Monthly Archives: December 2009

Today in Jazz

Trumpeter Jonah Jones born 1909 in Louisville, KY.  Jones made a comeback to “core” Jazz when he recorded with Earl Hines in 1972.  Hines made his first recordings on Richmond, Indiana’s Gennett Records. Tweet

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Today in Jazz

Pianist/arranger Jimmy Jones born 1918 in Memphis, TN.  Jimmy Jones was the arranger for Indianapolis native Wes Montgomery‘s album, Fusion! Wes Montgomery with Strings.(Riverside Recordings)  This was the first Montgomery album to feature strings, although it would be a regular … Continue reading

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Today in Jazz

Pianist Art Tatum records Without A Song, 1953.  Sonny Rollins recorded his version of the song on his 1961 album, The Bridge.  He was first recorded in 1949 with Babs Gonzales – in the same year he recorded with Indianapolis … Continue reading

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If Memory Serves

This ad has caught my attention for it’s use of the Sara Vaughan track, Fever, although I don’t know who covered it for this particular commercial.   I like the way the instruments were stacked to show available space and … Continue reading

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Today in Jazz

Pianist Earl Hines was born in 1903 in Dusquesne, PA.  Hines’ first recordings were with this band — four sides recorded with Richmond, Indiana’s Gennett Records in 1923, with only two of the songs released. Tweet

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Auto-Tune Your Vinyl

Technology can be a wonderful thing, used to enhance and compensate for short comings, even becoming a welcomed addition in some circumstances.  I would put money down that the software, Auto-Tune, was developed with just that in mind.  There was … Continue reading

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Today in Jazz

The first Spirituals To Swing concert is held at Carnegie Hall, 1938.  Trumpeter Buck Clayton was a member of the influential night and later recorded Jazz Spectacular with Indianapolis native JJ Johnson.  A little-known fact that this show, the first … Continue reading

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Today in Jazz

On this date in 1947, Stan Kenton recorded the song Interlude.  Indianapolis resident and Jazz legend Claude Sifferlen played with Stan Kenton in his orchestra and in 1971 took over the piano chair during a tour while Kenton was ill. … Continue reading

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Today in Jazz

Composer/conductor/cellist/trombonist David Baker born today in 1931 and Buselli Wallarab Jazz Orchestra co-leader Brent Wallarab was born in 1963. Tweet

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Today in Jazz

Harold Land 1928 in Houston, TX.  Land played with Indianapolis native Wes Montgomery. Tweet

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Today in Jazz

Pianist Bud Powell records A Portrait of Thelonious with drummer Kenny Clarke, 1961.  Powell recorded tracks 1-4, on June 26, 1946, of Indianapolis native JJ Johnson’s album, JJ Johnson’s Jazz Quintet (Savoy Records 1946). Tweet

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Today in Jazz

Saxophonist Joe Farrell born 1937 in Chicago Heights, IL.    He recorded and album,  Sonic Text Contemporary, Original Jazz Classics, Fantasy 1993,  with Indianapolis native  Freddie Hubbard, George Cables, Tony Dumas and  Peter Erskine. Tweet

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Today in Jazz

Drummer Dannie Richmond was born on this date in 1935.  Richmond was the drummer for Charles Mingus (for 21 years) and then became the first musical director of the group Mingus Dynasty in 1980.  Alumni of this group include 2009 … Continue reading

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Today in Jazz

Cecil Payne was born today in 1922 in Brooklyn, NY.  Payne began his professional recording career with Indianapolis native,  J. J. Johnson, recording Jazz Quintets (Savoy, 1947-49) Tweet

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Today in Jazz

Tenor saxophonist Coleman Hawkins records Angel Face with pianist Hank Jones, 1947.  Indianapolis native JJ Johnson alond with Fats Navarro did recordings session in 1946 as part of Hawkins essential small group of the 1940′s. Tweet

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