Not a performance, but, an interview with the late, great drummer Elvin Jones and what jazz means to him, and as well as how he'd like to connect with his audience, giving of himself through music and spiritual commitment.
1991 Japanese Interview with Elvin Jones. Born September 9, 1927, in Pontiac, MI; son of a Baptist deacon and lumber inspector; married; wife's name, Keiko. Many music critics regard Elvin Jones as the most influential drummer in the history of jazz. His revolutionary style transformed the drums as a traditional time-keeping instrument. Employing a multilayered, rhythmic approach, he created a dynamic interplay with soloists unprecedented by earlier drum stylists. Early in his career, Jones performed with such jazzmen as Charles Mingus, Bud Powell, Sonny Rollins, and Miles Davis. But it wasn't until he joined the John Coltrane Quartet in 1960 that Jones began to attract international recognition. During his six years with Coltrane's group, Jones contributed to some of the most celebrated recordings in the history of modern jazz. For over five decades, his innovative rhythmic technique served as a catalyst for drummers who seek greater improvisational freedom.
From Jazz Video Guy (Bret Primack) on YouTube, here is jazz piano legend Earl Fatha Hines on Jazz Workshop in Berlin, Germany, circa 1965. From the description of the video, here is all you need to know about Earl "Fatha" Hines.
Earl “Fatha” Hines was one of the most influential Jazz pianists during the twentieth century. His “trumpet style” piano playing has influenced jazz pianists since the 1920s. Hines’s career as a musician and bandleader spanned from the 1920s to his death in 1983. Earl Kenneth Hines was born on December 28, 1903 in Duquesne, Pennsylvania, to Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Hines. His mother died when he was three years old. Subsequently, he was raised by his father and stepmother, Mary.
Hines came from a musical family. His father played the cornet and was the leader of the Eureka Brass Band in Pittsburgh. His stepmother was a church organist. His stepmother gave him his first piano lessons and he learned to read music exceptionally well. At age 14, Hines moved to Pittsburgh to live with his aunt Sadie Phillips, who was an opera singer. He attended Schenly High School where he majored in music. Hines shifted his musical interest from classical piano to jazz piano and at age 15, he formed his first musical trio which included a violinist and drummer. The group played at various school functions, nightclubs, and church socials.
At age 17, Hines left home and joined Lois B. Deppe and His Symphonian Serenaders in Pittsburgh. There he earned $15 per week plus meals and board and made his first recording. At age 18, Hines formed his own group with saxophonist Benny Carter. Soon afterwards Hines moved to Chicago and in 1925 began playing with the Carroll Dickerson Orchestra. In 1926 he met trumpeter Louis Armstrong and together they formed a jazz trio with Zutty Singleton as the drummer. Hines recorded several jazz tracks with Armstrong, including the famous trumpet and piano duet “Weather Bird” in 1928. The duo recorded 36 singles including “Muggles” and “Tight Like This.”
Full Concert Friday this week with the David Sanborn Band live in Chicago on July 9th, 1994. The concert took place at the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, Illinois. The band features a stellar group of musicians who have varying backgrounds of groups and artists they've played with during their careers as you will see in the video description.
David Sanborn Band recorded live at the Ravinia Festival, Highland Park, IL on July 9th, 1994. Amazing show featuring guitarist Drew Zingg (Steely Dan reunion tour 1993, Boz Scaggs, Michael McDonald, Shawn Colvin, Loudon Wainwright III, Lucy Kaplansky), bassist Richard Patterson (Boz Scaggs, Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock), keyboardist Ricky Peterson (Prince, George Benson, Stevie Nicks, Bonnie Raitt), drummer Sonny Emory (Earth, Wind & Fire, Steely Dan, Bruce Hornsby, the B-52's), percussionist Don Alias (Weather Report, Nina Simone, Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell).
The track listing is:
From their August 15th, 2021 show at Atlantic Beach in Atlantic City, New Jersey, here is Phish with their funky tune, "The Moma Dance". Also posted a version of this one done by the Trey Anastasio Band quite a while ago. A funky, dance, jam tune is what this is. Check it out. Again, the members of Phish are:
From their June 25th, 2016 performance at Red Rocks in Morrison, Colorado, here is Widespread Panic with "Bust It Big".
Another one from Jazz Video Guy (Bret Primack). From back in May.
Bob Mintzer Has The Knack. Whether He Developed It During His Brief Association With The Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra, His Two Years With The Buddy Rich Big Band, Or His Time With Jaco Pastorius’ Word Of Mouth Big Band Is Unclear.
What Is Certain, However, Is That The Great Tenor Saxophonist Has Continued To Perfect His Instincts For Orchestration And Counterpoint Over The Years. http://bobmintzer.com
From Jazz Video Guy, another performance by jazz vocal legend Betty Carter from the 1986 Leverkeusener Jazztage. This is "Imagination", and Carter is backed by the same trio from another performance from this same concert including pianist Benny Green, double bassist Michael Bowie, and drummer Winard Harper.
In a live performance from the 1970s (not at all sure of the exact year or venue), here is Bonnie Raitt playing "Give It Up Or Let Me Go". Check it out.
This week's Full Concert Friday, one legend, remembering another. Chick Corea remembers and pays tribute to Bud Powell. From the Munich Philharmonic Hall in 1996 to render tribute to Bud Powell.
The band lineup:
Another one from Jazz Video Guy and the Mount Fuji Jazz Festival in Fuji, Japan. This is from the 1989 festival. "Rhythmin' " composed by Thelonius Monk, with a ragtag band of musicians including Don Braden on tenor saxophone, Terumasa Hino on trumpet, Mulgrew Miller on piano, Ira Coleman on bass, and Ralph Peterson on drums.
From the very first Antibes Jazz Festival in Antibes, France, in 1960, here is piano legend Bud Powell playing solo on the standard "Sweet and Lovely". Check it out. For the rest of this particular concert, or throughout the festival, it is said he was backed by Charlie Mingus' band. Powell was living in Paris during this period of his career as well.
From the same performance that showcased "African Village", here once again are McCoy Tyner and Bobby Hutcherson, this time, playing "The Promise", a John Coltrane composition at the 2002 JazzBaltica Festival. The band lineup is the same quintet of musicians as well.
From Jazz Video Guy (Bret Primack). "African Village" (Tyner), JazzBaltica, 2002.
Another video from Jazz Video Guy (Bret Primack), on YouTube. From her performance at Leverkeusen Jazztage in 1986, here is jazz vocalist Betty Carter and her tune "With No Words", as she shows off her prodigious scat singing talents. The band includes Betty Carter on vocals (scat singing), Benny Green on piano, Michael Bowie on bass (upright bass), and Winard Harper on drums.
Yet another Full Concert Friday this week. Here is video of a 1974 concert by Ella Fitzgerald with presenter, emcee, Pim Jacobs. The band lineup is:
Revisiting Widespread Panic's song "Tall Boy" as performed by the band at Family Circle Stadium in Charleston, South Carolina, on October 5th, 2013.
Another Widespread Panic medley from their concert in Charleston, South Carolina, at Family Circle Stadium on October 5th, 2013. The medley starts and ends with covers of The Meters' "Ain't No Use" and Buffalo Springfield's "Mr. Soul", and sandwiched inbetween are the Widespread Panic originals "Pilgrims", "Impossible", and "Pleas".
From Jazz Video Guy (Bret Primack), here is the great jazz pianist Bud Powell with the tune "Blues In The Closet" composed by jazz double bass great, Oscar Pettiford. This performance is from 1959 with Bud Powell on piano, Pierre Michelot on bass (as opposed to the tune's composer, Mr. Pettiford), and Kenny Clarke on drums. Swinging in the closet. Who knew?
From 2013 or very early 2014 (the video is dated as January 10th, 2014), here is the late, great Bucky Pizzarelli and his band Pearl Django with the standard "I'll See You In My Dreams".
Studio and live versions of Widespread Panic performing their song "Wondering". It is from their 1993 record "Everyday".
From Jazz Video Guy, here is the great Rahsaan Roland Kirk, multiple woodwind player extraordinaire (saxophones, clarinet, assorted whistles, etc.), playing "The Shadow of Your Smile" at a concert in Norway in 1967 along with Ron Burton on piano, Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen (NHOP), on bass, and Alex Riel on drums at the 1967 Kongsberg Jazz Festival in Norway.
Widespread Panic performs "Saint Ex" into "Chilly Water" live at Family Circle Stadium in Charleston, SC on October 5, 2013.
