Results for "JazzWax by Marc Myers"

Al Cohn and Dexter Gordon

September 14, 2016

Tenor saxophone giants Al Cohn and Dexter Gordon recorded together only once—on Oct. 22, 1976, for the Xanadu label. The result of the lengthy New York session were two albums—True Blue and Silver Blue. Cohn was recording regularly for Xanadu at the time and Gordon had only recently relocated to the States after spending 14 years ...

Leslie Johnakins: Latin Bari

September 12, 2016

One of the finest big-band baritone saxophonists of the 1940s and '50s was someone you may not be familiar with: Leslie Johnakins. As trumpeter Doc Cheatham said in 1976 in a quote that kicks off the chapter on Johnakins in David Griffiths' book, Hot Jazz: From Harlem to Storyville: “Leslie Johnakins has always been the greatest ...

Bill Jennings and Leo Parker

September 9, 2016

In the early 1950s, before modern jazz giants emerged with the rise of the 12-inch LP and the prestigious signing of Miles Davis to Columbia Records, R&B was all the rage. Independent radio saw to that, since many small stations in African-American communities played R&B records. They attracted larger listening audiences than jazz singles. Back then, ...

Tito Rodriguez: Mambo Madness

September 9, 2016

From 1974 to the early 1980s, disco ruled the clubs. But in the late 1940s and 1950s, the dance that was significantly more pervasive and influential was the mambo. From the start, the mambo's popularity was based on the imagery the music stirred up. The mambo was the music of elite Havana vacations and exotic drinks ...

Mosaic: Lester Young, Again

September 6, 2016

Back in 2009, Mosaic Records issued Classic Columbia, Okeh and Vocalion Lester Young With Count Basie (1936-1940) , a 4-CD boxed set covering four years. When the limited number of boxes pressed sold out, the Young cupboard was bare. Time passed, and now Mosaic has issued a much deeper and broader set of Young: Classic 1936-1947 ...

Video: Oscar Peterson

September 5, 2016

Maria Crueza: Ballad Feeling

September 2, 2016

One more day of great female singers from Brazil. Since it's Friday, a visit with one of my favorites—Maria Creuza. Here she's singing Eu Sei Que Vou Te Amar...   Here's Creuza in 1978 singing Voce Abuso... And so you know why I love Maria Creuza's voice so much, I'm throwing in one of my favorite ...

Gal Costa: Soul of Brazil

September 1, 2016

Roberto Menescal and Wanda Sa

August 31, 2016

It's still hot in New York, though slightly cooler weather is promised for the weekend. In these last days of summer, let's stick with Brazil. How about legendary bossa nova guitarist Roberto Menescal and vocalist Wanda Sa? Here they are performing Roberto's O Barquinho...   Here they are performing Roberto's Telefone...   And here they are ...

Video Clips: Eumir Deodato

August 30, 2016

Sometime around 3 p.m. yesterday afternoon, I had a craving for Eumir Deodato, the Brazilian composer-producer and jazz-fusion electric pianist. I have no idea why. Maybe it's the heat or that the light is fading earlier in the day and transitioning to early autumn. Or maybe I just wanted to hear a Fender Rhodes. It happens. ...