Jazz for aficionados

This is one of my favorite soundtracks, "Cat People"; it's a movie about people who turn into big black panthers who will eat you up.


        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCIym5Ovu3Y&list=PL3YPwDXT3Pk34CpOnvEJcsQEfccEyt4on


Enjoy the music.

Frogman, since you seem to have a good idea of what a "jazz track" and movie should consist of; what's your favorite?


Enjoy the music.

Rok, click on "Cabin in The Sky" - "Jim Henry's Paradise"

Although they "never" succeed, I applaud their valiant efforts. Nina Simone is the subject of a movie (I happen to be istening to her at the moment) that I'm looking forward to seeing.

You would be astounded at how interesting a jazz musician's life is; they can live three lives in the time it takes us to live one; however, for the sake of heirs, so much has to be left out, and people with that much creativity can never be encapsulated into a movie.

Here is a movie you posted links of:


  http://www.ranker.com/list/15-jamming-jazz-movies/konnoisseur411


Frogman, I agree with you on that Miles movie, and so would the people who knew Miles.

Rok, post music you feel that relates to a movie.


Enjoy the music.

Rok, I was with Nina from the beginning of her musical career, and I watched her grow as a person when she became deeply involved in civil rights. Her "real" life was certainly worth a movie, but from what I can gather, this current movie is not worth my time; it tells more about the people who made the movie, and the current psyche than it does about Ms. Nina Simone.



Enjoy the music.

 

Rok, the people who fought the civil rights movement are unknown, old and tired, plus only younger people benefited who couldn't care less about those who didn't benefit.

Presently everyone is for number one, and the only movement is straight down for the lower middle class. For Gods sake don't click on poverty.

The good news is, being an audiophile is great when you have a solid system, and a large collection of good music. I think that accounts for just about everybody on the "Gon".


Enjoy the music.

When in doubt, let Frogman figure it out.

As the decider in chief of this thread, it is my job to discern what is and "what is not". In regard to Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles, there were times when I thought he was Ray Charles, and that's what acting is all about; to make the audience believe they are looking at a real event taking place in front of them as opposed to a movie. I can't think of any movie where this was done better than Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles.

If anyone can show a better example of an actor portraying a living person, I would like for them to post it.



Enjoy the music.

Has everyone seen "Round Midnight? I don't see any comments, and do you have the soundtrack?

I saw a good movie about "Expats" (Paris Blues) that didn't have the high quality of jazz as "Round Midnight". I was just wondering, how do you grade a jazz movie; meaning, the quality of the movie, or the quality of the jazz; your thoughts.


Enjoy the music.

Actors don't create stories, it's not their job; that's for writers. Actors create believable characters.

I never saw General Patton; consequently I have to take your word for whether or not George C. Scott did such a marvelous job as Patton; however, I have seen Ray Charles more times than I can count, and there were times when I thought I was looking at "Ray Charles"; Jamie Foxx had all those quirky mannerisms of Ray down pat.

Have you ever seen "The Godfather"? The answer is no, because he was a fictional character, but all of us have seen Ray Charles; therefore we all know how he looked, as well as his mannerisms. I rest my case.


Enjoy the music.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I got 20/20 vision.


Enjoy the music.

Learsfool, unless the actor is "Dexter Gordon", I'm not interested, but apparently it's time for a change of subject.

I don't think we've heard "Badal Roy".


  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjEQda_4QWM



Enjoy the music.

How's this for a change of pace?


    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvUQcnfwUUM


Enjoy the music.

Ghosthouse, it's after midnight, and I just discovered a new way to spell Enjoy.

Ghosthouse, I was sympathetic with Dolphy until just before the end. He was not a drug addict, but he was acting somewhat like a junky, and that's what the medical people thought.

No junky would ever go on stage in that horrible condition; why did he go on stage? He went into a diabetic coma because Doctors thought he was a junky, and didn't treat him as a diabetic. Why didn't everyone know that he was a diabetic? That was Eric's fault. Did he know he was diabetic?

If a genius was diabetic, he could quite possibly seem a little "cooky" if his blood sugar got too low. Erik's death was Erik's fault; he didn't die because he had diabetes, he died because he was not living like someone who had diabetes, and not only that, but the people close to him didn't seem to know that he was diabetic.

I can not think about his music, after discovering how unnecessary his death was.



Enjoy the music.

Ghosthouse, before I even look at this video, I want to say "Thank you very much"; that's because I know so little about Eric Dolphy, and personally I haven't given his music the consideration it deserves. A jazz musician is his music, consequently, I haven't given Mr. Dolphy the attention he deserves.

He was loved and admired by musicians I love and admire; therefore if I don't feel the same way about Erik Dolphy, maybe it's because I haven't given him enough attention.

I will get back to you with a full review.


Enkoy the music.

Eric was different in every way. As I stated before, a jazz musician and his music are one; the fact that almost everybody else plays someone else's music, while a jazz musicians music is coming from his soul helps to confirm this.

That statement is based on 3 jazz musicians that I was close to as people, and liked their music. While that's a small number, it's a big number relative to most people. When I listen to Eric's music, I can see Eric in an abstract sort of way.

None of us can comprehend how important a jazz musicians music is to him; everything else is secondary. Another thing about jazz musicians that's incomprehensible to us is their love for another jazz musician who is in harmony with their music. An example is Roach and Brown; Max was out of whack for a long time after Clifford's death.

Very few musicians can be in harmony with Mingus's music, but Eric was, and that's why Mingus was so upset about Eric leaving him.


              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cimpUKVAbY8


I think Eric sounds best as sideman; that's because a concentrated dose of Eric is more than I can handle.




Enjoy the music.

Speaking of the "bass Clarinet", bought this album "Kalenia" by Oran Etkin that has two of my favorite instruments; bass clarinet, and balaphon, a West African instrument.

This CD is so unusual that it takes more than one listen to get into it, but it's well worth it. Here's Oran Etkin;


      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rocYxIkcA4s


Enjoy the music.

Now that I think about it Ghosthouse, it was extremely harsh. I didn't take "that time" into consideration, which means public awareness of diabetes. While my statement was accurate, it didn't take mitigating factors into consideration.

Personally, I'm going to erase that and focus on his music. That document certainly increased my knowledge of the man and his music, and I thank you for this.

I would appreciate it if we both got into his music, and compared notes and opinions in a specified time that I'll leave to you.

BTW - Thunk it up all by myself.



Enjoy the music.

Folks, this is one of the greatest tunes in the history of jazz. I wont tell you what it is, but perusing my memory over many years, when a person discovers that I'm into jazz, they ask me if I've heard this tune, and this has happened countless times.

As you know, I listen to music the same as someone listens to the radio, it just plays endlessly, and I have to identify it by my memory of the tune. Sometime my memory is out to lunch, so I just enjoy the music. It's at those times that I can hear with clarity, because I don't know who the artists are, I only know how good the music is.



          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I777BcgQL9o

I've noticed that Eric sounds best as a sideman to me. There are a number of musicians I liked very much on other records led by someone else. On baritone sax there is Pepper Adams with Donald Byrd, and also with Mingus, who was absolutely fantastic; but I don't have the same opinion of albums where he led.

That is also true for Eric; I liked him with Mingus, and he also has blown some brilliant solos with other musicians such as Oliver Nelson on "Blues And The Abstract Truth". He blows alto, and flute on "Stolen Moments", one of the most beautiful tunes in all of jazz.  Eric's flute solo puts this tune over the top.


  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbaGDDbpcQ4


It was so unfortunate and tragic, what happened in Germany, just when all was going to come together for Eric Dolphy.



Enjoy the music.

Ghosthouse, as much as I would like to, I can't blame that doctor; this is in Germany, where that doctor had to go on what he believed, based on what he had heard and read. There just was not enough time to correct his misconceptions.

Today, and I mean right up until this present moment; "Stereotypifiers" ( a new word) who have scads of information at their fingertips, do the same thing. No matter how you add, subtract, multiply, and even do long division, the answer will always be the same, in regard to long held beliefs. As a result of those people, we are all going to hell in a hand basket together.



Enjoy the music.

Ghosthouse, Erick Dolphy was self treating himself for "low blood sugar" when he asked for the bottles of Coke, and ice cream. This means he had experienced some kind of symptoms before that indicated low blood sugar, and had treated himself by raising his blood sugar with Coke and ice cream.

I believe he overdid it this time, and raised his blood sugar too much; enough to go into a coma.

Jazz musicians at that time, had a thing about doctors and hospitals; I don't know how much of it was justified. "Nica koenigswarter" , the "Be-Bop Baroness", had to convince, and then take Coleman Hawkins to the hospital when he was deathly ill; that probably saved his life, because otherwise, he wasn't going.



Enjoy the music.

America is, and always has been the most racist free country on the planet. And this includes the era during slavery. To understand that, you have to be able to think, and be aware of attitudes and conditions around the world.

Rok, that must be some good herb you been smoking; pass the pipe.



Enjoy the music.

The bass clarinet is a very under utilized instrument in my opinion.

        
            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSZtX3WHF_E



        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfQfv99BCHE



Erik Dolphy excels on this instrument.


        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cimpUKVAbY8



Enjoy the music.

Rok, what's your take on the link that Ghosthouse provided; do you think things have gotten better for jazz musicians, and if so, how?

I'll wait for your response.


Enjoy the music.

Ghosthouse, I applaud the way you are consistently refuting my answers with sound logic, that indicates you are seeking the truth, and want no part of any preconceived notion.

You are absolutely correct, that doctor was an impostor; doctors are men of science, he had all sorts of test instruments, and equipment, at his disposal; regardless what he surmised, he should have tested to discover the "truth".

Politicians almost always use preconceived notions to get votes, they are as afraid of the truth, as they would be of a saw scaled viper; one of the most venomous snakes in the world.

"How did you know he was lying"? His lips were moving, and he's a politician.



Enjoy the music.

Rok, it's not about approval of white people, it's about making a living.

Let me tell you about the racism that does not exist; it's a long story, so I hope you aren't in a hurry.

In 1980, a "white" man without a college education, who worked at one of the car manufacturing plants, or aircraft factory, could expect to be able to purchase a 3 bedroom ranch with 2 baths, an entertainment room, plus 2 car garage. All of this would be in a nice suburb, with green grass, where everybody mowed their lawns, and there were no sirens to keep you woke, or gunfire. (a black man who worked at one of those places could do the same thing, but he wasn't the one who put the wrench in the works)


Philadelphia, Mississippi is where James Chaney, a 21-year-old black man from Meridian, Mississippi, Andrew Goodman, a 20-year-old White jewish anthropology student from New York, and Michael Schwerner, a 24-year-old White jewish CORE organizer and former social worker also from New York were murdered.

    Two White jewish civil rights workers, and one black worker were lynched shortly after midnight on June 21, 1964, when they went to investigate the burning of a church that supported civil rights activity.

    The autopsy report stated that Chaney had a left arm broken in one place, a right arm broken in two places and groin injuries. All three were shot to death.

    This is where Ronald Reagan gave his post-convention speech after being officially chosen as the Republican nominee for the President of the United States at the Neshoba county fair. This was just a few miles from where the horribly mutilated bodies of three civil rights workers were discovered. Reagan said, "I believe in States' Rights." And he went on to promise to "restore to states and governments the power that properly belongs to them."

    The people in the United States of America, who this speech was meant for, recieved the full impact, including the location, which was where the Civil Rights workers were lynched.

      Since he opposed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, it didn't matter that he opposed unions; as long as he was for "States Rights", which was a euphemism for lynching blacks with impunity. He said President Jefferson Davis was one of his hero's while campaigning in Georgia. (Jefferson Davis was the President of the slave South during the Civil War) Although Reagan opposed any and everything to do with Civil Rights for blacks, he said he was not a Racist.

      His war on labor was a war on the "Serf Class", (those without college educations) If you are unemployed, or working for minimum wage; you can probably thank Ronald Reagan. However, the most unique aspect of where we are now; is that Union members voted for Ronald Reagan in 1980 and 1984. This is equivalent to a rabbit voting for year round rabbit hunting.


      During his two terms in office, millions of Americans were thrown out of work, while the richest had their taxes cut in half. As productivity increased from 1980 to the present, working peoples wages remained essentially frozen. Major corporations laid off tens of thousands of workers while making enormous profits.

      By Republican standards, Ronald Reagan is considered the best President ever. His success was the destruction of the unions that had fought so long and hard for the high wages and benefits that gave American workers the highest standard of living in the world.

      The speech he gave in Philadelphia, Mississippi where he symbolically stood on the graves of three lynched civil rights workers and promised to restore states rights; solidified the southern vote for the Republican Party forever.

      Union members are still voting Republican. When deer put lions and tigers in office, what do they expect. Today 20 July 16, as I am writing this; as the "Good old boy's" say "Hit don't make no difference now" and as a friend of mine used to say, "It's all over but the shoutin", when is the funeral.


Enjoy the music.  

Rok, "Hit don't make no difference now"; the entire south is on food stamps.


Enjoy the music.

I rated those three links the same as you; naturally we liked Mingus the best.

Although jazz musicians had a tough time (when they were the best) back then, I believe things are better now for a number of reasons: number 1 being they can go to a recording studio and have a CD made, and sell it at their live performances. That would most certainly help the really good musicians who only need exposure.

While that was on the plus side, I think the number of places for them to appear is on the minus side; it's got to be hard to make a living as a jazz musician. From what I heard, they still have to go to Europe and Japan; although it's not a race thing, but a cultural thing.



Enjoy the music.

Rok, I understand, my last post implied there was a difference between the Republican, and Democratic parties; maybe there was once upon a time, but as far as I'm concerned they both are politicians, who are only for politicians.

When I was a kid shooting marbles, we had something called "Hobble squabble", and when that was yelled out, everybody pounced on the marbles in the ring to see who could get the most; today, that's the way it is with the Democratic and Republican Parties.

Rok, I will retract anything you find that is incorrect; simply point it out to me.



Enjoy the music.

Rok, this is not the first time this trolley jumped it's tracks and it won't be the last time. Would you kindly go back to my post at 3:32 PM today. That was the last post I made that is "applicable" to this thread; it was about the bass clarinet, an interesting instrument.



Enjoy the music.

Since jazz movies, or movies about jazz musicians, are the current topic of discussions; I'll begin by asking, has anyone seen "Miles Ahead", "Born To Be Blue", about Chet Baker" or "Nina".

Although I haven't seen any of them, I will relay to you what's been said by others. "Nina" it seems isn't Black enough, and that goes for skin color as well as attitude. Zoe Saldana isn't dark enough, and can't sing. (how did she get the part?) Sounds like another flop.

"Born To Be Blue" it seems this is the one movie that got a good rating.

"Ethan Hawke lights up the screen as jazz legend Chet Baker, whose tumultuous life is thrillingly reimagined with wit, verve, and style to burn. In the 1950s, Baker was one of the most famous trumpeters in the world, renowned as both a pioneer of the West Coast jazz scene and an icon of cool. By the 1960s, he was all but washed up, his career and personal life in shambles due to years of heroin addiction. In his innovative anti-biopic, director Robert Budreau zeroes in on Baker's life at a key moment in the 1960s, just as the musician attempts to stage a hard-fought comeback, spurred in part by a passionate romance with a new flame (Carmen Ejogo). Creatively blending fact with fiction and driven by Hawke's virtuoso performance, "Born to Be Blue" unfolds with all the stylistic brio and improvisatory genius of great jazz".

That's a good write up, sounds like a movie worth seeing; Carmen Ejogo certainly makes a pretty picture.

There it is folks, now you can add your two or three cents worth.



Enjoy the music.

Ahmad Jamal is the only major jazz artist we have not thoroughly reviewed. He is one of the few artists that Miles admired. That alone indicates this artist must have something worth investigating.


        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyyfM-gI400


I ran across that interesting album on first search.


Enjoy the music.

"Nica"  was a most astounding lady; she did more in one life than most people could have done in three lives. When I was young (17), the stories about her and "Bird" were so pervasive, that I believed them, and they made her out to be no more than a "hootchie mama" ( in current slang) That gives you an idea of the power of the press.

From what was available, I chose "Pannonica".




Enjoy the music.

Although Sax is my favorite instrument, I'm getting tired of it. (bad choice of words, but it's late) Looking at your list, the people I don't listen to on a regular basis are Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Lee Konitz, and Lenny Tristano.

I suggest we set up some guidelines so that we'll know how to proceed,and when the review on that particular artist has concluded. When we decide to review an artist, all aficionados should agree to focus exclusively on that particular artist.

Getting this thread to go as a unit in one direction is like trying to herd cats. I for one promise to go along with whatever guide lines are set up, and to focus on the artist in the spotlight, but it's quite evident that we need to do this before proceeding.

Rok, that means you can keep "today's listen" to yourself, unless you are listening to the artist in the spot light. BTW you did a good job of reviewing and focusing on "Horace Silver".


Enjoy the music.

Ahmad Jamal has always been a very advanced artist, that's why Miles liked him so much. "Extensions" is a tune that could have been done yesterday, but he originated it in the 60's, that's just one of the reasons Miles liked him.

I saw him in Chicago, and had the opportunity to have a few drinks and conversation with Frank Gant, his drummer, after the set; this was in the 80's, and Frank told me they had tickets to Japan, he said they couldn't make it by only appearing in this country; Japan and Europe were a necessity as opposed to a choice.

Complete review of Ahmad Jamal in the works.



                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0G1D0j0zLQ



Enjoy the music.

I'll begin my review by sharing with you what "Wiki" has to say about Mr. Jamal.


          https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmad_Jamal


A good friend of mine managed to be on the set of "Live At The Pershing" in 58. He was 18 (same age as me), I don't know how he managed it, since we both lived in St. Louis, and too young to be on that set legally; but made he did and you can hear his "donkey laugh" on that LP.
Every time I play it and hear his "donkey laugh", I remember Hank.

I'm sure everybody has that LP in their collection; after it came out "Poinciana" was so popular that you would have to live on a different planet not to have heard it, but just in case; here it is to refresh your memory.


          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ev-3kIXlEGA


Get set for a long ride because I'm going to start in the late 50's and come up to the present. That's all for now folks.


Enjoy the music.

That's a marvelous suggestion Alex, could you bring us up to 58.

Thank you.

Enjoy the music.

Michelzay,"The Ahmad Jamal Trio Vol 4" doesn't appear as such on "you tube", but what does come up is "Ahmad's Blues" which has the same tunes.


        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnTbSpyEIf8


        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7RIDZulyHA


This tune is like a cool breeze coming off of lake Michigan on a hot summer night.



Enjoy the music.

Frogman I've been trying to figure out what you're trying to say in regard to reviewing an artist; are you saying review every record that artist has made?

Alex, do you think you have posted the most significant recordings made before 58?

Are there any more suggestions before I get too deeply involved in this review?


Enjoy the music.

Alex, we'll rely on you for anything significant before 58. He recorded quite a bit in 58, and I don't know how much of it is redundant; meaning some of the tunes were recorded earlier, he might have decided to re-do them. That's the case we have already ran into regarding Michelzay's choice of albums. Next on my list is "Portfolio Of Ahmad Jamal".


Enjoy the music.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=portfolio+of+Ahmad+Jamal


This is "Portfolio Of Ahmad Jamal"; these are the tunes:


1 Ole Devil Moon 4:07
2 Seleritus 3:09
3 It Could Happen To You 4:16
4 Ivy 2:55
5 Tater Pie 3:05
6 This Can't Be Love 4:56
7 Autumn Leaves 7:33
8 Ahmad's Blues 4:16
9 Let's Fall In Love 5:04
10 Aki Ukthay 'Brother And Sister' 3:19


"Autumn Leaves" is my favorite on this album, let us hear which ones you like the best.



                  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_jftTWQZ3g&index=7&list=PLf54dkJsWJ3MCWrux-KHwBHqh9zbVgwX0


Enjoy the music.

Frogman, as a result of so much enthusiasm, I most certainly will not be covering "Ahmad Jamal" record by record, year by year; I will decide what I think is significant, review the best, and leave the rest.



Enjoy the music.

This is what "The Piano Scene Of Ahmad Jamal" looks like according to "Discogs"

Jamal ‎– The Piano Scene Of Ahmad Jamal
Label:
Epic ‎– LN 3631
Format:
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Country:
US
Released:
1959
Genre:
Jazz
Style:

Tracklist
A1 Old Devil Moon
A2 Ahmad's Blues
A3 Poinciana
A4 Billy Boy
A5 Will You Still Be Mine
A6 Pavanne
B1 Crazy He Calls Me
B2 The Surrey With The Fringe On Top
B3 Aki And Ukthay
B4 Slaughter On 10th Avenue
B5 A Gal In Calico
B6 It's Easy To Remember


Now it has become apparent to me, why I didn't buy Ahmad's albums every year; by this time, I think I had all those cuts on other LP's; although I might not have "Slaughter on 10 Avenue".


      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M78p4p0GShQ


Enjoy the music.

What's up Rok? When I said "You can keep today's listen to yourself" I was hoping to get you into the artist that's in the spotlight, but evidently Ahmad Jamal is not your cup of tea; in the book of Job, it is said "This to shall pass", meaning it won't last forever, and we will put an artist of your choosing in the spotlight after Ahmad Jamal.

In regard to "Today's listen", what I really meant is that I can't comment on it and focus on Ahmad Jamal at the same time, but there is nothing wrong with you posting it.


Enjoy the music.

Finally we're into 1959 (that was a very good year) "The Piano Scene of Ahmad Jamal" is the featured album. BTW here are some comments by other musicians about Ahmad:

 
The Musicians Speak
 

"When people say Jamal influenced me a lot, they're right..."

Miles Davis.


"Ahmad Jamal is Number One with me!"

Shirley Horn


"Ahmad approaches each song as a composition in itself. He doesn't allow the groove to become stagnant. He'll go into an interlude that changes the mood and then he'll go out of the interlude into a different groove that's even more swinging than the first was. He always gives the impression of having something in reserve. 'Don't shoot everything in one tune and play 50 choruses or it'll all sound the same,' he told me."

Julian "Cannonball" Adderley


"The space that Ahmad leaves in his playing creates a tension that captivates his audience...I tried to practice a trill that he makes look so easy, but I gave up!"

Harold Mabern


"Ahmad is a master at knowing how to draw the ultimate from a musician. He can fit his entire thing--something like Duke--to make you sound a hundred times better. Ahmad is a rhythmic innovator. He never settled for the trend at the time, the straight ahead jazz thing. He always intermixed 'exotic times or feeling' into jazz--rhumbas,tangos--he was able to do all these things and still make it all sound like jazz. I think Ahmad is still developing!"

Vernell Fournie


These are comments by other musicians about Ahmad's music, that we can listen for.


Enjoy the music.

Since there is so little interest in Ahmad Jamal, I have chosen to let there be a beginning and an end to the Ahmad Jamal story; someone else can fill in the middle, or start on another artist.

This ends with one of my favorite artists Mr. Yusef Lateef, and Ahmad Jamal.


          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8DGIqgRF7Q


Ahmad and Yusef is a 2 CD set, which means you get your monies worth.


      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZ643ujAf5E

This concludes the Ahmad Jamal story.



Enjoy the music.

Jafant I don't even know if I can remember how many copies of that record "Live At The Pershing" I have worn out and replaced; besides sounding good, it has so much sentimental value.

59 was such a good year, I don't know if I'll ever catch up to all the good music made in that year.


Enjoy the music.

Acman, I'm glad you explained that; some of us are retired and we don't have an excuse, other than who knows for what reason, we just didn't want to respond.

As you stated, he has gotten a lot better, but we're talking about music, and maybe not "jazz jazz". I have no intentions of trying to explain what I just said.

I know this; I love listening to his music, which has evolved, as opposed to changing, and in order to enjoy it, you must listen with nothing else in mind; the more you listen to his current music, the more you will like it.

Any audiophile with a good setup will certainly appreciate his current music more than ever, because he pays close attention to recording quality.

If I get feedback to continue, I'll pick up where I left off.


Enjoy the music.