Proof that there is always more to learn: when I first got into jazz, in pre-internet times, I only knew about Lloyd’s ECM releases. I had no knowledge of his classic quartet for DECADES. So glad I’ve patched that hole in my listening….
What’s not to like about Bob Cooper? Insanely talented multi-instrumentalist, great composer and arranger, member of Stan Kenton’s band at age 20, married to June Christy for over four decades. He was an excellent tenor player in the Stan Getz vein, and single-handedly made oboe a viable jazz instrument. His English horn solo on “Round Midnight” is one of many high points here. (This is a 1981 British repress of the 1955 Capitol Records original.)
This is the 1969 repress of the 1961 original session, and it highlights Ellis’ relentless creativity while not sacrificing the “jazziness” of the album. Experiments in meter, free playing, chord structure and harmonic rhythm exist within blues and swing. Features Jaki Byard and a pre-Miles Davis Ron Carter! I actually like Ellis in the small combo format; it shows his sensitivity, in contrast to the bombast of his later orchestras.
First of three Carla Bley pickups this past month. Solid compositions that color inside and outside the lines, and lots of good solos. Includes a longer version of “Drinking Music” (heard on the Music Liberation Orchestra album). What’s really cool is the broad mix of sidemen here: NYC usual suspects (Michael Mantler, Roswell Rudd, Andrew Cyrille), odd brass (John Clark and Bob Stewart), plus UK Canterbury folk (Elton Dean, Hugh Hopper, Gary Windo) and pianist Terry Adams from NRBQ! Carla is playing organ and tenor sax (?).
Picked up this 1970 release yesterday with only the vaguest of recommendations. Didn’t know the artist. One long self-composed jam and 5 standards. Was not expecting some of the most dense and ecstatic solo playing I’ve ever heard! Melody peeking out from behind a sea of outrageously virtuosic patterns, tremolo that sounds more like a mandolin than a guitar— just bonkers. Hell yeah!
I’m sure this has happened to you— you pick up a release by an obscure artist, maybe take a chance on something used by someone you’ve never heard of, listen to it once and then file it away, never to be seen again. That’s the case with this 2008 release, which I rediscovered browsing my stash. I don’t know of she’s still performing or recording, but this was the last of several releases she put out in the 2000s. She also did collabs with acoustic musicians, which I appreciate.
Of all the great Sonny records, this has a special place for me. I wore out the public library’s copy of The Bridge when I was a teenager; it was one of my gateways into the world of jazz. When I found this used Bluebird reissue several years ago, I snatched it up. I know there are more “landmark” albums (Saxophone Colossus, Tenor Madness, Way Out West, Alfie, East Broadway Run Down, A Night at the Village Vanguard), but the emotional range of the tunes on here is just inspiring for both musicians and casual listeners.
Designed by Williams, Trebilcock, Whitehead, and finished 1965. Originally the home of the Graphic Arts Technical Foundation, it was sold to the Carnegie Museums in the late 90’s for use by their Development Office, then sold to Carnegie Mellon in 2012. It has two levels above ground and two below, and the main atrium retains many original details.
The Sun Ra Arkestra was filming at the new Arts Landing at the Ninth St. Bridge this afternoon. Unfortunately, I got there right as rain chased them under cover, but there was music and dance and all sorts of Afro-Futurist pageantry going on…