Jazz Articles about Gene Wright

Kenny Drew and His Progressive Piano

by C. Michael Bailey
June 10, 2020

As a commercial release, the 12-inch LP Kenny Drew and His Progressive Piano has a curious history. It was also released under the title The Modernity of Kenny Drew and contained music from two recording sessions, one held in New York City In 1953 and the second in Los Angeles in 1954. Some of the sides released here were originally released as a 10-inch LP entitled The Ideation of Kenny Drew. Got that straight? This was the release paradigm back ...

Dave Brubeck Quartet: Jazz Impressions of Japan

by Wayne Zade
September 1, 2001

Like Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, and their groups, Dave Brubeck and his first great quartet were among the first jazz musicians after World War II to travel diplomatically in the service of peace throughout the world. Armstrong released Ambassador Satch in 1955, and Brubeck released The Real Ambassadors, with Armstrong, Carmen McRae, and others, seven years later—helping, maybe, to thaw the Cold War.

The Dave Brubeck Quartet: Jazz Impressions Of Japan

by Jim Santella
April 1, 2001

Dave Brubeck has always been able to effectively communicate with the average “Joe." His compositions bring a spark of recognition. It's jazz, but with an underlying meaning easy enough to comprehend at first listen. Stereotypes enter the picture when particular harmonies are employed or when distinctive rhythms dance freely. His quartet could easily make “Chopsticks" appeal to the masses with a moody intro, an easy-to-recognize head melody, inspired solos all around, and a return to the starting point.

With the ...