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Art Pepper: Smack Up, 1960
Source:
JazzWax by Marc Myers
Recorded over two days in October 1960 for Los Angeles's Contemporary Records, Art Pepper's Smack Up featured six compositions by saxophonists, five of whom had recorded their songs for the label years earlier. It's unclear whether Pepper was compelled to do this by Contemporary or the idea was suggested to him. It's doubtful he came up with the concept on his own. The alto saxophonist was joined by trumpeter Jack Sheldon, pianist Pete Jolly, bassist Jimmy Bond and drummer Frank ...
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Mike LeDonne: Wonderful!
Source:
JazzWax by Marc Myers
Mike LeDonne is a bad-ass. I thought of five different ways to say this more elegantly but I kept coming back to the same phrase. Mike, whose mastery of the Hammond B3 organ is legendary, takes the instrument's sound up a notch on his new album, Wonderful! (Cellar), by enlisting an 11-member non-denominational gospel choir. The sound I'm talking about is jazz in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Mike and I are the same age—67. In fact, I'm about ...
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Classic Don Byas Sessions 1944-1946
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JazzWax by Marc Myers
Don Byas was a shadow. Too often in the 1940s, the tenor saxophonist was thought of by fans and critics as a close clone of tenor saxophone avatar Coleman Hawkins. In truth, Byas was a distinctive player in the same league as Hawkins and other saxophone greats Lester Young and Ben Webster. His thick, biting tone and gift for flawless, weaving improvisation made him a sought-after player for his pronounced sound and ability to take domineering solos. The problem for ...
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Backgrounder: Johnny Hammond - Breakout
Source:
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: Jimmy McGriff - Step 1
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JazzWax by Marc Myers
Philadelphian Jimmy McGriff began as a pianist but fell in love with the organ after hearing Richard “Groove" Holmes play the Hammond B3 at his sister's wedding. He bought his first organ in 1956, spent six months at New York's Juilliard School of Music and then studied the organ privately with Milt Buckner, Jimmy Smith and Sonny Gatewood. He began leading an organ combo in 1960. Step 1 was recorded for producer Sonny Lester at Capitol Records in 1970. The ...
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Irish Jazz Funk Band Chief Keegan 'The Piles High Club' Drops March 29th!
Source:
Scott Thompson Public Relations
Ireland’s Ground Breaking Jazz/Funk/Groove Ensemble Releases Debut Album! The innovative Irish band featuring organist/pianist Luke Dunford, with guitarist Mark Dudley, bassist Alan Elliott and drummers Cian Hanley and Tommy Gray unleash a straight fire album of soul dripping jams. “Think The Meters and Orgone had a baby and moved to Dublin." Chief Keegan are a musically skilled, multitalented instrumental funk band from Dublin, Ireland. Some of their musical influences include bands such as Vulfpeck, The Meters, Lettuce and Galactic amongst ...
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Composer / Saxophonist Lukas Gabric Releases New Album 'Moving On'—Out Now!
Source:
Lukas Gabric
The Austrian tenor saxophonist and composer Lukas Gabric is releasing his new album Moving On, serving as a poignant reminder to persist amidst life's challenges. The album presents a collection of original compositions that blend emotional depth, virtuosity, and versatility. Moving On is also an impressive musical journey through personal experiences, global influences, and jazz traditions. The CD's liner notes provide insights into the background of each piece on Moving On. The title track reflects the optimism, energy, and momentum ...
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Backgrounder: Leon Spencer - Bad Walking Woman
Source:
JazzWax by Marc Myers
After reviewing Wonderful!, Mike LeDonne's new organ jazz album yesterday, I was drawn to my favorites from the late 1960s and early 1970s. To give you a feel of this jazz period, I thought I'd select a few lesser-known gems. Today, I'm featuring Leon Spencer Jr.'s Bad Walking Woman. Recorded in 1972, this LP was Spencer's third studio album as a leader. The compositions, all by Spencer: Hip Shaker Down on Dowling Street In Search of Love If You Were ...
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