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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
strateahed
305 posts
 
The jazz world lost a couple more great artists. Vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson left us last week, and today I learned that harmonica player Toots Thielemans passed away.

Hutcherson was one of the very first jazz musicians I experienced in a live performance at San Francisco's Both And Club in the '70s. Being rather Bay Area based, there were other opportunities to see/hear Bobby over the years. Although I never caught Toots live, I remember first hearing that sweet harmonica solo from Quincy's "Walking in Space" album. He always had his own recognizable sound. These guys will be missed.     
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Strateahed, they will be missed very much by me; both artists are heavily represented in my collection, and I go back as far as I can remember with Toots Thielemans.

I can only imagine what it was like to see Bobby Hutcherson perform; and you have memories of seeing him live, that means that every time you play something you actually saw him perform, you can recall that memory so much more vividly, and relive that moment when you were with him.


Enjoy their music.
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Bobby Hutcherson, born January 17 1941, died August 15 2016; was one of the finest players of the vibraphone. He was born in Los Angeles, and brought up in Pasedena. He was so impressed by Milt Jackson at age 12 that he began to save up to buy a vibraphone.

He appears on Jackie McLean’s One Step Beyond (1963), and Tony Williams’s Lifetime (1964). This is followed by albums, many regarded as classics, such as Eric Dolphy’s "Out To Lunch" (1964) and his own "Stick Up" (1966), with McCoy Tyner and Joe Henderson.

He was also a founder member of the San Francisco-based SF Jazz Collective, formed in 2004. This was a truly all-star outfit, including saxophonist Joshua Redman, trumpeter Nicholas Payton and pianist Renee Rosnes, which received rave notices when it appeared at the Barbican in 2006.

In 2007, Hutcherson began to suffer from emphysema. This developed to the point where he was obliged to carry an oxygen supply with him wherever he went.

He was my favorite vibraphonist next to Milt Jackson; but in 1971 he was named “World’s Best Vibist” in the International Jazz Critics’ Poll. Although I never thought about it, during the period of time from 1971, until his death, Bobby Hutcherson was my favorite vibraphonist.


Enjoy his music.



strateahed
305 posts
 
Orpheus10, thanks for the additional information and commentary. Always grateful for your contributions and insight. This thing called jazz needs folks who are real students of the art. And you are so right ... it has special meaning to play something I saw Bobby perform. He was also pretty much of a regular guy. There was an occasion when he finished a set at the Oakland Arts & Jazz Fest and there was Bobby, chattin' it up with a few young, up-and-coming aficionados, signing vintage albums. Kinda makes me sad right about now, but still great memories.

Enjoy the music.
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Strateahead, I personally know how much we cherish those moments spent in the company of those musicians we hold in such high esteem; to sit at the bar and chat with one after the set.

Almost all the musicians I've spent that kind of time with are dead, except one; Frank Gant, he's still around. He was in Chicago with Ahmad Jamal when I saw him, and we sat at the bar after the set and chatted about jazz. He was as regular as any of your best friends.

What I never forget about these jazz musicians, is how much "God Given" talent they have; no amount of schooling could get you to where they were.

From now on, when I play Bobby Hutcherson, I'll think of him as one of Strateahead's friends.


Enjoy the music.


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