Search results for "Wendell Marshall"

Paul Desmond & Gerry Mulligan: All the Things You Are (Rating: 85/100) posted in Music January 21, 08

If “All the Things You Are" is not the most played standard, it must be close. So, what is so special about this vers...

Duke Ellington (featuring Louie Bellson): Skin Deep (Rating: 95/100) posted in Music February 16, 09

A few years after this recording, rock bands would discover the allure of long, intense drum solos. This was more th...

Roland Kirk: You Did It, You Did It (Rating: 98/100) posted in Music November 07, 07

Among the portable pawnshop of strange instruments slung around Roland Kirk's neck was an ordinary transverse flute. ...

This track review is included in: THE DOZENS: TWELVE ESSENTIAL JAZZ FLUTE PERFORMANCES

"The flute," flutist Bud Shank informed historian Ted Gioia in 1988, "is a stupid instrument to be playing jazz music...

Jimmy Giuffre: Iowa Stubborn (Rating: 85/100) posted in Music November 19, 07

In the 1950s, Jimmy Giuffre seesawed between commerce and the avant-garde. After early West Coast adventurism, Giuffr...

Carmen McRae: Love Is Here to Stay (Rating: 91/100) posted in Music November 19, 07

What distinguishes a jazz vocalist from a pop singer? It can't be improvisation. Aside from occasional scatting (nons...

This track review is included in: THE DOZENS: FIFTIES FEMMES FATALES

In 1958, as evidence that love's fever is a long-running malady, singer/lyricist Peggy Lee alluded to Romeo & Julie...

Milt Jackson: Lover (Rating: 90/100) posted in Music November 21, 07

After alternating the melody between 3/4 and 4/4, this pickup group settles into a frisky gambol better befitting bot...

This track review is included in: THE DOZENS: TWELVE GREAT LOVERS

Jazz has always relied on popular songs to connect quickly with an audience. In return, jazz has helped keep alive ...

Duke Ellington: A Tone Parallel To Harlem (Rating: 100/100) posted in Music November 23, 07

Many fans back in the early 1950s thought that the arrival of the LP -- youngsters, that stands for "Long Playing" re...

This track review is included in: THE DOZENS: HARLEM

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Duke Ellington: Mood Indigo (1950) (Rating: 100/100) posted in Music November 23, 07

The advent of the long-playing record finally released Duke Ellington from the time constraints that had previously f...

Duke Ellington: The Tattooed Bride (Rating: 96/100) posted in Music November 24, 07

Ellington was ahead of his time, and not just for preferring his brides with tattoos. This extended piece, premiered...

Johnny Hodges: You Need To Rock (Rating: 90/100) posted in Music May 22, 08

Given its title and 1958 vintage, "You Need To Rock" might figure as an attempt by Swing Era stalwarts— all, except R...

Gigi Gryce: Minority (Rating: 95/100) posted in Music June 16, 09

A considerable talent as a composer and altoist, Gigi Gryce produced a largely unnoticed discography that, although a...

Count Basie: Li'l Darlin' (Rating: 98/100) posted in Music November 11, 07

The “New Testament” Basie band that began during the 1950s retained all the buoyant swing of the early group from the...

Count Basie: April in Paris (Rating: 94/100) posted in Music October 26, 07

It’s almost May in Paris by the time the song concludes. Basie leads his band through two fake endings until finally...

Count Basie: Counter Block (Rating: 100/100) posted in Music March 27, 08

This performance by the Basie band took place during a late-night gig at a Disc Jockeys of America convention on May ...

This track review is included in: DESERT ISLAND DOZENS: PETER ERSKINE

In the music world, but especially in the jazz world, everyone wants to know what everybody else is listening to. So ...

Jones, Hank (Henry) posted in Encyclopedia April 17, 09

Pianist Hank Jones’s use of space and sophisticated lyricism has been documented on the hundreds of albums he has rec...

Carter, Betty (Lillie Mae Jones) posted in Encyclopedia September 16, 09

Betty Carter's performances juxtaposed scat singing with animated syncopations, which gave her a unique sound amongst...

Thompson, Lucky (Eli) posted in Encyclopedia September 16, 09

Tenor and soprano saxophonist Lucky Thompson had a rare ability to combine swing sensibilities with the melodic conce...

Ray Charles: Come Rain or Come Shine (Rating: 95/100) posted in Music October 31, 07

In addition to being an iconic rhythm ‘n’ blues vocalist, Ray Charles played jazz piano and alto saxophone. But it w...

OctoJAZZarian Profile: Clark Terry posted in Features and Interviews January 11, 08

For the first time in jazz’s brief century, many leading artists are staying active beyond their 8th decade. Oct...

Kirk, Rahsaan Roland (Theodore) posted in Encyclopedia July 19, 08

Saxophonist Rahsaan Roland Kirk was one of the more agile reed players of his generation. Blind from youth, he creat...

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