What Jazz are you listening to now?

[Bryn]

One of the great recordings of improvised music is IMO Derek Bailey and Dave Holland's Improvisations for cello and guitar, which ECM brought out in 1973.

Is that the one with just 3 tracks, Improvised Pieces III, IV, and V, recorded in 1971? If so, there is a Hi-Res download available from QOBUZ.

[Ian Thumwood]

It amazes me just how many old ECM albums there are of which I was totally unaware. Quite intrigued as to how many seem to have never made it to CD. I find it quite noticeable that they seemed to be far more radical in their initial incarnation and the musical projects seemed to be pretty adventurous. I think ECM is maredly different these days from the kind of music they released in the first half of the 1970s when Eicher was content to flirt with music which would have had a limited market appeal other than to the truly dedicated.

Picking up on the earlier comment about listening to old editions of Jazz on 3, I picked up a copy of "Jazzwise " when coming back from the Stonehenge exhibition in the British Museum on Saturday, It must be the first time I have read this since stopping my subscription around 2005 - largely as a comsequence of reading too much about George W Bush in Stuart Nicholson's column as opposed to about music. It did strike me just how few of the names mentioned were totally unfamiliar to me and the best articles were Peter Vacher's about NO clarinetist Joe Darensbourg and Selwyn Harris' review of a film about pianist Joe Albany. As opposed to the magazine as a whole, it still seems obsessed by the new and shiny young jazz musicians and a desire to pick up on current trends, most of which have no interest to me whatsoever. Curious to read that the once vaunted EST getting panned as old fashioned. The magazine seemed to underscore my perception that it is better to make your own explorations in to what the most interesting jazz currently is as opposed to what is fashionable. The interviews with the musicians these days seem to be little more fascinating than footballers. It did make me wonder as to what market this magazine was aimed. Makes you feel old when Norah Jones crops in the vintage review section!

[Joseph K]

At the gig last night I bought the two remaining absent albums by Ant Law and throughout today I have been playing Zero Sum World.

... now the other one I bought - Life I Know.

[Stanfordian]

‘Song for My Father’ - Horace Silver Quintet
Horace Silver with Carmell Jones, Joe Henderson, Teddy Smith, Roger Humphries +
Blue Mitchell, Junior Cook, Gene Taylor, Roy Brooks + Gene Taylor, Roy Brooks
Blue Note (1963/64)

[BLUESNIK'S REVOX]

Only discovered this this morning playing on a US jazz station.
Shelly Manne Quintet, "Jazz Gunn" 1967 Atlantic. Shelly cut two (I think) albums of Henry Mancini's music for the TV series of "Peter Gunn". Fine late 50s with Herb Geller. This one however is far more aggressive and has Frank Strozier on alto. It's music from a full film version of Gunn, which I've got and it's not particularly memorable. This however is. Not sure how many people could indentify the band, or name Shelly blindfold. And it's all as good...

This is "A Blue Bash".

http://youtu.be/ikAL1p_F4Gw

[burning dog]

Not many mainstream-modern jazz albums as enjoyable as this one IMO

[Serial_Apologist]

Not many mainstream-modern jazz albums as enjoyable as this one IMO

A whole bunch of top British jazz musicians I know, based around Richmond/Twickenham/Walton-on-Thames have named their collective after that record title.

[Ian Thumwood]

It is a shame that Shelly Manne's name is somewhat forgotten these days. He is one of those musicians I feel who is like Roy Haynes insofar that he automatically benefits the groups he plays with. Even when he played with Bill Evans on "A simple matter of conviction" I felt he added a degree of snap to the trio that you do not normally associate with the pianist's groups. The album I am always amazed by is "2,3,4" where Manne fronts a combination of dissimilar musicians including Coleman Hawkins in to some quite intriguing territory. The album is totally overlooked even though the results fascinate.

I have been listening to Lang Lang performing Chopin this week, partly prompted by Joseph's comments a few weeks ago. I picked up some of my Mum's CDs and it has been the likes of John Field and Cecile Cheminade who I have enjoyed. It is staggering just how familiar a lot of Chopin is yet I was unaware of his Etudes which must admit to finding to be pretty incredible even to Chopin's own standards. They are probably the most technically demanding compositions he produced but i was intrigued where they sat in the Chopin pantheon. I feel that they must represent the apogee of his work yet it is odd that you never seem to read as much about them as the Nocturnes, Impromtus, Polonaises or Mazurkas.

[Jazzrook]

Not many mainstream-modern jazz albums as enjoyable as this one IMO

Donald Byrd recorded a fine version of Johnny Mercer's 'I'm An Old Cowhand' with Pepper Adams, Herbie Hancock, Doug Watkins & Teddy Robinson from the 1961 album 'Chant'(not released until 1979):

https://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=_iILL3Y1mCQ

JR

[Jazzrook]

Only discovered this this morning playing on a US jazz station.
Shelly Manne Quintet, "Jazz Gunn" 1967 Atlantic. Shelly cut two (I think) albums of Henry Mancini's music for the TV series of "Peter Gunn". Fine late 50s with Herb Geller. This one however is far more aggressive and has Frank Strozier on alto. It's music from a full film version of Gunn, which I've got and it's not particularly memorable. This however is. Not sure how many people could indentify the band, or name Shelly blindfold. And it's all as good...

This is "A Blue Bash".

http://youtu.be/ikAL1p_F4Gw

The overlooked Frank Strozier also appeared on Shelly Manne's 1966 live album 'Boss Sounds!'(Atlantic)with Conte Candoli, Russ Freeman & Monty Budwig.
Here's 'Frank's Tune':

https://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=sq22O61EZeU

JR

[Serial_Apologist]

It is a shame that Shelly Manne's name is somewhat forgotten these days. He is one of those musicians I feel who is like Roy Haynes insofar that he automatically benefits the groups he plays with. Even when he played with Bill Evans on "A simple matter of conviction" I felt he added a degree of snap to the trio that you do not normally associate with the pianist's groups. The album I am always amazed by is "2,3,4" where Manne fronts a combination of dissimilar musicians including Coleman Hawkins in to some quite intriguing territory. The album is totally overlooked even though the results fascinate.

I have been listening to Lang Lang performing Chopin this week, partly prompted by Joseph's comments a few weeks ago. I picked up some of my Mum's CDs and it has been the likes of John Field and Cecile Cheminade who I have enjoyed. It is staggering just how familiar a lot of Chopin is yet I was unaware of his Etudes which must admit to finding to be pretty incredible even to Chopin's own standards. They are probably the most technically demanding compositions he produced but i was intrigued where they sat in the Chopin pantheon. I feel that they must represent the apogee of his work yet it is odd that you never seem to read as much about them as the Nocturnes, Impromtus, Polonaises or Mazurkas.

We'll have to disagree on Shelly's work with Bill Evans, Ian - I felt him to be too busy for a trio that worked best with an economical drummer who left plenty of space for interacting and responding. To be fair to you, John Horler, always a huge Bill Evans fan, disagreed with my assessment of "Empathy" - the one with the abstract marble sculpture on the front - on these same grounds. John's a fellow Hampshire lad - I expect you knew that.

[Ian Thumwood]

We'll have to disagree on Shelly's work with Bill Evans, Ian - I felt him to be too busy for a trio that worked best with an economical drummer who left plenty of space for interacting and responding. To be fair to you, John Horler, always a huge Bill Evans fan, disagreed with my assessment of "Empathy" - the one with the abstract marble sculpture on the front - on these same grounds. John's a fellow Hampshire lad - I expect you knew that.

John Horler is something of a local legend and I have seen him perform on numerous occasions. He also has a trombone playing brother Dave who I believe was resident in Germany.

It think it is interesting how certain drummers bring out the best in pianists. I prefer Bill Evans' playing when he has someone who is a bit spikey but I think the best example is Andrew Hill where his playing always seems more urgent when he has a harder, swinging drummer backing him, The appeal for me is how "loose" their playing is against the drums. I get the economical argument with drummers whilst, at the same time, can see how this has actually worked against some of the more contemporary piano trios where the music can seem a bit soporific. (Thinking specifically of the kind of jazz ECM has released in the last twenty years.) I know Paul Motian rightly gets credited for being one of the best drummers in this context, but i feel you can never go wrong with Roy Haynes who was equally creative with such different pianists as say Chick Corea and Andrew Hill. It is interesting to see which drummers match which pianists. I quite like Tony Oxley with Paul Bley. Not an obvious choice but sometimes the juxtaposition of differing styles really makes things interesting. Can't imagine that there would be many jazz groups who would not have benefitted from having Shelly Manne on drums including Bill Evans.

Incidentally, there is a box set of Shelly Manne's quintet at the Black Hawk which comprises 4nr CDs with a band incuded Richie Kamuca and Joe Gordon. Not a record I am familiar with but some people on Amazon have argued that it is one of the great live jazz recordings of all time. Alot of praise being dished out for English pianist Victor Feldman which i think is probably understandable. The clips I have heard really impress and bely the usual, lazy assumptions about West Coast jazz. They have a zip about them and a sense of finesse which recalls Miles. Does anyone else have this set? I cannot recall anyone mentioing this record but the reviews are ecstatic.

[Stanfordian]

‘New and Old Gospel’ – Jackie McLean
with Ornette Coleman, Lamont Johnson, Scortty Holt & Billy Higgins
Blue Note (1967)

[Jazzrook]

John Horler is something of a local legend and I have seen him perform on numerous occasions. He also has a trombone playing brother Dave who I believe was resident in Germany.

It think it is interesting how certain drummers bring out the best in pianists. I prefer Bill Evans' playing when he has someone who is a bit spikey but I think the best example is Andrew Hill where his playing always seems more urgent when he has a harder, swinging drummer backing him, The appeal for me is how "loose" their playing is against the drums. I get the economical argument with drummers whilst, at the same time, can see how this has actually worked against some of the more contemporary piano trios where the music can seem a bit soporific. (Thinking specifically of the kind of jazz ECM has released in the last twenty years.) I know Paul Motian rightly gets credited for being one of the best drummers in this context, but i feel you can never go wrong with Roy Haynes who was equally creative with such different pianists as say Chick Corea and Andrew Hill. It is interesting to see which drummers match which pianists. I quite like Tony Oxley with Paul Bley. Not an obvious choice but sometimes the juxtaposition of differing styles really makes things interesting. Can't imagine that there would be many jazz groups who would not have benefitted from having Shelly Manne on drums including Bill Evans.

Incidentally, there is a box set of Shelly Manne's quintet at the Black Hawk which comprises 4nr CDs with a band incuded Richie Kamuca and Joe Gordon. Not a record I am familiar with but some people on Amazon have argued that it is one of the great live jazz recordings of all time. Alot of praise being dished out for English pianist Victor Feldman which i think is probably understandable. The clips I have heard really impress and bely the usual, lazy assumptions about West Coast jazz. They have a zip about them and a sense of finesse which recalls Miles. Does anyone else have this set? I cannot recall anyone mentioing this record but the reviews are ecstatic.

Have Shelly Manne at the Black Hawk Vol.1 which is great West Coast jazz.
Also, just ordered Manne's 1956 album 'Swinging Sounds' with Charlie Mariano, Stu Williamson, Russ Freeman & Leroy Vinnegar.
Here's their version of Bud Powell's 'Un Poco Loco':

https://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=Boq97J0M9n4

JR

[Serial_Apologist]

John Horler is something of a local legend and I have seen him perform on numerous occasions. He also has a trombone playing brother Dave who I believe was resident in Germany.

It think it is interesting how certain drummers bring out the best in pianists. I prefer Bill Evans' playing when he has someone who is a bit spikey but I think the best example is Andrew Hill where his playing always seems more urgent when he has a harder, swinging drummer backing him, The appeal for me is how "loose" their playing is against the drums. I get the economical argument with drummers whilst, at the same time, can see how this has actually worked against some of the more contemporary piano trios where the music can seem a bit soporific. (Thinking specifically of the kind of jazz ECM has released in the last twenty years.) I know Paul Motian rightly gets credited for being one of the best drummers in this context, but i feel you can never go wrong with Roy Haynes who was equally creative with such different pianists as say Chick Corea and Andrew Hill. It is interesting to see which drummers match which pianists. I quite like Tony Oxley with Paul Bley. Not an obvious choice but sometimes the juxtaposition of differing styles really makes things interesting. Can't imagine that there would be many jazz groups who would not have benefitted from having Shelly Manne on drums including Bill Evans.

Incidentally, there is a box set of Shelly Manne's quintet at the Black Hawk which comprises 4nr CDs with a band incuded Richie Kamuca and Joe Gordon. Not a record I am familiar with but some people on Amazon have argued that it is one of the great live jazz recordings of all time. Alot of praise being dished out for English pianist Victor Feldman which i think is probably understandable. The clips I have heard really impress and bely the usual, lazy assumptions about West Coast jazz. They have a zip about them and a sense of finesse which recalls Miles. Does anyone else have this set? I cannot recall anyone mentioing this record but the reviews are ecstatic.

Victor Feldman immediately preceded Herbie Hancock with Miles's band in '63. Frank Butler was the drummer on this April '63 take on "So Near So Far", another Feldman tune, and one which in many perhaps surprising ways foretastes Herbie, both in Feldman's approach harmonically, both as composer and, with his attentive timings and subtle emphases, improviser, in this fastish version of the tune - which is not the better-known one on "Seven Steps". On this rather than take a few choruses he swapped sections of the tune with Miles and George Coleman. Nothing mind-blowing but historic in this small way. Feldman was one of the "bridges" between Bill Evans and Herbie Hancock, I would think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzyLQxyQlww