Historic jazz musicians and brothers Jimmy, 84, and Albert "Tootie" Heath, 75, stress the importance of performing in their craft — that as a performance art, jazz is about connecting through music. With The Heath Brothers Quartet, Jimmy and Tootie performed in Rosse Hall on Friday, April 22. They connected with the audience and imbued the sizable crowd with a feeling of intimacy. Playing everything from jazz interpretations of western classical music to standards like "Autumn Leaves" — Jimmy's version is titled "Autumn Sleeves" — and original compositions, the quartet dazzled the crowd with virtuosic talent and inviting humility. Read complete story from kenyoncollegian.com.
Irascible, demanding, bullying, and probably a genius, Charles Mingus cut himself a uniquely iconoclastic path through jazz in the middle of the 20th century, creating a legacy that became universally lauded only after he was no longer around to bug people. As a bassist, he knew few peers, blessed with a powerful tone and pulsating sense of rhythm, capable of elevating the instrument into the front line of a band. But had he been just a string player, few would know his name today. Rather, he was the greatest bass-playing leader/composer jazz has ever known, one who always kept his ears and fingers on the pulse, spirit, spontaneity, and ferocious expressive power of jazz. Read complete bio from allmusic.com.
When it came to nurturing and mentoring promising young jazz trumpeters, Miles Davis was fairly picky. In fact, he did it just once. For several years, Davis took the massively talented Wallace Roney under his wing, providing not just musical tutelage but also insights into the creative process and Life Itself.
Having established that, don't expect, when Roney brings his quartet to the Garde's Oasis Room tonight, note-for-note recitations of "Bitches Brew" or "The Jack Johnson Sessions." Though the event is billed as a Tribute to Miles, that's a more conceptual than literal concept. "Every time I pick up a trumpet and play, it's a tribute to Miles. Read complete story from theday.com.
CLIFFORD JORDAN was born in Chicago in 1931. A self-taught musician, his love of jazz had him performing in his home town until the late 1950's, when he moved to New York. His first album was appropriately titled "Blowing in from Chicago," and Horace Silver and Art Blakey. In the 60's, his range broadened, as he played with Charles Mingus, Max Roach, Kenny Dorham, Lloyd Price, and James Brown. He toured Europe as a soloist and conducted his own music for radio and studio orchestras in 1966. A year later, he was toured West Africa and the Middle East for the U.S. State Department with Randy Weston. 1968 saw Cliff forming Frontier Records, through which he produced albums for Wilbur Ware, Pharoah Sanders, Cecil Payne, Charles Brackeen, Ed Blackwell and their groups. Read complete bio from cliffordjordan.com.
One of Rochester's favorite musicians, jazz violinist Billy Bang, has died at the age of 63. Over the past decade Bang appeared many times in Rochester, including a collaboration with Garth Fagan Dance.
A favorite at the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival, Bang was scheduled to play on the first day of the 2011 festival (running June 10-18). It would have been his fourth festival appearance. "Billy was extremely well liked in Rochester and had an exceptionally loyal following," says John Nugent, festival producer. "We were so looking forward to welcoming him back to the festival. His unique artistry and talent will be missed by us and the jazz world." Read complete story from rochestercitynewspaper.com.
Billy "Bang" Walker (1947), was a pupil of Leroy Jenkins who developed his personal style at the violin by imitating Eric Dolphy's style at the reeds (just like Stuff Smith developed his style at the violin by imitating Louis Armstrong's style at the cornet), formed the Survival Ensemble with two saxophonist (who also played all sorts of percussion), bassist William Parker and two percussionists. Their New York Collage (may 1978), containing lengthy jams such as Nobody Hear the Music the Same Way and For Josie Part II, was inspired by both the Art Ensemble Of Chicago and John Coltrane. Read complete bio from scaruffi.com.
Also check out www.jazzstage.net
"Cool Blues" might just be the quintessential Blue Note album - the best ever if you will. Look at that line-up. Two of the greatest names in music - Jimmy Smith and Art Blakey, paired up with the hugely underrated talent of Tina Brooks on tenor, and Lou Donaldson when he was still worth a listen. Eddie McFadden, a regular name on Jimmy Smith recordings of this era, is present also and rounds out the band for this exciting live set. Click here for complete package.
Throughout his distinguished career, trumpet (and sometimes flugelhorn) player Hubbard has worn many musical hats. He became best known as a fiery and energetic hard bopper with a string of classic Blue Note albums from the 60s to his name, as well as being a graduate of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. Once the word was out that there was a new kid on the block, his muscular style found its way onto an amazing amount of albums, from Oliver Nelson (Blues And The Abstract Truth) and Herbie Hancock (Maiden Voyage) to John Coltrane (Ascension) and Ornette Coleman (Free Jazz).Read complete view from www.bbc.co.uk.
Personnel: Freddie Hubbard (trumpet, flugelhorn); Joe Henderson (saxophone); Herbie Hancock (piano); George Benson (guitar); Ron Carter (bass); Jack DeJohnette (drums); Weldon Irvine (tambourine); Richie Landrum (percussion).
For more than forty years, drummer Louis Hayes has been a catalyst for energetic, unrelenting swing in his self led bands, as well as in those whose respective leaders reads like an encyclopedia of straight ahead post-bop modern jazz. Hayes himself an authentic architect of post-bop swing, began his professional activities at the tender age of 18. He started with tenor saxophonist, flautist and oboist Yusef Lateef who like Hayes is a Detroit native (other jazz luminaries hailing from the "motor city" include the Jones brothers, Elvin, Hank and Thad, guitarist Kenny Burrell, pianist Tommy Flanagan and many others). Read complete story from drummerworld.com.
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