From the 10th Anniversary Concert of the Manchester Craftman's Guild featuring Billy Taylor on piano, Stanley Turrentine on tenor, Gary Burton on vibes, Rufus Reid on bass and Roger Humphries on drums in 1978. Manchester Craftsmen's Guild (MCG) is a nonprofit art, education, and music organization established in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1968.
Courses include ceramics, photography, digital arts, and painting to over 500 young people each year and 3,400 additional students in the Pittsburgh Public Schools. Ninety percent of the students receive high school diplomas, and eight-five percent of those students enroll in college or some other secondary education. The Guild's programs also include MCG Jazz, MCG Youth, and the Denali Initiative. MCG Jazz's mission is to preserve, present and promote jazz.[1] MCG Youth offers art courses to Pittsburgh public school students. The Denali Initiative is a program that teaches nonprofit executive directors how to develop business and financing plans for social enterprises.
The organization was conceived by Bill Strickland. In 1987, he expanded MCG with a $7.5 million capital campaign to construct a 62,000-square-foot (5,800 m2) vocational education and arts center. It includes a 350-seat concert hall, an art gallery, classrooms, and workshops. MCG Jazz hosts concerts and has a recording studio and record label.
From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack. Blues March (Golson) - Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers Big Band - Mt. Fuji Jazz Festival, featuring George Adams, tenor saxophone.
From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack. Moanin' (Timmons) Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers Big Band Live at the Mount Fuji Jazz Festival, featuring Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Stanley Jordan on guitar and Peter Washington, on bass.
From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack, here is the Benny Golson Quintet doing "Gypsy Jingle Jangle" live in Japan in 1988 at Satin Doll Roppongi. The band lineup includes Benny Golson on tenor saxophone, Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Mulgrew Miller on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Marvin "Smitty" Smith on drums.
From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack. Whisper Not (Golson) featuring the composer on tenor, Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Ron Carter on bass and Mulgrew Miller on piano. On drums, the marvelous Marvin Smitty Smith.
From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack. You Stepped Out of A Dream - McCoy Tyner, piano; Ron Carter, bass and Joe Chambers, drums. Mt. Fuji Jazz Festival, 1987.
We fondly remember one of the greats of jazz and vocal music, as the legend, Tony Bennett, has passed on to the next life, at age 97. Rest In Peace, Tony Bennett.
From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack.
One of the great interpreteres of the Great American Songbook, Tony sings Duke Elliington's immortal standard - Solitude.
Anthony Dominick Benedetto (August 3, 1926 – July 21, 2023), known professionally as Tony Bennett, was an American singer. Bennett amassed many accolades throughout his career, including 20 Grammy Awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award, and two Primetime Emmy Awards. He was named an NEA Jazz Master and a Kennedy Center Honoree, and was the founder of the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Astoria, Queens, New York.[1] Bennett sold more than 50 million records worldwide.
Tony Bennett is important for several reasons:
Musical Legacy: Tony Bennett is a legendary vocalist known for his smooth and emotive singing style. He has left an indelible mark on the music industry with his exceptional talent, expressive interpretations, and vast discography spanning multiple genres.
Crossover Success: Bennett achieved significant success as a crossover artist, appealing to both jazz and pop audiences. He successfully bridged the gap between these genres, gaining widespread recognition and popularity across different musical tastes.
Longevity and Relevance: Throughout his career, Bennett has maintained relevance and popularity, showcasing his enduring appeal to audiences over many decades. His continued success and ability to remain active in the industry have solidified his status as an enduring musical icon.
Influence on Jazz and Pop: Tony Bennett's contributions to jazz and pop music have been immense. He played a crucial role in popularizing jazz standards and timeless classics, bringing them to new audiences and preserving their legacy for future generations.
Collaborations and Artistic Range: Bennett's collaborations with other prominent artists, including Frank Sinatra, Count Basie, Bill Evans, and Lady Gaga, demonstrate his versatility and willingness to explore different musical territories, cementing his position as a versatile performer.
Recognition and Awards: Over the years, Bennett has received numerous accolades, including multiple Grammy Awards, which attest to his exceptional talent and contributions to the music industry.
Advocacy for the Arts: Beyond his musical achievements, Tony Bennett has been an advocate for arts education and funding, recognizing the importance of nurturing young talent and ensuring the arts' preservation and development.
Role as a Cultural Icon: Tony Bennett's charisma, elegance, and gentlemanly demeanor have turned him into a cultural icon, admired not just for his musical abilities but also for his graciousness and positive influence on fans and fellow artists.
In summary, Tony Bennett's importance lies in his significant impact on the world of music, his versatility as an artist, and his contributions to jazz and pop, making him a beloved and respected figure in the entertainment industry. His influence continues to be felt and appreciated by audiences of all ages.
The Susan Tedeschi & Derek Trucks Band performs the Allman Brothers' "Dreams" at Peach Fest 2023. Brought to you by Less Than Face Productions. Audio by Ken M.
The Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks Band covers The Rolling Stones' "Do Doo Do Doo (Heartbreaker)" at Peach Fest 2023. Brought to you by Less Than Face Productions. Audio by Ken M.
João Donato is an important figure in Brazilian music for a variety of reasons:
1. Pioneering Role: Donato has been a critical figure in the development of several major Brazilian music genres, including bossa nova and MPB (Música Popular Brasileira). He helped to shape the sound of these genres with his unique compositions and performances.
2. Innovation: Donato is known for his innovative approach to music. His fusion of samba with cool jazz in the 50s and 60s was groundbreaking and led to the development of the bossa nova sound. He has also integrated other styles like funk and soul into his music.
3. Musicianship: As a pianist, Donato's unique playing style has been influential. His approach to rhythm and harmony, often subtly complex, has inspired many musicians in Brazil and beyond.
4. Collaboration: Over his long career, Donato has worked with many of the biggest names in Brazilian music, including Antonio Carlos Jobim, Astrud Gilberto, and Gilberto Gil. These collaborations have helped to spread his influence across the industry.
5. Longevity: Donato's career has spanned many decades, from the 1950s to the present day. This longevity has allowed him to have a lasting impact on Brazilian music.
6. International Impact: Donato has not only been a major figure in Brazilian music, but his influence has also been felt internationally. His work has been appreciated by jazz and world music audiences globally, further solidifying his importance.
From their April 17th, 2023 show at The Greek Theatre in Berkeley, California, here is Phish with their medley of "Tweezer" and "Simple" in a massive hourlong jam session for your listening, viewing, and jamming pleasure. Check it out.
M-Squad was a detective show based in Chicago, starring Lee Marvin. Count Basie did the score. The spirit of Count Basie lives on in the swingin'-est musical collaboration this side of late-night featuring Terence Blanchard, Talib Kweli, Nicholas Payton, Cimafunk & more. The spirit, prestige, and musicianship established by Basie lives on, and his influence is felt especially in the bands that dominate the late-night television landscape. Pressed on an exclusive turquoise vinyl, this new celebration of Count Basie captures the essence of the legend of late-night.
TRACKLIST:
1. Didn’t You - Lettuce (Feat. Talib Kweli)
2. One O’Clock Jump - Count Basie Orchestra (Feat. Ray Angry & Jazzmeia)
3. Blue & Sentimental - Will Lee (Feat. Larkin Poe)
4. M-Squad - Count Basie Orchestra (Feat. Terrance Blanchard)
5. Jumpin at the Woodside - Count Basie Orchestra (Feat. Jimmy Vivino + Ray Angry)
6. St Thomas - Soul Rebels (Feat. Nicholas Payton + Cimafunk + Weedie)
7. One O’Clock Jump - Danny Jonokuchi & The Revisionists (Winner of Basie’s Great American Swing Contest)
From their April 18th, 2023 show at The Greek Theater in Berkeley, California, here is Phish with their song "Fuego", translated as fire in Spanish I believe.
From New Morning in Paris, France, here is the late, great Roy Hargrove and the late, great Art Farmer playing the jazz standard "Ow!" Hargrove and Farmer are joined by Jacky Terrason on piano and Alvin Queen on drums.
The Chick Corea Elektric Band at the 2004 North Sea Jazz Festival. Chick Corea on Rhodes piano, Frank Gambale on lead guitar, Eric Marienthal on alto saxophone, John Pattitucci on bass, and Dave Weckl on drums. Check out Frank playing the blues in the way only he can on his solo on "Blue Miles".
Gambale's playful reworking of the famous standard "Have You Met Miss Jones?". Recorded live on tour at Bordereij, Zoetermeer, Netherlands March 21, 2023.
Frank Gambale - guitar Jerry Leonide - keyboards Hadrien Feraud - bass Gergo Borlai - drums
From a performance in Paris, France at Theatre De L'Empire, here is the one the only Luther Allison covering blues guitar legend Otis Rush's "All Your Love". Check it out.
There's a reason Ella Fitzgerald was known as the First Lady of Song. Here, Ella sings the Boy from Ipanema, and the medley includes Agua de Beber, Temptation, Fly Me to the Moon and Ivan Lins' Madalena, with the great Tommy Flanagan on piano.
#ellafitzgerald#thegirlfromipanema#jobim#tommyflanagan
