How Manfred Eicher Carved His Path for ECM
Francis Marmande spoke to Manfred Eicher who is approaching 70 and whose ECM label is 44 years old and the subject of a retrospective exhibit in Eicher’s home base of Munich. Eicher has kept his label active and relevant despite all sorts of obstacles by just sticking to his guns and letting his own taste direct the sound and look of the label. It’s amazing to consider that he has issued over 1500 albums!
-Michael Cuscuna
Follow: Mosaic Records Facebook Tumblr Twitter
Read More
David Amram: About Poet Gregory Corso
A classical conductor, a jazz French hornist and a composer, David Amram was in the middle of the ‘50s jazz scene, a member of the beat generation and involved in the ‘60s folk and protest movements. His reminiscences in JazzWax on poet Gregory Corso are priceless. I’m reminded of a morning Amram and I watched the sun come up at the bar in Bradley’s on University Place, where I listened to David talk animatedly about Lord Buckley for an hour!
-Michael Cuscuna
Follow: Mosaic Records Facebook Tumblr Twitter
Read More
Jazzland: An Historic Club In Vienna
Jazzland in Vienna has been a thriving jazz club since 1972. A dive into their website gives us a glimpse of the incredible musical history this landmark has provided since 1972, which has embraced all stylistic forays. Included are rare photos, a history of Jazzland, a bio of Axel Melhardt (Jazzland’s founder) and much more. You can even take a look at their very enticing menu! Someone who enjoyed what Jazzland had to offer and had been on the bandstand was the late trumpeter and author Richard Sudhalter. His reflections on visiting Ground Zero right after 9-11 is a haunting observation and brilliantly presented as only Richard could.
-Scott Wenzel
Visit Website … Follow: Mosaic Records Facebook Tumblr Twitter
Read More
Stanley Turrentine: Soulful Sound And Bluesy Approach
This episode of Jazz Profiles hosted by Nancy Wilson was produced just in time. Stanley passed away just months after this show was produced. It’s a wonderful portrait of one of the most soulful and honest tenor saxophonists in jazz; the kid from Pittsburgh with the Texas sound.
-Michael Cuscuna
Listen To Documentary… Follow: Mosaic Records Facebook Tumblr Twitter
Read MoreJimmy Smith Trio on Jazz Scene USA
Jazz Scene U.S.A. was a short-lived syndicated television show shot in Los Angeles in the early ‘60s and hosted by Oscar Brown, Jr. This episode is given over to the Jimmy Smith trio with Quentin Warren and Donald Bailey. If you’ve never had the pleasure of seeing this amazing musician live, enjoy this.
-Michael Cuscuna
Follow: Mosaic Records Facebook Tumblr TwitterView Video
The Women Who Lead the Bands
An NPR survey of great women bandleaders in the jazz world, with a wide-ranging sampling of recorded accomplishments by female leaders and key players. From Lil Armstrong through Mary Lou Williams (in photo), Carla Bley, Maria Schneider and Terri Lyne Carrington, NPR’s compilation is impressive and welcome. Take notice and, of course, listen.
Follow: Mosaic Records Facebook Tumblr Twitter
Read MoreBooker Little
Booker Little’s self-titled album on Time Records is a favorite because it’s a quartet record. There are no other horns to share the space and the listener gets a pure, concentrated dose of one of the most exceptional trumpeters in jazz. Wynton Kelly and Scott LaFaro do take wonderful solos on Bee Tee’s Minor Plea. Little, who only lived to the age of 23, had magnificent sound, technique and creative imagination
-Michael Cuscuna
Follow: Mosaic Records Facebook Tumblr Twitter
View Video
Inside New York’s Jazz Loft
The tape findings in W. Eugene Smith’s Manhattan loft \u2014 thousands of hours of conversation and jazz sessions, among a diverse community of jazz giants \u2014 have been a daunting project to catalog and identify. Get lost in these four one-hour radio shows and experience Manhattan and jazz at a creative apex.
-Michael Cuscuna
Follow: Mosaic Records Facebook Tumblr Twitter
Read More
How Cecil Taylor Met Andrew Cyrille
Cecil Taylor’s collaboration with drummer Andrew Cyrille by now approaches legend in the world of free improvisational music. This account, written for the Revivalist by Libby Peterson, traces not only how Andrew Cyrille came to meet and work with Cecil Taylor, but also how the rising turbulence of the times spurred musical development for both individuals that drew the two together.
-Nick Moy
Photo of Andrew Cyrille: Seth Rogovoy
Follow: Mosaic Records Facebook Tumblr Twitter
Read More
Benny Carter Virtual Exhibit: Eight Decades In American Music
From the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University comes this digital exhibit of Benny Carter. This is one of five exhibits co-produced by the Institute and the Dana Library Media and Digital Services and is technically an online exhibit based on an exhibit at Dana Library earlier in 1999. The library exhibit was curated by the now retired IJS Associate Director Ed Berger who, along with his father Morroe, was close friends with Benny and wrote the definitive Benny Carter discography “A Life In American Music”. Ed also served as Carter’s record producer and road manager for many years. The IJS via a donation from Benny has many of his recordings, band charts, photos and other memorabilia.
-Scott Wenzel
Tour Exhibit… Follow: Mosaic Records Facebook Tumblr Twitter
Read More
