Home » Search Center » Results: Billy Strayhorn
Results for "Billy Strayhorn"
Results for pages tagged "Billy Strayhorn"...
Billy Strayhorn
Born:
If you are familiar with the jazz composition, "Take the A Train," then you know something about not only Duke Ellington, but also Billy "Sweet Pea" Strayhorn, its composer. Strayhorn joined Ellington's band in 1939, at the age of twenty-two. Ellington liked what he saw in Billy and took this shy, talented pianist under his wings. Neither one was sure what Strayhorn's function in the band would be, but their musical talents had attracted each other. By the end of the year Strayhorn had become essential to the Duke Ellington Band; arranging, composing, sitting-in at the piano
Dave Burrell / Sam Woodyard: The Lost Session, Paris 1979
by John Sharpe
A lot of hoohah gets thrown around about legendary lost dates, but few live up to the billing. But The Lost Session by pianist Dave Burrell and drummer Sam Woodyard assuredly does. During the summer of 1979, Burrell had a three-month stand at the Campagne Premiere Club in Paris, which allowed him to fully explore and ...
Roberto Magris: Lovely Day (s)
by Edward Blanco
Veteran Italian jazz pianist Roberto Magris has enjoyed a four-decade career with the accumulation of over thirty albums as leader, in addition to appearing as a sideman on another 10 recordings. Yet, this highly versatile, creative and talented musician has never recorded a solo performance project until now. With Lovely Day(s), Magris finally keeps his promise ...
Sinne Eeg & Jacob Christoffersen: Shikiori 想帰庵
by Dan Bilawsky
Vocalist Sinne Eeg and pianist Jacob Christoffersen have been collaborating for two decades. Surprisingly, though, this is their first duo album. And it's a beaut--truly well worth the wait. The musicianship from each is first-rate, their chemistry is palpable, the material--a balanced mix of originals and familiar fare--is both highly sophisticated and completely accessible, and the ...
Reddish Fetish: Llegue
by Jack Bowers
Once the opening number is discounted as an anomaly, Llegue (pronounced yeh-geh) is a generally pleasing debut recording by the New Jersey-based Reddish Fetish octet, led by drummer Jason Reddish and featuring the Jersey City All-Stars. Reddish Fetish is the fresh incarnation of a group established in the late 1960s by the leader's father, saxophonist Bill ...
Sly Stone, Tessa Souter, Cedar Walton
by David Brown
This week we remember progressive soul and funk pioneer Sly Stone of Sly and the Family Stone with two interpretations of his classic tunes: “Family Affair" from Bobby Hutcherson and “If You Want Me to Stay" from David Murray. Songs featuring some wonderful “oohs" and “aahs" in the background will be follow from Nina Simone and ...
Dave Burrell / Sam Woodyard: The Lost Session, Paris 1979
by Mark Corroto
Listeners would be hard-pressed to name another artist besides Dave Burrell who commands such mastery across jazz's entire timeline, from its ragtime origins to its most adventurous avant-garde territories. The pianist, born in 1940, brings equal authenticity to Jelly Roll Morton's classic compositions and completely free improvisation. His discography spans the works of Thelonious Monk, Billy ...
Omar Thomas, Mark Masters, Billy Strayhorn
by David Brown
This week showcases large band music from composer/arrangers Omar Thomas, Gerry Mulligan and Maria Schneider. Bandleader Mark Masters is next with a pair of new albums. With Sam Rivers 100, Masters honors the centenary of the avant-garde jazz pioneer, while on Dance, Eternal Spirits, Dance! Masters explores the music of spiritual jazz legend Billy Harper. Bird ...
Duke Ellington's Concert of Sacred Music
by Chuck Lenatti
In 1964, Dean D.J. Bartlett and the Reverend John S. Yaryan invited Duke Ellington and his orchestra to present a concert to consecrate the renovated Grace Cathedral on Nob Hill in San Francisco during a year-long festival of Grace. At first, Duke demurred. In his autobiography, Music Is My Mistress (Da Capo, 1976), Ellington ...
Gerry Mulligan: Nocturne
by Jack Kenny
This album might go a small way to setting a record straight. Gerry Mulligan has often been underrated. Despite the critical acclaim and historical significance later attributed to Miles Davis for his groundbreaking work on the Birth of the Cool sessions, a closer examination of the repertoire reveals the profound influence of Mulligan's writing. It was ...
