Jazz Articles about Chuck Wayne

Clifford Jordan: These Are My Roots: Clifford Jordan Plays Leadbelly

by Chris May
May 6, 2021

These Are My Roots: Clifford Jordan Plays Leadbelly is an oft overlooked item in the canon of tenor saxophonist Clifford Jordan, whose chef d'oeuvre was undoubtedly Glass Bead Games (Strata-East, 1974), one of the most exalted jazz albums of its era. But These Are My Roots, which was originally released on Atlantic in 1965 and has in 2021 been reissued on vinyl by British audiophile label Pure Pleasure, is of more than passing interest. The hard bop ...

Chuck Wayne: Morning Mist

by Russell Moon
March 1, 2004

What a find!

Guitarist Chuck Wayne was a member of George Shearing's original quintet, and he played on Shearing's 1949 breakthrough hit “September in the Rain." For much of the '50s he was Tony Bennett's musical director. He later was a staff musician for CBS television and radio. 1964's Morning Mist was one of only four albums he recorded as a leader.

This is an outstanding guitar trio album, 29 minutes long, with ten songs (three of which ...

Chuck Wayne: Morning Mist

by Mike Neely
December 8, 2003

Chuck Wayne has long been a jazz connoisseur’s musician whose ability and technique has always outclassed guitarists with much larger reputations. Popularity seems never to have been Wayne’s primary focus; for decades he simply consistently did a first rate job in the studios and on stage, as both a sideman and as a leader. His music doesn’t jump out at you demanding your attention – it is thoughtful, subtle music that takes some listening before you realize you are experiencing ...

Chuck Wayne: Morning Mist

by David Rickert
October 24, 2003

Chuck Wayne was one of many jazz musicians who made their living primarily in studio orchestras, forgoing any sort of fame they might have achieved as a recording artist or club fixture. Thus he falls into the perilous realm of being a “guitarist’s guitarist,” which is just a polite way of saying that his records weren’t popular with the general public when they were released.

At any rate, Morning Mist is a welcome reissue, especially for those ...

Chuck Wayne & Tom Butts: Alberta Clipper

by Mike Neely
April 1, 2000

Alberta Clipper was the last recording of the great jazz guitarist Chuck Wayne. The CD is notable for the quality of Wayne's playing, for introducing the tenor saxophonist Tom Butts, and for reminding us that Chuck Wayne was also a composer of significance.

Wayne was one of the few jazz guitarists who was/is capable of soloing brilliantly and then effortlessly shifting into a beautiful accompaniment. It is often forgotten that Wayne was an accompanist for Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Sarah ...

Chuck Wayne: String Fever

by Mike Neely
March 1, 2000

The re-mastering and release of Chuck Wayne's String Fever should begin to focus attention on a musician who was not only a brilliant guitarist but also a subtle and significant composer/arranger. On this recording Wayne became the first jazz guitarist to front a big band. He is the main soloist. He also conducted and arranged all of the compositions. Wayne's solo work, rising above an inspired band, is as good as jazz guitar has been caught on tape as he ...