Showing posts with label Thad Jones. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thad Jones. Show all posts

Thursday, August 29, 2024

Hank Jones, Thad Jones - Phases

Styles: Piano And Trumpet Jazz
Year: 2019
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 97:38
Size: 226,1 MB
Art: Front

(4:09)  1. Shadowland
(3:34)  2. Pretty Brown
(4:26)  3. You Are Too Beautiful
(6:35)  4. Buzz-At
(2:39) 5. Bye and Bye When the Morning Comes
(5:01)  6. Six and Four
(3:33)  7. You Don't Know What Love Is
(4:34)  8. Lonesome Road
(6:13)  9. Keepin' up with the Joneses
(6:46) 10. Nice and Nasty
(4:10) 11. There Is No Greater Love
(8:05) 12. Ray-El
(4:57) 13. Three and One
(3:16) 14. On the Alamo
(2:52) 15. Little Girl Blue
(4:50) 16. It Had to Be You
(2:29) 17. Teach Me Tonight
(6:23) 18. Lady Luck
(3:14) 19. Mack the Knife
(6:07) 20. Sput 'N' Jeff
(3:34) 21. Royal Garden Blues

The oldest of the Jones brothers, Hank Jones has been a supreme accompanist and underrated soloist. He's among the most accomplished sight readers in jazz, and his flexibility and sensitive style have kept him extremely busy cutting sessions and working in various groups and styles ranging from swing to bebop. He's worked with vocalists, played in big bands and done many solo, trio, and combo dates.

Born in 1918 in Vicksburg, Mississippi, Jones moved with his family to the Detroit area while still a child, and studied piano early, listening carefully to Art Tatum, Teddy Wilson, Earl Hines, and Fats Waller. He began playing in the midwest at age 13, and worked in territory bands. Jones met Lucky Thompson in one of these groups, and Thompson invited him to New York in 1944 to work with Hot Lips Page at the Onyx Club. Jones worked for a while with John Kirby, Howard McGhee, Coleman Hawkins, Andy Kirk, and Billy Eckstine, then began touring in 1947. He worked with Jazz at the Philharmonic, then accompanied Ella Fitzgerald from 1948 to 1953. Jones also cut many sessions for Norman Granz's labels in the late '40s and early '50s, many with Charlie Parker. He worked and recorded in the '50s with Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, Lester Young, Milt Jackson, and Cannonball Adderley before joining CBS' staff in 1959. He worked on such programs as The Ed Sullivan Show and stayed with CBS until they disbanded the staff in 1976. He recorded several sessions with Savoy in the mid- and late '50s, playing with Donald Byrd, Herbie Mann, Wendell Marshall, and Kenny Clarke, among others. He also recorded solo and quartet dates for Epic. His quartet with Osie Johnson, Barry Galbraith, and Milt Hinton became one of New York's busiest during the early '60s, sometimes doing three dates a day. They cut albums for Capitol and ABC in 1958, though Galbraith missed the ABC sessions.

Jones continued recording at Capitol, Argo, and Impulse in the early '60s, at times working with his brother Elvin. He made a host of recordings in the '70s. There were solo dates for Trio and Galaxy, and trio sessions for Interface and Concord, among others in the '70s. There were duo dates with Flanagan for Verve and Galaxy in the late '70s. Jones served as pianist and conductor for the Broadway musical Ain't Misbehavin in the late '70s. He also played in the Great Jazz Trio, originally with Ron Carter and Tony Williams. (Buster Williams replaced Carter on the trio's first recording date.) Jones continued with the trio into the '80s, though Eddie Gomez and Al Foster later became his mates, and Jimmy Cobb replaced Foster in 1982. The trio also backed Art Farmer, Benny Golson, and Nancy Wilson. Jones was the resident pianist at the Cafe Ziegfeld in the early '80s, and toured Japan with George Duvivier and Sonny Stitt. He kept his recording blitz going into the digital era. In 1989, he was named a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master. In 2004, he was awarded as an ASCAP Jazz Living Legend; five years later, he received a National Medal of Arts; and in 2009, Jones earned a Lifetime Achievement award at the Grammys. One year later, he died in the Bronx while in hospice, just a few weeks after returning from performance dates in Japan. ~ Ron Wynn https://www.allmusic.com/artist/hank-jones-mn0000558339/biography

A harmonically advanced trumpeter/cornetist with a distinctive sound, as well as a talented arranger/composer, Thad Jones (the younger brother of Hank and older brother of Elvin) had a very productive career. Self-taught on trumpet, he started playing professionally with Hank Jones and Sonny Stitt when he was 16. After serving in the military (1943-1946), Jones worked in territory bands in the Midwest. During 1950-1953 he performed regularly with Billy Mitchell's quintet in Detroit and he made a few recordings with Charles Mingus (1954-1955). Jones became well-known during his long period (1954-1963) with Count Basie's Orchestra, taking a "Pop Goes the Weasel" chorus on "April in Paris," and sharing solo duties with Joe Newman. While with Basie, Jones had the opportunity to write some arrangements and he became a busy freelance writer after 1963. He joined the staff of CBS, co-led a quintet with Pepper Adams, and near the end of 1965, organized a big band with drummer Mel Lewis that from February 1966 on, played Monday nights at the Village Vanguard. 

During the next decade the orchestra (although always a part-time affair) became famous and gave Jones an outlet for his writing. He composed one standard ("A Child Is Born") along with many fine pieces including "Fingers," "Little Pixie," and "Tiptoe." Among the sidemen in the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra (which started out as an all-star group and later on featured younger players) were trumpeters Bill Berry, Danny Stiles, Richard Williams, Marvin Stamm, Snooky Young, and Jon Faddis, trombonists Bob Brookmeyer, Jimmy Knepper, and Quentin Jackson, the reeds of Jerome Richardson, Jerry Dodgion, Eddie Daniels, Joe Farrell, Pepper Adams, and Billy Harper, pianists Hank Jones and Roland Hanna, and bassists Richard Davis and George Mraz. In 1978, Jones surprised Lewis by suddenly leaving the band and moving to Denmark, an action he never explained. He wrote for a radio orchestra and led his own group called Eclipse. In late 1984 Jones took over the leadership of the Count Basie Orchestra but within a year bad health forced him to retire. Thad Jones recorded as a leader for Debut (1954-1955), Blue Note, Period, United Artists, Roulette, Milestone, Solid State, Artists House, A&M, Metronome, and many of the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra's best recordings have been reissued on a five-CD Mosaic box set.~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/artist/thad-jones-mn0000133119/biography

Phases

Friday, June 7, 2024

Stanley Turrentine - The Look Of Love

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1968
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 38:02
Size: 87,8 MB
Art: Front

(4:23) 1. The Look Of Love
(3:26) 2. Here There And Everywhere
(3:22) 3. A Beautiful Friendship
(6:01) 4. Blues For Stan
(2:34) 5. This Guy's In Love With You
(4:41) 6. MacArthur Park
(2:25) 7. I'm Always Drunk In San Francisco
(3:14) 8. Emily
(3:43) 9. Cabin In The Sky
(4:07) 10. Smile

With its mix of pop covers and jazz material, The Look of Love could be considered a typical Turrentine album from the late '60s. What sets this and a few other of his Blue Note titles apart, though, are the full yet tasteful string and band arrangements by jazz flügelhorn player and composer Thad Jones. With his flexible phrasing and muscular tone, Turrentine dives into the lush arrangements, especially on the sweeping rendition of Burt Bacharach's "Look of Love." Other pop selections bring mixed results: The plodding arrangement on "McArthur Park" garners a lukewarm response from Turrentine, while the tender settings for "Emily" and another Bacharach number, "This Guy's in Love With You," elicit the kind of velvety vaporous tone and sincere romantic phrasing Turrentine usually killed with on ballads.

More upbeat, straight-ahead material like "A Beautiful Friendship" and the blues swinger "Blues for Stan" keep the date well balanced and set the table for some masterful Turrentine solos. Again, special mention should be made of Thad Jones who, along with Oliver Nelson (Nancy Wilson's Welcome to My Love in particular) and Duke Pearson, supplanted the usual syrupy arrangements found on "cross-over" dates with intelligent, complimentary charts. Turrentine certainly appreciated it, as evidenced by his strong work here. Purists who usually cringe at late-'60s jazz dates like this (yes, there is a Beatles cover here) might be pleasantly surprised. For those who feel Bacharach and Jimmy Webb provide fine material for jazz, then The Look of Love is a must.By Stephen Cook https://www.allmusic.com/album/look-of-love-mw0000899764

Personnel: Stanley Turrentine - tenor saxophone; Jimmy Nottingham, Snooky Young - flugelhorn; Benny Powell - bass trombone; Jim Buffington - French horn; Kenny Burrell - guitar; Hank Jones - piano; Duke Pearson - piano, arranger ; Roland Hanna - piano; George Duvivier - bass; Grady Tate - drums; Mickey Roker - Thad Jones - drums

The Look Of Love

Sunday, November 5, 2023

Rhoda Scott - Paris - New York Disc 1 And Disc 2

Album: Paris - New York   Disc 1

Styles: Jazz, Post Bop
Year: 2012
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:19
Size: 134,6 MB
Art: Front

(3:08)  1. Moanin'
(3:43)  2. Il Est Mort Le Soleil
(7:41)  3. Medley from ''West Side Story''
(4:13)  4. Take A Ladder
(4:43)  5. Ebb Tide
(2:47)  6. What Kind Of Fool Am I?
(2:26)  7. Count Basie (Lil Darlin)
(6:38)  8. Splanky
(4:29)  9. Mach II
(3:26) 10. Fire And Brimstone
(5:08) 11. Jeremy
(6:30) 12. Delilah
(3:20) 13. Blues At The Bilboquet


Album: Paris - New York  Disc 2

Time: 43:57
Size: 101,4 MB

(4:32)  1. Mach 2
(4:33)  2. Tanikka
(5:02)  3. Rhoda Map
(4:15)  4. R And R
(4:34)  5. Charlotte's Walz
(5:08)  6. Walkin' About
(7:26)  7. Take A Ladder
(4:24)  8. La La Solitude
(4:00)  9. Quand Je Monte Chez Toi

In 1967, following in the footsteps of Tadd Dameron and Quincy Jones, Rhoda Scott arrives in France to take classes with Nadia Boulanger. Barely a year later, she recorded her debut album Barclay, Take a Ladder duet with one of the best drummers of the moment, Daniel Humair. A long series of albums will follow, two of which are particularly distinguished by the presence of first-rate accompanists: Mach II (1971) in which his long-time accomplice, American saxophonist / flutist Joe Thomas and especially Rhoda Scott in New York, participate. (1976), the result of the collaboration between the virtuoso organist and the great orchestra of Thad Jones / Mel Lewis. Translate by Google https://www.amazon.fr/Paris-New-York-Rhoda-Scott/dp/B007JNN1LG

Personnel: Organ [Hammond] – Rhoda Scott; Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute – Edward Xiques, Jerry Dodgion; Arranged By, Flugelhorn – Thad Jones; Baritone Saxophone – Pepper Adams; Bass – Bob Bowman ; Drums – Mel Lewis; Electric Piano – Harold Danko; Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet – Larry Schneider; Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet – Gregory Herbert; Trombone – Billy Campbell, Clifford Adams, Earl Mc Intyre, John Mosca; Trumpet – Al Porcino, Cecil Bridgewater, Earl Gardner, Lynn Nicholson


Saturday, April 15, 2023

Count Basie and His Orchestra - April in Paris

Styles: Piano Jazz, Big Band
Year: 1955
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 69:02
Size: 159,0 MB
Art: Front

(3:51) 1. April in Paris
(5:18) 2. Corner Pocket
(4:46) 3. Didn't You?
(4:01) 4. Sweetie Cakes
(3:09) 5. Magic
(5:17) 6. Shiny Stockings
(3:24) 7. What Am I Here For?
(3:16) 8. Midgets
(3:26) 9. Mambo Inn
(3:17) 10. Dinner with Friends
(3:55) 11. April In Paris (Alternate Take)
(5:07) 12. Corner Pocket (Alternate Take)
(4:58) 13. Didn't You? (Alternate Take)
(3:50) 14. Magic (Alternate Take 1)
(3:55) 15. Magic (Alternate Take 2)
(4:12) 16. What Am I Here For? (Alternate Take)
(3:11) 17. Midgets (Alternate Take)

One of the staples in the Count Basie discography, April in Paris is one of those rare albums that makes its mark as an almost instant classic in the jazz pantheon. April in Paris represents the reassembly of the original Count Basie orchestra that define swing in the 1930s and 1940s. The title track has come to define elegance in orchestral jazz.

Though only ten tracks in its original release, seven alternate takes have now been incorporated into Verve's re-release of the original session tapes. Other key tracks include "Corner Pocket" and "Magic," both of which are also featured in the alternate takes. Recorded in 1955 and 1956, April in Paris proved Count Basie's ability to grow through modern jazz changes while keeping the traditional jazz orchestra vital and alive. By Christopher Fielder https://www.allmusic.com/album/april-in-paris-mw0000191459

Personnel: Count Basie - piano; Wendell Culley (tracks 1-7 & 9–16), Reunald Jones (tracks 1-7 & 9–16), Thad Jones (tracks 1-7 & 9–16), Joe Newman - trumpet; Henry Coker, Bill Hughes, Benny Powell - trombone (tracks 1-7 & 9–16); Marshall Royal - alto saxophone, clarinet (tracks 1-7 & 9–16); Bill Graham - alto saxophone (tracks 1-7 & 9–16); Frank Wess - alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, flute, clarinet; Frank Foster - tenor saxophone, clarinet (tracks 1-7 & 9–16); Charlie Fowlkes - baritone saxophone, bass clarinet (tracks 1-7 & 9–16); Freddie Green - guitar; Eddie Jones - bass; Sonny Payne - drums; José Mangual, Sr., Ubaldo Nieto - percussion (track 9); William "Wild Bill" Davis (tracks 1 & 11), Neal Hefti (track 10), Frank Foster (tracks 3, 6, 7, 9, 13 & 16), Joe Newman (tracks 8 & 17), Ernie Wilkins (track 2, 4, 12) - arranger

April in Paris

Thursday, March 30, 2023

Charles Mingus, John La Porta - Jazzical Moods

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:41
Size: 113.7 MB
Styles: Bop, Piano jazz
Year: 1954/1995
Art: Front

[ 8:05] 1. What Is This Thing Called Love
[ 3:15] 2. Stormy Weather
[10:08] 3. Minor Intrusion
[ 4:12] 4. Abstractions
[ 6:36] 5. Thrice Upon A Theme
[ 8:46] 6. Four Hands
[ 8:34] 7. The Spur Of The Moment Echonitus

Bass, Piano, Leader, Liner Notes – Charles Mingus; Cello – Jackson Wiley (tracks: 1 to 5); Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – John LaPorta; Drums – Clem DeRosa; Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Teo Macero; Trumpet – Thad Jones (tracks: 1 to 5). Recorded in New York City; December 1954.

Originally recorded for Period Records in 1954, this fairly obscure early Charles Mingus session is a collaboration with composer John LaPorta, who is heard on clarinet and alto saxophone. It's a fascinating effort that shows Mingus' awareness of both modern European classical composition and cool jazz. The set includes a mix of Mingus and LaPorta originals, plus freshly arranged standards like "What Is This Thing Called Love" and "Stormy Weather." Also on hand are the great trumpeter Thad Jones and saxophonist/producer Teo Macero. The album features Mingus' debut on piano. ~AMG

Jazzical Moods

Wednesday, June 9, 2021

Horace Parlan - Glad I Found You

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1986
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:29
Size: 98,0 MB
Art: Front

( 4:54)  1. Monday Morning Blues
(10:08)  2. Hip Walk
( 6:03)  3. Oblivion
( 7:50)  4. Something for Silver
( 7:00)  5. Glad I Found You
( 6:31)  6. Afternoon in Paris

Expatriate pianist Horace Parlan and a couple of fine Scandinavians (bassist Jesper Lundgaard and drummer Aage Tanggaard) welcome Thad Jones (heard exclusively here on flugelhorn) and the great tenor Eddie Harris to this spirited set. Jones was making a successful, if short-lived comeback, and at two years before his death, this was one of his final high-quality small-group recordings. Harris is heard throughout in top form. The quintet performs two Parlan originals (including "Something for Silver"), a couple of obscurities, John Lewis' "Afternoon In Paris" and Bud Powell's "Oblivion." Parlan sounds inspired by the other musicians on this spirited hard bop set. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/glad-i-found-you-mw0000196134

Personnel:  Horace Parlan - piano; Thad Jones - flugelhorn; Eddie Harris - tenor saxophone; Jesper Lundgaard - bass; Aage Tanggaard - drums

Glad I Found You

Tuesday, April 6, 2021

Thad Jones - The Fabulous Thad Jones

Styles: Trumpet Jazz 
Year: 1958
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:36
Size: 146,3 MB
Art: Front

(8:47)  1. Get Out Of Town
(7:33)  2. One More
(4:56)  3. Bitty Ditty
(5:16)  4. More Of The Same
(5:15)  5. Elusive
(2:50)  6. Sombre Intrusion
(6:08)  7. I Can't Get Started
(3:51)  8. I'll Remember April
(3:33)  9. You Don't Know What Love Is
(3:45) 10. Chazzanova
(7:33) 11. Get Out Of Town (Alternate Take)
(4:03) 12. One More (Alternate Take)

Trumpeter Thad Jones made his debut as a leader for Charles Mingus' Debut label during 1954-55, music that has been reissued as a single CD in the OJC series and as part of a huge 12-CD Mingus Debut box set. The 12 performances (which include two alternate takes) really put the focus on Jones' accessible yet unpredictable style. Half of the music showcases Jones in a quartet with pianist John Dennis, bassist Mingus and drummer Max Roach. while the other six numbers are more in a Count Basie groove with Frank Wess on tenor and flute, pianist Hank Jones, Mingus and drummer Kenny Clarke. 

The originals tend to be tricky, and even such standards as "I'll Remember April," "You Don't Know What Love Is" and "Get Out of Town" have their surprising moments. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-fabulous-thad-jones-mw0000262510

Personnel includes: Thad Jones (trumpet); Frank Wess (tenor saxophone, flute); John Dennis, Hank Jones (piano); Charles Mingus (bass); Max Roach, Kenny Clarke (drums).

The Fabulous Thad Jones

Friday, February 12, 2021

Sonny Stitt - Stitt Goes Latin

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1963
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:59
Size: 94,1 MB
Art: Front

(3:36) 1. Are You Listening
(4:42) 2. Amigos
(4:10) 3. My Little Red Suede Shoes
(6:11) 4. Ritmo Bobo
(5:25) 5. I Told You So
(5:19) 6. Chic
(5:16) 7. Senor Jones
(5:15) 8. Autumn Leaves

Musically born in the great tradition of Charlie Parker, Sonny Stitt was one of the alto sax giants in Jazz history. Recorded in 1963 and originally released on the Roost label, Stitt Goes Latin catches him at the head of an all-star line-up, a highly distinctive combo in full Latin mood, featuring Thad Jones on trumpet, a young Chick Corea on piano, Larry Gales on bass and a fabulous drums and percussion section with the great Willie Bobo on drums, Carlos "Patato" Valdes - congas, bongos and Osvaldo "Chihuahua" Martinez - cowbell, maracas. Needless to add that on this fine disc the music flies high through a series of catchy elegant tunes and highly sophisticated and yet infectious Afro-Latin grooves. https://www.roughtrade.com/gb/sonny-stitt/stitt-goes-latin

Personnel: Sonny Stitt - alto saxophone, tenor saxophone; Thad Jones - trumpet; Chick Corea - piano; Larry Gales - bass; Willie Bobo - drums; Carlos "Patato" Valdes - congas, bongos; Osvaldo "Chihuahua" Martinez - cowbell, maracas, jawbone

Stitt Goes Latin

Saturday, May 16, 2020

Thad Jones, The Mel Lewis Orchestra - All My Yesterdays: The Debut 1966 Recordings at the Village Vanguard (Live)

Album: All My Yesterdays: The Debut 1966 Recordings at the Village Vanguard (Live)  Disc 1

Styles: Jazz, Hard Bop 
Year: 2016
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:36
Size: 112,0 MB
Art: Front

(13:22)  1. Back Bone
( 4:22)  2. All My Yesterdays
( 5:51)  3. Big Dipper
( 4:49)  4. Mornin' Reverend
(14:25)  5. The Little Pixie
( 5:45)  6. Big Dipper

Album: All My Yesterdays: The Debut 1966 Recordings at the Village Vanguard (Live) Disc 2

Time: 76:51
Size: 177,2 MB

( 4:38)  1. Low Down
( 5:25)  2. Lover Man (Oh Where Can You Be?)
(10:08)  3. Ah, That's Freedom
( 4:28)  4. Don't Ever Leave Me
( 6:15)  5. Willow Weep for Me
( 5:51)  6. Mean What You Say
(12:45)  7. Once Around
( 4:02)  8. Polka Dots & Moonbeams
( 5:49)  9. Mornin' Reverend
( 4:25) 10. All My Yesterdays
(12:59) 11. Back Bone

Offering: Live at Temple University (Resonance Records, 2014), Getz/Gilberto '76 (Resonance Records, 2016), Moments in Time (Resonance Records, 2016)...and these are just the most recent (not to forget several Wes Montgomery) releases. Resonance Records steps up (again) and releases what can only be considered the apotheosis of live jazz performance, All My Yesterdays: The Debut 1966 Recordings at the Village Vanguard. Before even considering the music, there is the captured ambiance. Recorded by a then 19-year old amateur engineer, George Klaban, the period technology may be lacking by today's standards. Maybe even Klaban's amateur status could call things into question. However, the results provide the listener with a very intimate listening experience that only lacks the smell of just-lit Lucky Strikes and Cutty Sark on the rocks. Klaban's gig pack included a Crown Professional two Track stereo tape recorder, an Ampex four-input mixer and six mics (Neumann U67, Bayer and AKG professional mics and an Electro Voice 654 Dynamic, the last used for the bass). Klaban details that he placed one mic each for the reeds, trombones, and trumpets, the fourth for the bass, the fifth for the piano and the last for the leader, Thad Jones. The result of this alchemic paradigm is a presence, not in the audience, but up over the middle of the band looking (hearing) down (a physical impossibility given the compressed confines of the Village Vanguard).

Nonetheless, the sound and atmosphere is electrically charged and immediate. The sound is spacious enough to get up and walk around in, passing through all of the sections. It is musical arrangement as subatomic metaphor...each musical element interacting with and against one another to produce a compounded product of rare substance and beauty. It is immediately evident that there is something special taking place. Queue up the first performance of the Thad Jones composition and arrangement "Back Bone" and listen. Alto saxophonist Jerry Dodgion spits out an unaccompanied blues chorus of spurred on with shouts and encouragement from the band with Thad Jones himself anticipating the entry of the whole band with a grand, "Yeah!" This is unbridled joy in music making. Evidence of Bill Basie is all over the charts, in both the riffing and solos. Altoist Jerome Richardson introduces "Little Dipper" twice and pianist (and Thad Jones' brother) Hank Jones channel the spirit of the still living Count Basie. This is, simply, what live music is all about: invention, spontaneity, improvisation, and spring freshness. Hear from where all big band since has come. ~ C.Michael Bailey https://www.allaboutjazz.com/all-my-yesterdays-the-debut-1966-recordings-at-the-village-vanguard-thad-jones-resonance-records-review-by-c-michael-bailey.php

Personnel: Thad Jones – flugelhorn; Mel Lewis – drums; Hank Jones – piano; Richard Davis – bass; Sam Herman – guitar; Jerome Richardson – alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet, flute; Jerry Dodgion – alto saxophone; Joe Farrell – tenor saxophone, clarinet, flute; Eddie Daniels – tenor saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet; Pepper Adams – baritone saxophone; Snooky Young – trumpet; Jimmy Owens – trumpet; Bill Berry – trumpet; Jimmy Nottingham – trumpet; Bob Brookmeyer – trombone; Jack Rains – trombone; Garnett Brown – trombone; Cliff Heather – trombone


Monday, April 8, 2019

Thad Jones, Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra - Presenting Thad Jones, Mel Lewis & The Jazz Orchestra

Styles: Flugelhorn Jazz, Big Band
Year: 1966
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 45:06
Size: 104,5 MB
Art: Front

( 5:29)  1. Once Around
( 5:37)  2. Willow Weep For Me
( 5:01)  3. Balanced Scales = Justice
( 5:48)  4. Three In One
( 5:32)  5. Mean What You Say
( 4:37)  6. Don't Ever Leave Me
(12:59)  7. ABC Blues

The debut recording of the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra launched a mighty (if part-time) all-star big band. With arrangements by Jones, Bob Brookmeyer, and Tom McIntosh and such soloists as baritonist Pepper Adams, pianist Hank Jones, valve trombonist Brookmeyer, Jerome Richardson on various reeds, altoist Jerry Dodgion, and Joe Farrell and Eddie Daniels on tenors (in addition to flügelhornist Jones), it is not surprising that the orchestra was soon rated near the top. Among the seven selections are four Thad Jones originals (including "Mean What You Say"), "Willow Weep for Me," and Brookmeyer's lengthy "ABC Blues." ~ Scott Yanow  https://www.allmusic.com/album/presenting-thad-jones-mel-lewis-the-jazz-orchestra-mw0000877905

Personnel:  Thad Jones – flugelhorn;  Mel Lewis – drums;  Hank Jones – piano;  Richard Davis – bass;  Pepper Adams, Eddie Daniels, Joe Farrell, Jerry Dodgion,  Jerome Richardson – saxophone;  Jimmy Nottingham,  Bill Berry, Danny Stiles , Richard Williams – trumpet;  Jack Rains, Bob Brookmeyer – trombone, Tom McIntosh, Cliff Heather.

Presenting Thad Jones-Mel Lewis & The Jazz Orchestra

Sunday, April 7, 2019

Monica Zetterlund - It Only Happens Every Time

Styles: Vocal 
Year: 2016
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 36:53
Size: 85,7 MB
Art: Front

(5:12)  1. It Only Happens Every Time
(3:38)  2. Long Daddy Green
(4:37)  3. Silhouette
(5:06)  4. He Was Too Good To Me
(4:07)  5. The Groove Merchant
(4:14)  6. Love To One Is One To Love
(4:16)  7. Happy Again
(5:40)  8. The Second Time Around

Swedish singer Monica Zetterlund is backed by the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra on the Inner City LP It Only Happens Every Time. Her phrasing is precise, but her vocal style doesn't always blend well with the big band. Jones' "It Only Happens Every Time" comes off under-rehearsed, as if the chart is still in a state of flux, a similar problem that occurs during "The Second Time Around." Better is the swinging treatment of "Long Daddy Green" and the tearjerker ballad "He Was Too Good to Me." Sadly, none of the instrumental soloists is identified, though Pepper Adams shines on baritone sax in two compositions by the late Lars Gullin, one of Europe's best players of the instrument; this was also Adams' final recording with the band. Overall, this is a good, though hardly essential record. ~ Ken Dryden https://www.allmusic.com/album/it-only-happens-every-time-mw0000852532

Personnel:  Monica Zetterlund – vocals; Thad Jones – flugelhorn; Mel Lewis – drums; Harold Danko – piano; Rufus Reid – bass; Jerry Dodgion – saxophone, flute; Ed Xiques – saxophone, flute, clarinet; Rich Perry – saxophone, flute, clarinet; Dick Oatts – saxophone, flute, clarinet; Pepper Adams – saxophone; Frank Gordon – trumpet; Earl Gardner – trumpet; Jeff Davis – trumpet; Larry Moses – trumpet; Earl McIntyre – trombone; John Mosca – trombone; Clifford Adams – trombone; Billy Campbell – trombone

It Only Happens Every Time

Friday, March 15, 2019

Thad Jones & Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra - Consummation

Styles: Flugelhorn Jazz
Year: 1970
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 46:36
Size: 107,7 MB
Art: Front

( 5:13)  1. Dedication
( 3:07)  2. It Only Happens Every Time
( 6:42)  3. Tiptoe
( 4:09)  4. A Child Is Born
( 3:37)  5. Us
( 7:57)  6. Ahunk Ahunk
(10:38)  7. Fingers
( 5:09)  8. Consummation

Of the many albums recorded by the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, this was the greatest. Reissued on CD as part of a large Mosaic box set, this set introduced Jones' best-known composition, "A Child Is Born," and also has a colorful rendition of his sly "Tiptoe," and finds the big band ripping the roof off during the lengthy and very exciting "Fingers." The all-star cast (which includes flugelhornist Jones, drummer Lewis, trumpeter Marvin Stamm, trombonist Jimmy Knepper, tenor great Billy Harper, the reeds of Jerome Richardson, Jerry Dodgion and Eddie Daniels, keyboardist Roland Hanna, and bassist Richard Davis, among others) is well served by Thad Jones' inventive and swinging arrangements. A classic. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/consummation-mw0000221310

Personnel:  Thad Jones – flugelhorn; Snooky Young – trumpet; Danny Moore – trumpet; Al Porcino – trumpet; Marvin Stamm – trumpet; Eddie Bert – trombone; Benny Powell – trombone; Jimmy Knepper – trombone; Cliff Heather – bass trombone; Jerome Richardson – soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, flute, alto flute; Jerry Dodgion – alto saxophone, clarinet, flute, alto flute; Billy Harper – tenor saxophone, flute; Eddie Daniels – tenor saxophone, clarinet, flute; Richie Kamuca – baritone saxophone, clarinet; Pepper Adams – baritone saxophone; Joe Farrell – baritone saxophone; Roland Hanna – acoustic piano, electric piano; Richard Davis – acoustic bass, electric bass; Mel Lewis – drums; Jimmy Buffington, Earl Chapin, Julius Watkins  - French horn; Howard Johnson - tuba; David Spinozza - guitar

Consummation

Monday, March 11, 2019

Thad Jones - Three And One

Styles: Cornet Jazz
Year: 1987
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:53
Size: 135,7 MB
Art: Front

( 5:28)  1. Instant blues disinstant
( 8:03)  2. My one and only love
( 8:13)  3. But not for me
( 5:40)  4. Night mist blues
( 6:41)  5. My romance
( 8:58)  6. Three and one
(10:20)  7. But not for me
( 5:26)  8. Instant blues disinstant

Thad Jones was 61 at the time of this recording and had made a full-fledged recovery after some health problems, although he was only two years away from his death. He is showcased on cornet throughout the quartet date with pianist Ole Hansen, bassist Jesper Lundgaard and drummer Ed Thigpen, and is heard in very good form. Jones plays two of his originals, Ahmad Jamal's "Night Mist Blues," "My Romance," "My One and Only Love" and "But Not for Me." This date is reminiscent in ways of Jones' Debut session from 29 years earlier, which also found him taking harmonically sophisticated solos in a quartet. Recommended. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/three-and-one-mw0000647320

Personnel:  Cornet – Thad Jones; Bass – Jesper Lundgaard; Drums – Ed Thigpen; Piano – Ole Kock Hansen

Three And One

Saturday, June 16, 2018

The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra - In Europe (2-Disc Set)

Alto Saxophone – Dick Oatts, Steve Coleman; Baritone Saxophone – Charles Davis; Bass – Jasper Lundgaard; Drums – Mel Lewis; Flugelhorn – Thad Jones; Piano – Jim McNeely; Tenor Saxophone – Robert Rockwell, Rick Perry; Trombone – Doug Purviance, John Mosca, Lolly Bienenfeld, Lu Robertson; Trumpet – Irvin Stokes, Larry Moss, Ron Tooley, Simo Salminin. This is a compilation of live recordings previously released on three West Wind releases, A Touch Of Class, The Orchestra and Body And Soul.

During the second half of the 1960s and throughout the 1970s, the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra was the world's most successful band when it comes to creatively developing swinging big band jazz. This musically outstanding and extremely inventive outfit set the tone for everybody else in the genre. The band played their first public gig at the Village Vanguard in New York City on Monday, February 7, 1966 and staged their very last concert in late October 1978 in Berlin. This CD is a veritable rarity in memoriam, as it contains the very last live recordings of the now legendary Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra.

Album: In Europe (Disc 1)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 69:32
Size: 159.2 MB
Styles: Big band
Year: 2010
Art: Front

[13:05] 1. Samba Con Get Chu
[ 7:36] 2. Quietude
[ 6:28] 3. Cecilia Is Love
[ 5:55] 4. Mexican Hayride I Love You
[ 7:31] 5. And I Love You So
[ 9:04] 6. That's Freedom
[10:31] 7. The Second Race
[ 9:19] 8. Willow Weep For Me

In Europe (Disc 1) mc
In Europe (Disc 1) zippy

Album: In Europe (Disc 2)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 75:06
Size: 171.9 MB
Styles: Big band
Year: 2010
Art: Front

[12:00] 1. Sixty First And Richard
[ 7:32] 2. Body And Soul
[11:07] 3. Don't Get Sassy
[10:17] 4. A Child Is Born
[15:38] 5. Fingers
[18:31] 6. The Intimacy Of The Blues

In Europe (Disc 2) mc
In Europe (Disc 2) zippy

Thursday, April 26, 2018

Jimmy Smith - The Cat

Styles: Jazz, Post Bop
Year: 1964
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 33:20
Size: 77,1 MB
Art: Front

(4:44)  1. Theme from Joy House
(3:29)  2. The Cat
(4:05)  3. Basin Street Blues
(3:59)  4. Main Title from The Carpetbaggers
(4:01)  5. Chicago Serenade
(3:22)  6. St. Louis Blues
(4:52)  7. Delon's Blues
(4:45)  8. Blues in the Night

Compared to his earlier Blue Note recordings, organist Jimmy Smith's outings for Verve are not as strong from a jazz standpoint. Certainly his renditions of the "Theme from Joy House," "The Cat," and the "Main Title from The Carpetbaggers" are not all that significant. However, this set has some tasteful arrangements for the big band by Lalo Schifrin, and some good playing by the great organist on a variety of other blues-oriented material. Also, the combination of organ with a big band is sometimes quite appealing, making this album worth picking up despite its commercial focus. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-cat-mw0000188691

Personnel: Jimmy Smith (organ); Lalo Schifrin (conductor); Bernie Glow, Jimmy Maxwell, Marky Markowitz, Thad Jones, Ernie Royal, Snooky Young (trumpet); Jimmy Cleveland, Urbie Green (trombone); Tony Studd (bass trombone); Ray Alonge, Earl Chapin, Bill Correa, Jimmy Buffington (French horn); Don Butterfield (tuba); Kenny Burrell (guitar); George Duvivier (bass); Grady Tate (drums); Phil Kraus (percussion)

The Cat

Thursday, March 22, 2018

Kenny Drew - Lite Flite

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:07
Size: 117.0 MB
Styles: Bop, Piano jazz
Year: 1977/1992
Art: Front

[5:08] 1. Yesterdays
[6:49] 2. Only You
[8:15] 3. Precious Lady
[6:21] 4. All Your Words
[8:00] 5. Bossa Mood
[8:13] 6. Lite Flite
[8:18] 7. Precious Lady (Alternative Take)

Bass – George Mraz; Drums – Jimmy Cobb; Flugelhorn, Cornet – Thad Jones; Piano – Kenny Drew; Tenor Saxophone – Bob Berg. Recorded February 6, 1977 at CI Recording Studios N.Y.C.

A talented bop-based pianist (whose son has been one of the brightest pianists of the 1990s), Kenny Drew was somewhat underrated due to his decision to permanently move to Copenhagen in 1964. He made his recording debut in 1949 with Howard McGhee and in the 1950s was featured on sessions with a who's who of jazz, including Charlie Parker, Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, Milt Jackson, Buddy DeFranco's quartet, Dinah Washington, and Buddy Rich (1958). Drew led sessions for Blue Note, Norgran, Pacific Jazz, Riverside, and the obscure Judson label during 1953-1960; most of the sessions are available on CD. He moved to Paris in 1961 and relocated to Copenhagen in 1964 where he was co-owner of the Matrix label. He formed a duo with Niels-Henning Orsted Pederson and worked regularly at the Montmartre. Drew recorded many dates for SteepleChase in the 1970s and remained active up until his death. ~ Scott Yanow

Lite Flite mc
Lite Flite zippy

Thursday, March 15, 2018

Thad Jones, Mel Lewis - Live At The Village Vanguard

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:49
Size: 157.6 MB
Styles: Trumpet jazz
Year: 1967/2005
Art: Front

[10:34] 1. Little Pixie
[ 7:02] 2. A-That's Freedom
[ 7:08] 3. Bachafillen
[ 7:22] 4. Don't Git Sassy
[ 5:04] 5. Willow Tree
[12:18] 6. Samba Con Getchu
[ 4:48] 7. Quietude
[ 9:37] 8. The Second Race
[ 4:53] 9. Lover Man

Bass – Richard Davis; Bass Trombone – Cliff Heather; Clarinet, Baritone Saxophone – Pepper Adams; Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Eddie Daniels; Cornet – Thad Jones; Drums – Mel Lewis; Flute, Alto Saxophone – Jerry Dodgion; Flute, Tenor Saxophone – Joe Farrell; Guitar – Sam Herman; Piano – Roland Hanna; Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet – Jerome Richardson; Trombone – Bob Brookmeyer, Garnett Brown, Tom McIntosh; Trumpet – Bill Berry, Eugene "Snooky" Young*, Jimmy Nottingham, Marvin Stamm, Richard Williams. Recorded live on April 28th, 1967 at the Village Vanguard, New York City, NY.

The second recording by the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra is the equal of the first. Most memorable here are "Little Pixie," Fats Waller's "Willow Tree," and particularly, the spirited "Don't Git Sassy." With arrangements by Thad Jones, Bob Brookmeyer and Garnett Brown, and an all-star cast that includes trumpeters Snooky Young, Marvin Stamm and Richard Gene Williams, valve trombonist Bob Brookmeyer, the reeds of Jerome Richardson, Jerry Dodgion, Joe Farrell, Eddie Daniels and Pepper Adams (all of whom solo), pianist Roland Hanna and bassist Richard Davis, among others, this was one of the great big bands. Fortunately, the exciting music on this out of print LP has been reissued on CD as part of a very complete Mosaic box set. ~Scott Yanow

Live At The Village Vanguard mc
Live At The Village Vanguard zippy

Monday, December 4, 2017

Grover Washington, Jr. - Inner City Blues

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1972
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 35:19
Size: 82,7 MB
Art: Front

(7:12)  1. Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)
(4:40)  2. Georgia On My Mind
(5:09)  3. Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)
(8:34)  4. Ain't No Sunshine-Better Days (Theme From Man And Boy)
(4:36)  5. Until It's Time Fot You To Go
(5:05)  6. I Loves You Porgy

The story behind Grover Washington, Jr.'s first session date as a leader revolves around a sheer coincidence of being in the right place at the right time. The truth is, the date for Creed Taylor's Kudu imprint was supposed to feature Hank Crawford in the soloist's chair. Crawford couldn't make the date and longtime sideman Washington got the nod. His being closely affiliated with organists Charles Earland and Johnny Hammond didn't hurt, and his alto and tenor saxophones' tone was instantly noticeable for both its song-like quality and Washington's unique ability to dig deep into R&B territory for his expression of feeling. Released in 1971, produced by Taylor, and arranged and orchestrated by Bob James, the list of players in this band is equally impressive: James played Fender Rhodes, there's Richard Tee on organ, bassist Ron Carter, drummer Idris Muhammad, then-new guitarist Eric Gale, percussionist Airto Moreira, Thad Jones and Eugene Young on trumpets, trombonist Wayne Andre, and baritone saxophonist Don Ashworth. James also added a violin section and a small vocal chorus on certain tracks.

Inner City Blues kicks off with its title track, a burning version of the Marvin Gaye tune with Washington lending a heft and depth to it that reveals the sophistication of Gaye's original. From Airto's hand drums and Muhammad's hi-hat whispers to the chunky wah-wah guitar vamp and a funky bassline by Carter, it becomes clear that Washington's methods of deep soul articulation on his horn extend into the heart of this mix. James decorated his charts with subtle organ flourishes and his piano, but this is early jazz-funk at best. While Miles Davis was abstracting jazz on the margins, Washington and his cohorts were keeping the music in the street, in the barroom, on the radio, and in the nightclubs and bowling alleys.

The tune was a hit at a time when fusion was becoming widespread; free jazz from both sides of the Atlantic was considering itself the new standard bearer for the music, and the many legends of the '60s Blue Note and Prestige eras were beginning to feel the music get away from them. With this entry, Washington's screaming, edgy solo stayed in the killer grooves with breaks laid down by Muhammad and Moreira, Gale and Carter. Washington was just getting started and it was evident here that this cat was deep. He walked the standards side of the fence on this date as well, bringing them into the jazz-funk era: his readings of "Georgia on My Mind" and "I Loves You Porgy" are sensitive, deeply lyrical, and sophisticated, but come from the soul side of the fence. Carter's warm, bubbly bassline and the brief guitar break introduce the strings in the former tune while at the same time Washington plays the melody on his alto. Muhammad lays down some beautiful and pronounced rhythmic statements without getting in the way, and before long the groove develops, taking the tune right into the club with Gale's solo and some hot comping by James that fades as the strings and Grover return deeper in the cut to take it out. The other cuts are modern standards and pop songs creatively voiced by this soloist and band. They include a stellar, lightly funky version of Gaye's "Mercy, Mercy Me (The Ecology)," and a knock-out take on Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine," rivaled only by the original and Rahsaan Roland Kirk's flute version on Blacknuss. 

On the former tune, it's the popping rhythm groove dressed in some smoking hand percussion and fat chunky Rhodes chords that set up Washington's solo, which just burns and wails with all the pleading and pain in Gaye's voice. The latter cut begins subtly, nocturnally in the blues, with Gale, James, Carter, and Muhammad. Washington enters playing the melody on the alto, and the strings sound draped around him just as the horn section comes in to play counterpoint a beat behind. This is some deep soul. A vocal chorus begins almost subliminally with the "I know, I know, I know, I know" intonation and introduces the popping solos by Gale with the rhythm section in the bridge underscored by the horns. The strings well up with all the drama and emotion emanating from Withers' words, and then just drop behind to allow the saxophonist back in to work it all out with some very sophisticated grooves. The other "modern" standard here is also one that's endured after all these years, the sensitive reading Washington and company put in on Buffy Sainte-Marie's beautiful "Until It's Time for You to Go." Its melancholy sweetness after the eight-and-a-half-minute Withers' jam is breathy, clear, and quiet; James and Washington set it in a light bossa groove. Its shimmering strings and the saxophonists' restraint on the tenor is so elegant and graceful that the tune carries emotion, gentleness, and the bittersweet commitment of its lyric all the way through to its end. This is an amazing debut in so many ways, and it was followed by a run of albums for the label through the end of the '70s when Washington left for Elektra. Inner City Blues remains standing today as a landmark and a turning point in jazz. ..More.. ~ Thom Jurek https://www.allmusic.com/album/inner-city-blues-mw0000192866

Personnel:  Grover Washington Jr. – tenor saxophone, alto saxophone;  Eugene Young, Thad Jones – trumpet, flugelhorn;  Wayne Andre – trombone;  Don Ashworth – bass;  Bob James – electric piano, arranger, conductor;  Richard Tee – organ;  Eric Gale – guitar;  Ron Carter – bass, electric bass;  Idris Muhammad – drums;  Airto Moreira – percussion;  Hilda Harris, Marilyn Jackson, Maretha Stewart, Tasha Thomas – vocals

Inner City Blues

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Thad Jones - Detroit-New York Junction

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 34:17
Size: 78.5 MB
Styles: Trumpet jazz
Year: 1956
Art: Front

[ 6:44] 1. Blue Room
[ 5:29] 2. Tariff
[ 2:48] 3. Little Girl Blue
[10:28] 4. Scratch
[ 8:46] 5. Zec

Before he became famous as the leader of a big band, Thad Jones was a trumpet player, and a damn good one. In 1956, Jones led his first jazz group. It was a small sextet—unlike his later, more celebrated ensemble, co-led by Mel Lewis. This short album, which chronicles that session, has only five songs and runs just 34 minutes. There are no alternate takes.

It's a pleasant album, but not a great one. There is nothing innovative here, or particularly memorable. Jones has a nice tone and decent chops, but he won't make you forget Dizzy Gillespie or Miles Davis, at least not on this CD. In fact, while listening to the first two songs, you might forget that Jones is the leader of this group. On "Blue Room" (a Rodger-and-Hart tune) and "Tariff" (a Jones original), the leader let's everyone else take the early solos. So we hear guitarist Kenny Burrell, saxman Billy Mitchell and pianist Tommy Flanagan before we ever hear Jones play alone. All the more confounding, Burrell, Mitchell and Flanagan sound more interesting. The most unusual piece is also the best. "Little Girl," another Rodgers-and-Hart song, is utter simplicity, and very simply arranged: just guitar and trumpet, with bass lurking somewhere deep in the background. It's an unassuming ballad, not especially sentimental or soulful. But it's fascinating in its simplicity. At just under three minutes, it's the shortest cut on the CD. Too bad. Two more Jones originals—the 10-minute "Scratch" and the 8-minute "Zec"—finish the disc. Both are upbeat, the latter boppish, and Jones properly takes the lead and plays interesting solos. And then it's over, too soon.

Jones recorded two more sessions for Blue Note, both better than this first one. Detroit-New York Junction (named for Jones' hometown and adopted new town), was just a warm-up.

Detroit-New York Junction

Friday, June 16, 2017

Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich - Krupa And Rich

Styles: Jazz, Swing
Year: 1955
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 71:59
Size: 166,9 MB
Art: Front

(10:30)  1. Buddy's Blues
(13:57)  2. Bernie's Tune
( 7:47)  3. Gene's Blues
( 8:50)  4. Sweethearts On Parade
( 8:54)  5. I Never Knew
(10:51)  6. Sunday
(11:06)  7. The Monster

On this CD reissue, drummers Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich only actually play together on one of the seven songs, a lengthy rendition of "Bernie's Tune" that has a six-minute "drum battle." Krupa and Rich do perform two songs apiece with a remarkable all-star band consisting of trumpeters Dizzy Gillespie and Roy Eldridge, tenors Illinois Jacquet and Flip Phillips, pianist Oscar Peterson, guitarist Herb Ellis, and bassist Ray Brown. Each of the principals get some solo space, giving this release more variety than one might expect. In addition there are two bonus cuts from a Buddy Rich date that feature the drummer with trumpeters Thad Jones and Joe Newman, tenors Ben Webster and Frank Wess, Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown, and rhythm guitarist Freddie Green. Excellent music overall if not quite essential. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/krupa-and-rich-mw0000111452

Personnel: Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich (drums); Dizzy Gillespie, Roy Eldridge, Thad Jones, Joe Newman (trumpet); Illinois Jacquet, Flip Phillips, Ben Webster, Frank Wess (tenor saxophone); Oscar Peterson (piano); Freddie Green, Herb Ellis (guitar); Ray Brown (bass).

Krupa And Rich