Rok, it's time to get back on the tracks in pursuit of "our jazz"; this is between 1950 and 1970. While "Nica" didn't write or talk much, she left us a book of photographs; that's our reference book. She absorbed jazz cerebrally, that's the only way it can be understood. Nica was sometime referred to as "The high priestess of jazz", that works for me.
I'm going to begin in the middle with someone who was never given the credit or money due, "Bobby Timmons". He was born in Philadelphia the son of a minister in 1935. From an early age he studied music with his uncle. He first played at his grandfathers church. After he graduated from high school, he was awarded a scholarship at the Philadelphia Music Academy.
Timmons moved to New York in 1954. He made his recording debut with Kenny Dorham in 1956. He became best known as a member of Blakey's Jazz Messengers. He was recruited by Benny Golson, who said he could play "be bop, funky, and a lot of other styles".
His compositions connected with urbanites instantly; "Moanin", "Dis Here" and "Dat Dere" were on the jukeboxes in all major cities, they even did a line dance called "The Madison" to some of Bobby's tunes. Although his music was put to words, it needed no words, the music spoke for itself to the urban poor.
Bobby Timmons was probably the least appreciated and most under rated musician in all of jazz. Unfortunately he died at 38 from cirrhosis. While I can't do anything about his rating, I intend to appreciate him more by adding undiscovered gems to my collection.
Enjoy the music.