Jazz etc

A nice little look into how John Coltrane’s theory of Jazz included elements of both the spiritual (something which is well documented), and to a lesser known extent the mathematical.

If you haven’t had a moment to listen to the new Thundercat, get ready for more of those characteristically morphing basslines, always shifting about under spacey Flylo tinged RnB beats.

A young Donald Byrd’s lyrical trumpet style puts a new a spin on the melody, as well as providing a classic bop solo for transcription by jazz newcomers and veterans alike.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZ19CZfLwm0

With the experienced Dexter Gordon on tenor sax, and a budding Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, debut Jazz albums rarely come out as polished and confident as this.

She was an icon from the Star Wars franchise who stood out particularly in the hearts of fans. This was in no small part due Carrie Fisher’s personal engagement with the role, the friendship with co-stars and blurring of her on and off-screen relations with Harrison Ford providing scenes with a touch of genuineness it’s implausible that any other actress could have achieved.

Sketches of Spain (1960) was a crucial installment in the Miles Davis-Gil Evans series, which began with 1949′s seminal cool-Jazz LP, Birth of the Cool. As an early piece of european classical-Jazz fusion, it has been widely lauded as the among the most groundbreaking results of their collaboration. With Miles at his most expressive (just after the recording of Kind of Blue) and Evans providing his ever tasteful, brooding band arrangements in support, it’s 50s NYC’s contemplative take on age-old spanish folk melodies and polyrhythms.

I think this version of Jobim’s classic was recorded in 1969, appearing on various Peterson ‘best of’ and compilation albums, as well as on "The Antonio Carlos Jobim Songbook" on the Verve label.

Clifford Brown died aged just 25, one year after this photo was taken, but despite this he was immensely influential on countless trumpet players and jazz musicians in subsequent years. In particular, his mark on 1950s ‘Hard-Bop’ Jazz was essential in the development of the likes of trumpeters Lee Morgan and Freddie Hubbard. Presumably pictured above during recording, his collaborative album with Sarah Vaughan: Sarah Vaughan with Clifford Brown has been considered among the most important ‘Jazz with Vocals’ albums ever released. Indeed Sarah Vaughan herself held it as the most accomplished of her own works. Despite his tragically shortened career, Brown was leader on over 20 studio albums, such as classics Clifford Brown with strings and Clifford Brown and Max Roach, whilst being sideman on numerous others. Because of this, his music and legacy are celebrated every year at the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival in his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware.

Mournful early 50s vibes for the beginning of autumn.

A beautiful 3 minutes of acoustic guitar and flute for a lazy sunday.

Aretha Franklin at the piano, c. early 1960s

Always fascinating to see how in 50s New York you could regularly catch different combinations of legends playing with one another.

If you don’t know about this still relatively young, multi award-winning trumpeter and his band then have a listen. Combining technical and creative playing with flawless tone comes naturally to him, as well as always playing sensitively to and leaving space for other musicians featuring on a track. With his super talented band in tow, Akinmusire’s music, such as this tune off his 2008 debut, is up there with the best in Jazz right now.

Doug Watkins (percussion)