as to the quality and calibre of Vancouver Jazz musicians. The album is a gem and I take pride sharing it with you on tonight's Jazz Feature.
Tonight's Jazz Feature is a very fine recording from the mid-fifties that typifies New York modern Jazz of the time. The people involved are the leader, legendary pianist/composer Elmo Hope who in many ways is as important to the development of piano as Thelonious Monk and Bud Powell although he didn't get the same notoriety. For the fist 3 tunes the group is a quintet with tenor saxophone great Frank Foster and a fine lesser known trumpeter named Freeman Lee. On bass is John Ore and on drums is New York's Arthur Taylor. The set was done for Prestige Records in on Oct.4, 1955. The quintet plays one composition by Hope and 2 by Foster. That is the formal part of the date. The final 3 tunes are by Foster, Hope, Ore and Taylor and are all likely first takes created on the spot. Both sets are solid Jazz without compromise and bring in all the qualities of great Jazz....good solos, cohesion, swing and assertive playing by all. This was an album I grew up with and is still meaningful to me and I hope it is to you. Enjoy "Hope Meets Foster".
Tonight's Jazz Feature celebrates the 97th Birthday Anniversary of John William Coltrane. Coltrane needless to say was one of the most iconic and influential saxophonists in contemporary Jazz and despite his short life which ended at age 40, he accomplished so much and left and enormous legacy. Tonight's Jazz Feature is the first official recording of Coltrane's "Classic Quartet" called "Coltrane". It was done over several sessions in April, June and November of 1962 and produced 5 selections. The "Classic Quartet" included McCoy Tyner on piano, Jimmy Garrison on bass and Elvin Jones on drums and of course, Coltrane on This album represents a formidable beginning of Coltrane's musical journey.. Tonight's Jazz Feature: the music of John Coltrane.
Tonight's Jazz Feature is Part 2 of a regular annual tradition on The Jazz Show and highlights September's "back to school, back to work tradition". Basically a little enjoyable and fun music education with Maestro Bernstein explaining "What is Jazz". This is an easy and sometimes humorous explanation of what Jazz is and what Jazz isn't in terms that one doesn't need a music education to understand. Leonard Bernstein made it a life long effort to bring music to the people and to make the most complex music easy to understand. There is also a bit of unintentional humor in this recording made in 1956 and these bits will make today's person grin a little. However this is by and large an important document and always worth hearing again. Enjoy Maestro Bernstein and the many musicians involved in this project like Duke Ellington, Bessie Smith, Coleman Hawkins, Phil Woods, Miles Davis and John Coltrane and of course Maestro Leonard Bernstein..
Tonight's Jazz Feature has become an annual tradition on The Jazz Show celebrating September and "back to work" and most importantly "back to school". Tonight the venerable voice of the alto saxophone, a composer and bandleader, Julian "Cannonball" Adderley narrates a brief history of Jazz. It was recorded in 1960 and ends there however Cannonball traces Jazz history through recordings available to the small label that recorded this album....Riverside Records. Adderley's delivery is clear and lucid reflecting his years as a high school teacher in Florida before launching his full time music career. This is still a valuable document even though the music has gone through some enormous changes since 1960. This recording traces the early history of the music through the 20's to the 60's. Enjoy this annual tradition and kudos to Julian Adderley as always.
Our Jazz Feature takes you back to tan important center of Jazz action in New York in the mid-50`s. The Cafe Bohemia located in Greenwich Village. The band is the first group that master trumpeter Kenny Dorham put together. he called it ``The Jazz Prophets``. Kenny Dorham is one of the finest and original of the early Modern Jazz trumpeters. He came to maturity in the early 1950`s and was a charter member of Art Blakey`s Jazz Messengers. In 1956 he formed The Jazz Prophets. Sadly it was short-lived but made several fine recordings including this one. Kenny Dorham put together J.R. Monterose on tenor saxophone and a very young 19 year old Bobby Timmons on piano, Sam Jones is on bass and the tasty and swinging Arthur Edgehill is on drums. They play a variety of original and standard materiel in this set and are joined on the last tune, Dizzy Gillespie`s ``A Night in Tunisia`` by guitarist Kenny Burrell. All live at The Cafe Bohemia on May 31,1956. Kenny Dorham, tonight`s Jazz Feature artist.
The music of Thelonious Monk is tonight's Jazz Feature subject and a fine album from June of 1959 that spotlights the Monk working quartet with tenor saxophonist Charlie Rouse, bassist Sam Jones and the always swinging Arthur Taylor on drums. However there is a worthy addition to the Quartet which gives us the album title. That addition is cornetist Thad Jones who adds much musical spice to Monk's Quartet. If there is anyone who could have been added to Monk's working band it would be Thad. However this was a one shot recording date as Thad had a coveted position in the Count Basie Orchestra and had a little time off from Basie to do this date. The compositions are a mix of old and new all by Monk of course. Two new ones written for the date are "Played Twice" and "Jackie--ing" and the older ones are "Straight, No Chaser", "Ask Me Now" and "I Mean You". Thad in this writer's opinion is the star of the date and adapts so well to Monk's music. "Five By Monk By Five" is the Jazz feature tonight.
Tonight's Jazz Feature is one of those once in a while get-togethers by a group of musicians who don't normally play together gel into and iconic and wonderful recording date. Pianist John Lewis who was the musical director of the Modern Jazz Quartet was contracted to do a recording session and he chose some musicians who he had just heard and put them together in the studio and magically the cohesion and the musical chemistry worked beautifully and produced a classic. This is elegant understated Jazz which combines all the elements that are needed like, great solos, swing and feeling. The people involved are pianist John Lewis, bassist Percy Heath, drummer Chico Hamilton, guitarist Jim Hall and tenor saxophonist Bill Perkins. All in all an album worthy of the title: "Grand Encounter", tonight's Jazz Feature.
Tonight on the program`s Jazz Feature is the music of Charles Mingus. It`s an important album in the Mingus recorded legacy and it was his initial album for the Impulse label. It was called ``The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady`` Mingus considered this one of his finest documents. It is a suite of music played by an 11 piece ensemble with some incredible solos by all involved like alto saxophonist Charlie Mariano and soprano and baritone saxophonist Jerome Richardson and trombonist Quentin Jackson and others. It is an intense that covers the gamut of emotions from anger, despair to hope. Mingus looms large as a pianist, bassist and composer of this work and he was given full control of the music, editing and sequencing. It`s his show and he made the best of it. Tonight`s jazz feature: Mr. Charles Mingus!
Tonight's Jazz Feature focuses on one of the pioneers of Modern Jazz: Earl Rudolph Powell: known as Bud Powell. Powell brought the modern style of Jazz piano to the fore and he is as much of a musical genius as Charlie Parker. Powell became the all pervasive influence on Jazz piano that continues to this day. Tonight's Jazz Feature is his final record for Blue Note Records a label that captured some of his best playing over the years. Powell was set to move to Europe and he entered the studio to do this recording before he left. It was done just after Christmas in 1958 and captures him playing a program of original compositions with Paul Chambers on bass and Arthur Taylor on drums. Powel is in great form and displays his genius and his creativity on this disc. The album is a great send off to several more creative years overseas. Tonight's Jazz Feature Bud Powell's "The Scene Changes".
Tonight`s Jazz Feature can be deemed a classic. It was the second album under Sonny Rollins` name since his return to the Jazz scene in late 1955 as a new member of the legendary band, the Max Roach/Clifford Brown Quintet. It was decided by Rollins and Prestige Records owner that Sonny could record with the Max Roach/Clifford Brown group with musical choices by Rollins and with Rollins` name on the album title. Hence ``Sonny Rollins Plus 4``. Sonny picked 3 standard tunes that were not part of the Roach/Brown repertoire and wrote two original compositions that entered into that band`s repertoire. ``Valse Hot`` and ``Pent-Up House`` were the two intriguing Rollins` originals and the other 3 standards were quite obscure as Rollins always liked odd and lesser known tunes. Sad to say this turned out to be the very last studio recording by the Roach/Brown band. It was recorded on March 22, 1956 and Brown and pianist Richard Powell were killed in an auto crash in June of 1956. The trauma reverberated in the Jazz community as much as Charlie Parker`s death the year before. The people involved here are Sonny Rollins on tenor saxophone, Clifford Brown on trumpet, Richie Powell on piano, George Morrow on bass and Max Roach on drums. A classic Jazz Feature tonight!
Tonight is a concert presentation of the "Second Great Gerry Mulligan Quartet" before a rapt and enthusiastic French audience in Paris in June 1954. The first edition of the Mulligan pianoless Quartet had trumpeter Chet Baker on the front line with baritone saxophonist Mulligan and was one of the most popular and talked about combos of it's time. Due to a variety of circumstances the Baker & Mulligan Quartet ended and after a time Mulligan reassembled the group with valve trombonist Bob Brookmeyer on the front line with Mulligan plus a new rhythm section with the great Red Mitchell on bass and the shamefully underrated drum master Frank Isola. They were booked to play in Paris and were welcomed like a liberating army. Both Mulligan and Brookmeyer were also great composers along with being two of the leading voices on their horns so it was a perfect fit. These concert recordings are tonight's Jazz Feature and demonstrate how fresh and new this band still sounds after so many years. Check it out tonight and you'll be glad you did.
