Clark Terry’s Recollections of Red Holloway
From one sweetheart to another! Clark Terry remembers the affable Red Holloway, Los Angeles’s resident soulful saxophonist, who was ubiquitous on the scene out there, from recording studios to the Parisian Room.
-Michael Cuscuna
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Wayne Shorter and Joe Lovano: A Provocative Conversation
This recent conversation by two masters bridges the generation gap for tenor saxophonists and for Blue Note artists. Wayne Shorter and Joe Lovano converse about what means the most to them: music and the human condition.
-Michael Cuscuna
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Russell Procope Interview
Chris Albertson recorded a fascinating interview in 1979 with Russell Procope, the essential Ellington alto saxophonist and clarinetist who first came to fame with John Kirby. This is 87 minutes of well-recorded oral history. Not to be missed.
-Michael Cuscuna
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Pianist George Cables Answers Five Questions
George Cables, who has been playing solid mainstream piano since the 60’s, most recently a member of the veteran assemblage The Cookers, issued some marvelously pensive responses to questions posed by Alan Nahigian of Astoria Oregon’s Daily Astorian, following a stint in the Pacific Northwest.
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Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra: for Thad’s 90th Birthday
This is a very cool television video of The Groove Merchant by the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra during an infamous 1969 European tour with Kenny Burrell, Jimmy McGriff and a few others. The tour was being recorded for what became the Jazz Wave double album on Blue Note. The money and terms were somewhat funny and Joe Henderson played every one of his solos on the tour off mic.
-Michael Cuscuna
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Read MoreDexter Gordon: Classic Track From A Classic Album
Dexter Gordon’s first Blue Note album Doin’ Allirght (1961) was a major event in many respects. It was his comeback after a troubled, lackluster ‘50s and got him to Blue Note Records and eventually to Europe. Every track was a gem, but my favorite is Society Red, a cool, medium tempo blues that’s written as kind of stuttering, funky march. It’s a unique piece that Dexter played throughout the ‘60s and revived for the 1986 filming of “’Round Midnight.” The 12-minute meditation on the blues features Freddie Hubbard, Dexter, Horace Parlan and George Tucker building brilliant solos chorus after chorus.
-Michael Cuscuna
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View VideoJune Christy: 1950 MTV
June Christy from 1950 on one of those Snader Telescriptions, which were basically a made for television music video that were produced during the formative years of TV. In this clip is accordionist Ernie Felice who a few years prior to this performance of “Taking A Chance On Love” was recording on Capitol with not only his own small group but with Benny Goodman small groups as well. A young Claude Williamson (about 5 years or so prior to days with the Lighthouse All Stars) is also featured here on piano, Dick Anderson’s clarinet and two Glenn Miller alumnus Dick Fisher on guitar and Rolly Bundock on bass.
-Scott Wenzel
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Francis Wolff Limited Edition Photograph: Dexter Gordon
With Blue Note, Alfred Lion and Francis Wolff brought the world phenomenal jazz, thanks to their incredible ears. Fortunately, Wolff was blessed with an amazing eye as well.
From the company’s inception, he never missed a recording session, and he always brought his Rolleiflex. Crouched behind microphone stands, poised at the end of the piano bench, a fly on the wall while the playback rolled, he had exclusive photographic access to many of the most important moments in all of jazz history. They are great historic documents. And represent exceptional photographic talent.
Selected images became the album cover shots for Blue Note’s brilliant designer Reid Miles, and are instantly recognized by millions. Now, museum-quality prints in limited editions can be owned forever… But only by a few handfuls of people.
Each image will be made available for one month only. At the end of that month, only the images ordered will be printed and that will be the end of the Limited Edition. The Dexter Gordon photograph is only available for the month of April and we are making these limited prints available for the low price of $250.00.
Please join us in celebrating the unique genius of Francis Wolff, and take advantage of this opportunity to own these very special portraits.
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Are There Really Mistakes in Jazz?
The audio here is a fun exercise with vibist Stefon Harris and his quartet with pianist Christian Sands. The exercise is making what might be considered a mistake and turning it into an opportunity. A really remarkable little clinic. The video is also a wonderful performance.
-Michael Cuscuna
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Shirley Scott on Piano Jazz
A very cool 1992 conversation between Marian McPartland and Shirley Scott, using words and pianos. Shirley was the queen of the organ with historic work in the ‘60s with Eddie Lockjaw Davis and then husband Stanley Turrentine. A wonderful sweet person and a kick-ass musician.
-Michael Cuscuna
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