So sorry to hear of Sheila Jordan’s passing, but 96 is a good run.
Jazz for aficionados
Jazz for aficionados
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.
Enjoy the music.
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.
Enjoy the music.
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I assume you live near Tarrytown or thereabouts. Nice neighborhoods up there. I live out in Suffolk County L.I. I have that Bird At 100 disc and its a good one. Herring, Bartz and Watson are all great musicians. I have not seen Bobby Watson yet but plan on it. Lou Donaldson introduced me to Gary Bartz at the Village Vanguard after Lou preformed. Great conversation. I had quite a few conversations with "Sweet Papa" Lou before he passed on. First time hearing Richard Baratta. He can definitely swing on the kit. Thanks for sharing. A great Eric Alexander disc with a great band. "The Link" is one of my favorite tunes. https://youtu.be/m4ghvBnndOE?si=0kENRYRCKCu1AsQh Have you listened to saxophonist James Carter? he plays alto, baritone, tenor and soprano and is a master of the saxophone. He is like the "Jimi Hendrix of the sax" Carter: https://www.youtube.com/live/4SeWeICqs04?si=qSN7iKjFDTlrlQhq
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@pjw81563 -Thanks for the report. Really sounds like a tremendous show. Even though I'm 30+ minutes outside NYC, I've yet to see a show at Smoke. Herring, Gary Bartz and Bobby Watson recorded a fabulous Bird tribute at Smoke. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Sv--I-JFMY I've seen Vincent Herring a number of times, as part of Richard Barratta's various ensembles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tvuglBhHrg I've seen Mike LeDonne with his Heavy Hitters. He's/they are terrific. LeDonne regularly performs at the Jazz Forum, in Tarrytown, NY. That's a terrific place, with lots of top flight performers. |
You lucky dog! I caught Herring and Nash in a quartet with Cedar Walton and a bassist whose name escapes me (this was about 15 years ago) at Yoshi’s and my attention was repeatedly drawn back to Nash. Great drummer! Sadly, Yoshi's stopped regularly offering Jazz. At this point, Bay Area traffic is so insane that we only venture over there occasionally, to see family.
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@wharfy Great show. The acoustics at Smoke are very good that is why so many artists record live shows there. Herring and Alexander have been playing together over 3 decades and play off of each other really well. Herring mentioned the 2 "battle albums" - the 2005 Eric Alexander release "The Battle", and the 2011 Vincent Herring release "Friendly Fire". Both were recorded live at Smoke. The rhythm section of Mike Ledonne on piano, John Webber on bass with Lewis Nash on the drums really know how to swing. I had seen Webber and Nash multiple times but never Ledonne. Mike Ledonne and I had a 15 minute conversation after the set and it was a great experience. Ledonne graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Jaki Byard in 1978 and has been playing professionally nearly 50 years. Mike LeDonne’s Groover Quartet has been the featured Tuesday night band at Smoke for the past 14 years. On any given week you can hear some of the greatest players today like saxophonists Eric Alexander and Vincent Herring, guitarists Peter Bernstein, Paul Bollenback and Ed Cherry, and drummers Joe Farnsworth and Carl Allen. The late Jimmy Cobb, known for playing drums on Miles Davis’ KOB, really liked when John Webber was available to play bass with him live and in the studio. Webber is deserving of Cobb’s preference. I saw Jimmy Cobb many times and Webber was the bassist on nearly all of these occasions. Lewis Nash, whom I have also had the privilege of seeing multiple times, is a terrific and highly sought after drummer. |
@pjw81563 -How was the show? Eric Alexander and Vincent Herring are two heavy hitters! The rest of the quintet are no slouches, either. |
Hello jazz aficionado's and friends. Going to Smoke Jazz and Supper Club in NYC tonight to see tenor Eric Alexander and alto Vincent Herring. The rhythm section: piano- Mike Ledonne, bass- John Webber, and drums- Lewis Nash. The band has a residency at Smoke this week promoting the album release of "Split Decision". I have seen all of these musicians many times with other ensembles as well as the line up featured tonight and on the new album. They all like to play "straight ahead old school jazz". Music that rok2id would approve of. Is rok still participating on this thread? Here are some albums/songs I have of these guys and others and others for your consideration: Quintet I'm seeing tonight: https://youtu.be/Of_bslZM7zs?si=ZwedCIuWtBUFKPjo These 2 are from Emmet Cohen's place: https://youtu.be/NkD_kjId4Mc?si=Ae_7x2XkYsYqV-HF https://youtu.be/AGAvoqO4eUE?si=1IjOGdtGCpezJiXZ Album released by Eric Alexander and Mike Ledonne and co. calling the ensemble/sextet "The Heavy Hitters" https://youtu.be/xtCfwYRhC3A?si=6wxRgyD5HEiNL5Q6 A great song from an older (2001) Eric Alexander album titled "One For All" Live at Smoke. I could not find it on YT so here it is courtesy of Spotify: Eric Alexander The Second Milestone - playlist by Paul Irishman | Spotify Lastly, 2 albums by Eric Alexander and Vincent Herring "battling" if you will. https://youtu.be/KFN0bUwlsDE?si=TaGyX9XDRsufU5EE https://youtu.be/AmveY183pgU?si=8BHty_IBCiHMCAdX Have a great weekend everyone!
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Another one gone. This time, it's Sheila Jordan. https://www.npr.org/2025/08/11/847306270/sheila-jordan-obituary
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Is he the greatest guitarist ever ? no... But he is a great one in my book and this CD i listened non stop for a few years is one of my favorite relaxing listening...
When i really love a musician album it become like bread, i cannot go a day without eating this bread and listening to him; but i miss him most of the times in the two sense of the word "miss" because there is many others musicians i love too, then i make him wait and miss my encounter with him,and i suffer with a relief coming from someone else...
Ed Cherry... He seems not to have many recordings... Alas! His touch is very nuanced here... He does not show himself at all but he did not need to .. His mastery is real not a show... I like the Hammond organ a lot then the pairing of guitar and Hammond makes my day... The sound recording is first rate: |
@jafant +1 on Ralph Towner. Who of course reminds me of my love for Oregon and the Paul winter consort. Simply beautiful music throughout |
I am a mildly enthusiastic fan of the Venus label sound and artists, particularly the Steve Kuhn Trio. However I was listening to some of Eddie higgins's work the other day and all of a sudden it occurred to me that this could just very easily be background music at some fancy schmancy get together in the Catskills back in the 70s. So often piano jazz runs that line behind really good, memorable stuff and soundtrack fodder. |
New jazz and old jazz. New : The Heavyweight Champion Old: Undercurrent (Rudy Van Gelder Edition/2007 Remaster) Both great. I was at Grants Tomb in NYC for a concert with trumpeter and composer Jeremy Pelt last week. Jazz is alive and well.
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Lucky you! Tabackin is a great sax and flutist player... I like innovative big band...
We live too far from musical civilization... Or I live like an ermit... I dislike any crowd... I rarely go to see live event...I would have made an exception for Tabackin...
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Good find @acman3 I just happily listened to of the show and YouTube allowed me to watch it without any commercials!
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When I was referring to Jazz is Dead I should have explained that Jazz is Dead is both a Los Angelesbased record label and a live music project founded by Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad. They explore and celebrate the legacy of jazz, particularly through collaborations with artists and the creation of new music inspired by the genre. The record label and live music projects also encompasses concerts, studio albums, and multimedia content. Henry Franklin "Blue Lights" LIVE at Jazz Is Dead is an artist I posted a few pages ago who is on that same label and this song is a remake off his 1974 album I recently just posted. Henry Franklin - The Skipper at Home - 1974 Black Jazz Records About Ben Webster, lately I’ve been listening to the double album set ’Tenor Giants’ with Ben Webster and Coleman Hawkins and it’s probably the album with the hardest swinging I’ve listened, to date. Some of the tunes even out swung a few tunes from Count Basie I’ve come to like and enjoy. And that got my attention. |
Glad to hear you’re enjoying Towner and Tabackin. You might also enjoy exploring the music of Oregon and of the Toshiko Akioshi - Lew Tabackin Big Band. I’d never heard of Henry Franklin. I like this! When you said "speaking of Jazz is dead", I thought you meant: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnexTZkC3bY&list=RDEMO4tWw31r_rtcNQuGf2N8Gw&index=4 Thanks for bringing M.Mayo to our attention. I will explore ! |
@tyray , 😂 When I first joined this forum (14 yrs ago!) my youngest son had just received a present from his grandmother. Very cute pajamas with frogs all over them and we affectionately started calling my son “frogman”. When prompted to choose a moniker to complete the process of joining the forum I thought, well…….why not? |
@tyray , wow, that’s guide a spread Lew Tabackin and Ralph Towner. Tabacking the traditiinalist to Towner who is anything but. Love.it. You make an interesting comment about the rhythm section on “”Impressions”. While I’m not prepared to say Coltrane is the least talented, it’s a testament to the greatness of that trio that not only can they can play on the level of Coltrane, but “greater than the sum of the parts”.
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Thanks for that, acman3. Loved it. Probably the most unusual (and really good) version of Giant Steps I’ve heard. Glad to get to know this interesting new singe. A nod to Stevie Wonder on the ballad singing and one can tell that he is a piano player on his scatting. Most Jazz singers, even the ones who scat, would be lost with the Giant Steps changes. Pretty impressive. |
Thanks for the great Patrick Bartley music! I had not heard of him. I have a little Emmet Cohen and he is on one record a little, but had never chased down the alto player.
I have found this vocalist I had not heard of till recently. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVmyDA8QrfY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioZtTKDt5xo&list=RDioZtTKDt5xo&start_radio=1 |
When I was a kid and had an opportunity to hear A Love Supreme I just didn't get it. Now that I'm older and after the youtube algorithm sent me this live jam session of the John Coltrane Quartet - Impressions - 'Live' I was stunned by the sheer scope of talent by just four men. In fact on this piece in particular it seems John Coltrane is not the most talented musician of the quartet! Elvin Jones:Drums and especially Jimmy Garrison:Bass with McCoy Tyner:Piano stand out to me, the most! Go figure!?
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I’ve taken a deep dive into the music of Lew Tabackin and Ralph Towner and really like their music pieces. Speaking of 'Jazz is Dead’ here is the original version of the album by - Henry Franklin - The Skipper at Home - ℗ 1974 © Black Jazz Records |
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This young man has been making a lot of waves lately. Fantastic alto saxophone player with a somewhat “retro” sound and approach reminiscent of Cannonball. Great story telling in his solos. To think that not too long ago some thought Jazz was dead! |
Bloody Brilliant!
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Chick Corea and Dave Holland before fusion.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XPPvJyw8siY&pp=0gcJCfwAo7VqN5tD |
Life "encompasses" a lot. Different musicians choose to express their respective experiences of being human in different ways that may or may not be consistent with how a given listener defines "wonderful", "beautiful" or "magnificent". I guess it comes down to how much effort we’re willing to put in as individuals to try to find the "beauty" in something that initially strikes us as ugly/abrasive. There is an inevitable tension between artist and the one perceiving the art. As artists we want to be free to be genuine in our expressions. Presumably we want to facilitate some degree of communication, as well. For some, "the personal is the universal". For others, part of the craft is working with the material in ways that make the universality more explicit. It’s a balancing act. |
"The main thing a musician would like to do is to give a picture to the listener of the many wonderful things he knows of and senses in the universe. That's what music is to me—it's just another way of saying this is a big, beautiful universe we live in, that's been given to us, and here's an example of just how magnificent and encompassing it is. That's what I would like to do. I think that's one of the greatest things you can do in life, and we all try to do it in some way. The musician's is through his music. Coltrane and Eric Dolphy interviewed by Don DeMichael, as cited in "John Coltrane and Eric Dolphy Answer the Jazz Critic DownBeat |
Wow -- that's a pretty intense example! I cannot handle that. David Murray is an example of an artist whose recordings span a spectrum. I don't enjoy the more severe albums but I enjoy the more mellow ones, like this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBNXS7C-5So&list=OLAK5uy_nd0zv3V5YsbQ_wdk4MyFkij5UKnMKHhjQ&index=2 He did 3 or 4 albums with the same group, perhaps all recorded in one session. Ming's Samba is another I like. Could only find one tune on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDECyUGsU8Y
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Hi Stuart Limited doses of atonal/dissonance works for me as well. This is a live version (sounds nothing like the studio release) of Coltrane's Crescent with Pharoah Sanders alternating with Trane. The first 3 minutes you think its a melodic song unfolding nicely and then the dogs are let off the chains! |
Thanks frogman for the response. Short but very informative Leibman interview. Leibman talks about a few of the classical composers who have written scores with a lot of dissonance and I have sampled a lot of it this past year when I expanded my musical boundaries into the realm's of Mahler, Dvorak, Bruckner, Sibelius, Nielsen, Grieg, Shostakovich, Prokofiev, Korsakov, Borodin, Stravinsky and Tchaikovsky (basically all of the great classical composers from 1800 - 1950) along with the dissonance of Schoenberg and others of those mentioned by Leibman. That said, I still have trouble with enjoying dissonant music whether it is classical or jazz but it is not for a lack of trying. I would much rather listen to Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov's Sheherazade then Arnold Schoenberg's Suite, Op.29. I would much rather listen to Coltrane's Giant Steps then Ascension. Changing the subject but still on topic (jazz not classical), this is a great 12 minute video of musician Rick Beato sharing his short but very interesting and insightful relationship with Michael Brecker. (Elvin Jones as well). The way in which Beato emphasizes the greatness of Brecker reminded me of a few of your Brecker posts. |
Just watched the Liebman interview. Wow -- what a refreshingly down to earth and "real" statement that manages to point out aspects of Free playing that make it both appealing and difficult. This makes me want to seek out more interviews by Liebman. Very cool!
I can empathize with your difficulty. One aspect of Post Bop I enjoy is its use of certain techniques also used in Free playing but in "limited doses" within a generally melodic context. I can handle a certain amount of dissonance if it’s used as "seasoning", but when it becomes the "main course", not so much. |
