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Chicago-Based Saxphonist Michael Hudson-Casanova Releases 'Animus'
Source:
Michael Hudson-Casanova
Saxophonist Michael Hudson-Casanova is releasing his sophomore album with his first Chicago-based band on March 2, 2023. The release show will take place at Hungry Brain Chicago (2319 W. Belmont Ave) on March 3rd. Animus will be available on digital, CD, and limited edition vinyl formats. Hudson-Casanova composed an entirely new book of music for his trio with drummer Gustavo Cortiñas and guitarist Erik Skov. Both of these Chicago jazz veterans have their own unique projects and bring a large ...
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Al Haig: Invitation
Source:
JazzWax by Marc Myers
Al Haig was a fascinating and mysterious pianist. Haig's style was an elegant synthesis of hard-core bebop and lounge, which means he had an extraordinary technique. And his bop recordings are so early—at the start, in fact—that Haig and Bud Powell most likely influenced each other through mutual visits at Harlem clubs. Today, Haig is largely forgotten, despite his many accomplishments. Raised in Nutley, N.J., Haig was the pianist on Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie's first bebop recordings, for Guild, ...
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Bite-Sized Cinematic Chunks Of Jazz, Funk, And Hip-Hop
Source:
Gold Note Records
Rewind back to 1973. Then fast forward to 2036. Then rewind back to 1982. Then fast forward ahead to 2009. Then rewind back to 1991. Then come home to 2023. Then go back to the first track of Alan Goldsher's latest musical collage, A Soundtrack in Search of a Movie," and do it all again. On his seventh album, the bassist / keyboardist / producer delivers a 19-track collection unlike anything in his extensive, diverse discography. This jazzy, funky, hip-hoppy, ...
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Backgrounder: Johnny Richards Something Else
Source:
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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Ted Nash Plays Frank Comstock
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JazzWax by Marc Myers
Frank Comstock is a name today that has long been forgotten. Many of those who are familiar with Comstock probably associate him with the Hi-Lo's vocal group, for whom he arranged and conducted their first eight albums in the 1950s. Or they know him as the composer of the theme for the Rocky and His Friends TV cartoon series in the 1960s. But Comstock was a much bigger deal. He arranged for Les Brown's cool, contrapuntal band from 1943 to ...
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Joe Chambers: Dance Kobina
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JazzWax by Marc Myers
Drummer Joe Chambers is best known for playing on a long list of critically acclaimed Blue Note jazz albums in the 1960s. These include Joe Henderson's Mode for Joe; Freddie Hubbard's Breaking Point; Dialogue, Components, Happenings and Total Eclipse by Bobby Hutcherson; Tender Moments by McCoy Tyner; Andrew!!! and Compulsion!!! by Andrew Hill as well as All Seeing Eye, Adam's Apple and Schizophrenia by Wayne Shorter. He also played on Chick Corea's Tones For Joan's Bones, Woody Shaw's In the ...
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Dave Stryker Trio Release 'Prime'
Source:
Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services
Fresh off their summer tour opening for Steely Dan, Stryker releases Prime—the first recording featuring his working trio. Along with Jared Gold on organ and McClenty Hunter on drums, Stryker offers eight new compositions and the beautiful standard “I Should Care.” From the burning title track “Prime” to songs penned for his first boss Jack McDuff (“Captain Jack” and “Dude’s Lounge”) as well as “Mac” for his drummer and the original trio versions of “Hope” and “As We Were” from ...
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Backgrounder: Urbie Green - Persuasive Trombone
Source:
JazzWax by Marc Myers
In February 1960, trombonist Urbie Green went into Fine Recording Studios and recorded most of The Persuasive Trombone Vol. 1 for Command. The remaining four tracks were recorded in March 1961. The record label was formed in 1959 by Enoch Light and sold to ABC Paramount late that year. Light was a dance band leader, producer, engineer and founder of several record labels who became associated with jazzy easy-listening and big-band music geared to older listeners. Command, however, was uniformly ...
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