Jazz Articles about Jack Sheldon

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Cheryl Bentyne: Let Me Off Uptown

by C. Michael Bailey
April 19, 2005

Some listeners will be completely satisfied with transparent pop vocalists like Mariah Carey. Others can only be satisfied with densely difficult jazz vocalists, like Lisa Sokolov or Betty Carter. But, as in politics, there also exists an enormous moderate middle ground, a population which craves musical excellence but may not crave the experimental edge. Cheryl Bentyne's new recording is perfect for the latter group.

Let Me Off Uptown, Bentyne's tribute to one of the most talented and difficult ...

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Jack Sheldon California Cool Quartet: California Cool

by Jim Santella
November 1, 2004

Trumpeter Jack Sheldon, who started out with Wardell Gray and Dexter Gordon, has helped build the West Coast sound in jazz. His early work with Art Pepper, Jimmy Giuffre, Curtis Counce, and Herb Geller helped to knit together a tight circle of musical associates who pioneered the West Coast cool faction in modern jazz. Chet Baker was a close friend. Like Baker and Miles Davis, Sheldon takes great care with the golden tone that he's developed on his instrument. Smooth ...

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Art Pepper: Smack Up

by David Rickert
April 16, 2004

Art Pepper's reckless lifestyle tended to overshadow his superb musicianship, and the circumstances surrounding Smack Up are certainly no exception. Shortly after recording it in 1960, he spent three years in jail for heroin possession, and one can only wonder if the title of the record is a play on words. Nevertheless, Pepper is in good form, as he usually was despite his troubles, darting over the changes and stitching together sharp, boppish lines without hesitation. Featuring a crack rhythm ...

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Art Pepper: Smack Up

by C. Michael Bailey
March 19, 2004

Art Pepper produced the greatest recordings of the so-called “first phase" of his career during periods of intense chaos. A case in point is Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section, where the altoist--rusty from inactivity, angry because of the surprise recording session set up by his then-wife Diane, and very, very strung out--expelled an acknowledged masterpiece. The aptly named Smack Up was the penultimate recording to the better part of a decade of incarceration for the musician's well-known heroin addiction. ...

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Jack Sheldon: Class Act

by Jim Santella
November 1, 1998

Trumpeter Jack Sheldon, who turns 67 this month, started out with Wardell Gray, Dexter Gordon, Curtis Counce, Bill Holman, and Stan Kenton. He moved on quickly to an eclectic career that has included hard bop ensembles, his own big band, studio work, singing & acting, but never strayed far from the sweet tone and fluid articulation that pours forth from his trumpet.

Back in the '60s Sheldon starred in the television spy-spoof sitcom “Run, Buddy, Run," and he was Merv ...