Maceo Parker & Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews "Make It Funky"

From the 2012 North Sea Jazz Festival in Holland, here's Maceo Parker and Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews, with Maceo's answer to the question, "what are you going to do to this song?"  The answer... "make it funky." 

John Abercrombie "Believe You Me"

From his record "Night" (which the video is improperly titled as, for the track title), here is John Abercrombie with the track "Believe You Me", featuring this lineup.

John Abercrombie — guitar
Michael Brecker — tenor saxophone
Jan Hammer — keyboards
Jack DeJohnette — drums

Click on the link to listen to the tune.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxvt3mB5dRc

Blood, Sweat, & Tears "Sometimes In Winter"

Another gorgeous Blood, Sweat, & Tears number.  This one was composed and sung by guitarist Steve Katz.

Blood, Sweat, & Tears "I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know"

A very soulful number by Blood, Sweat, & Tears, with the horns, led by Al Kooper.  This one is called "I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know". 

Mike Stern Band "Kate"

From the Blue Note Jazz Club in Milan, Italy, recorded on November 4th, 2015, here is jazz guitar wizard Mike Stern, with the composition "Kate".  The band lineup is:

Mike Stern: guitar
Randy Brecker: trumpet
Janek Gwizdala: bass
Steve Smith: drums

Inside Gregg Allman's Musical Farewell

Collaborators recall the emotional sessions for the singer's final LP 'Southern Blood' and explain how it tells his life story through song.

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/inside-gregg-allmans-final-album-southern-blood-w494132

Gregg Allman "Southern Blood" (Official Trailer)

On September 8th, Gregg Allman's final studio record "Southern Blood" will be released.  In this short preview clip, producer Don Was explains the significance of the album, which was completed shortly before Gregg's passing.  Go to the link, HERE.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dP3hBo_tC-A&feature=youtu.be

There's more to check out with this preview of the new record.  One of the songs on the record is called "My Only True Friend".  Looking forward the album's release in September.

http://www.npr.org/sections/allsongs/2017/07/26/539261952/gregg-allmans-posthumous-my-only-true-friend-aint-just-another-road-song

Wayne Shorter "The Three Marias"

Here is the original version of "The Three Marias" played by Wayne Shorter.  This performance is from the Lugano Jazz Festival in Switzerland in 1995, and features the following band lineup.

Wayne Shorter: Soprano Saxophone
Rodney Holmes - Drums
Jim Beard - Keyboards
Alphonso Johnson - Bass
David Gilmore - Guitar

Weather Report "Will"

From their 1973 record "Sweetnighter", here is Weather Report, with a rarely heard gem from their catalog called "Will".  The band lineup is:

Miroslav Vitous - bass, composer
Wayne Shorter - sax
Joe Zawinul - keys
Andrew White - English horn
Dom Um Romao - percussion

Andy Summers "The Three Marias"

Andy Summers - The Three Marias (The Last Dance of Mr. X 1997). Song originally composed by Wayne Shorter for his 1985 album Atlantis. Featuring Tony Levin on bass and Gregg Bissonette on drums. Produced by Andy Summers & Eddie King.

Laboriel, Mathieson, Landau & Colaiuta "Goyo" Live at The Baked Potato

The quartet of Abraham Laboriel on bass, Vinnie Colaiuta on drums, Greg Mathieson on keyboards, and Michael Landau on guitar, performs their instrumental, "Goyo" live at The Baked Potato in North Hollywood, California.  The track is taken from a live album, that was recorded there on three separate nights.  June 9th and 10th, and July 15th, 2000.

MSM Schmidt "Qin Shi (The Face on The Wall)"

Synth jazz from MSM Schmidt off of his 2015 record "Utopia", this is the track called "Qin Shi (The Face On The Wall)".  The band lineup features some very notable players including:

Bass – Jimmy Haslip
Drums – Virgil Donati
Guitar – Oz Noy
Piano – Alan Pasqua
Synth, Loops – MSM Schmidt
Trumpet, Valve Trombone – Rick Braun
Violin – Charlie Bisharat

Rahsaan Roland Kirk Live in Norway 1967

The entirety of Rahsaan Roland Kirk's 1967 performance in Norway.  The track listing is:

1. Blues For Alice
2. Blue Rol
3. The Shadow Of Your Smile
4. Making Love After Hours
5. NY Theme

...and, the band lineup:

Rahsaan Roland Kirk: tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, manzello, strich, C flute, clarinet, nose flute, whistles, & vocals
Ron Burton: piano
Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen: bass
Alex Riel: drums

Rahsaan Roland Kirk "Making Love After Hours"

Check out multi instrumentalist Rahsaan Roland Kirk and his tune "Making Love After Hours" where he plays a whole bunch of wind instruments during the performance.  There's a video of Kirk's performance in it's entirety from the 1967 Kongsberg Jazz Festival in Norway as well.  Stay tuned for that one.  

Roland Kirk (tenor sax, manzello, stritch, clarinet, c flute, nose flute, vocals and various whistles), Ron Burton (piano), NHØP (bass), Alex Riel (drums) - Kongsberg Jazz Festival, Norway 1967.

John Coltrane Quartet, Live In Belgium, 1965

John Coltrane and his quartet play in Belgium in 1965.  The lineup is:

John Coltrane: tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone
McCoy Tyner: piano
Jimmy Garrison: bass
Elvin Jones: drums

The set list:

1. Vigil
2. Naima
3. My Favorite Things

Jeff Beck "Come Dancing"

A favorite song, from a favorite Jeff Beck album of yours truly.  This is "Come Dancing" from Jeff Beck's 1976 record "Wired".

Focus "Eruption"

From their groundbreaking record "Hocus Pocus", here is Focus, with the track "Eruption".

The Ides of March "Vehicle"

Check out this one hit wonder rhythm & blues/soul track with horns.  "Vehicle" by The Ides of March, circa 1970.  The band lineup is:

Jim Peterik: lead guitar, lead vocals
Larry Millas: rhythm guitar, keyboards, bass, backing vocals
Bob Bergland: bass, saxophone, backing vocals
Ray Herr: bass, backing vocals
Michael Borch: drums, percussion
John Larson: trumpet, flugelhorn
Chuck Soumar: trumpet, backing vocals

Here is another more modern version of the tune, recorded for the Ides of March 50th anniversary DVD recorded at House of Blues, that was released in 2014.  The song itself, has a very suggestive meaning, but, that being said, it still has quite the groove, especially with the horns playing in unison with the whole of the band.

Claus Ogerman "Corfu"

A composition by composer/arranger Claus Ogerman, entitled "Corfu" with an interesting band lineup.

Marcus Miller - bass
Vinnie Colaiuta - drums
Robben Ford - guitar
Alan Pasqua - keyboards
Paulinho Da Costa - percussion
Dean Parks -rhythm guitar
Michael Brecker - tenor saxophone
Randy Brecker -trumpet,flugelhorn

The record itself is simply titled Claus Ogerman featuring Michael Brecker, and was released on GRP Records.

Chick Corea & Gary Burton "Crystal Silence"

From a recording of their duet concert in Zurich, Switzerland on October 28th, 1979, here are Chick Corea on piano and Gary Burton on vibraphone, with "Crystal Silence".

Larry Coryell "Tomorrow Never Knows"

Larry Coryell covers The Beatles' "Tomorrow Never Knows" in a reunion of the Count's Jam Band.  The musicians are:

Larry Coryell - Guitar
Steve Smith - Drums
Steve Marcus - Soprano Sax
Kai Eckhardt - Bass
Jeff Chimenti - Piano

Jeff Chimenti would go on to play keyboards for Bob Weir's band Ratdog and eventually to play for the 50th anniversary Grateful Dead reunion, and currently, for Dead & Company.  The Count's Jam Band Reunion happened in 2001.

Duke Ellington (feat. Paul Gonsalves) "Happy Reunion"

Check out this performance by Duke Ellington and his quartet of the composition "Happy Reunion", featuring Paul Gonsalves on tenor sax.  Recorded for TV at TV-Byen Studio in Copenhagen, Denmark 50 years ago, on January 23rd, 1967.  The band lineup is:

Paul Gonsalves: tenor saxophone
Duke Ellington: piano
John Lamb: bass
Rufus Jones: drums

McCoy Tyner "Atlantis"

An epic composition by the great jazz pianist, McCoy Tyner, who yours truly had the honor of seeing in concert, last fall.  This is "Atlantis", the title track to Tyner's 1975 album of the same name.  The band lineup for the recording of this great composition is:

Mccoy Tyner - piano
Juni Booth - bass
Wilby Fletcher - drums
Guilherme Franco - percussion
Azar Lawrence - tenor & soprano saxophones

The Black Crowes @ Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, February 6th, 1993

A show by the Black Crowes at the old Sam Houston Coliseum that was broadcast worldwide on radio on February 6th, 1993.  The set list.

1. No Speak No Slave
2. Sting Me
3. Hard To Handle
4. My Morning Song
5. Jam
6. Thorn In My Pride
7. Chris Robinson addresses a rowdy crowd
8. Bad Luck Blue Eyes Goodbye
9. Twice As Hard
10. Black Moon Creeping
11. Thick N' Thin
12. Hotel Illness
13. Stare It Cold
14. Three Little Birds
15. Sometimes Salvation
16. Jealous Again
17. Remedy

Show Notes:
======
Free Concert; make-up show due to earlier cancellation due to security.
15,000 people showed up; 10,000 reserved seating capacity.
The Jayhawks opened the show.
The last show at the Coliseum before tearing it down.
Tower in the middle of the floor for belly dancers; used at beginning of show.
Before Thorn In My Pride, Chris announced the "What I Wanna Put Under My Pillow Tonight And Wish For" Jam.
Infamous Free show on the High as the Moon Tour.
This was the final event at the historic Houston venue.

Tedeschi Trucks - Does Size Matter?

A review of a recent Tedeschi Trucks Band show from Independence Day weekend, via American Blues Scene.

https://www.americanbluesscene.com/2017/07/tedeschi-trucks-does-size-matter/

Charles Mingus Sextet (feat. Eric Dolphy) "So Long, Eric"

The Charles Mingus Sextet featuring Eric Dolphy, playing "So Long, Eric" in Belgium, on April 19th,1964.  The band lineup is:

Charles Mingus: bass
Eric Dolphy: tenor saxophone, bass clarinet, flute
Clifford Jordan: tenor saxophone
Johnny Coles: trumpet
Jaki Byard: piano
Dannie Richmond: drums

Ranjit Barot "Dark Matter"

Check out drummer Ranjit Barot and his composition "Dark Matter", from his record "Bada Boom", with a heavy hitting band that includes a horn section.  You can dance to this jazz, eh?  Listen to the horns.

Ranjit Barot -drums
Mohini Dey -bass
Harmeet Manseta -electric piano
Dhruv Ghanekar -guitar
Gwilym Symcock -piano
Tim Garland -saxophone, flute
Palakkad Sreeram -vocals
Tim Garland's Underground Orchestra -horns

Gregg Allman "One Way Out"

More memories of Gregg Allman, and more from an acoustic set he did with lead guitarist from his solo band, Scott Sharrard.  Here is an acoustic version of "One Way Out". 

Gregg Allman Band "Sweet Feeling"

More memories of Gregg Allman and his legacy.  From 1982, here is the Gregg Allman Band playing "Sweet Feeling" live.  The band lineup is:

Gregg Allman: Hammond B3 organ, vocals
"Dangerous" Dan Toler: guitar
David "Frankie" Toler: drums
Burt Engelsman: bass
Bruce Waibel: guitar
Chaz Trippy: percussion
Jim Essery: harmonica

Johnny Cash "Ragged Old Flag"

One more patriotic song for this Independence Day and the 241st birthday of the United States of America.  Johnny Cash's "Ragged Old Flag" is another appropriate musical tribute.

Lee Greenwood "God Bless The USA"

For your Independence Day, yours truly will share a favorite patriotic song, that was only written, about 30 some odd years ago, but is sure a part of the American musical landscape, and shows what our country is all about.  Happy 241st Birthday, United States of America.  As the title of Lee Greenwood's song says "God Bless The USA".

Eric Gale "Forecast"

The title track to Eric Gale's 1973 record, "Forecast".  It features a star studded and powerful musician lineup.

Eric Gale - guitar
Bob James - strings and horns arrangement, Rhodes piano, organ, percussion (bass marimba)
Pepper Adams - baritone saxophone
Bill Salter - bass
George Ricci, Seymour Barab - cello
Idris Muhammad - drums
Hubert Laws - flute, piccolo flute
Ralph MacDonald - percussion
Jerry Dodgion - tenor/alto saxophone
George Marge - tenor saxophone, flute
Alan Ralph, Garnett Brown, Tony Studd - trombone 

...and here is the full album.

 

Jam of the Ages - Chuck Berry "Roll Over Beethoven"

The final segment from AB's 25th anniversary Special, which aired Friday February 4, 1977.

The players:

Chuck Berry: guitar, vocals
Gregg Allman: lead guitar solo
Johnny Rivers: lead guitar solo
Bobby Rydell: drums
Junior Parker: tenor saxophone
The Pointer Sisters: backing vocals
Booker T. Jones: Hammond organ solo
Donald "Duck" Dunn: bass solo
Steve Cropper: lead guitar solo
Nigel Olsson,
Mark Lindsay,
Dash Crofts,
Jim Seals,
Walter Murphy,
Bobby Rydell,
Doc Severinsen,
Chuck Mangione,
Jim Guercio,
Charlie Daniels,
Les McCann,
Donald Byrd,
Nino Tempo

Paul Williams conducts, and provides a running narration. His hyper-cool delivery propels the whole thing, lifts it and pushes it into transcendence.

Philip Catherine & Niels Henning-Orsted Pedersen Jazzfest Wien 1992

Check out the duo of Philip Catherine on guitar and Niels Henning-Orsted Pedersen on upright bass at the 1992 Jazzfest in Wien, Austria.