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Backgrounder: Bill Evans - 'Solo Sessions, Vol. 1'
In January 1963, producer Orrin Keepnews brought Bill Evans into the studio to record solo. It's unclear whether Orrin did this to bank away Evans tapes prior to him signing with Verve or whether this was done because Evans needed cash and Keepnews decided to record him early in order to advance him payment. Either way, ...
Backgrounder: Johnny Hodges and Ben Webster
Alto saxophonist Johnny Hodges and tenor saxophonist Ben Webster were a perfect pair. Hodges played with a smooth, bluesy sweetness while Webster offset that with his breathy, husky tone. Both recorded together in the Duke Ellington Orchestra in the 1930s and '40s, and they paired off again in the 1950s on small-group dates. My favorite sessions ...
Backgrounder: Lionel Hampton, 'Bossa Nova Jazz'
Bossa Nova Jazz: Lionel Hampton All Stars shouldn't work, but it does. Just looking at the album cover without hearing it leads you to assume that the bossa nova would be a stretch for a swinger and jump-blueser like Hampton. But its authenticity and sensuality exceeds expectations every time I put it on. It's really Bobby ...
Backgrounder: Sonny Stitt Plays
Some of the finest blowing by saxophonist Sonny Stitt can be found on Roost Records. Several years back, Mosaic released a box set of Stitt's complete Roost recordings, and it's still one of my favorites. Among the albums in that box was Sonny Stitt Plays. Recorded in December 1955, the album featured Sonny Stitt on alto ...
Backgrounder: Horace Silver, 'Horace-Scope'
One of my favorite Horace Silver albums is Horace-Scope. Recorded on July 8 and 9 in 1960, the Horace Silver Quintet at the time consisted of Horace Silver on piano, Blue Mitchell on trumpet, Junior Cook on tenor saxophone, Gene Taylor on bass and Roy Brooks on drums. The tracks are Strollin', Where You At?, Don ...
Backgrounder: Burrell With Brother Jack
Guitarist Kenny Burrell recorded four albums with organist Brother Jack McDuff in late 1962 and '63. The one I'm sharing with you today is Crash!, the last of the bunch that was recorded by Burrell for Prestige in February 1963. It featured Burrell with Harold Vick (ts), Brother Jack McDuff (org), Joe Dukes (d) and Ray ...
Backgrounder: Charles Earland
Maybe you're cooking today for the holiday weekend. Or perhaps you're driving a long distance to attend a family gathering or visit the house of a friend. Or you may just be going for a long bike ride or working over the long weekend. How does three hours of uninterrupted Charles Earland sound to you? I ...
Backgrounder: 'Ella Swings Lightly'
One of my favorite Ella Fitzgerald albums is Ella Swings Lightly. Recorded for Verve in November 1958, the album was arranged by Marty Paich and features his Dek-tette backing Ella on a bright batch of songs outside the realm of her tiresome American songbook fare. The all-star Hollywood 10 included Don Fagerquist and Al Porcino (tp), ...
Backgrounder: Bossa Nova Modern Quartet
By now I'm sure you've guessed that I have a sizable digital collection of rare Brazilian bossa nova albums from the early 1960s, when the new genre was at its peak. Collecting that period is one of my many obsessions. If I were to blindfold you and lead you into a used record store, where I ...
