Jazz – My Take

• From “Walking on Air”

A Hundred Years From Today is a Victor Young/Ned Washington tune from 1932. Very typical of its era, it works equally well crooned by Sinatra or played on clarinet with banjo and tailgate trombone backing. Simple melody, 8-bar AABA form, depression-era ‘we’re broke today and will be tomorrow so what the heck, lets fall in love’ lyrics, basically forgettable. When you’re playing or singing this type of song it’s so easy to slip in to a one of the thousands of similar tunes.

So why did this performance connect with me? In part because of its simplicity. (more…)

Tags: canadian, galloway, soprano, wellstood
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• From “The Age of Steam”     Amazon.com

There’s a lot to enjoy on this 1971 recording but one thing stands out every time I listen to it – the entrances by the soloists. Sure, creative, uncomplicated but interesting.

Amateurs often have a problem starting a solo. Often the entrance is a few hesitant, stumbling notes, the musical equivalent of conversational “uhmmm” or “well, let’s see. . .”, killing time until something useful comes to mind. Or there’s a great flurry of notes, typically an well-rehearsed lick or scale. This is the “wow, listen to me” beginning, which normally results in the soloist realizing “Oh oh, just blew my best stuff – now what do I do?”. Or there’s a bombastic couple of notes announcing “I’m a trombone (trumpet, pick your favorite instrument), and I can play real loud!”.

Maytag provides a good lesson in how to do it right. (more…)

Tags: baritone, kellaway, roberts, scott
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• 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…)

Tags: ammons, ensemble, octet, tenor
Posted in Bebop, Mainstream | | No Comments »

• From “Ellington is Forever, Vol. 1″     Amazon.com

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.

This track is a great lesson on how not to have that happen. (more…)

Tags: burrell, caravan, ellington, guitar, jazz
Posted in Mainstream | | 2 Comments »