Charles Tolliver Big Band in Concert
This is the amazing Charles Tolliver big band, with Tolliver’s trumpet up front, performing his composition “Ruthie’s Heart” at the 2004 Pori Festival in Finland.
Follow: Mosaic Records Facebook Tumblr Twitter
View Video
Ron Carter Gets to the Point with Ethan Iverson
At least at first, Ethan Iverson can scarcely contain his awe of interviewing Ron Carter. Fortunately, that doesn’t deter the two from some penetrating comments on the essential attributes of some great drummers and bassists — including Tony Williams, Elvin Jones, Billy Higgins, Wilbur Ware and Percy Heath — and what Carter sees as his role in working with drummers.
Follow: Mosaic Records Facebook Tumblr Twitter
Read More
Yogi Berra Speaks Out on Jazz
This rare interview with Yogi Berra appeared in the blog A Passion for Jazz.
Follow: Mosaic Records Facebook Tumblr Twitter
Read More
Sonny Greer: The Jazz Oral History Project
An indispensable research tool that I’ve used in the process of updating a Mosaic set’s discography comes from a series of interviews recorded and transcribed by The Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University. The Jazz Oral History Project is not only an education but a joy to hear the people who made the music speak not only about music but about their personal lives. Thankfully you can hear these via the IJS website.
- Scott Wenzel http://newarkwww.rutgers.edu/IJS/johpaudio/SonnyGreer_audio.html
Listen To Sonny Greer Interview… Follow: Mosaic Records Facebook Tumblr Twitter
Read More
Wes Montgomery Birthday: Born March 6, 1923
Nancy Wilson’s Jazz Profiles on NPR focused on the all too short life and career of the fluid, funky guitar virtuoso. Wes Montgomery. A lot of peers, fellow musicians and experts weigh in on this genius guitarist.
Listen To Jazz Profiles… Follow: Mosaic Records Facebook Tumblr Twitter
Read MoreWes Montgomery: Rare Performance With An All-Star European Band
Wes Montgomery performing his “West Coast Blues” in Hamburg in 1965 with an all-star European band (Johnny Griffin was living there long enough to qualify). Very cool to see Wes in an in-studio situation without an audience. He’s relaxed and smiling ear-to-ear and playing with the same effortless ease as he does on stage.
Follow: Mosaic Records Facebook Tumblr Twitter
View Video
Brad Mehldau’s Cultural and Musical Journey
Ted Panken’s interview with Brad Mehldau from jazz.com sheds light on a generation of jazz students who came through the New School in the late 1980s, as Mehldau did, studying with an earlier generation of master pianists like Kenny Werner and Fred Hersch. Mehldau retraces his dive into classical music and German philosophy, and the German art song, and his journey to embracing other more open song structures to explore.
Follow: Mosaic Records Facebook Tumblr Twitter
Read MoreLatter-day Ahmad Jamal, circa 2011
Pianist Ahmad Jamal, playing a fresh version of “One,” recorded at Jazz a Vienne 2011. With James Camack, bass Herlin Riley, drums, and Manolo Badrena, percussion.
Follow: Mosaic Records Facebook Tumblr Twitter
View Video
Beautiful Django Reinhardt LP
Being a collector of 78 RPM recordings, I must say that I share the passion of the blog found on crownpropeller when it comes to 10” LPs. Originally issued on 78, this re-issue stemming from the French label Swing, is a beautiful version of “September Song” by Django Reinhardt who never ceases to amaze me with his dexterity and sheer beauty.
- Scott Wenzel
Follow: Mosaic Records Facebook Tumblr Twitter
Read MoreUnderstanding Gregory Porter: Melody and Intention
Try it; just listen to singer Gregory Porter throughout this profile, and then look: Gregory Porter has this way of sounding like he’s smiling, as he tells you about the church, family and influences of youth that created his infectiously joyous musical composite.
Follow: Mosaic Records Facebook Tumblr Twitter
View Video


















