Elvira ´´Vi´´ Redd
(English / EspaĂąol)
Although she performed with such jazz greats as Count Basie, Max Roach, Dizzy Gillespie, and Earl Hines, Vi Redd is rarely discussed in jazz history books except for those focusing specifically on female jazz musicians. The summer of 1968 she made a guest appearance with the Dizzy Gillespie Quintet at the Newport Jazz Festival. At one point Dizzy introduced her as "a young lady who has been enjoyed many times before..." Later while she warmed up with pianist Mike Longo, Dizzy interjected, "That's close enough to jazz," convulsing the audience once again. But despite all the male chauvinism she endured, Vi Redd fluffed it off and played a fine, Bird-inspired solo on "Lover Man."
Vi collaborated successfully with Count Basie and his orchestra in 1968. One of the songs, "Stormy Monday Blues" brought together her strengths both as a vocalist and as an instrumentalist. The orchestra gave her plenty of space to play with soulful singing and the effervescent chord progressions that made her music so pleasing. Her dedication to and mastery of jazz music has paved the way for many other talented women instrumentalists.
Vi Redd: Sept 20, 1928 - Feb 6, 2022
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Aunque tocĂł con grandes del jazz como Count Basie, Max Roach, Dizzy Gillespie y Earl Hines, rara vez se habla de Vi Redd en los libros de historia del jazz, salvo en los que se centran especĂficamente en las mujeres mĂşsicas de jazz. En el verano de 1968 actuĂł como invitada con el quinteto de Dizzy Gillespie en el Festival de Jazz de Newport. En un momento dado, Dizzy la presentĂł como "una joven que ya ha disfrutado muchas vecesâŚ". MĂĄs tarde, mientras calentaba con el pianista Mike Longo, Dizzy espetĂł: "Eso se parece bastante al jazz", convulsionando al pĂşblico una vez mĂĄs. Pero a pesar de todo el machismo que soportĂł, Vi Redd se soltĂł y tocĂł un precioso solo inspirado en Bird en 'Lover Man'.
Vi colaborĂł con ĂŠxito con Count Basie y su orquesta en 1968. Una de las canciones, "Stormy Monday Blues", reunĂa sus puntos fuertes como vocalista e instrumentista. La orquesta le dio mucho espacio para jugar con su canto conmovedor y las efervescentes progresiones de acordes que hacen tan agradable su mĂşsica. Su dedicaciĂłn y dominio de la mĂşsica de jazz han allanado el camino a muchas otras instrumentistas de talento.
Vi Redd: Sept 20, 1928 - Feb 6, 2022
Source: jazzcorner.com
