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Johnny
Backgrounder: Johnny Alf: Rapaz de Bem, 1961
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JazzWax by Marc Myers
For those in the know, Johnny Alf has long been thought of as the father of the bossa nova. Whether that statement is completely accurate or whether he was merely a significant influence has been hotly debated over the years. Even if the Brazilian singer-songwriter wasn't the bossa's earliest pure exponent, his softly romantic, Johnny Mathis-like vocal style, his jazzy sense of swing and his rich melodies certainly held sway over many of the artists who would become identified with ...
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Johnny Hodges: 3 Shades of Blue,1970
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JazzWax by Marc Myers
Yesterday, I posted on Webster's Dictionary, a rare late-career album by tenor saxophonist Ben Webster and arranged by Stan Tracey that is virtually unknown by even ardent jazz fans. To continue my series on great saxophonists and little-known gems in their final years, today I'm looking at Johnny Hodges's 3 Shades of Blue, arranged and conducted by Oliver Nelson. Recorded in 1970 over two dates in March for the Flying Dutchman label, the album showcased the alto saxophonist with a ...
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Johnny Lytle: People & Love
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JazzWax by Marc Myers
Johnny Lytle was a big deal during the 1960s and early 1970s. In some respects, the vibraphonist and composer perfected an album model that inspired Creed Taylor's CTI label, combining jazz originals and jazzy interpretations of soul hits. In many respects, there isn't a bad Lytle album. One of my favorites was his interpretation of songs from the soundtrack to A Man and a Woman in 1967. Also terrific are Blue Vibes (1960), The Loop (1966), New and Groovy (1967) ...
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Backgrounder: Johnny Hammond - Breakout
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JazzWax by Marc Myers
As Johnny “Hammond" Smith became increasingly popular, he added his middle nickname to avoid being confused with guitarist Johnny Smith and organ great Jimmy Smith. He began recording as leader in 1959 and was a sideman throughout the 1960s. In 1971, Creed Taylor signed him to Kudu Records, his soul-flavored subsidiary of CTI. Smith's album Breakout (1971) was the first album released on the new label. The LP is notable for its terrific mix of tracks and the stellar musicians ...
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Backgrounder: Johnny Richards' Walk Softly
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JazzWax by Marc Myers
As West Coast arrangers go, Johnny Richards was spectacular. Like Bill Holman and Shorty Rogers, he had an authentic feel for the Hollywood scene and how to blend glamor with art. To stir this mood, Richards made wonderful use of French horns and piccolos, and he always threw in a touch of Latin flavor. His arrangements for Stan Kenton stand out, but his leadership albums are truly special. Born Juan Manuel Cascales in Mexico in 1911, Richards came to the ...
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Jazz Musician of the Day: Johnny Smith
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Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Johnny Smith's birthday today!
Guitarist Johnny Smith's career spans the decades of the 1940's through the 1990's. From the very beginning of his musical career he influenced the playing of other guitarists. In fact, many mention Smith as a major influence on their playing. The major guitar builders as Guild, Gibson, Benedetto, and the Heritage all have their signature Johnny Smith high end models as a tribute to this master. John Henry Smith, Jr. was ...
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Johnny Dankworth: What the Dickens!
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JazzWax by Marc Myers
One of Britain's finest jazz musicians, arrangers and composers was Johnny Dankworth. The alto saxophonist and big band leader was best known here as the husband of singer Cleo Laine. The pair married in 1958 and made the rounds of variety shows for years. But Dankworth was a giant in his own right and one of the U.K.'s most inventive arranger-composers. His recording career began in 1944 and by the late 1940s he was recording bebop. Once the 12-inch LP ...
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Documentary: Johnny Dankworth
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JazzWax by Marc Myers
Jazz in Britain has a glorious and robust past. From the 1920 and '30s up until World War II in 1939, jazz in the U.K. was largely sweet and hotel in dance-band style. Bands were formal and highly accomplished. Remember, Cherokee was by Ray Noble, the English bandleader, composer and arranger who recorded it first in 1938. He also wrote The Touch of Your Lips, I Hadn't Anyone Till You and The Very Thought of You among many other songs. ...
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Backgrounder: Johnny Richards Something Else
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JazzWax by Marc Myers
One of my very favorite big band albums is Johnny Richards' Something Else. Recorded for Bethlehem in Los Angeles in August 1956, the album features Richards compositions and arrangements and a band that will make West Coast jazz fans gasp. Waltz Anyone featured Pete Candoli, Buddy Childers and Maynard Ferguson (tp); Stu Williamson (tp,v-tb); Tommy Pederson, Frank Rosolino and Milt Bernhart (tb); John Cave (fhr); Albert Pollan (tu); Charlie Mariano (as); Richie Kamuca (ts); Ronnie Lang (bar,pic); Bill Holman (bassax); ...
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Backgrounder: Johnny Alf, 1971
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JazzWax by Marc Myers
Two sides of a single released in Brazil in 1953 by Johnny Alf set the stage for the bossa nova four years later. For those sides, Alf assembled a trio that featured him on piano, guitarist Garoto and bassist Vidal. The instrumentals were Alf's own Falseta (or Deceit) and Luiz Bonfa's De Cigarro em Cigarro (or From Cigarette to Cigarette). The recordings weren't hits, by any measure, but they would be celebrated later as the start of the bossa movement's ...
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