I'm going to review records in my collection, and you'll be able to decide if they're worthy of your collection. These records are what I consider "must haves" for any jazz aficionado, and would be found in their collections. I wont review any record that's not on CD, nor will I review any record if the CD is markedly inferior. Fortunately, I only found 1 case where the CD was markedly inferior to the record.
Our first album is "Moanin" by Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers. We have Lee Morgan , trumpet; Benney Golson, tenor sax; Bobby Timmons, piano; Jymie merrit, bass; Art Blakey, drums.
The title tune "Moanin" is by Bobby Timmons, it conveys the emotion of the title like no other tune I've ever heard, even better than any words could ever convey. This music pictures a person whose down to his last nickel, and all he can do is "moan".
"Along Came Betty" is a tune by Benny Golson, it reminds me of a Betty I once knew. She was gorgeous with a jazzy personality, and she moved smooth and easy, just like this tune. Somebody find me a time machine! Maybe you knew a Betty.
While the rest of the music is just fine, those are my favorite tunes. Why don't you share your, "must have" jazz albums with us.
That Perdomo “Infancia” clip with the great Ignacio Berroa reminded me of this. With Schubert’s favorite Jazz piano player and a young Carlos Enrique before Wynton snatched him up:
Speaking of Berroa, probably the greatest Cuban drummer of recent times. For anyone wanting to learn about the “technicalities” of Afro Cuban drumming, the heart of Latin Jazz. But, proceed at your own risk, you might get your “Aficionado” card revoked 😊 Interesting stuff:
Fabulous stuff, thanks! You’re right, hard to not notice Perdomo. I like the way that he burns without sounding like he turned the knob up to 11; always disciplined. Nice to hear the classic Fender Rhodes sound.
One of my favorite recent recordings with Perdomo as sideman:
Speaking of noticing and of discipline. I love the way it’s hard to not notice the respect for Trane and McCoy while clearly bringing things to the present with their own thing. Perdomo kills on this. (Man, Ravi looks like his Dad!):
Pjw, that is some really hip music, I don't know why it's not in my collection, but that will be corrected. It sounds like the South Side of Chicago, back in the day; that's the coolest place I've ever been; that guy is even dressed like a South Side hipster, look at those shoes; I always wished I could dance like that.
Miguel Zenon, Alma Adentro, is alto saxophonist Miguel Zenón’s most ambitious exploration yet of Puerto Rico’s music. It is also his best. The disc surveys the Puerto Rican Songbook, but Zenón assumes command of each tune with ease. The project features his regular quartet (pianist Luis Perdomo, bassist Hans Glawischnig, drummer Henry Cole) and a 10-piece wind ensemble conducted and arranged by Guillermo Klein.
Without a doubt, that's the best new music I've heard.
A very interesting development has arisen, which I will not attempt to clarify; however, I will "specify", that is to determine the specificity of the quality of the music we call "jazz".
First and foremost, the title of this thread is "Jazz For Aficionados". In regard to that title, we must define who is, and who is not a "Jazz Aficionado". Some might assume that if one graduated from "Julee Yard", that individual would qualify; "It Ain’t necessarily So". However, said individual would most certainly be an expert on all things regarding the technicalities of music.
What is an "Aficionado"? A person who is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about an activity, subject, or pastime. "aficionados of the finest wines". Now in our case, it’s "jazz", not wine. While it’s not stated, but implied; this is meant to be Jazz in the lineage of Charles "yardbird" Parker of which "The Jazz Messengers" sprang. While the word "jazz" is most ambiguous, when we get into the specificity of this thread, it’s not all inclusive. But since we don’t want to appear snobbish (God forbid); we’ll just hold our noses and allow all of those lesser form of music that wished to be called "Jazz" into our humble abode.
Well, as is often the case, the truth is somewhere in the middle. First, Cugat was born in Spain, not Cuba. So, from that standpoint he was not Cuban, but his music certainly was. To say his music was not Cuban is like saying that the music of band leaders like Benny Goodman or Artie Shaw was not American Big Band Jazz and that only that of leaders like Basie and Ellington was; doesn’t fly. Sure, much of it was commercialized, but as with Jazz in the US there were different levels of commercialization designed for the masses and not necessarily for “aficionados”. The Andre Rieu analogy is not a bad one actually; but, say what you will, the music his orchestra plays is still “Classical”. Much of it is watered down and the “packaging” can be cringe worthy, but a lot of it (Strauss waltzes) is what it is and as originally composed.
Rok mentions Buena Vista. I agree, great stuff. It is Cuban all the way and I agree that it qualifies as Jazz, but much of it is closer to what one could call Cuban folk music and a throwback to a bygone era (pre Cugat). The simmering hot, more aggressive brass laden salsa sound that many associate with Cuban music would not come until later.
pjw, great player Zenon; been a fan for some time. And, no, no difference between Cuban Jazz and Afro-Cuban Jazz. All Cuban Jazz has a very strong “Afro” component in its rhythms. Actually, all Jazz does.
Xavier Cugat was born in Cuba, but he was not Cuban; he was American Commercial all the way and he made a ton of money, plus he married the worlds foxiest women; he was even married to the "hoochie coochie" girl Charo, who said he had hootched his last cootchie and needed to rest.
Miguel Zenon is a favorite of mine as well. Not Cuban (born in Puerto Rico) but nevertheless I think he’s a fantastic player/composer/arranger. "The Puerto Rican Song Book" studio session:
I like all the Cuban infusion/influenced "jazz". You can certainly dance to most of it. frogman what is the difference (if there is) between "Afro Cuban" and "Cuban jazz" Anyway Paquito has always been a favorite of mine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buTkisOr2tY
I was 13 when I saw this movie, and I was more impressed by the music than I was the movie. The music was presented as Brazilian, so how was I to know that it was Cuban?
Great Beny More clips. Beny (one n) More is considered by many to be the greatest Cuban singer of all time. For me, particularly great was his way with love songs. Silky smooth voice, suave delivery and immaculate intonation:
A favorite contemporary Cuban female vocalist with a voice as sexy as her looks, Xiomara Laugart has released a couple of very interesting recordings on the Chesky label with beautiful songs and fantastic Chesky audio quality:
It's impossible for a person to know anymore than what he has been exposed to; I remember when Cuban music was limited to what I was hearing from "Ricky" of "I Love Lucy" fame.
While we have been sharing instrumental music, I'm finding the Cuban vocalists quite interesting as well. Here's what I found on "you tube".
Since I can remember, I've had Caribbean fantasies, palm trees, blue ocean, and everything that goes with that; "Fantasy Island". I almost succeeded but some unruly natives messed it up. Fantasies are better than reality anyway.
Maybe Frogman will chime in and help us out with the best known Cuban vocalists.
When I was 15, I recall walking past a nightclub (the Manhattan) with a large picture window and seeing this teenage girl with three grown women having a drink, (Pink Lady). She was so pretty, and dressed up to look like an older woman. She could dress up to look like an older woman if she wanted to, but she couldn't fool another teenager, especially this one.
I went in, and got a bag of potato chips to get a closer look. At that time, she was just a pretty teenage girl trying to look like an older woman; that was before she became the famous "Tina Turner"; I'm not sure if she was even entertaining at that time, but it was the same club where she began her career. (She was 16 at that time).
Both of those dances bring back memories of some of the best times in my young life. I recall a girl with large hips who really swung them to the "Slop".
It's amazing how we take youth for granted and not for one instant does the thought that we're one day going to get old enters our mind. Today I decided to go back to that time.
Do you remember Jackie Wilson, Chuck Jackson or Roy Hamilton ? Share with us your favorites. Here are 3 of my favorites.
I had no idea that was originally a Spanish tune. It has come to my attention that going back in time, so much music on movie soundtracks, and a lot of Latin music in general was never accredited to Cuba. Now I can tell when the music has a Cuban lilt.
It’s been done both ways. Interesting that Ms Washington chose to cover all bases. I suppose forgivable given that the song was actually written in Spanish by a Mexican songwriter with a title that translates to “When I Return To Your Side”:
First time around, She sings, what a difference a day 'made' and later, what a difference a day 'makes', and lastly what a difference a day 'made'. Is that the way the song is written?
A lot of singers screw this up. Some even say, what a difference a day 'make'. I cringe.
Dinah Washington: Maybe the most unique and instantly recognizable voices in the business. Love everything she does. She, with brook Benton, on my F-150 playlist.
Come with me; we don't have to stay where a person can't even buy toilet paper, we can travel in time; we can even lock ourselves into the most pleasurable moments in time, and relive those precious moments over and over.
O10, I like when you write stories and bring up the memories. I am sure I am not the only one thinking like this. No need to justify to anyone if I may say so. But I guess you already know that. :-) Wonderful clip on flying over the big city at night...
so foolish, unreasonable, or out of place as to be amusing; ridiculous.
I went to Walmart for toilet paper, among other things. The store I go to stocks enough toilet paper for an army; shelves 7 feet tall and very long; they were empty.
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