Tadd Dameron ~ 50th anniversary

[Jazzrook]

The overlooked composer/arranger/pianist Tadd Dameron died 50 years ago on March 8, 1965.
It would be fascinating to hear a contemporary band tackle some of his memorable compositions such as 'Good Bait', 'Our Delight', 'Hot House', 'Lady Bird', 'If You Could See Me Now', 'The Squirrel', 'Fontainebleau', 'Delirium', 'Mating Call', 'On A Misty Night', 'Soultrane', 'The Scene Is Clean', 'Cool Breeze', 'Dial B For Beauty' and 'Stop, Look & Listen'. Did I miss any?

Here's 'Delirium' from his hard-to-find 1956 octet album 'Fontainebleau' featuring the underrated tenorist Joe Alexander.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-xOpaRKNEg

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

not around here jazzrook; Ian in particular has been singing his praises on da boreds for some years now ...

Italy

Dameron has been the subject of many tributes since his death:
In the 1980s, Philly Joe Jones, drummer for the Miles Davis Quintet, and trumpeter Don Sickler founded Dameronia, a tribute band to Dameron.
Continuum: Mad About Tadd: The Music of Tadd Dameron is an album released in 1982 by a group consisting of Slide Hampton, Jimmy Heath, Ron Carter, Art Taylor, Kenny Barron. The LP has since been reissued on CD.
In 1975, jazz pianist Barry Harris recorded Barry Harris Plays Tadd Dameron for Xanadu Records.
In 2007, pianist Richard "Tardo" Hammer recorded Look Stop and Listen: The Music of Tadd Dameron for Sharp Nine Records.

but the 50th anniversary of his passing is well worth remembering thank you for reminding us jazzrook

[Rcartes]

The overlooked composer/arranger/pianist Tadd Dameron died 50 years ago on March 8, 1965.
It would be fascinating to hear a contemporary band tackle some of his memorable compositions such as 'Good Bait', 'Our Delight', 'Hot House', 'Lady Bird', 'If You Could See Me Now', 'The Squirrel', 'Fontainebleau', 'Delirium', 'Mating Call', 'On A Misty Night', 'Soultrane', 'The Scene Is Clean', 'Cool Breeze', 'Dial B For Beauty' and 'Stop, Look & Listen'. Did I miss any?

Here's 'Delirium' from his hard-to-find 1956 octet album 'Fontainebleau' featuring the underrated tenorist Joe Alexander.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-xOpaRKNEg

Thanks for the reminder, Jazzrook! Only thing I'd disagree with is the hint that his piano playing is overlooked: personally, I thought his piano playing was extraordinarily poor. But his composing and arranging were top notch, definitely.

[Ian Thumwood]

I'd agree with Mr Cartes that Dameron's skill rests with writing and arranging. When I rehearse with my friends, this is one Dameron tune we usually play but it is surprising to hear the speed of the original which flags a bit. I imagined that this should have been more up-tempo - it sounds better when played a little brisker. Good to hear the great Kenny Dorham this track:-

[burning dog]

I'd agree with Mr Cartes that Dameron's skill rests with writing and arranging. When I rehearse with my friends, this is one Dameron tune we usually play but it is surprising to hear the speed of the original which flags a bit. I imagined that this should have been more up-tempo - it sounds better when played a little brisker. Good to hear the great Kenny Dorham this track:-

I agree Ian

Its needs to be more like this other Dameron tune

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i968synbKxU

[Ian Thumwood]

BD

I've been playing that record in my car all week. There are some great moments on that record but I think it is a bit uneven. Some tracks sound more like 1942 than 1962 when the record was recorded. The track "Fonatianebleau" is probably the best example of this whereas the same approach works much better on "Dial b for beauty." The best tracks are "on a misty night" (one of TD's best themes, even if it is a contra-fact based on "A foggy day") , "Our delight" and "Bevan's birthday." The vocals by Barbara Winfield as pretty disposable and the drum feature for Philly Joe "Look, stop & listen" is a bit rugged. Benny Goodman commissioned the final arrangement of "Swift as the wind" for his Russian tour and his orchestra's version is actually much better. The album is also pretty short and the fact that there are three alternative takes doesn't work in the disc's favour.

It took me ages to find this record and I only managed to snap up a copy once the internet came in to being. As a teenager, I'd heard the opening "On a misty night" and was blown away but I only ever heard that track until I snapped up the record. I can remember an article in "Wire" many years ago where Dameron was quoted top have been disappointed with his recorded output and that none of the records he had made matched his expectations.

I also like this tune:-

[burning dog]

BD

I've been playing that record in my car all week. There are some great moments on that record but I think it is a bit uneven. Some tracks sound more like 1942 than 1962 when the record was recorded.
I also like this tune:-

I agree the playing on Our Delight is a bit "safe", there's a better version with Gillespie (which was in the 40s)

PS It was on one of the first Jazz records I ever owned as opposed to being one of my parents

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

[BLUESNIK'S REVOX]

I agree the playing on Our Delight is a bit "safe", there's a better version with Gillespie (which was in the 40s)

PS It was on one of the first Jazz records I ever owned as opposed to being one of my parents

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

There's a v. good interview with Tadd Dameron and Benny Golson from 1952 on Utube with Harry Frost. Good background.

BN.

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

There's a v. good interview with Tadd Dameron and Benny Golson from 1952 on Utube with Harry Frost. Good background.

BN.

would that be this El Senor Blues?

[BLUESNIK'S REVOX]

would that be this El Senor Blues?

Think so. Its where he talks about plans to record for Atlantic with a trumpet player called "Brownie" who is "now playing with Chris Powell and sounds a lot like Fats (N) but smoother". Articulate guy.

BN.

[clive heath]

Following the mentions in #5 and #6 I have put "The Magic Touch" by the Tadd Dameron Orchestra on my site sourced from a Riverside LP ( Jap. import £8.50 from Mole Jazz) RLP 9419. Any idea which river is alongside?

http://www.cliveheathmusic.co.uk/vinyl2.php

It includes two tenor sax players doubling on flutes and Julius Watkins, french horn, most memorably on "Our Delight", Bill Evans, Clark Terry, Johnny Griffin and ( a tad over-emphasised in the mix ) Philly Joe Jones among others.

You can also hear Julius and two other tenors doubling flutes on Clark Terry's "Color Changes" which is complete on

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_O9kZiTIBhI&list=PLp2dpqr8nszRovDqc9UBeCVsdkUXqGs_9

On "Flutin' and Fluglin'" you get the two flutes and Clark's two horn trick, muted trumpet and open flugelhorn alternately. The sleevenote refers to " Clark, standing like Paladin with a horn in each hand.." which is a puzzle to me.

Recording the Dameron reminded me of an early exposure to West Coast Jazz including a french horn which ( thanks my Allmusic Jazz Guide book) turns out to be John Graas and the LP was "Coup de Graas". One track from it, there are others, is here

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

..it may be that the presence of Art Pepper on this led me to buy "Smack Up" which was one of the very first Jazz LPs I ever bought. This is very relaxed Jazz where the smoothness conceals the very great technical and musical skill of the players.. and not a world away from the Clark Terry album.

[BLUESNIK'S REVOX]

Following the mentions in #5 and #6 I have put "The Magic Touch" by the Tadd Dameron Orchestra on my site sourced from a Riverside LP ( Jap. import £8.50 from Mole Jazz) RLP 9419. Any idea which river is alongside?

http://www.cliveheathmusic.co.uk/vinyl2.php

It includes two tenor sax players doubling on flutes and Julius Watkins, french horn, most memorably on "Our Delight", Bill Evans, Clark Terry, Johnny Griffin and ( a tad over-emphasised in the mix ) Philly Joe Jones among others.

You can also hear Julius and two other tenors doubling flutes on Clark Terry's "Color Changes" which is complete on

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_O9kZiTIBhI&list=PLp2dpqr8nszRovDqc9UBeCVsdkUXqGs_9

On "Flutin' and Fluglin'" you get the two flutes and Clark's two horn trick, muted trumpet and open flugelhorn alternately. The sleevenote refers to " Clark, standing like Paladin with a horn in each hand.." which is a puzzle to me.

Recording the Dameron reminded me of an early exposure to West Coast Jazz including a french horn which ( thanks my Allmusic Jazz Guide book) turns out to be John Graas and the LP was "Coup de Graas". One track from it, there are others, is here

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

..it may be that the presence of Art Pepper on this led me to buy "Smack Up" which was one of the very first Jazz LPs I ever bought. This is very relaxed Jazz where the smoothness conceals the very great technical and musical skill of the players.. and not a world away from the Clark Terry album.

Frank Butler was a superb drummer, a kind of a W. coast Philly Joe. And "Smack Up" must have been one of the first albums to pick up on Ornette ("Tears Inside"). Hugely enjoyable session.

[clive heath]

There's a kind of unintended misdirection in my post, "Smack Up" is definitely not in the category of West Coast smooth jazz, the comment was referring to the Graas album.

[BLUESNIK'S REVOX]

There's a kind of unintended misdirection in my post, "Smack Up" is definitely not in the category of West Coast smooth jazz, the comment was referring to the Graas album.

Agree with that but its interesting that Pete Jolly, a "classic" West Coast pianist some would say, plays so well in that tougher context.

Pete Jolly was once flown to England for a recording of ' This is your life" by someone who totally confused him with another LA pianist of the period (Previn?). I think he enjoyed the trip.

(Not many know that)

BN.

[Serial_Apologist]

Agree with that but its interesting that Pete Jolly, a "classic" West Coast pianist some would say, plays so well in that tougher context.

Pete Jolly was once flown to England for a recording of ' This is your life" by someone who totally confused him with another LA pianist of the period (Previn?). I think he enjoyed the trip.

(Not many know that)

BN.

There's Jolly and there are... jollies?