Big Jazz Nerd
Real Jazz at The Real School
by AAJ Staff
Big Jazz Nerd, I'm a high school senior and the first-chair alto saxophonist in my school's jazz ensemble. I like playing in the band and I'm thinking about majoring in music in college. Could you recommend some top of the line music schools that specialize in jazz performance? Spencer McLaughlin, Ponca City, OK Spencer: Congrats on your decision to study jazz in college. Like Bird said, now's the time. But ...
read moreThe Adorable Mr. Jarrett
by AAJ Staff
Dear Mr. Nerd, I think Keith Jarrett is an extraordinary jazz pianist and I really enjoy his playing, but what I don't quite understand is why he regularly bounces out of his seat, makes contorted facial expressions and produces long, constipated whining noises that sound like NNNEEEAAAAAHHHHHUUUUUGGGGHHH!!! when he's playing. What's that about? Francisco Cruz, Boston, Mass Greetings Francisco, The pained facial expressions, quirky body language and ...
read moreWho Was Duke's Sophisticated Lady?
by AAJ Staff
Dear Big Jazz Nerd, Whom was Duke Ellington referring to when he wrote “Sophisticated Lady"? Amy Alexander Houston, Texas
Amy,
A good guess would be his mom, Daisy Kennedy Ellington. History tells us that she was a beautiful, intelligent, educated woman who doted on her son, Edward Kennedy Ellington (1899-1974). Duke worshiped Daisy, but his 1932 masterpiece was not written about her or any one woman in particular. Rather, the tune was ...
read moreBass and Bitter Rivals
by AAJ Staff
Dear BigJazzNerd:
Given the fact that there have been many publicized rivalries among musicians over the years, which do you consider to be the most bitter?
Bob Peterson Cleveland, Ohio
Bob,
Try as they might, some musicians just don't get along. Pat Metheny and Kenny G don't exactly see eye-to-eye. Charles Mingus could be a royal pain in the ass to work with. The guys who played in Buddy Rich's band could tell you some stories. ...
read moreWho was Spider Martin?
by AAJ Staff
Big Jazz Nerd,
I read somewhere that the famous civil rights photographer Spider Martin was also a badass tenor player. True?
Tony Pelligrini Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Tony,
I'm afraid yours is a case of mistaken identity. James “Spider" Martin, the photographer, was born in 1939 in a small Alabama town and died April 8, 2003 in Blount Springs, Alabama. He was best known for his civil rights photography, including the March 1965 ...
read moreGeorge's Braithophone
by AAJ Staff
Big Jazz Nerd, Whatever happened to George Braith? I remember listening to him play on the street in NYC decades ago. Is he still playing? Roger Sales, Darien, Connecticut Roger: Yes, George Braith is still making music at age 67. His home base is in Milwaukee where he leads the Braith Family Singers--Flame, Jasmine, Taharqa, Chime, and youngest grandson Chris. Perhaps best known as the originator ...
read moreShut Yo' Mouth
by AAJ Staff
Yo, Dr. Pravitz, I say Slam Stewart and Major Holley were singers. My friend says they were bass players. Who's right? Bill Dunlop, Cambridge, Mass. Bill: Turns out you're both right. Stewart and Holley were bass players and contemporaries, and they both sang while they soloed on the bass. Of course each guy had his own style. Slam's thing was to simultaneously sing an octave above what he was ...
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