jazz
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It is rocket science – The Bud Powell version
Friday, 17 February 2023 — Jazz on the Tube Pure genius! See: https://www.amacord.com/jazz/monkbud.html Continue reading
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Ahmad Jamal: ‘Autumn Leaves’
Monday, 6 February 2023 — Jazz on the Tube I just love Ahmad Jamal!! WB Ahmad Jamal became a significant pianist in the early 1950s and he was still at the top in 2017 when he was 87. Jamal’s “less-is-more” approach was a contrast to the dominant bebop style in his early days, his use Continue reading
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Eddy Wiggins – The Lost Historian
Recently a friend introduced me to an incredible book. Printed in French, and unknown to many, “Eddy Wiggins: Le Noir et Le Blanc”, is a loving tribute to a man who captured African Americans in Paris, Gilles LeRoy, published a beautiful book of photographs that would have been lost forever. Lost, like the history of… Continue reading
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‘It’s not the notes, it’s how they’re played’
Setting goals is one thing; meeting them sometimes another. But pianist Sibusiso “Mash” Mashiloane vowed in 2017 he would release an album a year until 2023 – and number six, Music From My People, has just landed. Conceived on a much grander scale than its predecessors, it involves 17 other musicians and brings together his music… Continue reading
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Ahmad Jamal: ‘Poinciana’
In my top ten list of jazz greats, Ahmad Jamal’s Poinciana was one the first albums I ever bought. Recorded in Marciac, France. Written by Nat Simon in 1936, “Poinciana” has since become a jazz standard. The Cuban folk melody “La canción del árbol”, “The Song of the Tree” – provided the inspiration for Simon’s… Continue reading
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Watch/Listen! Dave Lambert Day
Lambert enjoyed writing lyrics to the recorded solos of jazz soloists (known as vocalese) and he and Hendricks came up with the idea of recording a full vocalese album of Count Basie recordings, joining with Annie Ross for the very successful Sing A Song Of Basie in 1957. Continue reading
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Listen: Gil Evans Day – ‘Boplicity’
13 May 2021 — Jazz on the Tube Gil Evans – May 13, 1912 – March 20, 1988 Arranger, composer, leader, and pianist Ian Ernest Gilmore Green (who became known as Gil Evans) was born May 13, 1912 in Toronto Canada. Gil Evans began his career as a bandleader quite early, leading his own orchestra Continue reading
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Watch: Stan Levey – The Beginnings of Bebop
Legendary jazz drummer Stan Levey was not only on the scene for the birth of bebop music, he also played a significant role in its delivery. This documentary is a fascinating inside look at a musician who was both a participant and an observer, whose briskly swinging skills as a drummer were matched by an… Continue reading
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Watch: Return Sessions – Charlie Parker Centenary with Gilad Atzmon & the Sigamos Quartet – 27/08/20
The reaction to the performance was astonishing. Many people were watching us live and shared their thoughts. For the musicians this was a very unique experience. We played in an empty club, yet communicated in real time with so many people around the world. Continue reading
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Watch: A Tribute to Kenny Dorham by poet Dave Oliphant
The jazz historian and poet Dave Oliphant reads selections from his epic poem “KD: A Jazz Biography”, his tribute to trumpet great and master musician Kenny Dorham, born August 30, 1924 in Post Oak, Texas. Continue reading
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An Animated John Coltrane Explains His True Reason for Being: “I Want to Be a Force for Real Good”
Coltrane is, of course, one of the true giants of 20th century music. He first got attention playing with the Miles Davis Quintet in the mid-1950s on albums like Relaxin’, Cookin’ and Steamin’ before he released his seminal solo album Blue Train. But his career quickly faltered. He was hooked on heroin and Davis, a… Continue reading
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An Improvisation 2004 – The Andrew Hill Trio
Andrew Hill (1931-2007) was a masterful pianist and a very original composer whose music fell into the avant-garde but was really in its own category. Continue reading
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If I Should Lose You, Talinka Quartet
An early bird from their 2nd coming album, here is Talinka’s take on the American song book “If I Should Lose You” Continue reading
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Dave Lambert Day June 19, 1917 – October 3, 1966
Lambert enjoyed writing lyrics to the recorded solos of jazz soloists (known as vocalese) and he and Hendricks came up with the idea of recording a full vocalese album of Count Basie recordings, joining with Annie Ross for the very successful Sing A Song Of Basie in 1957. Continue reading
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‘Harlem River Drive’ Revisited – Eddie Palmieri
29 September 2018 — Jazz on the Tube The magnificent Eddie Palmieri, now in his 80th year! A replay of his groundbreaking 1971 (I think) composition, ‘Harlem River Drive’, in a live performance in E. Harlem. Continue reading
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Duke Ellington – V.I.P. Boogie/Jam With Sam
In 1962, the Goodyear Tire Company sponsored a series of half-hour shows that showcased swing-oriented performers. This color excerpt from the Duke Ellington program features baritonist Harry Carney and clarinetist Jimmy Hamilton in the spotlight during the medium-tempo blues “V.I.P. Boogie.” Continue reading
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Remembering Bra Hugh Masekela
26 January 2018 — Jazz on the Tube Hugh Masekela (April 4, 1939 – January 23, 2018) Hugh Masekela “Grazing In The Grass” live at the Kuumbwa, March 24th, 2014 I had the pleasure, and the honour of hanging out with Bra Hugh on a number of occasions when I lived Johannesburg as well as here Continue reading
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Andrew Hill
4 January 2018 — Jazz on the Tube One of my all-time favourite pianists, who I once met at a friend’s house in Brooklyn in 1975. Continue reading
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Bolero at Sunrise: Gilad Atzmon/Ravel, Arr. Callum Au
20 December 2017 — Youtube Beautiful! Performed by Konse Big Band led by Prof. Johannes Berauer at Klagenfurt Jazz Club 20.12.1017 Continue reading
The New Dark Age 