The "Stage Door" Really Swings!

Jack Bowers

Senior Contributor since 1997

A former newspaper writer / editor who has been writing about big-band Jazz for more than fifteen years.

Recent articles (1,749 total)

Published: January 3, 2008

Before leaving the topic, it should be noted that another superlative jazz musician passed away in December. Alto saxophonist Frank Morgan, once considered an heir-apparent to Charlie Parker's crown before he was sidelined by a drug habit that led to thirty years in prison, died December 17, one week before his seventy-fourth birthday, in Minneapolis, MN.

Morgan recorded a number of albums in the early 1950s with world-class musicians such as vibraphonist Milt Jackson, drummer Kenny Clarke, saxophonist Wardell Gray and trumpeter Conte Candoli, but by the middle of the decade was doing hard time in San Quentin. His comeback began after his release in 1986 with an appearance at New York's Village Vanguard, and he kept on playing and recording until the end, having recently returned to the States after a three-month tour of Europe with pianist Rein de Graaff's trio.

And that's it for now. Until next time, keep swingin'!

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