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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
frogman
4,637 posts
 
Agreed, and as we know, it was even more common in the past for classical musicians to improvise.
frogman
4,637 posts
 
****the great Classical musician brings certain things to the table that the great Jazz player doesn't have. *****

°°°°Such as???°°°°

A short list:

- ultimate control of their instrument dynamically and tone-wise. Most jazz wind players don't know how to play a true "piano" (very soft); never had to. The type of tone required for jazz would be totally inappropriate for classical.

- ultimate technical command of their instrument necessary for playing much of the solo literature written for the instrument. Even Bird or Trane would not have able to get through, for instance, the Glazunov concerto; never mind in a credible manner.

- rhythmic accuracy. Yes, you read that right. Most jazz players, when playing written music, play on the back side of the beat (behind the beat). Perfectly acceptable and preferred in jazz, but not in Classical.

- Perfect intonation. Many jazz players, even the great ones, had terrible intonation by classical music standards.

- fully developed tone with the kind of tonal nuance and finesse required to play classical is rare in jazz players for whom tonal individuality is paramount.

I could go on, but the point is simply that they each have their strengths.
schubert
4,867 posts
 
WOW, thanks for all that Frogman.
I've been "dissing" many jazz players in my mind for decades
for being behind the beat ! who knew-LOL

It seems the old saying "anything worth doing is worth doing well" comes into play here as well.
90% of jobs in a mass society really ain't worth doing
but all the ones that are require constant study.
A GOOD nurse, teacher, clergyman has to study every soul that presents to them and is burned out in 15 years .
So, most settle for being fair at best and mail it in another 20 years till retirement and get away with it.
A musician gives to others as well, but its a lot more noticeable if they are mailing it in ?? Or not?
Most I've known say they draw energy from the audience so perhaps they last longer???
I know ,fact certain, a teacher gets sucked dry by his.
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
4,494 posts
 
I have 'ROUND MIDNIGHT by The 12 Cellists of The Berlin Philharmoniker.

I'll give it a listen later. When I purchased it, I thought it would be Jazz. Has some Ellington, Monk, Gershwin and Corea. But for some reason I filed it in the Classical section. hmmmmmmm.

I am digging Kenny Barron and Dave Holland now, and cannot break away!!

Frogman, I do hope you know that the obvious time, and effort, that you put into your posts, and answers to questions, is greatly appreciated.

Cheers
schubert
4,867 posts
 
You got that right Rok2id, IMO Frogman is the best human being on here .And that's saying a lot.
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