Hugh Masekela – Father of South African Jazz Hugh Masekela this weekend – recorded in New York, circa 1969 (according to the Hugh Masekela Preservation Project, where this recording comes from). It was Hugh Masekela who pretty much kicked off the interest in South African Jazz. There were hints of
Diving into some Big Band this weekend, compliments of Woody Herman and His first Herd, recorded by CBS Radio at the College Inn from the Hotel Sherman in Chicago on March 27, 1947. Woody Herman (May 16, 1913 – October 29, 1987) was an American jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, singer, and big band leader. Leading groups called
Jack DeJohnette – A one man revolution. The late and profoundly missed Jack DeJohnette this weekend. A concert from Lyon, France recorded on June 14, 1979 and featuring his New Directions confreres Lester Bowie on trumpet, Eddie Gomez on bass and John Abercrombie on guitar. To say Jack DeJohnette revolutionized
Bill Evans – sublime impressionist Bill Evans Trio this week – recorded at the BBC – March 19, 1965 for the Jazz 625 Program. Bill Evans for this holiday weekend. Putting the Sunday after Thanksgiving in a mellow and serene place with this session, part of the BBC’s Jazz 625
Modern Jazz Quartet with Laurindo Almeida – a gathering of the highest kind. The Modern Jazz Quartet with Laurindo Almeida at the BBC in 1964. This one has been around for years and anyone who is an MJQ or Almeida fan has at least one copy in their library. But
Gary Burton Quartet – Live In Utrecht – Dec. 30, 1976 – Gordon Skene Sound Collection – Gary Burton Quartet this weekend. Trying to inject some calm (or at least sanity) into the weekend, adding a generous dollop of mellow and simmering with a side of serene. Forgive the food
Allison (L), Cardenas (C), Nash (R) – The Swingin’ Summit. Ben Allison, Steve Cardenas and the legendary Ted Nash putting it all together at the Piedmont Piano Company in Oakland on March 29, 2024. From The Litchfield Jazz Festival 2025 notes: With over 25 years of creative collaboration, bassist Ben
Message from Hawk. The immortal Coleman Hawkins for this first Sunday in November (and back to Standard time to boot) – recorded in Stockholm by Sveriges Radio on May 20, 1958. One of the first prominent jazz musicians on his instrument, as Joachim E. Berendt explained: “There were some tenor players before
Carla Bley Trio for this Sunday – recorded at the Grenzenlos Festival in Muranu, Germany on October 12, 2013 and broadcast by RBB Berlin. I haven’t run across a Carla Bley concert that wasn’t, at the very least, loaded with whimsy and profound joy. Anybody who ever said Jazz was
John Abercrombie and Miroslav Vitous in concert this week – recorded at Sala dei Congressi Mulato by RTS-Zurich – April 27, 2006 Between 1984 and 1990, John Abercrombie experimented with a guitar synthesizer. He first used the instrument, though not exclusively, in 1984 in a trio with Marc Johnson on bass and Peter Erskine on
