Archive
Jazz Reference
This new 9th addition is what I use when I need to research new artist or albums that I am not familiar with. Laid out in “liner notes” fashion which gives a nice amount of info on artist, group, or album. Of course I do not agree with all of the recommendations, some selections are rated lower on their scale and I may prefer that instead of the authors choice based on my personal opinion. Still this is a must for any serious collector. A great source of Jazz history.
Jazz Web Sites Found!!!
Mosaic RecordsExclusive singles, boxed sets, and collections, including overlooked and rare releases. specializing in CD and vinyl disc. Mosaic is keeping the art of Jazz alive!!!
IJC International Jazz Collections
This Jazz site from the University of Idaho features an on line archive of some classic photography of Leonard Feather, Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton, and more. Very interesting and well done web site.
Bill Evans
This is a “must have” if you are a jazz fan. If you are an occasional listener or serious collector this boxed set is a pure joy to listen to. On a Sunday afternoon that started a 2 week gig for the trio, Orin Keepnews produced from a single Ampex tape recording machine setting on the stage, in the coziness of the Vanguard, come some very intimate music, at times you can hear glasses tinkling and parts of conversations which add a great since of reality. When you listen to this music you feel like you are there. This trio for a very short time was one of the best, their collaboration and interplay are some playing you won’t hear often. Recorded in performance at the Village Vanguard, New York City; June 25th. 1961
Ray Brown
He is some fine bassist!!! He has played with some of the greats: Ellington, Peterson, Gillespie, and his own band. I have several of his albums including “The Best Of The Concord Years” which is a great collection of his work. I also admire his “My Best Friends Are” series. Check out following link: NPR Jazz Profiles a good little history on Ray Brown. He enjoyed a long career and recorded extensively Ray Brown History. As you may browse for that next Jazz CD purchase and you run across his name on the cover or back sleeve you cannot go wrong in choosing it. Everything the man did was “CLASS”. His discography follows: Ray Brown discography
Joe Lovano
Joe Lovano… The keeper of the Bebop tenor sax flame. He keeps getting better over the years. I have been listening to his latest album Symphonica which has been nominated for 2 grammy awards. I discovered him on his Trio Fascination albums by Blue Note. In 2006 he recorded for Blue Note the album Streams of Expression. Arranged and conducted by Gunther Schuller, (uses the themes from Miles Davis 1948-1950 Nonet). This album features the late pianist John Hicks. This is a next buy for me. Check out Joe’s discography:
McCoy Tyner
Born in Philadelphia in Dec. 11th. 1938, McCoy Tyner grew up with Bud and Ritchie Powell as neighbors. When he was a teenager he played locally and met John Coltrane. He made his recording debut with Art Farmer and Benny Golson Jazztet. After 6 months he joined John Coltrane and along with bassist Jimmy Garrison and drummer Elvin Jones became Coltranes classic quartet from 1960 to 1965. I have a few random recordings of his but recently picked up his 2007 Quartet album featuring Joe Lovano on tenor sax, Christian McBride on bass, and Jeff (Train) Watts on drums. His music is stunning on the album. Joe Lovano is quickly becoming one of my favorites and they both keep the Bebop candle burning bright. McCoy’s style hasn’t changed that much over the years and at 70 years old is still a powerful virtuoso. Check out his body of work.
Jazz Covers
Here are three really good web sites that have high resolution images of Jazz albums.
Toshiko Akiyoshi
When I was a teenager I would catch jazz music late at night as I tuned into the local NPR station on our family’s stereo. One of those long wooden console cabinet types that took up a whole wall and was in style at the time from the 60’s. I remember hearing a set that caught my ear and was very interesting, not really knowing very much about jazz , I do remember the announcer saying “that piece was done by Toshiko and Lew” referring to Lew Tabackin the west coast tenor sax player whom was married to Toshiko and they had a great jazz orchestra at the time. Toshiko is a bop style piano player with her greatest influence being Bud Powell. She also composes alot of her own music and a wonderful big band leader. I have carried this early jazz memory all these years. Today is my birthday!!! And as a gift I received 3 CD’s of Toshiko Akiyoshi’s music: Finesse, New York Sketch Book, both trio settings and Long Yellow Road by her and Lew Tabackin, a great set with their jazz big band. Her music is not well documented in the US. almost everything she has done has been discontinued. I sampled these CD’s using AMG and purchased them through Amazon Marketplace sine they were “imports”. I like listening to really different styles of Jazz, check her out.
Bobby Hutcherson
Bobby Hutcherson: Little B’s Poem
VIBES!!! Bobby is my favorite vibes player. Out of all of his contemporaries: Cal Tjader, Lional Hampton, Milt Jackson, his playing is more in the avant garde style. I have 4 albums of his Components, Stick Up, Head On, and The Kicker. He reminds me of the multi-instrumentalist Eric Dolphy when it comes to his musical approach. In fact he played on Eric Dolphys classic 1964 album “Out To Lunch”. I personally didn’t like this instrument when I listened to jazz music, but I heard him on a youtube video (the above link) and I did a little more research via: Amazon, and before you know it I was down loading my first album of his (Components).
Check out his discography:
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/musician_discography.php?id=7844
Late Night Jazz
When I’m having a sleepless night I sometimes tune into my local NPR station here in Louisville WFPK. After 1am a program called “Jazz with Bob Parlocha” plays a variety of Jazz music. Every 2nd. or 3rd. track Bob gives some interesting information on albums, tracks, personel etc. A self proclaimed Jazz expert he mixes his tunes well. Listen in if you can find him on the dial.
Follow link to his site.
Jazz Listeners Guide 
