Jazz for aficionados

Hi Orpheus - I was out of town for a few days there. I am actually not familiar with the soundtrack to On Green Dolphin Street. I know that's a Lana Turner film, but I have not actually seen it yet. Now that I know it has a good soundtrack, I will definitely check it out.

Quincy Jones did all kinds of different things. One of my personal favorites is a record on which he did some arrangements of a bunch of jazz standards for Julius Watkins, who was the greatest jazz hornist back in the day. Didn't do too many albums as the feature artist, but was a sideman on a great many albums, including some with Miles (Birth of the Cool being one). One of my friends is actually trying to put a group together to recreate that album in concert, but it hasn't happened yet. When it does, I will definitely participate.

Oops, got off on a tangent there - the album in question is one of those hilarious ones from the 60's, entitled French Horns For My Lady, complete with hilarious drawing of a 60's blonde holding a horn on the cover. Some of the most famous horn players in New York were in a back-up horn quartet on that album, including Gunther Schuller and John Barrows from the classical world. It was on the Philips label. Martha Flowers, of Star Trek theme song fame, does her vocal stylizing on a couple of the tunes. Hilarious arrangements.

Latest Listen:

Harold Land -- A Lazy Afternoon
orch arranged and conducted by Ray Ellis

Some wonderful Tenor Sax playing. No fireworks, just standards played in a very lyrical style.

Normally I think orch(with strings) + jazz soloist = disaster. Bird and Nat Cole come to mind. But this recordinmg is very well done.

Ellis has worked with some of the best jazz vocalist, Billie Holiday, Lena Horne etc.... and he arranged for Land exactly as if he were a vocalist.

The orch compliments Land perfectly and never overpowers him.

Land has great tone and articulation. The Frogman and O-10 will love it. I think this is what is known as 'tasteful' playing. He stays true to the standard's melody mostly, but does get in a little improvisation.

You like melodic sax playing? Then you have to check this one out.
The tune lineup is first rate. All well known Jazz standards

Cheers

I will have to find a recording of that; have always liked Harold Land's playing.

Speaking of tasteful tenor playing, the tenor player on "Evening In Paris" on the QJ link above is Lucky Thompson.

C

Leersfool, I remember Julius Watkins on numerous albums as a sideman. Jazz on a French horn was kind of unusual.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Sy0NcSvSaM

I remember him as a sideman on albums that I can't quite remember; now there's an oxymoron for you.

This is the Star Trek theme song, is that martha flowers?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHhePr0TKfc

Enjoy the music.

For all music lovers. Don't like it? Shame on you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUP-fcFjqyk