Nov
26
2008
Little Slam – Gene Ammons
Author: Rick• From “Gene Ammons Complete Jazz Series 1949-1950″ Itunes
There’s nothing spectacular about Little Slam. There are certainly a ton of better-known tracks by Gene Ammons, with more dramatic soloing and better use of his big tenor sound. But this one always makes me smile. It’s just so simply good.
As with most of the cuts on this 1949 album it sounds dated, and that’s part of its attraction. It really defines the post-war period in jazz that saw bebop, big band swing, blues and the Chicago sound all mixing delightfully together. (more…)
Music is about listeners and dancers. Yep, even jazz (though with jazz too often the only listeners are the musicians on stage). But there is an audience out there, one that can easily lose interest in a performance. Too many solos by less than stellar musicians, repetitive song forms, repetitive arrangements and (the real kicker) solos that go on waaaaay too long can drive a crowd out the door.