Jazz for aficionados

OK, here goes:

Reunion - One of the best Latin Jazz records ever! The reunion is between him and his bandmate from the great Cuban band, Irakere, Arturo Sandoval. D'Rivera had defected years prior to this but Sandoval had just made the leap. It's a difficult concept to understand for us born to freedom, but there's an exuberance in the playing that I attribute to these 2 brothers finally having their dream come true!

This exuberance can also be heard In PDR's 1st 2 records, 'Blowin' & 'Mariel'. Truly outstanding statements but I'm not sure if they were ever released on CD.

Dizzy Gillespie was fronting his all-star UNO (United Nations Orchestra) Big Band when he passed away. PDR was a member of the orchestra and decided to keep the band alive after Dizzy's death. They recorded 2 live records; 'A Night in Englewood' & 'Live At MCG' - Great stuff!

PDR's 1st strictly straightahead Jazz record is also one of his best; 'Who's Smoking!?', is a killa set featuring trumpet great Claudio Roditi and James Moody.

'40 Years Of Cuban Jam Sessions' is another favorite. Interesting in that while it's PDR's record, he sits out a number of the tunes, it takes a special kind of confidence and generosity to just allow yr bandmates to shine. Featuring the legendary Cachao and, here's another freedom tale, drum god Horacio 'El Negro' Hernandez had just arrived in Miami the day before the session after having defected in Europe. PDR knew he had just arrived and needed the work, of course never forgetting El Negro's monsta chops!

'Live At The Blue Note' is another great, great record. He's probably recorded close to a dozen live records which is amazing in that they all sound so different due to the different line-ups and configurations of the bands. This band is basically the Caribbean Jazz Project (ANOTHER great band he was a founding member of!) minus Dave Samuels & Andy Narell.

I've gone way long but I'd be remiss if I left out just a coupla more! 'The Jazz Chamber Trio' is my favorite of his Chesky releases (But the others are great also!)

'Funk Tango' is another favorite.

'Tango Jazz - Live at Lincoln Center' is beautiful.

'Benny Goodman Revisited' has some fantastic moments.

Paquito D'Rivera is a musicologist extraordinaire. Totally fluent in Jazz, traditional latin music from all over the world, classical, chamber, big band, you name it. Amongst his staggering amount of awards was the Medal of Arts presented to him by President Bush at the White House, he's the epitome of a successful Jazz artist. And yet, for all his genius, for all his accomplishments, I don't think he's recognized for being one of the greatest players that's ever lived, but that's a discussion best had at another time.

Orpheus10:

"Rok, music with me is never isolated, I always associate the music with what was going on in my life"

I once said on this site, audiogon, that "music was history". I meant exactly what you just stated, but everyone thought I meant music was finished or passe. That day, I just didn't have the energy to try and explain.

What the hell are Packards and Hudsons? :)

Cheers

Ref: Paquito D'Rivera

Its seems as if 'Portrait of Cuba' is my only CD with Paquito as leader. I do have him with Claudio Roditi on a CD entitled 'Milestones'

Of the ones Chazro recommended, I think I'll try 'Who's Smoking' and 'A Night In Englewood'.

I wanted REUNION, but it does not seem to be on CD.

This guy was in all types of music. From Classical Orchestras, to the Cuban Army Band. I am sure this background influenced his approach to Jazz. He recorded a Jazz Chamber thingy also.

Cheers

Today's Playlist:

Jon Hendricks -- Freddie Freeloader
Jon Hendricks -- Boppin' at the Blue Note
In a sense, these two CDs are TEST discs. You can use them to test if you like Jazz or not. Don't like these, then you don't like Jazz. Could save you a lot of time and money.

Nothing to figure out. Just sit back and enjoy! STARDUST and FAS' lIVIN' BLUES are standouts. I like the Boppin' slighly better than the FREELOADER. With lines like 'take it easy greasy, you got a long way to slide' what's not to like!! Al Grey on board! Too many others to list.

Duke Ellington -- Black, Brown and Beige
With Mahalia Jackson. One the Duke's masterpieces. Jackson sings of course. You may have heard, she could sing.

Les McCann & Eddie Harris -- Swiss Movement
One of the all time great Jazz records. I went thru two LPs, and now have two CDs. 'Compared to what', gets all the hype, but I am partial to 'You Got It In Your Soulness'. I remember where I was the first time I heard the LP. Ain't got it? Git it!

Jackie McLean -- Bluesnik
with Freddie Hubbard-trumpet, Kenny Drew-piano, Doug Watkins-bass, Pete La Roca-drums.
I never knew Jackie was this accessible. But I guess the blues is for everyone! Every tune a blues number.
The liner notes writer, Ira Giter, said Jazz without the Blues is like a body minus it's spine. I would go further and say, Jazz without the Blues is like a body without a Skeleton! Just a shapless blob.

Wynton Marsalis & Eric Clapton -- Play The Blues
A wonderful CD. I don't listen as much as I marvel at the playing. This is how ARRANGING for Jazz band is done!! Some folks like to dis Wynton, but this guy knows his business. Professionals at work! Ain't got it? Git it!

Cheers

****This guy was in all types of music. From Classical Orchestras, to the Cuban Army Band. I am sure this background influenced his approach to Jazz. **** - Rok2id re PDR

Bingo!

Paquito's first and most important influence was the music of his native Cuba; not to mention the influence of the culture of that country in general. He came to jazz from that direction, as opposed to the many players who were jazz players first, and later discovered Latin music and incorporated it into their repertoires. There will be a clearly identifiable flavor in the playing of musicians depending on what their primary influence was. It is a little like the accents of the spoken word of people of various nationalities; a person for whom Spanish was their first language will, more than likely, speak English (even if perfect English) with a Spanish accent.

Not only do I agree with Chazro about Paquito being a great player, but I would also point out that he is a very accomplished composer in various genres including chamber music. I bring up the above in order to possibly explain why he is not generally considered one of the greatest; not as a criticism. While I agree about the exuberance that Paquito demonstrates on his first records, this exuberance is more than anything, a reflection of simply who he is; he is a very exuberant individual in general. This exuberance, and the influence of his Latin music background in general are things that are often pointed out by die-hard jazz players as qualities that are questionable. IN GENERAL, Latin players play jazz with a unique, and readily identifiable, swing feel. There is a bit of a "ball rolling down the stairs" feel; they play much more on the front side of the beat than American jazz players who generally play with a more laid back (back of the beat). Please remember that these are generalities and certainly don't apply to all players and all circumstances. Conversely, jazz players generally bring their own unique approach to Latin music; I have been in playing situations where great jazz players had trouble sounding convincing with the unique syncopations of Latin music.

When we talk about who "the best" are, we are setting an extremely high bar. Players like Paquito, Wynton, Eddie Daniels, and others who are extremely competent in a variety of styles and genres deserve their well-earned respect, but it takes something really special to be in "the best" category; IMO.