Jazz for aficionados

I don't think there's even an issue about jazz being dead, but by definition the best music is in the the past. For any mature artform that is always the case. For instance, a linear synopsis of jazz could be Armstrong, Ellington, Monk/Parker, Miles, Coltrane... and it's just not clear who comes after Coltrane. I think only time will tell. I'm most interested in who would get nominated.

"When was the last time anyone of us heard any of those records referred to as "the Gil Evans record ....."? Davis was the higher profile individual (to the public) as the rising star of the jazz trumpet world."

Why should they? Nothing new about this. The soloist always gets top billing. Miles did the playing. Evenas arranged and conducted the orchestra. He did not conduct Miles!

Think of Anne-Sophie Mutter playing with the Berliners. Who gets top billing? Not the conductor nor the orchestra. The person the public is paying to hear.

I have 25+ CDs by Miles, not counting his stuff on LP. Take away the Spain / birth of cool / Porgy Bess, CDs, and there is a LOT of stuff left. Before, during and after Evans.

And my little collection is puny compared to his total output. He was just great. Evans was just a minor stop on the way.

Cheers

From WIKI --

Ian Ernest Gilmore "Gil" Evans (né Green) (May 13, 1912 – March 20, 1988) was a jazz pianist, arranger, composer and bandleader, active in the United States. He played an important role in the development of COOL JAZZ, MODAL jazz, FREE jazz and jazz FUSION, and collaborated extensively with Miles Davis.[1]

Good Grief!!! This man helped murder Jazz!!! I think he benefited more from the collaboration with Miles, than did Miles! IMO.

Cheers

Latest Acquisitions:

Horace Silver -- Paris Blues
Includes: Tokyo Blues - Filthy McNasty - Sayonara Blues
all tracks over 10 minutes long. Exquistie playing By Silver on Sayonara Blues. The extra track lengths gives all the players time to really develope their solos.
Live in Paris, but the sound is first rate! Blue Mitchell on trumpet.

Thelonious Monk -- The Unique Thelonious Monk
Monk playing standards. The liner notes says, this was done to try and widen his audience, instead of his 'frightening' originals. hahahaha As Fats Waller said, they like Jazz, but in small doses. He, waller, was speaking of uptown or downtown NYC. I guess the part where Harlem ain't! Blakey and pettiford appear.

Charles Mingus -- Mingus In Europe
Recorded while on tour in Europe in 1968. I think this is a complilation of several concerts on that tour. Released by his estate. A few glitches with the sound, but not a constant thing. Great playing. Eric Dolphy is on board. They go crazy on the tune 'So Long Eric'

Roland Kirk -- The Inflated Tea
Please do not think of this player as some sort of show off or clown. This guy can play! If you don't have any of his stuff, better hurry. A lot of it is already in the hands of 'these sellers'. A unique talent.

Most of the music I talk about here was recorded almost 50 years ago. O-10 touched on this, and I agree. There is so much genuine Jazz out there that I have not heard. Why worry about the latest 'genuis' out of Bangladesh!

Cheers

Check out Roland Kirk !!

Inflated Tear. sorry