His father, Richard, grew up in Cicero, Illinois, when the Austin High Gang was struttin' its barbeque from the influences of Satch and King Oliver. His mother was a vaudevillian, dancer/singer, growing up in upstate New York, with a dancing partner sister, and three brothers, all musicians...piano, tenor, clarinet. When Madden was a wee lad, Muggsy Spanier became his godfather; from there he tells the story in this one-hour video that chronicles his eventual career as a radio/TV reporter/anchorman, interviewing and reporting on the greatest of the jazz musicians, some of whom he got to play plays his tenor with.
When Louis Armstrong died in 1971, Madden reported the obituary on Channel 5 in New York City. From there, he reported on the funeral of Thelonious Monk; interviewed Count Basie, Lionel Hampton, Elvin Jones, Stan Getz, Milt Hinton, Barry Harris, Stanley Clarke, Jimmy Rushing, and many others, all documented in his video. Included are the autographs of Armstrong, Artie Shaw, Tommy Dorsey, Chu Berry, Fletcher Henderson.
Nowadays, Madden plays his tenor in upstate locales around Woodstock, New York. A Jazz Affair video is available for viewing only at clinics, clubs, classrooms, and other venues where the history of jazz is part of a program, or of interest to true fans of the music.
For information, contact: A Jazz [email protected], (yes, there can be spaces) or call (845) 686-5377.
For more information contact All About Jazz.
