Jazz for aficionados


Jazz for aficionados

I'm going to review records in my collection, and you'll be able to decide if they're worthy of your collection. These records are what I consider "must haves" for any jazz aficionado, and would be found in their collections. I wont review any record that's not on CD, nor will I review any record if the CD is markedly inferior. Fortunately, I only found 1 case where the CD was markedly inferior to the record.

Our first album is "Moanin" by Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers. We have Lee Morgan , trumpet; Benney Golson, tenor sax; Bobby Timmons, piano; Jymie merrit, bass; Art Blakey, drums.

The title tune "Moanin" is by Bobby Timmons, it conveys the emotion of the title like no other tune I've ever heard, even better than any words could ever convey. This music pictures a person whose down to his last nickel, and all he can do is "moan".

"Along Came Betty" is a tune by Benny Golson, it reminds me of a Betty I once knew. She was gorgeous with a jazzy personality, and she moved smooth and easy, just like this tune. Somebody find me a time machine! Maybe you knew a Betty.

While the rest of the music is just fine, those are my favorite tunes. Why don't you share your, "must have" jazz albums with us.

Enjoy the music.
orpheus10
Acman3:

Two excellent clips. Awesome sax solo. What is the correct custom for applause at a Jazz performance? Do players expect applause after their solos?

I have Abdullah Ibrahim's latest CD, 'Mukashi' on my to buy list. I have always liked him. From back in his 'Dollar Brand' days.

Can anyone speak about Sonny Rollin's 'artistic impasse' of 1959-62? It is mentioned is a review of his 'The Contemporary Leader' CD in the lastest BBC Music magazine. Any details?

Cheers
In 1959, at the height of his career, Sonny took three years off performing and recording to (are you ready for this?) .......practice the saxophone because he felt he had a lot more to learn. This goes back to an early discussion on this thread during which the mistaken idea was posed that jazz musicians don't practice and don't study the N&B's. The image of Sonny practicing on the Williamsburg Bridge (where he went daily for hours and connects Manhattan and Brooklyn) is established in jazz lore. At age 83, Sonny still practices 3 hours every day.
****What is the correct custom for applause at a Jazz performance? Do players expect applause after their solos? ****

Always nice to get applause after a solo. Expected? If the solo is good, sure; but a knowledgable audience knows to not "step on the following solo", so the applause may be brief or absent. The player knows that and would not mind if the applause for his solo is brief or absent in that case. Also, it's a drag when some in the audience can't follow the form of the tune during a solo and applaud before the chorus is over, thinking that the solo is over when it's really just a pause in the action.
Thanks for the reply.

****This goes back to an early discussion on this thread during which the mistaken idea was posed that jazz musicians don't practice and don't study the N&B's*****

Not by this person.

Cheers