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A trumpeter’s legacy of paying it forward
Source:
Ken Franckling's Jazz Notes
The fine trumpeter Bobby Shew, now one of the horn’s elder statesmen, gave Dan Miller an unforgettable present on his protégé’s 30th birthday. As Miller recalls 22 years later, those sage words of wisdom went like this: “You don’t want to be a sideman all your life. You’re going to turn 50 years old and the phone is going to stop ringing. It is not because you can’t play well, it’s because there are two younger generations of players who ...
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Interview: Hank O'Neal on Chiaroscuro Records
Source:
JazzWax by Marc Myers
I've known Hank O'Neal since the start of JazzWax in 2007. An information hound since his days with the CIA, he somehow found out about me and JazzWax early on and was always there to help me track down legends to interview. In fact, I think George Wein hipped Hank to JazzWax and me to Hank, now that I recall. Hank, a prolific author and wonderful photographer, has always been a generous jazz angel. He's been there for many people ...
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Markus Rutz In Conversation With Journeys Into Jazz Radio Host
Source:
Markus Rutz
Listen in for Chicago-based trumpeter / composer Markus Rutz's conversation with Chuck France of WORT Radio in Madison, Wisconsin. The interview was originally broadcast on June 2nd and the episode is accessible until end of August in the WORT archives (scroll down to August 18th Journeys Into Jazz rebroadcast). Markus had an opportunity to discuss his personal journey in music, The Rose Rhapsody, and their mutual friend Richard Davis. About Markus Rutz Markus Rutz plays the trumpet with a bluesy, ...
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Interview: Terry Waldo
Source:
JazzWax by Marc Myers
Terry Waldo is a master of 1920s and '30s ragtime and piano. Like Dick Hyman, Terry is a preservationist, playing the music of another era authentically and with soul. His new album, I Double Dare You (Turtle Bay), with singer Tatiana Eva-Marie, revives the coy, syncopated music between the two World Wars and is superb for its charm and execution. Since 1969, Terry has led a series of hot jazz ensembles, including Waldo's Gutbucket Syncopators in Ohio and Waldo’s Gotham ...
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Chuck Israels on Hampton Hawes
Source:
JazzWax by Marc Myers
In May 1965, pianist Hampton Hawes recorded an album of standards with bassist Chuck Israels and drummer Donald Bailey. The album was Here and Now, an extraordinary session for the Contemporary label. The songs were recognizable to anyone picking up the album in stores, but the execution was anything by standard. Hampton, Chuck and Bailey sail into each song with fresh energy and determination to rock the canoe, so to speak. For example, Hawes and Chuck solo off each other ...
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Interview: Judy Wexler
Source:
JazzWax by Marc Myers
It's tricky business jazzing up the music of 1960s singer-songwriters. Most efforts either wind up a pale reproduction or they try too hard to swing the originals. Every so often, however, an album comes along that hits the tone just right. Vocalist Judy Wexler's new Back to the Garden (Jewel City) is one of these just-right albums. Out today, the recording breathes fresh life into songs and gives them a jazz feel with the elegance and sensitivity they deserve. Much ...
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Interview: Jennifer Wharton
Source:
JazzWax by Marc Myers
A couple of weeks ago while flying through Facebook, I saw on photographer John Abbott's page that he'd just finished a shoot with bass trombonist Jennifer Wharton. I've known John for years and in addition to being a great guy, he's a marvelous portraitist. When I asked him about Jennifer, he wrote back, “Jen Wharton is a fantastic musician and a cool person. I’ve done her last two covers for her band, Bonegasm. She’s probably a great interview." He was ...
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Mrs. Shelly Manne Turns 100
Source:
JazzWax by Marc Myers
Flip Manne, Shelly Manne's wife, was born May 3, 1921 in Vermont, rode horses and took dance lessons from an early age. To celebrate her 100th birthday today, I decided to reprise an interview I did with her in 2015 on her career and her drummer husband's. I've also added followup material that Flip provided several years ago. As background, Flip moved from Vermont to New York in 1939 and eventually took a job dancing at the Roxy Theatre. She ...
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