Mel Tormé - You Are The Sunshine - 13/03/1976 • World of Jazz

 

Mel Tormé (USA, 1925 - 1999) is one of the most versatile jazz artists ever. He composed and arranged songs, he was a drummer as well as a movie and tv-show actor. Long ago he starred in sitcoms with Judy Garland and Lucille Ball, more recent in the popular series Night Court and Seinfeld. But he became really famous with his special voice. He was rewarded the nickname “Velvet Fog”, because of his high tenor and smooth style of singing. And singing that was what he did. 200 concerts a year was no problem for him. And he had his radio shows and his own TV show in the '50’s.

In our archives, we found a performance of Mel in the famous Dutch programme Music All In, recorded 19-03-1976. Host Pim Jacobs accompanied him on piano at several songs, and the big orchestra was conducted by the great Rogier van Otterloo, known as composer from box office movie soundtracks like “Soldier of Orange”. It’s widely known that Tormé wasn’t a big fan of rock and roll music, which he once called “three tone manure”, but although he loved classic music, he also liked some pop songs. In this "tribute to Gene Krupa", we' see him giving a big drum solo, as a real tribute.

 

Memphis Jug Band "On The Road Again" & "Stealin' "

 

EP/single/78 RPM versions of "On The Road Again" by The Memphis Jug Band circa 1928.  

Also from 1928, here is The Memphis Jug Band with their song "Stealin', Stealin'", which I believe was also later covered by Janis Joplin.  Great music, lives on, forever.  

Joe Bonamassa "You Shook Me" - Muddy Wolf at Red Rocks

 

From his live "Muddy Wolf at Red Rocks" performed at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, Colorado, here is Joe Bonamassa with Waters' "You Shook Me" featuring his blues band.  It features Joe Bonamassa on lead vocals and lead and slide guitar, Reese Wynans on Hammond organ and piano, Michael Rhodes on bass, Anton Fig on drums, and Mike Henderson on harmonica.  

Luther Allison "Serious"

 

From a concert on September 27th, 1985, in Zeche, Bochum, Germany, here is one of the best bluesmen ever, Luther Allison, with his tune, "Serious".  Note how Luther Allison teases Michael Jackson's "Beat It" into the song, right near the end.  

Jackie McLean Lives featuring Sonny Rollins

 

From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack.

Sonny Rollins remembers Jackie McLean, then from the 1988 Mt. Fuji Jazz Festival, Jackie McLean and Sadao Watanabe play Dexterity with Mulgrew Miller on piano; Bob Hurst on bass and Kenny Washington on drums. Jackie McLean (1931–2006) was an influential American alto saxophonist and composer, known for his contributions to the hard bop and post-bop jazz movements. He had a sharp, distinctive tone and an adventurous, cutting-edge approach to improvisation. McLean started his career in the early 1950s, playing with iconic figures such as Miles Davis, Charles Mingus, and Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers. He gained a reputation for blending traditional bebop with the emerging sounds of hard bop and later pushed into more avant-garde territory. Throughout the 1960s, McLean was a key artist on the Blue Note label, where he recorded several landmark albums, including *"Let Freedom Ring" (1962)* and **"One Step Beyond" (1963)**. His music from this era reflected a strong sense of social consciousness, resonating with the Civil Rights Movement and African American cultural expression. McLean was also an educator and activist. In the late 1960s, he joined the faculty of the University of Hartford and founded the university’s African American Music Department and the Hartt School's jazz studies program. His commitment to music education had a lasting impact on future generations of jazz musicians. Jackie McLean's legacy is that of a bold, innovative musician who constantly pushed the boundaries of jazz while staying rooted in its rich traditions. His sound continues to inspire contemporary jazz musicians today.

Phish - 10/27/2024 - Chalk Dust Torture

 

"Chalk Dust Torture" from Phish's 10/27/2024 show at MVP Arena, Albany, NY.

Rare Sun Ra Interview

 

From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack.

Sun Ra, born Herman Poole Blount (later Le Sony’r Ra) in 1914, was a visionary American jazz composer, bandleader, pianist, and philosopher. He is best known for his pioneering work in free jazz, his eclectic fusion of genres, and his elaborate, otherworldly persona. Sun Ra claimed to be from Saturn, often speaking of cosmic philosophy, Afro-futurism, and the spiritual significance of music. In the mid-1950s, he founded the “Arkestra,” a large ensemble that would evolve over time and serve as a vehicle for his unconventional musical ideas. His music spanned everything from swing and bebop to avant-garde free jazz, with a strong emphasis on space-age sounds, electronic instruments, and African rhythms. The Arkestra performances were often accompanied by theatrical elements, such as elaborate costumes, futuristic imagery, and mystical themes. Sun Ra was a key figure in the development of the avant-garde jazz movement, blending philosophy, mythology, and music into a unique vision that influenced a wide range of genres. He remained active until his death in 1993, leaving behind a massive catalog of recordings and a lasting legacy in both jazz and experimental music. His work also had a significant impact on Afro-futurism, inspiring later generations of artists, musicians, and thinkers.