Results for "JazzWax by Marc Myers"

Interview: David Crosby

June 7, 2013

A month ago, I spent nearly two hours with David Crosby in New York at the duplex of his friend. The apartment was on a perilously high floor of the Time Warner condo apartments in New York and had a majestic view of Central Park. David was in town to appear with bandmates Stephen Stills and ...

Bud Powell: The RCA Sessions

June 6, 2013

In the fall of 1956, pianist Bud Powell was an emotional mess. His brother, pianist Richie Powell, had died in June in the same car crash that killed his wife Nancy (and the car's driver) and trumpeter Clifford Brown. Bud Powell was also suffering from schizophrenia and was on powerful meds following his release from a ...

Gil Evans: Jamaica Jazz

June 4, 2013

One of the least-known Gil Evans albums and among his most interesting is Jamaica Jazz. Produced by Creed Taylor when he was at ABC Paramount, Jamaica Jazz was recorded in November and December 1957—between Evans' Gil Evans and Ten (Prestige) and New Bottle, Old Wine (World Pacific). Evans wrote the arrangements for The Don Elliott Octet, ...

JazzDoc: Miles Davis

June 4, 2013

Mulgrew Miller (1955-2013)

May 30, 2013

Shirley Scott + Kenny Burrell

May 29, 2013

In February 1964—smack in the middle of two recording sessions with then husband and tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine—organist Shirley Scott recorded with guitarist Kenny Burrell. She had just wrapped Hustlin' with Turrentine at the end of January and would be back in the studio for Blue Flames at the end of March. Backing Scott and Burrell ...

Jutta Hipp: The Inside Story

May 28, 2013

Last week I posted on German pianist Jutta Hipp, who recorded in the 1950s before disappearing from the jazz scene. I also mentioned that Katja von Schuttenbach—a jazz historian and journalist —had researched and written about Hipp. I sent Katja a handful of questions and she kindly responded. Here's our e-conversation: JazzWax: Jutta Hipp seems like ...

Frank Sinatra in Brooklyn

May 27, 2013

In 1947, Frank Sinatra was a major pop and film star. His years with trombonist Tommy Dorsey's orchestra from January 1940 to the summer of 1942 had established him as Bing Crosby's rival—particularly with younger music fans who identified with Sinatra's casual, natural singing style. Soon after leaving Dorsey, Sinatra signed with Columbia Records in January ...

Tony Bennett, "Proud Mary" + WWII

May 24, 2013

In today's Wall Street Journal, I have three articles that I know will knock you out. First, I speak with Tony Bennett for the Arena section about his CD Bennett & Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962 (Sony Legacy). Tony and I spoke about what it was like to sing with Dave (the first time ...

Mitchell and Ruff: Brazilian Trip

May 23, 2013

I'm not sure why the jazz duo of Dwike Mitchell and Willie Ruff weren't better known in the '50s and '60s, when they did most of their recording—or why they still aren't household names. Part of the reason, I suppose, is that the delicate combination of Mitchell (piano) and Ruff (French horn and bass) wasn't exactly ...