Results for "J.J. Shakur"

J.J. Shakur

Hassan A. Shakur (J.J. Wiggins), son of pianist Gerald Wiggins, Sr., was born April 15, 1956 in Los Angeles, California. He learned to play bass at age four (standing on a chair) and with his father as a guide, developed a high sensitivity and wide range of expression in jazz. At age twelve (12) he became the bassist for the Craig Hundley Trio, appearing on television shows such as the Today show, Johnny Carson, Jonathan Winters, Ted Mack Amateur Hour and the Della Reese show. The Trio also recorded an album for World Pacific Records. At age eighteen (18), Hassan joined the Duke Ellington Orchestra under the direction of Mercer Ellington

Six on Cellar Live

by C. Michael Bailey
March 19, 2018

Cory Weeds' record label Cellar Live has become a welcome home to straight-ahead mainstream jazz in the same way that Arbors Records has been the beacon for traditional jazz and swing. Think Norman Granz's Pablo label tele-transported deep into the 21st Century. Six recent releases illuminate Cellar Live's importance to jazz as a whole and to ...

The Scott Hamilton Trio: Live at Pyatt Hall

by Jack Bowers
January 23, 2018

Even though the Swing Era vanished long ago into the mists of time, likely never to return, it continues to have its champions, especially on the tenor saxophone: masters such as Harry Allen, Ken Peplowski, Grant Stewart, Cory Weeds (who owns the Cellar Live label and produced this splendid album) and last but by no means ...