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RIP Harry Whitaker
Source:
Schicker
"Man, patience is a virtue!" Harry Whitaker is reflecting on the long-awaited release of his first album as a leader, recorded when he was thirty-four years old. Now a well-seasoned fifty-nine ("I'm older, not more mature," he clarifies), he is savoring the fruits of a philosophy that guided him throughout a rich career spent supporting a galaxy of headliners. An archetypal behind-the-scenes accompanist and arranger best known through his association with Roberta Flack, he was a cornerstone of Roy Ayers's ...
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Sid Simmons, jazz pianist and mentor, dies at 63
Source:
Michael Ricci
BACK IN THE DAY, the cats used to bop over to Ortlieb's Jazzhaus to give a listen to one of the most highly regarded jazz pianists in the city. Sid Simmons was frequently called on to accompany other musicians, but he had a style all his own, much appreciated by fans and fellow musicians. “He combined the class of Bill Evans with the soul and hard-hitting style of Oscar Peterson," a critic wrote. And along with being a fine musician ...
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In Memoriam: Walter Payton
Source:
Wade Luquet
Walter Payton—New Orleans bassist and music educator—has passed away at the age of 68 on Thursday, October 28, after a long illness. A native of the city, Payton taught for twenty-five years in the public school system of New Orleans where he influenced generations of young musicians, including his son, Grammy Award-winning trumpeter Nicholas Payton. Mr Payton was a mainstay of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and also played tuba and bass in the Young Tuxedo Brass Band and the ...
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Henryk Gorecki: 1933-2010
Source:
Something Else!
by Mark Saleski I don't have the language to properly describe most pieces of classical music, so you will rarely (if ever) see me employ words such as “sonata," “fortissimo," and “canon." Besides, with this week's passing of Polish composer Henryk Górecki, many megabytes (and ink!) have been spilled with the various re-visitations of the technicalities of his iconic composition Symphony No. 3. I will skip those details partly out of obvious necessity but mostly because things like that are ...
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Herman Leonard Memorial Service
Source:
The Business Musician by Craig M. Cortello
I had the privilege of attending a memorial service in New Orleans for legendary jazz photographer Herman Leonard yesterday. Leonard lived in New Orleans for over a decade prior to Hurricane Katrina, and was happiest when he lived here, according to his daughter Shana. I attended with my 13 year old son, an aspiring photographer. I wanted to show him what a tremendous legacy you can leave through a lifetime of dedication to your craft.
The day consisted of the ...
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Correspondence: Jack Brokensha RIP
Source:
Rifftides by Doug Ramsey
Mark Stryker, music critic of the Detroit Free Press, sent this note:Thought you might be interested in this— a couple months ago I recall a comment on your Mitch Miller/Bird post including a reference to the Australian Jazz Quartet/Quintet. The vibraphonist from the group, Jack Brokensha, a longtime Detroiter, died this week at 84. This is a link to the Free Press obituary. Couldn't find any YouTube clips with Jack, save a few Motown hits where he's playing various percussion ...
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Marion Brown Remembered
Source:
Music and More by Tim Niland
There have been some very classy tributes to the late influential saxophonist Marion Brown on the jazz blogosphere lately. Peter Hum posted excerpts of a short interview with Brown and a Youtube clip, while NPR has a couple of excellent postings, first from Lars Gotrich and then a deeply emotional and affecting post from John Rogers. Destination Out is first class all the way with a wonderful tribute post to Brown including mp3 downloads of rare performances. Finally, Dark Forces ...
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