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All About Jazz Columnist Discusses Kids For Coltrane On Podcast With Economist Rob Johnson
Source:
Christine Passarella
Host Rob Johnson talks to educator Christine Passarella about her program Kids for Coltrane, and the educational value of the jazz great, John Coltrane. (scroll down to listen) About Christine Passarella and Kids for Coltrane Christine Turturro Termini Passarella is an educator and founder of Kids for Coltrane. Her work focuses on jazz to teach children about American history, equality, character education, and the arts. The program helps develop a foundation for children which they take with them throughout their ...
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James Harrod: Stars of Jazz
Source:
JazzWax by Marc Myers
For those who regularly roam YouTube, you've probably come across audio and video clips of a 1950s TV show called Stars of Jazz. Of all the TV jazz show, it was easily the most relaxed and hippest. Beyond the title, you probably know that singer-songwriter and composer Bobby Troup was the show's host. And that's likely all you know. Fortunately, James Harrod, a writer and researcher who specializes in West Coast jazz, has just published Stars of Jazz: A Complete ...
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John Koenig on Art Pepper
Source:
JazzWax by Marc Myers
Last week, I caught up with John Koenig, son of Lester Koenig, who founded Contemporary Records in Los Angeles in 1951. Lester and Contemporary were instrumental in preserving some of the finest music recorded on the West Coast in the 1950s and beyond. John is a cellist, attorney and Grammy-nominated producer. When I spoke with John, we talked about Art Pepper. John mentioned he had written an essay for Art Pepper's Live at Fat Tuesday's, an album featuring Pepper at ...
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Gary Burton on Larry Bunker
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JazzWax by Marc Myers
As one of Hollywood's most in-demand percussionists, Larry Bunker recorded hundreds of jazz and soundtrack albums. But always as a sideman. Remarkably, Bunker recorded just one album as a leader: Larry Bunker Quartette: Live at Shelly's Manne-Hole, in December 1963. Recorded first and then picked up by the Vault label in Los Angeles in 1965, the album featured Gary Burton (vib), Mike Wofford (p), Bob West (b) and Larry Bunker (d). The sound of these four musicians playing together is ...
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Interview: Stephanie Nakasian
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JazzWax by Marc Myers
I came upon Stephanie Nakasian in 2009, shortly after the released of Stephanie Nakasian: Lullaby in Rhythm, A Tribute to June Christy (V.S.O.P.). Few singers were paying much attention to Christy then, and Stephanie did a wonderful job. While she didn't try to channel Christy, she did have a fine sense of Christy's dry exuberance and hip phrasing. Stephanie's rendition of Interlude still knocks me out. If you're in New York on June 5, Stephanie will be appearing at Birdland ...
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Anthony Weller + Herb Pomeroy
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JazzWax by Marc Myers
Boston trumpeter and educator Herb Pomeroy was known largely for his big band work as a leader and sideman. But in the early 2000s, Pomeroy led a gorgeous, romantic working trio consisting of Pomeroy on trumpet, Anthony Weller on guitar and David Landoni on bass. The group recorded three albums—two live and one in the studio. Live At Cafe Beaujolais in Gloucester, Mass., was their first in 1999, followed by Aluminum Baby recorded in Boston in 2003 and then Live ...
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Interview: Chuck Israels
Source:
JazzWax by Marc Myers
Bassist Chuck Israels is probably best known for his work in the Bill Evans Trio between 1961 and 1966—a golden, delicate period for Evans. But Chuck also played with Stan Getz, Herbie Hancock, Gary Burton, Hampton, Hawes, Dave Pike, Gerry Mulligan and many other jazz greats. Chuck also has had a vast playing and recording career as a leader of his own groups. On March 6, Chuck will be in New York for a rare performance at Dizzy's Coca-Cola (go ...
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