Tuesday, December 31, 2024

Michael Brecker Plays the Music of?

 


From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack.  The song sounds familiar.  Any ideas?


Monday, December 30, 2024

Michael Brecker Always Knew What Time It Was

 


From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack.

Timeline (Brecker): Michael Brecker, tenor saxophone; Larry Goldings, organ; Adam Rodgers, guitar and Clarence Penn, drums. Ocean Blue Jazz Festival, Hitachinaka, Japan August 27, 2000.

Sunday, December 29, 2024

When Michael Brecker Played, The World Listened

 


The final Sunday Special of 2024.  

From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack.

Song for Bilbao (Metheny): Michael Brecker, tenor saxophone; Larry Goldings, organ; Adam Rodgers, guitar and Clarence Penn, drums. Ocean Blue Jazz Festival, Hitachinaka, Japan August 27, 2000.


Saturday, December 28, 2024

Please Do Not Mess with Stanley Mr. T. Turrentine

 


It is yet another Sunday Special.  From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack.

Don't Mess with Mister T (Gaye) Stanley Turrentine Quartet featuring Steve Johns on drums. Steve Johns remembers how he enjoyed playing with Stanley. Steve Johns is a renowned American jazz drummer, known for his versatile and dynamic playing style. He has performed with numerous jazz legends, including Sonny Fortune, Randy Brecker, and Stanley Turrentine. Johns has also contributed to various recordings and has been praised for his ability to adapt to different jazz subgenres, making him a respected figure in the jazz community. He has also been involved in jazz education, sharing his expertise and passion for the genre with aspiring musicians. Steve plays on two new CDs that have reached the top 10 on the national jazz radio charts, Greg Murphy’s “You Remind Me” and Peter Hand’s “Blue Topaz” https://whalingcitysound.com/recordin... https://whalingcitysound.com/recordin...

Friday, December 27, 2024

Miles Davis with Keith Jarrett - Live in Italy 1971

 


Nine days shy of what would have been Miles Davis' 98th birthday.

From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack. 

Please visit the new home of the Jazz Video Guy: http://syncopatedjustice.com

The Miles Davis Group at the Palazzo delio Sport, Torino, Italy, 1971: Miles Davis, trumpet; Gary Bartz, alto and soprano sax; Keith Jarrett, keyboards; Michael Henderson, bass; Ndugu, drums; Don Alias, Mtume, percussion.


Thursday, December 26, 2024

The Rolling Stones | Cool B-Sides that Were Not Included on Their LPs (1963-68)

 


Back in the 60s, many British bands had the policy of not including their singles on their albums. This was mostly due to the fact that they didn't want their fans to have to pay twice for the same songs. Most of the A-sides became hits and are regarded as classics from that era, and the Stones released several B-sides which are almost as well-known as the topsides- 

But this video will focus on those B-ides that were not included on their albums and therefore remain relatively obscure and a bit forgotten. 

Hope you enjoy it!

Monday, December 23, 2024

Bo Diddley "Bo Diddley"

 


The one and the only Bo Diddley, playing his self-titled theme song, in 1965, and as you can see, the crowd is going wild!  Here's "Bo Diddley".  Notice one of Bo's backup singers/dancers, playing rhythm guitar.  Her name is Norma Jean "The Duchess" Wofford, and she too, was part of the band and is the only other credit I can find other than the man himself, for the musicians in Bo's band for this particular gig.  

Sunday, December 22, 2024

Roy Hargrove Was Over the Rainbow

 


This week's Sunday Special.

From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack.

Over the Rainbow - The Billy Trio with Roy Hargrove. Billy Taylor, piano; Chip Jackson, bass and Steve Johns on drums. Steve Johns is a renowned American jazz drummer, known for his versatile and dynamic playing style. He has performed with numerous jazz legends, including Sonny Fortune, Randy Brecker, and Stanley Turrentine. Johns has also contributed to various recordings and has been praised for his ability to adapt to different jazz subgenres, making him a respected figure in the jazz community. He has also been involved in jazz education, sharing his expertise and passion for the genre with aspiring musicians. Steve plays on two new CDs that have reached the top 10 on the national jazz radio charts, Greg Murphy’s “You Remind Me” and Peter Hand’s “Blue Topaz” https://whalingcitysound.com/recordin... https://whalingcitysound.com/recordin... For more Steve, please visit: http://www.stevejohnsjazz.com


Saturday, December 21, 2024

Joe "Guitar" Hughes "Stuff Like That"

 


From Texas Blues in Austin, Texas, recorded on video in 1988, here is bluesman Joe "Guitar" Hughes, with the tune "Stuff Like That".  

Friday, December 20, 2024

Trumpet legends at 65 - Clifford Brown Jazz Festival - June 16, 2003

 


Full Concert Friday this week. 

Trumpet legends at 65 Clifford Brown Jazz Festival June 16, 2003 Wilmington, Delaware Roy Hargrove: Trumpet Randy Brecker: Trumpet Terrel Stafford: Trumpet David Weiss: Trumpet Dwayne Burno: Bass Anthony Wonsey: Piano Pete Laroca Sims: Drums 1 Twice Around (L. Morgan) 2 Calling Softly (B. Little) 3 The Core (F. Hubbard) 4 Lament for Booker (F. Hubbard) 5 Birdlike (F. Hubbard)

Thursday, December 19, 2024

Joe Bonamassa "If Heartaches Were Nickels"

 


The fourth single from Joe Bonamassa's "Live at The Hollywood Bowl", another version of "If Heartaches Were Nickels".  This tune, written by another legendary guitarist and singer/songwriter, Warren Haynes, from Gov't Mule and The Allman Brothers Band.  I believe I have posted another of Joe's performances of this song as well as the Gov't Mule original.  A great song, never gets old, and this is a great one.  

Wednesday, December 18, 2024

Michael Brecker's Best Solo?

 


From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack.

Impressions (Coltrane) Michael Brecker, tenor saxophone; McCoy Tyner, piano; Avery Sharpe, bass and Aaron Scott on drums. From the 1996 North Sea Jazz Festival.


Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Don Pullen and the African Brazilian Connection - El Matador


Check out Don Pullen and the African Brazilian Connection with their tune "El Matador".  A couple different sources here, for the video, and the information.  The information on the tune comes from Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack.  He did post this video, but I have also found one from another YouTube poster with the hand paris0820.  

El Matador (Dorham) - Mt. Fuji Jazz Festival, 1992. Carlos Ward, alto saxophone; Don Pullen, piano; Nilson Matta, bass; Mor Thiam and Guilerme Franco, percussion.



Monday, December 16, 2024

Jaco's Big Band Live in Tokyo

 


From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack.

Invitation (Kaper) Recorded on Sep.1, 1982 at Tokyo, Japan.

The band lineup is:

Rhythm section:

Jaco Pastorius: electric bass
Peter Erskine: drums
Don Alias: percussion
Othello Molineaux: steel drums

Horn Section:

Trumpets: Randy Brecker, Elmer Brown, Forrest Buchtel, & Jon Faddis
Trombones: Ron Tooley, Wayne Andre, David Bargeron, Peter Graves (bass trombone & co-conductor), Bill Reichenbach (bass trombone)
French horns: Peter Gordon & Brad Warnaar
Tuba: David Bargeron
Saxophones: Bob Mintzer, Mario Cruz, Randy Emerick, Alex Foster, & Paul McCandless
Other Woodwinds: Mario Cruz (clarinet, flute), Alex Foster (clarinet, piccolo), Paul McCandless (oboe & English horn)




Sunday, December 15, 2024

Pat Martino Trio - Mac Tough

 


Another Sunday Special this week.  

From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack.

Mac Tough (Martino) Pat Martino - guitar; Pat Bianchi - Hammond B3; Carmen Intorre - drums. Lotos Jazz Festival 2014



Saturday, December 14, 2024

Medeski, Scofield, Martin & Wood Live at First Avenue 12-14-2014

This concert happened ten years ago today.  I remember, because I was there, on a cold winter evening.  Medeski, Scofield, Martin, & Wood at First Avenue in Minneapolis, on December 14th, 2014.

https://archive.org/details/MSMW2004-12-14

The set list.

1. Open > Sham Time
2. Juicy Lucy > Chank > Improv
3. North London
4. Helium
5. Louis The Shoplifter > Little Walter Rides Again
6. Sunshine of Your Love (Cream cover)
7. Stovetop
8. Light My Fire (The Doors cover)
9. The Times They Are A Changin' (Bob Dylan cover)


Friday, December 13, 2024

B.B. King Orchestra Live At The North Sea Jazz Festival • 14-07-1979 • World of Jazz

 


Full Concert Friday this week, featuring B.B. King and his Orchestra at the North Sea Jazz Festival in Holland on July 14th, 1979.

BB King is one blues legend. Born in 1925 in a small town in Mississippi, he knew thanks to 'Lucille' (the nickname for his guitar) to escape a miserable existence as a cotton picker. In the late 1940s he arrived in Memphis where his cousin Bukka White taught him the tricks of the blues. He soon developed his own style. Kings virtuoso, narrative solos, with lots of vibrato and long strokes, have been an example for almost all (rock) guitarists after him. And all King is a bluesartist pur sang, he has never been averse to other genres and also worked with pop acts like U2 and Eric Clapton. Despite his age, he is still at the top: Kings last album, One Kind Favor, has been awarded a Grammy, like many previous records. In the meantime, the Eighties continues undiminished, with each acting at his age a gift for his audience. - "How blue can you get"; - "Caledonia"; - "Some help I don't need"; - "You let me down" (?); - "Same old story, same old song"; - "I've Got A Mind To Give Up Living , aka All Over Again"; - "I'm the man that plays the blues" (?); - "Someone realy loves you" (?); - "The thrill is gone" (?). Watch more World of Jazz videos ► https://goo.gl/Z28cxv Join us. Subscribe now! ► https://goo.gl/n2FHaL Thanks for all your support, rating the video and leaving a comment is always appreciated! Please: respect each other in the comments. This is the official YouTube channel of World of Jazz.


Thursday, December 12, 2024

Freddie Hubbard's Best Red Clay Solo

 


This week's Sunday Special.  From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack.

Red Clay (Hubbard). Ancona Jazz October 10, 1985. Freddie Hubbard - Trumpet; Kenny Garrett - Alto sax; Mark Templeton - Piano; Ira Coleman - Bass; and the great Carl Allen on drums.



Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Ray Charles - Let The Good Times Roll • World of Jazz

 


Ray Charles & The Raelettes perform "Let The Good times roll"; (Sam Theard, Fleecie Moore) live in concert – 13 July 1980 Ray Charles, The Ray Charles Orchestra & The Raelettes live at the North Sea Jazz Festival 1980 Ray Charles Robinson (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004), known professionally as Ray Charles, was an American singer-songwriter, musician, and composer. Among friends and fellow musicians he preferred being called "Brother Ray". He was often referred to as "The Genius". Charles was blind from the age of seven. He played several times at the North Sea Jazz Festival. This is the second concert that day in 1980. Check the repertoire played at this second concert elsewhere on World of Jazz: The Ray Charles Orchestra introduction; 'Metamorphosis' (Ray Charles Orchestra) Ray Charles & Orchestra: "Let the good times roll"; (Sam Theard, Fleecie Moore) "Georgia On My Mind"; (Hoagy Carmichael, Stuart Gorrell) "Oh what a beautiful morning"; (Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein) "How long has this been going on"; (George & Ira Gershwin) “Feel So Bad” (Chuck Willis) "She knows"; (Renald Richard, Ray Charles) Ray Charles & The Raelettes: "I want your love" (The Raelettes ft. Estella Yarbrough) (Bernard Edwards, Nile Rodgers) "Do it to me slow" (The Raelettes ft. Pat Peterson) "Crying time" (Buck Owens) (ft.Madelyn Quebec; intro with 'There's A Long Long Trail A-Winding') "You are my sunshine" (Jimmie Davis, Charles Mitchell) (ft.Trudy Cohran) “Stormy Monday (T-Bone Walker) "What’d 'I Say" (Ray Charles) Ray Charles - vocals, piano, electric piano; Mitch Manker, Doug Crescimano, Tom Swayzee, Doug Martin - trumpets; Art Velasco, Dan Marcus, Papo Vázquez, Steve Davis - trombones; Ricky Woodard, Clifford Solomon, Ira Weinstein, Rudy Johnson, Mark Roland - saxophones; Tony Mathews - guitar; Curtis Ohlson - bass; Peter Turre - drums; James Polk - keyboards. Raeletts: Estella Yarbrough, Pat Peterson, Madelyn Quebec, Trudy Cohran, Avis Harrell - vocals, background vocals. With thanks to Bob Stumpel Watch more World of Jazz videos ► https://goo.gl/Z28cxv Join us. Subscribe now! ► https://goo.gl/n2FHaL Thanks for all your support| rating the video and leaving a comment is always appreciated! Please: respect each other in the comments. This is the official YouTube channel of World of Jazz.


Tuesday, December 10, 2024

The String Cheese Incident • "Valley of the Jig" • Stubb's • Austin, TX • 11/5/21

 


"Come As You Are" from 11/5/21 at Stubb's in Austin, TX. Hear audio from the entire show on LiveCheese.com, and watch the full Incident On-Demand at https://nugs.net/scilivestreams


Monday, December 9, 2024

Gone - Lachy Doley - Live in Paris (The New Morning)

 


A tragic story and tribute to one of the greatest keyboard players of all time.

Taken from my upcoming album LIVE IN PARIS out early 2025

Produced/Filmed by Zycopolis Productions

Lachy Doley - Hammond Organ, Lead Vocals
Jackie Barnes - Drums and Backing Vocals
Joel Burton - Bass and Backing Vocals


Saturday, December 7, 2024

Dave Brubeck - Big Bad Basie - 14/07/1979 • NSF

 


This number is called 'Big Bad Basie" (also known as "Ol' Bill Basie"). This recording is from July 14, 1979, at the PWA Zaal, North Sea Jazz Festival and features:

- Dave Brubeck - piano

- Chris Brubeck - bass/trombone

- Jerry Bergonzi - tenor sax

- Randy Jones - drums

Dave Brubeck, born on December 6, 1920, in California, was an influential American jazz pianist and composer known for his innovative approach to time signatures and his role in popularizing modern jazz. In 1951, he formed the Dave Brubeck Quartet, a groundbreaking ensemble. The quartet, featuring Paul Desmond on alto saxophone, Eugene Wright on bass, and Joe Morello on drums, gained widespread acclaim for their distinctive sound and complex, polyrhythmic compositions.

 One of the quartet's most iconic albums, "Time Out" (1959), showcased Brubeck's fascination with unusual time signatures. The album's signature track, "Take Five," composed by Paul Desmond in 5/4 time, became a jazz standard and a crossover hit, reaching a broad audience and introducing many listeners to the world of modern jazz. Brubeck received numerous accolades, including a Kennedy Center Honor, Grammy Awards, and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Dave Brubeck's legacy includes a vast discography of over a hundred albums, collaborations with jazz luminaries, and a profound influence on the evolution of jazz. He passed away on December 5, 2012. Dave Brubeck dedicated the song Take Five to Paul Desmond who died in '77.


Friday, December 6, 2024

John Lee Hooker, Carlos Santana and Etta James - Full Concert - 07/18/86 (OFFICIAL)

 


Full Concert Friday this week featuring John Lee Hooker, Carlos Santana, and Etta James playing at the Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco, California, on July 18th, 1986.  

Thursday, December 5, 2024

Bobby Watson Plays Bird

 


From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack.  

Anthropology (Parker) The Bobby Watson All-Stars Live at the 1987 Mt. Fuji Jazz Festival. Bobby Watson, alto saxophone; Kenny Garrett, alto saxphone; Robin Eubanks, trombone; Michael Mossman, trumpet; Mulgrew MIller, piano; Charnett Moffit, bass and Ralph Peterson on drums.


Wednesday, December 4, 2024

Pharoah Sanders Has the Blues

 


From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack.

I’ve Got the Blues (Sanders). The Pharoah Sanders Quartet live at Jazzfest Wien, Austria, 1991, featuring Pharoah Sanders on tenor saxophone and vocal; John Hicks on piano; Ray Drummond on bass and Idris Muhamed on drums.


Tuesday, December 3, 2024

AC/DC "You Shook Me All Night Long"

 


One of the major hit songs for AC/DC after original lead singer Bon Scott's death when then new vocalist Brian Johnson was brought into the band joining guitarist brothers Angus and Malcolm Young, Cliff Williams on bass, and Phil Rudd on drums.  Here is "You Shook Me All Night Long".  

Monday, December 2, 2024

1989 - Miles Davis on Sixty Minutes

 


From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack.

The Prince of Darkness, Miles Dewey Davis, made a rare television appearance on the popular CBS-TV show, Sixty Minutes, in 1989, just a few years before he left this world. Miles had a very distinctive, raspy voice. That gravelly voice contributed to his general aura of coolness and mystery. But it was actually the result of an operation he had in 1955 to remove a non-cancerous polyp on his larynx. He was not supposed to speak for a number of weeks after the surgery, but he did, resulting in some damage to his vocal cords.



Sunday, December 1, 2024

Let's Not Forget About Phil Woods

 


This week's Sunday Special.

From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack.

Phil Woods, alto saxphone; Brian Lynch, trumpet; Jim McNeely, piano; Steve Gillmore, bass and Bill Goodwin drums. Phil Woods was an American jazz alto saxophonist, clarinetist, bandleader, and composer. He was born on November 2, 1931, in Springfield, Massachusetts, and passed away on September 29, 2015. Woods had a long and prolific career in jazz, known for his virtuosic saxophone playing and his bebop style. He played with many of the jazz greats throughout his career and led his own groups as well. Woods received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to jazz music, including multiple Grammy Awards. He left behind a rich legacy of recordings and compositions that continue to influence and inspire musicians today. Phil Woods


Saturday, November 30, 2024

"Whipping Post" - Warren Haynes Band ft Derek Trucks & Joe Russo | Soulshine | MSG | Relix

 


Warren Haynes Band performs the Allman Brother's hit "Whipping Post" alongside Derek Trucks and Joe Russo at the 2024 Soulshine benefit concert held at Madison Square Garden on November 24th.  The band lineup is:

Warren Haynes: lead guitar & vocals
Derek Trucks: lead guitar
Matt Slocum: Hammond organ & Keyboards
Greg Osby: alto saxophone
Kevin Scott: bass
Joe Russo: drums
Terrence Higgins: drums




Friday, November 29, 2024

Eric Clapton - Makes No Difference (Live) [Crossroads 2023]

 


Eric Clapton performs "Makes No Difference" at the 2023 Crossroads Guitar Festival. RHINO and Eric Clapton will release the new live album and concert film Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival 2023 on November 29, 2024. It will be available in various configurations, including 4CD/2Blu-Ray, 6LP Vinyl, 2DVD, and Digital (streaming & Dolby ATMOS mix).Pre-order/Pre-save here: https://EC.lnk.to/CGF2023

Today is the day of the video and album release.  Do check it out.


Thursday, November 28, 2024

Minority from the 1988 Mt. Fuji Jazz Festival Jam Session

 


Happy Thanksgiving!  Always thankful, every single day, for music.  

From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack.  Minority (Gryce) from the 1988 Mt. Fuji Jazz Festival Jam Session. Ralph Peterson, Phillip Harper, trumpets; Steve Wilson, alto saxophone; Billy Pierce, tenor saxophone; Michael Petrucciani, piano; Curtis Lundy, bass and Lewis Nash on drums.




Wednesday, November 27, 2024

The Jazz Categories in the 2025 Grammys Are Stuffed with Jazz88 Favorites!

My local jazz radio station in the Twin Cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota, Jazz 88, has several favorite records they have been playing by newly discovered jazz artists, who happen to be nominated in the jazz categories for the 2025 Grammy Awards.  Check out the records, as listed, in the article recently published by the radio station, last week.

https://www.jazz88.fm/2024/11/20/the-jazz-categories-in-the-2025-grammys-are-stuffed-with-jazz88-favorites/

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Joe Bonamassa - "Scarlet Town" - Official Music Video

 


Released in September, another single from Joe Bonamassa featuring his lead guitar and vocal talents along with those of keyboard legend Reese Wynans on Hammond organ and piano.  The tune is "Scarlet Town".  

Monday, November 25, 2024

4 Saxophones / The Four Sleepers ~ Pools (1989)

 


From Live Under The Sky in Japan, in 1989, here are The Four Sleepers playing "Pools" by Steps Ahead.

The band lineup is:

Ernie Watts: alto saxophone
Bill Evans: soprano saxophone
Stanley Turrentine: tenor saxophone
Michael Brecker: tenor saxophone
Don Grolnick: piano
Yoshio Suzuki: bass
Adam Nussbaum: drums


Sunday, November 24, 2024

Bob Berg's Rocket to the Moon

 


This week's Sunday Special.  From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack.

I am crowdfunding my Horace Silver documentary currently in production, as I’ve done with my three previous documentary features. If you’d like to help, please visit: https://www.gofundme.com/its-got-to-b... Song for My Father (Silver) - Bob Berg's solo and Horace Silver's coda from their performance the Umbria Jazz Festival, July 20, 1976. Horace had some great front lines, including Blue Mitchell/Junior Cook, Woody Shaw/Joe Henderson, and Tom Harrell/Bob Berg. Bob Berg was known for his exceptional technical skill on the saxophone. He had a strong command over the instrument, allowing him to express himself fluently and creatively in his music. He was influential in blending elements of traditional jazz with more contemporary styles, such as fusion and post-bop. His playing incorporated elements of bebop, hard bop, and funk, creating a unique and dynamic sound. Bob collaborated with many prominent musicians throughout his career, including Miles Davis, Horace Silver, and Cedar Walton, among others, and he recorded numerous albums both as a leader and as a sideman.

Saturday, November 23, 2024

B.B. King - Live in Stockholm 1974

 


A clip from a video of B.B. King playing a concert in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1974, 50 years ago.  The song is a jazzy blues instrumental.  

Friday, November 22, 2024

The Real Funk: Lenny White - The Brecker Brothers - 1993 - Concert (very rare document!)

 


Full Concert Friday this week, once again featuring The Brecker Brothers.  This show is taken from the 1993 Jazzfestival Lugano in Switzerland.  The band lineup includes Michael Brecker on tenor saxophone, Randy Brecker on trumpet, Dean Brown on guitar, George Whitty on keyboards, James Genus on bass, and Lenny White from Return to Forever, on drums.  


Thursday, November 21, 2024

Sonny Fortune Quartet featuring Steve Johns - Wave of Dreams

 


From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack.

Waves of Dreams (Fortune) The Sonny Fortune Quartet: Sonny Fortune - soprano saxophone; Michael Cochrane - piano; Gerald Cannon - acoustic bass and Steve Johns on drums. Live at the Kitano NYC 11/19/2010 Steve plays on two new CDs that have reached the top 10 on the national jazz radio charts, Greg Murphy’s “You Remind Me” and Peter Hand’s “Blue Topaz” https://whalingcitysound.com/recordin... https://whalingcitysound.com/recordin... For more Steve, please visit: http://www.stevejohnsjazz.com

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

The Allman Brothers Band "One Way Out"

 


The classic performance of Sonny Boy Williamson and Elmore James' "One Way Out" by The Allman Brothers Band on what would be Duane Allman's 78th birthday.  We remember not just Duane and Gregg Allman, but also, Dickey Betts, who we lost earlier this year, as well as Berry Oakley and Butch Trucks.  Jaimoe, the second drummer for the Allman Brothers, is now the only surviving original member of the band.  The Allman Brothers Band have indeed secured their place in the canon of American music history and in the history of the blues.  That is for sure.


Tuesday, November 19, 2024

The String Cheese Incident - "New York Jam" → "Howard" | 11/2/24 | The Capitol Theatre | Relix

 


The String Cheese Incident performs "New York Jam" into "Howard" on night two of their two-night run at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY on 11/02/2024.

This full show is available to watch exclusively for nugs.net subscribers at nugs.net/sci !

Video by Nugs.net

Cover Image by Dino Perruci

Monday, November 18, 2024

Roy Haynes with the Cedar Walton All-Stars

 


From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack.

Joe Henderson, tenor saxophone; Jimmy Owens, trumpet; Gary Burton, vibes; Cedar Walton, piano; Larry Ridley, bass, Roy Haynes, drums.


Sunday, November 17, 2024

Roy Haynes: Drum Solo at Dick Gibson's, Jazz Party - 1977

 


This week's Sunday Special.  Another tribute to the late, great jazz drummer, Roy Haynes.

From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack.

Dick Gibson’s Jazz Parties were annual gatherings initiated in 1963 by Denver businessman and jazz enthusiast Dick Gibson. These events brought together prominent jazz musicians and fans for weekend-long jam sessions in intimate settings, fostering a unique and collaborative atmosphere. The inaugural party took place at the Jerome Hotel in Aspen, Colorado, over Labor Day weekend. Due to its success, the event was held the following year at Casino Vail in Vail, Colorado. Over the years, the parties moved to various locations, including the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs and venues in Denver. These gatherings featured a roster of jazz legends, such as Clark Terry, Zoot Sims, and Eubie Blake, performing in spontaneous and diverse ensembles. The format of these parties was instrumental in revitalizing the jazz scene during a period when other music genres were gaining prominence. The success of Gibson’s Jazz Parties inspired similar events across the United States, contributing to a broader jazz revival. The parties continued annually until 1992, leaving a lasting impact on the jazz community. Here, a Roy Haynes solo performance from the 1977 party.


Saturday, November 16, 2024

Roy Haynes and Alice Coltrane - Impressions

 


From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack.

Impressions (Coltrane). Ravi Coltrane, tenor saxophone; Alice Coltrane, piano; Reggie Workman, bass and Roy Haynes, drums.


Friday, November 15, 2024

Roy Haynes Live in Tokyo: Round Midnight

 


From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack.

Round Midnight (Monk). Roy Haynes, drums; Miroslav Vitous, bass, and Chick Corea, piano. Live Under the Sky: Tokyo, 1983.



Thursday, November 14, 2024

Roy Haynes Interview, 1988

 


From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack.  Ron Jefferson and John Lewis interview Roy Haynes, 1988.



Wednesday, November 13, 2024

R.I.P Roy Haynes March 13, 1925 - November 12, 2024

 


We will always remember, the great jazz drummer, Roy Haynes.

From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack.

Roy Haynes remembers meeting Sonny Rollins, talks with Sonny about their first session, plays with Stan Getz and Gary Burton, and with Chick Corea and Miroslav Vitous. Also, an extended conversation with Nasar Abadey from the 2012 MidAtlantic Jazz Festival. There has been a long-standing misperception about Roy Haynes – one that the influential jazz drummer wants cleared up once and for all. “Everything you read about me says I was born in 1926, but that’s wrong. I was born in 1925, so I’m 73 now, not 72,” Haynes says, proudly. “When you’re younger, you want to stay young, but now that I’m older, I just want to be myself.” Haynes has certainly been his own man in terms of his drumming. With solid roots in the swing style, his early gigs established him as a master of bebop playing, and as his career progressed, Haynes was able to adapt his playing to a variety of styles including avant-garde jazz and fusion, without ever losing his own identity. “My biggest influence was Jonathan – “Papa Jo” [Jones],” he says. “I also listened to Chick Webb a lot when I was a teenager, but I never got to hear him live; I just had the records. And then there were people like Shadow Wilson and Kenny Clarke, and of course Max [Roach] and Art [Blakey]. I tried to listen to everybody. I didn’t try to do what everyone else had done, but I listened. My ears were always open.” Haynes own style was characterized by crispness and finesse, as well as a tremendous sense of drive. His drumming always sounded modern and very, very hip. Jack DeJohnette is one of many who credits Haynes as paving the way for the drumming of Elvin Jones and Tony Williams. “A lot of people describe my drumming as ‘snap, crackle’,” Haynes says. “I think George Shearing and Al McKibbon were the first to use that term in reference to my playing, and I can understand that. I never analyzed it, though. That was just a sound that I liked and felt comfortable with. I did a little bit of drum and bugle corps drumming in school, but I was never really a rudimental drummer, so I think my sound comes from my mind more than my hands. “Every time I read something about myself it usually says ‘bebop.’ I recently had a review in The Village Voice about my week-long gig at the Village Vanguard, and they called me ‘hard bop.’ I would have liked it more if they had said ‘hard swing.’ I’m not always comfortable with those labels that people use. I’m just an old-time drummer who tries to play with feeling.” A career that spans more than fifty years might well indeed qualify someone for the term “old-time drummer,” but Haynes’ playing has never sounded dated. On the contrary, in every decade he has been associated with musicians on the cutting edge, having worked with such artists as Lester Young and Charlie Parker in the 1940s, Bud Powell, Sarah Vaughan and Thelonious Monk in the ’50s, Stan Getz and Gary Burton in the ’60s, Chick Corea in the ’70s and ’80s, and Pat Metheny in the ’80s and ’90s. “Once when I was touring with Chick and Miroslav Vitous,” Haynes recalls, “we did a gig in Detroit. J.C. Heard was still living, and he was a drummer I had always admired because he was a lot like Jo Jones – he even looked like Jo. Some young drummers came to hear us, and then they went to see J.C. and told him that there was a new, young guy playing with Chick Corea. When they told J.C. that this new drummer’s name was Roy Haynes, J.C. said, ‘What are you talking about? Roy Haynes is almost as old as me!’ But even though I’m older than a lot of the people I play with, when we’re on stage, we’re the same age. “A lot of times over the years, when I wasn’t getting too much credit for what I was doing, people would look at me like a new guy until they started checking me out and finding out what I had done. So for a long time, I felt like one of the best-kept secrets in jazz.” Born in Roxbury, Massachusetts, Haynes began playing professionally in Boston nightclubs when he was a teenager, working with such leaders as Sabby Lewis, Pete Brown, Frankie Newton, and Felix Barbozza. After moving to New York in 1945, he spent two years working with the big band of Luis Russell. “They told me I changed the style of Luis Russell’s band,” Haynes says. “I didn’t know that, but that’s what people in the band told my brother. I was just trying to catch all the figures and make the band swing.” During that time, Haynes also subbed with Louis Armstrong’s big band. In 1947 Haynes landed a gig with saxophonist Lester Young, whose band often backed vocalist Billie Holliday. Haynes spent two years with Young, and then did a “Jazz at the Philharmonic” tour in 1949, after which he returned to New York and played with a number of prominent musicians on the famed 52nd St., including Miles Davis, Bud Powell and Kai Winding, before joining Charlie “Bird” Parker’s band, where he stayed for three years.


Tuesday, November 12, 2024

RIP Lou Donaldson November 1, 1926 - November 9, 2024

 


We fondly remember jazz alto saxophonist, Lou Donaldson.  

From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack.

Whisky Drinking Woman. Europa-Park Jazz Festival Germany 2000, Lou Donaldson (as), Dr. Lonnie Smith (org), Randy Johnston (g), Danny Burger (dr).


Sunday, November 10, 2024

STEPS "Sara's Touch" Montreux Jazzfestival 1982

 


This week's Sunday Special featuring Michael Brecker and Steps Ahead.  

Steps at the Montreux Jazzfestival

July 24 1982

"Sara's Touch" by Mike Mainieri

Michael Brecker: Tenor
Mike Mainieri: Vibes
Peter Erskine: Drums
Don Grolnick: Piano
Eddie Gomez: Bass


Saturday, November 9, 2024

Who the hell is this tenor player?

 


From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack.  

He certainly looks familiar.  And that sound, I know I've heard it before.  Anybody have an ideas?  He certainly picked a good rhythm section.

Answer.  The Daily Double.  Who is... John Coltrane.  



Friday, November 8, 2024

Quincy Jones Presents - Full Concert [HD] | Live at North Sea Jazz Festival 2014

 


Full Concert Friday this week, paying tribute to Quincy Jones.

QUINCY JONES PRESENTS THE GLOBAL GUMBO PROJECT FEATURING ALFREDO RODRIGUEZ AND THE INVASION PARADE, NIKKI YANOFSKY AND ANDREAS VARADY

Date & location: SATURDAY 12 JULY 2014 • AMAZON • Ahoy Hall, Rotterdam, The Netherlands 

Musical titan Quincy Jones, the composer and producer who added his tasteful polish to recordings by everyone from Ray Charles and Frank Sinatra to Michael Jackson, has died, according to his representatives. He was 91.

Jones died Sunday night November 3, 2024, at his home in Bel Air, California, surrounded by his children, siblings and other family members, his publicist told CNN in a statement.

“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing,” the Jones family said in the statement. “And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him. He is truly one of a kind and we will miss him dearly; we take comfort and immense pride in knowing that the love and joy, that were the essence of his being, was shared with the world through all that he created. Through his music and his boundless love, Quincy Jones’ heart will beat for eternity.”

The oeuvre of musician, composer and producer Quincy Jones, who died yesterday, November 3, 2024,  at the age of 91, is extensive and versatile. Jones started out as a jazz musician and worked with giants such as Lionel Hampton, Count Basie and Frank Sinatra.  He became much better known than for his own work as an arranger and producer for stars such as Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan and Michael Jackson.  Quincy Jones is the most nominated artist for a Grammy Award in history. He was nominated 80 times over a period of six decades and earned 28 of those nominations.

LINEUP

NIKKI YANOFSKY (vocals); Cale Hawkins (keyboards); Stephen Maxwell, Marc Rogers, Alfonzo Cleveland III, ALFREDO RODRIGUEZ (piano); Reinier Elizarde (double bass); Michael Olivera, ANDREAS VARADY (guitar); Bandi Varady (bass); Adrian Varady (drums).

ABOUT this concert:

Nikki Yanofsky Genre: VOCAL JAZZ/POP 

Ella Fitzgerald is the idol of twenty-year-old Canadian singer Nikki Yanofsky. At a very early age she was able to sing the old jazz diva’s songs down to the smallest detail; an art that took on a serious form when the beautiful tribute album Ella… Of Thee I Swing was released in 2008. Since then, Yanofsky has been standing more and more on her own two feet. She has worked with famous names like Elton John and Wyclef Jean, in 2010 she sang in her own country at the opening of the Winter Olympics in Vancouver and now she is ready, under the wing of her mentor Quincy Jones, to take the next step in the direction of world fame. 

On the intercession of music icon Quincy Jones, the young, classically trained pianist Alfredo Rodriguez is coming to North Sea Jazz once again. In 2009, Rodriguez, who is in his twenties, left Cuba for the US where he sought political asylum. In 2014, he explored his roots in his abandoned homeland on his album The Invasion Parade, produced by Quincy Jones. 

Andreas Varady Genre: Bebop/Fusion Slovakian-Irish guitarist Andreas Varady is a mere sixteen years old but his mentor Quincy Jones calls him one of the most talented musicians on the planet. Jones is bringing his protégé to the North Sea Jazz Festival this summer so that the teenager can introduce Dutch audiences to his gifted playing. The guitarist in jeans and sneakers was born in Slovakia in 1997 and later moved with his Romany family to Ireland where he made a name for himself on the streets of Cork and Limerick as a seven year-old child. His star has risen rapidly since then. Varady, who is often compared to George Benson, has played with well-known guitarists like Lee Ritenour and Frank Vignola and has performed at prestigious festivals like the Montreux Jazz Festival. Young Varady is a talent to keep an eye on. 

Here at the bottom of the post is more about the North Sea Jazz Festival if you want to check it out.

Welcome to the official North Sea Jazz Archive! On our channel you will find live performances and interviews of Jazz Legends like Lionel Hampton, Ray Charles, Maceo Parker, Herbie Hancock and many more, who have performed at the legendary North Sea Jazz Festival in the Netherlands

Watch more videos 👉 https://bit.ly/MoreNSJArchive

Subscribe now 👉 https://bit.ly/SubscribeNSJArchive

Website 👉 https://www.northseajazz.com

This is the official YouTube channel of North Sea Jazz Archive


Thursday, November 7, 2024

ZZ Top "Just Got Paid"

 


From ZZ Top's "Rio Grande Mud" record released in 1972, their second studio record, here is one of my favorite tunes they play.  This is "Just Got Paid" and it showcases Billy Gibbons' prowess as a slide guitar player, backed, by the late, great, Dusty Hill on bass, and Frank Beard, on drums.  

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Quincy Jones Conducting Metropole Orchestra - Soul Bossa Nova

 


Quincy Jones conducting the Metropole Orchestra on his hit song "Soul Bossa Nova" from a performance at the North Sea Jazz Festival a decade ago, in 2014.  Enjoy.  

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

In Memoriam: Quincy Jones

We have lost a maestro, a cornerstone of the modern music industry, with the passing of Quincy Jones, who contributed so much to the world of music at large.  Quincy Jones did so much for the music world and wore many, many hats.  Musician, songwriter, producer, arranger, artist, record label entrepreneur and owner, executive producer for television and film, a magazine publisher, and a humanitarian.  Wow.  What a life!

https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/quincy-jones-dead-at-91-7318782/

At his 90th birthday celebration in 2023, he was honored by such artists and musicians as George Benson, Jennifer Hudson, John Mayer, Angelique Kidjo, Patti Austin, Ibrahim Maalouf, Sheleah, Siedah Garret, and many, many others.  He not only produced, composted, arranged, and recorded his own work, but recorded with such artists, on his records, as Miles Davis, Bill Cosby (the comedian), and as a sideman for such jazz legends as Lionel Hampton, Cannonball Adderley, Clifford Brown, Dizzy Gillespie, Art Farmer, The Jones Boys with Thad Jones, Jimmy Jones, Eddie Jones, and Jo Jones, Lucky Thompson, Toots Thielemans, Dinah Washington, Willis "Gator" Jackson, Louis Armstrong, Herb Alpert, Benny Bailey, Count Basie Orchestra, Don Elliott, Tony Bennett, Paul Quinichette, Ray Brown, Betty Carter and Ray Bryant, Jimmy Cleveland, Billy Eckstine, Ella Fitzgerald, Milt Jackson, Bob James, James Moody, Joe Newman, Terry Gibbs, Julius Watkins, Sonny Stitt, Billy Taylor, Clark Terry, George Benson, Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, Gene Krupa, Roy Eldridge, and Anita O'Day (he collaborated with them on a 1956 Krupa album, "Drummer Man Gene Krupa in Highest Hi Fi".   

These are just the jazz artists he worked with.  His career extended entirely into the realm of both rhythm & blues, and popular music through his producing, arranging, contributions as a musician/keyboardist/pianist through many, many singles beginning with "Soul Bossa Nova" in 1962 and "Killer Joe" in 1970 plus more.  Names in the realm of popular music including rhythm & blues, funk, and more, he worked with are endless.  Among them, Brook Benton, Emily Bear, Tony Bennett, Big Maybelle, David Carroll, Diahann Carroll, Ray Charles, Sonny Parker, Sammy Davis Jr., Lesley Gore, Donny Hathaway, Lena Horne, Michael Jackson, James Ingram, Little Richard, Peggy Lee, Terrace Martin, Billy Preston, Amy Winehouse, Barry White, Babyface, Rufus featuring Chaka Khan, Donna Summer, Tamia, Andy Williams, and American gospel quartet, The Winans.

16 studio records, 24 soundtracks, three live records.  He is also one of a handful of record producers to have number one hit records in three different decades between the 1960s and the 1980s.  He contributed to many, many movie soundtracks as well particularly between the years of 1961 and 1985 and again in 2009.  What more can be said about one of if not the best musician on the planet.  Rest In Peace, Quincy.  Forever in our hearts, and always remembered.  

 


Monday, November 4, 2024

Chip Jackson - My Country 'Tis of Thee

 


From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack.

Steve Johns remembers joining Billy Taylor's Trio. And then Billy's trio plays "My Country 'Tis of Thee, featuring bassist Chip Jackson. Steve Johns is a renowned American jazz drummer, known for his versatile and dynamic playing style. He has performed with numerous jazz legends, including Sonny Fortune, Randy Brecker, and Stanley Turrentine. Johns has also contributed to various recordings and has been praised for his ability to adapt to different jazz subgenres, making him a respected figure in the jazz community. He has also been involved in jazz education, sharing his expertise and passion for the genre with aspiring musicians. Steve plays on two new CDs that have reached the top 10 on the national jazz radio charts, Greg Murphy’s “You Remind Me” and Peter Hand’s “Blue Topaz” https://whalingcitysound.com/recordin... https://whalingcitysound.com/recordin...


Sunday, November 3, 2024

Steve Kimock & Friends: Ice Cream

 


This week's Sunday Special.  

Steve Kimock & Friends Feat: Jeff Chimenti, Reed Mathis & John Morgan Kimock

Ice Cream

Sweetwater Music Hall 2.13.19


Saturday, November 2, 2024

Steve Kimock - Tongue N Groove - Hopmonk, Novato 3/31/13 (full version)

 


Full-length version of Steve Kimock classic, performed in The Session Room, Hopmonk Tavern, Novato, CA on March 31, 2013. Steve Kimock (guitars), Bernie Worrell (keys), Wally Ingram (drums), Andy Hess (bass).


Friday, November 1, 2024

Led Zeppelin "In the Evening"


 

From their performance at the 1979 Knebworth Festival at Knebworth House in Knebworth, England, here is Led Zeppelin with their song "In the Evening" with Robert Plant on vocals, Jimmy Page on guitar, John Paul Jones on bass and keyboards, and John Bonham on drums.  

Thursday, October 31, 2024

Billy Cobham All Hallow's Eve 1982

 


Billy Cobham's Glass Menagerie - New Haven 1982 (No Label) 

Toad's Place, New Haven, Connecticut May 9, 1982. 

Billy Cobham - drums 
Dean Brown - guitar 
Gil Goldstein - keyboards 
Tim Landers - bass  


Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Joey DeFrancesco, Van Morrison , Everyday I Have the Blues Live at SFJAZZ

 


Everyday I Have the Blues Live at SFJAZZ, October 2017.

Van Morrison - Vocals
Joey DeFrancesco - Organ
Dan Wilson - Guitar
Troy Roberts - Saxophone
Michael Ode - Drums

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

In Memoriam: Phil Lesh

 


Phil Lesh & Friends "Unbroken Chain" Atlantic City, NJ 12/9/05

We fondly remember, and with sadness, the founder of The Grateful Dead, bassist, Phil Lesh, who has passed away, onto the next life.  Lesh anchored the band on bass and vocals, along with Jerry Garcia on guitar and vocals, Bob Weir, on guitar and vocals, Ron "Pigpen" McKernan, on keyboards, and drummers Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart.  Rest In Peace, Phil Lesh.  You will be missed.





Monday, October 28, 2024

Joe Bonamassa "Better The Devil You Know"

 


A music video for the latest single from Joe Bonamassa.  The song is titled "Better The Devil You Know".  

Sunday, October 27, 2024

Bob James "Mr. Magic"

 


Another Sunday Special this week.  

The Bob James Trio relive the magic of this enduring jazz-funk masterpiece, filmed in splendid 4K and recorded in HiRes audio. 

Featuring Bob James (Keys), Michael Palazzolo (Bass) and Billy Kilson (Drums). 


Saturday, October 26, 2024

Joe Bonamassa, Eric Gales, John McLaughlin - Breaking Up Somebody's Home (Live) [Crossroads 2023]

 


Joe Bonamassa, Eric Gales and John McLaughlin perform "Breaking Up Somebody's Home" at the 2023 Crossroads Guitar Festival. RHINO and Eric Clapton will release the new live album and concert film Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival 2023 on November 29, 2024. It will be available in various configurations, including 4CD/2Blu-Ray, 6LP Vinyl, 2DVD, and Digital (streaming & Dolby ATMOS mix).

Again, watch for the release date, in about a month.  November 29th.



Friday, October 25, 2024

Robben Ford - Strange Things Happening (Aurex Jazz Fest '80, Japan, Sept. 2, 1980)

 


Aurex Jazz Fest '80, Budokan, Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 2, 1980.

Robben Ford (guitar & vocals)
George Duke (keyboards)
Alphonso Johnson (bass)
Peter Erskine (drums)

Thursday, October 24, 2024

RIP Claire Daly 2-18-58 - 10-22-24

 


From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack.

Claire Daly was a baritone saxophonist and composer. Clair began to play jazz as a teen after hearing a big band perform at a community center in Westchester County, New York, where she grew up. She attended Berklee College of Music. She taught at Jazz at Lincoln Center's middle school jazz program for 10 years. Daly won the Down Beat Critics' Poll "Talent Deserving Wider Recognition" six times and in 2018, 2017 and 2005 won the Jazz Journalists Association's "Baritone Saxophonist of the Year". Video from Jazz Video Guy Live, May 25, 2020


Wednesday, October 23, 2024

Billy Cobham Nickels and Dimes 1982

 


Billy Cobham's Glass Menagerie - New Haven 1982 (No Label) 

Toad's Place, New Haven, Connecticut May 9, 1982. 

Billy Cobham - drums 
Dean Brown - guitar
Gil Goldstein - keyboards 
Tim Landers - bass guitar

 

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

Joe Bonamassa "I Get Evil"

 


From a live performance at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles, California, here is Joe Bonamassa and His Band performing "I Get Evil" featuring Reese Wynans on Hammond organ.  

Monday, October 21, 2024

Joe Bonamassa "How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live?"

 


Live at Carnegie Hall in New York, Joe Bonamassa performs an old folk song that is still relevant a century later in our current times of inflation and economic ills.  This tune is "How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live?" originally written and recorded by Blind Alfred Reed on the violin.   

Sunday, October 20, 2024

Satin Doll - Joey DeFrancesco, Bobby Durham, Massimo Farao’

 


This week's Sunday Special.  

Live in Bern. 

Satin Doll - Joey DeFrancesco, Bobby Durham, Massimo Farao.


Saturday, October 19, 2024

Blossom Dearie, Billy Taylor, 1985 TV Special

 


Hey, everybody, here's a bonus for you.  A Full Concert Saturday this week.  Singer-pianist Blossom Dearie joined forces with Billy Taylor for this 1985 half-hour TV special.  Check this out.  This is cool.  Thanks to discovering Billy Taylor, I have also discovered Blossom Dearie.  A couple of great musicians.  Billy Taylor and Blossom Dearie are both phenomenal pianists.  Plus, there is the aspect of Blossom Dearie's singing and songwriting that adds to this whole show.  It's hip.  Dig it.  

Friday, October 18, 2024

Michael Brecker - AVO Session Basel 2001

 


Another Full Concert Friday this week.  The title of the video post says it all.  The late, great Michael Brecker, playing a solo concert at AVO Session Basel in 2001.  

Thursday, October 17, 2024

Jimmy Witherspoon with young Robben Ford on guitar! Spoonful (1972/73)

 


From 'Black Omnibus TV show', taped in Hollywood, California, 1972 or January 1973.  

Jimmy Witherspoon: vocal
Robben Ford: guitar
Stan Poplin: bass
Jim Baum: drums
Paul Nagel: piano


Wednesday, October 16, 2024

Jimmy Witherspoon with young Robben Ford on guitar! Nothing's Changed (1972/73)

 


From 'Black Omnibus TV show', taped in Hollywood, California, 1972 or January 1973.

Jimmy Witherspoon: vocal
Robben Ford: guitar
Stan Poplin: bass
Jim Baum: drums
Paul Nagel: piano

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

B.B. King - Cafe au Go Go, NY, 1968 - Sweet Sixteen & I Don't Want You Cuttin' Off Your Hair

 


From a 1968 performance at the Cafe au Go Go in New York, New York, here is B.B. King with the medley of "Sweet Sixteen" "I Don't Want You Cuttin' Off Your Hair", as requested by an audience member.  


Monday, October 14, 2024

R.I.P. Michael Cuscuna, 1948 - 2024

 


From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack.  

We don't get to write our final chapter. I'm so sorry that Michael endured so much hardship in his last years. The truth is, life often lacks fairness. Yet, his legacy will forever be impactful, which is truly significant. One aspect of growing older that I find difficult is the loss of friends. As time passes, these losses seem to happen more frequently, and the uncertainty of life becomes more apparent. Eventually, everything comes full circle. Had it not been for my recent medical intervention, I might be facing my departure from this life. Now, I am committed to making the most of each day. Michael's dedication and professionalism continue to inspire me.


Sunday, October 13, 2024

Willard Jenkins NEA Jazz Master Presentation

 


This week's Sunday Special.

From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack.

Willard Jenkins—recipient of the 2024 A.B. Spellman NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship for Jazz Advocacy—has been involved in jazz as a writer, broadcaster, educator, historian, artistic director and arts consultant since the 1970s and is one of the major voices in promulgating the music and its importance to American culture. Currently the artistic director of the DC Jazz Festival as well as the host of the Ancient/Future program on DC’s WPFW radio station, the only jazz station in the nation’s capital, Jenkins is an authority on the local as well as national jazz scene. Jenkins was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, in a household that was overflowing with jazz music. He cultivated his own love of the music first through his father’s record collection, then through local jazz radio station WCUY. While at Kent State University earning a BA degree in sociology, Jenkins joined Omega Psi Phi and began writing about jazz for the Black student newspaper and then became a regular contributor to the Cleveland Plain Dealer after graduating. He subsequently contributed to local, regional, national, and international publications with contributions appearing in JazzTimes, Inside Arts, DownBeat, Jazz Forum, and numerous other publications and online sites, as well as providing liner notes for jazz recordings. In 1977, he founded the Northeast Ohio Jazz Society as a concert presenter. From 1979 until 1984, Jenkins taught jazz history at Cleveland State University, and continued his teaching through an online course, Jazz Imagines Africa, for Kent State University, which he taught starting in 2005. In 1983, Jenkins conducted a regional needs assessment/research and feasibility study on jazz in the Midwest, which led to the development of the nation’s first regional jazz service program at Arts Midwest. He went on to work at Arts Midwest until 1989, publishing the quarterly Jazzletter, developing the first regional jazz database, and writing a series of how-to technical assistance booklets for musicians, presenters, educators, and organizations. At Arts Midwest, he also produced the first jazz media conference, which led to development of the Jazz Journalist Association. From 1989 until 1994, Jenkins was executive director of the National Jazz Service Organization in Washington, DC. In 1990, he was an architect of the Lila Wallace-Reader’s Digest National Jazz Network, which received an initial funding allocation of $3.4 million to develop a network of presenting organizations and regional arts organizations. Over the arc of his career, Jenkins has also served as 18-year artistic director of Tri-C JazzFest, BeanTown Jazz Festival, Tribeca Performing Arts Center, and as artistic consultant to the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, 651 Arts, Harlem Stage/Aaron Davis, and the Smithsonian Institution. He also conducted in-depth oral history interviews for the Smithsonian Institution, the Rhythm and Blues Foundation, and Weeksville Heritage Center. In addition to WPFW, Jenkins has served as program host and producer at WWOZ in New Orleans, KFAI in Minneapolis, and BET Jazz. In 2010, he worked with Randy Weston on his highly praised as-told-to autobiography, arranging the material in the book. He writes and edits a blog, The Independent Ear, on his website openskyjazz.com and recently used a collection of interviews he conducted on the blog with Black music critics for his new book, Ain’t But a Few of Us: Black Music Writers Tell Their Story, that was released in late 2022. He also produces and hosts a biweekly online jazz trivia contest called Jazzology for the website Savage Content, for whom he wrote a 13-episode biographical podcast on Billie Holiday, No Regrets.