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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
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

A jazz musician is known by the company he keeps, and those who like his company. It seems that some of the best jazz musicians ever, like having the company of Curtis Fuller.

It seems that Benny Golson certainly liked having Curtis Fuller by his side. Just like good Brandy was made for sniffing and sipping, good jazz is made for listening, no talking, just listening.


        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLZeKqaeGoY


Art Blakey was another Giant who liked Curtis Fuller by his side


          https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=curtis+fuller+art+blake+y+indestructable


Curtis Fuller and Art Farmer meet "The Jazztet"


        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT1tN3NWC5w


Always "Deep in the pocket" as jazz musicians like to say.



      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=py7URoogRj0


It's amazing how fundamental Curtis Fuller is to a good jazz collection. Since we're all "Aficionados", I know those albums are already in our collections, I just posted them for any "Newbies" passing by.


Enjoy the Jazz.


mahgister's avatar
mahgister
13,069 posts
 
I love Curtis Fuller’s playing. Wonderful player with a very impressive discography. One of the many impressive things about this great player is the fact that he got a very late start on his instrument. He didn’t start playing trombone until his late teens and by the time he was in his early twenties he has moved to NY and had taken the NYC Jazz scene by storm. Pretty impressive by any standard. I love his tone on the instrument, not particularly brassy, but dark and velvety instead.

I first heard Fuller on this record, when I was collecting anything and all by the great Phil Woods. This record is also a great example of what a great arranger Woods was:

https://youtu.be/8_ILn8GDVts

https://youtu.be/wLv8cPZuBlA

There are many great Curtis Fuller records, but I would wager that if a survey were taken this record would get the most votes for being his greatest. I love the very relaxed vibe of the music on this recording:

https://youtu.be/q-zNWpdcxvQ

https://youtu.be/4BRma2HD8dw

https://youtu.be/gLPXDrxps0Q
I explored jazz for many years now and i confess that i was knowing Curtis Fuller only by name not much more...

I must than thank you for drawing my attention to this supreme craftmanship...

He does not play trombone, he voice it to speak with it.....

I just listened 3 of his albums in a row....

It remind me of Chet Baker who does not play trumpet either but voice it to speak with it which is very different for me than playing the notes so virtuosively possible it is...

Very few artist could speak with their instrument save the greatest ....

 After all music and speech are linked by the same placenta in the womb of Eve....

Thanks ....


frogman
7,452 posts
 
**** It remind me of Chet Baker who does not play trumpet either but voice it to speak with it which is very different for me than playing the notes so virtuosively possible it is...****

Great comparison.  I understand what you mean.  They both have a certain warmth in their playing; as if speaking something very intimate.  
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

When the music, the musician, and the listener become one, it's like magic, and Curtis Fuller's music seems to accomplish this feat.


          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BlHRPXPx-4
keegiam
731 posts
 
@pjw81563

<<R.I.P. Curtis Fuller.
R.I.P. Curtis Fuller - December 15, 1934 - May 8, 2021 - YouTube>>

Just got the news at 3:00 AM Saturday, and I didn't get it here.  What a jolt.  We all have a mental list of ageless giants that could leave us at any moment.

I haven't had time to enjoy JFA (or any good music) for several weeks.  I opened YouTube to get guidance on a new cell phone, and there it was on the preview screen: <<R.I.P. Curtis Fuller - December 15, 1934 - May 8, 2021 - YouTube>>

Rushed to JFA and saw pjw81563's first post of the very same video.  Many Curtis Fuller links followed.  Of course I'll return and check them all out.
R.I.P. Curtis.

Thanks all.
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