Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers: Class of ’57
Well, well, it’s nice to see the Night Lights site paying homage to a wonderful, overlooked edition of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers with Jackie McLean, Bill Hardman, Sam Dockery and Spanky De Brest. It was a gem of a band and recorded frequently during its short existence. When we started our Mosaic Singles series, one of the first project I targeted as this band’s HARD BOP LP on Columbia (MCD-1005). There was actually another half of album of material used on DRUM SUITE, so I combined it all and was lucky enough to discover stereo session reels and make it available in that format for the first time.
-Michael Cuscuna
Listen To Episode… Follow: Mosaic Records Facebook Tumblr Twitter
Read More
Dave Brubeck: Blue Rondo A La Turk
The always affable and humble Dave Brubeck tells the fascinating origin of his most famous composition “Blue Rondo A La Turk.” The quartet mastered that unique rhythm pattern in 9/8 and played it with such comfort.
-Michael Cuscuna
Listen … Follow: Mosaic Records Facebook Tumblr Twitter
Read More
Pepper Adams Revisits Thelonious Monk at Town Hall
This audio clip from the website pepperadams.com is an excerpt of an interview Ben Sidran conducted with baritone saxophonist Pepper Adams, focusing on the famous 1959 Thelonious Monk Orchestra concert at Town Hall. The entire performance of Little Rootie Tootie starts the clip; Pepper Adams plays the opening solo. Then Adams offers his urbane comments about the Town Hall concert and the public reaction.
Follow: Mosaic Records Facebook Tumblr Twitter
Read More
Stan Getz Chats
Here is a tantalizing dip into the Canadian Jazz Archives with three short clips from a 1977 interview that finds Stan Getz affable, thoughtful and talkative. Give us more!!!!!
-Michael Cuscuna
Follow: Mosaic Records Facebook Tumblr Twitter
Read More
Cannes 1958 – Tenor Sax Greats
Marc Myers has unearthed this little tenor sax treasure from the 1958 Cannes Jazz Festival with Stan Getz, Coleman Hawkins, Don Byas, Guy LaFitte and Barney Wilen. Getz and Byas are the standouts but everyone plays beautifully. This cast is likely part of a Jazz At The Philharmonic tour.
-Michael Cuscuna
Watch Clip… Follow: Mosaic Records Facebook Tumblr Twitter
Read More
Frankie Dunlop on Thelonious Monk
When the dust clears, Frankie Dunlop emerges as one of my all-time favorite drummers with Thelonious Monk. His swing and melodic instinct served as a fascinating and winning backdrop for Monk. In this interview with Todd Bishop, on the blog Cruise Ship Drummer!, Dunlop’s insights on Monk fly fast and furious.
-Nick Moy
Follow: Mosaic Records Facebook Tumblr Twitter
Read More
When FaceBook Was Face To Face
Tom Cole remembers his first retail store jazz mentor and the five albums that he recommended to get started on serious jazz listening. Amazing that this whole ecosystem of spreading the word on music and getting that music into people’s hands doesn’t exist anymore. Human contact, eye-to-eye and ear-to-ear connections doesn’t translate to the web. I could quibble with TP’s list; there are far better Monks to choose for example, but I absolutely love that he included the Art Ensemble of Chicago’s “Les Stances A Sophie” a wonderfully hip and obscure record.
-Michael Cuscuna
Read Article & Listen To Tracks… Follow: Mosaic Records Facebook Tumblr Twitter
Read MoreHarry “Sweets” Edison Interview
In this brief audio clip from an interview with WKCR’s Phil Schaap, Harry “Sweets” Edison recalls how being a new man in a band can be a blessing but also can have its share of confusing moments.
-Scott Wenzel
Listen To Interview… Follow: Mosaic Records Facebook Tumblr Twitter
View VideoThe Instantly Recognizable Alto Sound of Jackie McLean
Alto saxophonist Jackie McLean is on fire for this 1988 version of Quadrangle, which he originally recorded in 1959 for “JACKIE’S BAG” (Blue Note). The rest of the band on this Mt. Fuji Blue Note Festival is Wallace Roney, Horace Parlan, Peter Washington and Kenny Washington.
Follow: Mosaic Records Facebook Tumblr Twitter
View Video
Long-Form Jazz: Out of the Harlem Renaissance
The long-form jazz composition \u2014 spanning the jazz suite and symphonic works - is said to have blossomed during the Harlem Renaissance, as early as James P. Johnson. Duke Ellington grappled with the form for a good part of his career. Composers in the jazz realm often coupled long-form compositions with grand themes in black history. This NPR survey samples five examples of long-form jazz composition, including excerpts from Ellington’s Black Brown and Beige, Oliver Nelson and a haunting piece by Wadada Leo Smith, honoring Rosa Parks.
-Nick Moy
Follow: Mosaic Records Facebook Tumblr Twitter
Read More
