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[MoreWatts]

Jazz history is revered and performed in 3 new releases.

AllAboutJazz: “If this music is obscure to many, it is not for the instigator of The Gennett Suite, Indiana University Professor and composer Brent Wallarab and his Buselli-Wallarab Jazz Orchestra. He has shaped for the jazz orchestra the art of the pioneers in 4 parts: New Orleans Rhythm Kings, band leader King Oliver and trumpeter/singer Louis Armstrong; cornetist Bix Beiderbecke; Hoagy Carmichael; Jelly Roll Morton.

The music has the feel of America, taking the artists' state of the art recordings for their times, and inviting them into the present, with gorgeous harmonies and luxuriant arrangements. The Gennett Suite is a distinctly American masterpiece.”

Buselli-Wallarab Jazz Orchestra, The Gennett Suite, full album; YouTube link ; Spotify link

WyntonMarsalis.org: “Recorded in the 1920s, Louis Armstrong's Hot Five and Hot Seven Sessions are still hailed as some of the greatest and most influential jazz sessions ever captured. Trumpeter Wynton Marsalis reimagines the sessions for a whole new generation of audiences.” A recent release of a 2006 concert. With Jon Baptiste on piano, Wycliffe Jordan on tuba/trombone, Walter Blanding on saxes, among others.

Wynton Marsalis, Plays Louis Armstrong’s Hot Fives And Hot Sevens, full album: YouTube link ; Spotify link

AllAboutJazz: “Raymond Scott Reimagined is an engaging collaborative project with Quartet San Francisco, Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band and the acapella group Take 6 on two tracks. The album is a thoughtful and stylish interpretation of Raymond Scott's legacy. It is also interspersed with audio tidbits featuring Scott's singular musical approaches.”

Scott was a composer/arranger/musician active from 1931-’85. He sold his music catalog to Warner Bros in 1943, which then became the most famous tunes in cartoons. He did release ~8 albums from 1947-’63, and was an electronica pioneer in the ‘50s-’60s. The video below is an album tune performed live in the studio.

Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band albums discussed upthread: the 2015 Grammy winner Life In The Bubble, with a video; 1st two albums, Swingin’ For The Fences & XXL, with a video and some history on multichannel audio.

Quartet San Francisco & Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, Raymond Scott Reimagined, full album: YouTube link ; Spotify link

 

[MoreWatts]

Posted this in the Americana music thread. It definitely has a traditional bluegrass sound.

Allmusic: “Hillbilly Jazz was a project that, in 1974, drew on jazz, bluegrass, Western swing, blues, and country. With such talented players as fiddle great Vassar Clements, guitarist David Bromberg, drummer D.J. Fontana, and singer Gordon Terry on board, Hillbilly Jazz successfully turns its attention to everything from ‘San Antonio Rose’ to ‘C' Jam Blues.’ Improvisation is a high priority on Hillbilly Jazz, and a love of improvisation is one thing that jazz, bluegrass, and Western swing players have in common. This rewarding but little-known CD reminds listeners that jazz and ‘hillbilly music’ can fit together quite nicely.”

Vassar gets the album credit. This was his ~10th of >30 albums from 1970-2002. The video is just a short taste of Vassar.

Vassar Clements, Hillbilly Jazz, full album: YouTube link ; Spotify link

 

[MoreWatts]

Tuesday 25, albums from a quarter-century ago, 1998, continues.

Allmusic: “On the alto saxophone, Lee Konitz has been an undisputed master, and now in his seventies, he shows no signs of slowing down. His fresh, rambling melodicism is ever-present and strong. For this recording, he is inspired and summarily has the favor returned by his excellent Netherlands-based rhythm section of pianist Bert Van den Brink, bassist Hein Van de Geyn, and drummer Hans van Oosterhout… Of the dozens of fine recordings from Konitz over the past decade (the 90s), this just might be his best.”

This was his ~120th of >150 albums, from 1949-2015! He played on pianist Bill Evans' Crosscurrents recommended upthread.

Lee Konitz, Dialogues, full album: YouTube link ; Spotify link

Previous 1998s (link upthread). Grammys: Instrumental, Herbie Hancock Gershwin’s World; Big Band, Count Basie Orch. Count Plays Duke; Latin, Arturo Sandoval Hot House. And: Joanne Brackeen Pink Elephant Magic; Don Sebesky I Remember Bill; Erik Truffaz The Dawn; Phil WoodsThe Rev And I; Charlie Mariano An American In Italy; Joshua Redman Timeless Tales…; David Sanchez Obesion; Patrick Williams Sinatraland; Eric Alexander Mode For Mabes; Maceo Parker Funk Overload; Yellowjackets Club Nocturne; Mark Turner; Brian Blade Fellowship; Bennie Maupin Driving While Black; Julien Lourau City Boom Boom; Poncho Sanchez Afro-Cuban Fantasy; Dave Holland Points Of View; Tom Harrell The Art Of Rhythm; Red Records All Stars Together Again...; Chris Potter Vertigo = 23.

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

 

[MoreWatts]

Might as well make the 25th album in this jazz from 25 years ago retrospective be from one of the all-time greats.

Allmusic: “At 77, Dave Brubeck continued to pour forth new music at a clip that was extraordinary even for him… As an improvising pianist, he continues to be on his toes, always finding interesting paths to develop… Bobby Militello plays alto, while Jack Six on bass and Randy Jones on drums build a solid rhythmic foundation. So What's New is ample testimony to Brubeck's vitality in his Indian summer.”

This was Brubeck’s ~55th of >70 albums from 1948-2010. Here’s upthread posts about Time In and We’re All Together Again For The First Time.

See this post above for links to posts about 24 more nice jazz albums from 1998.

Dave Brubeck, So What’s New, full album: YouTube link ; Spotify link

 

[MoreWatts]

Posted this in the Music From Ukraine thread. It's good jazz, so recommended for all jazz fans.

‘LabelWhoAble’ is a Ukrainian record label founded in 2016 by Bogdan Gumenyuk. The label is home to both promising and widely respected jazz musicians from Ukraine and worldwide. The last update on their Facebook page is Oct 2022…. Looks like they released ~11 albums. Here’s one of their artists.

AllAboutJazz: “Dennis Adu was born in 1987 in Ghana. When he was 2 years old his family moved to Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine. He started playing the trumpet when he was 7, and when he turned 8 he was invited to play with the Alexander Gebel Orchestra." He has led his own bands since 2012. He’s released 2 very nice modern jazz albums.

His 1st album was 2017s Influences and included: Andrew Gould - alto saxophone; Dmytro Aleksandrov - tenor and soprano saxophone; Michael Dease - trombone; Pavlo Lytvynenko - piano, Rhodes; Linda May Han Oh - bass; Mike Karn - bass; Pavlo Galytskyi - drums.

Recommended upthread: Michael Dease Next Best Thing and Linda May Han Oh The Glass Hours.

In 2021 he released Sunlight Above The Sky, mainly with Ukrainian labelmates: Boris Mogylevskiy — alto sax; Lucas Pino — tenor sax; Alexander Charkin — trombone; Glenn Zaleski — piano; Alexander Yemets — bass; Pavel Galitsky — drums. The albums are snappier than the melancholy video, btw.

Dennis Adu, Influences, full album: YouTube link ; Spotify link ; Bandcamp link

Dennis Adu, Sunlight Above The Sky, full album: YouTube link ; Spotify link ; Bandcamp link

 

[MoreWatts]

AllAboutJazz: “British/Bangladeshi pianist Zoe Rahman's playing carries considerable gravitas. Her collaborators bring all their skill and passion to the project, making this an exquisitely crafted album that repays repeated listening. With bold arrangements, dynamic compositions and passionate playing, this album is an easy one to recommend.

Rahman's team includes: Gene Calderazzo, drums; Alec Dankworth, bass; Alexandra Ridout, trumpet; Rosie Turton, trombone; her brother, Idris Rahman, on tenor, alto and clarinet; Rowland Sutherland, flute; Byron Wallen, trumpet.”

This is Zoe’s ~9th album since 2001.

Zoe Rahman, Colour Of Sound, full album: YouTube link ; Spotify link ; Bandcamp link

 

[DarrylG]

 

[Joe Smith]

Tuesday 25, albums from a quarter-century ago, 1998, continues.

Allmusic: “On the alto saxophone, Lee Konitz has been an undisputed master, and now in his seventies, he shows no signs of slowing down. His fresh, rambling melodicism is ever-present and strong. For this recording, he is inspired and summarily has the favor returned by his excellent Netherlands-based rhythm section of pianist Bert Van den Brink, bassist Hein Van de Geyn, and drummer Hans van Oosterhout… Of the dozens of fine recordings from Konitz over the past decade (the 90s), this just might be his best.”

This was his ~120th of >150 albums, from 1949-2015! He played on pianist Bill Evans' Crosscurrents recommended upthread.

Lee Konitz, Dialogues, full album: YouTube link ; Spotify link

Previous 1998s (link upthread). Grammys: Instrumental, Herbie Hancock Gershwin’s World; Big Band, Count Basie Orch. Count Plays Duke; Latin, Arturo Sandoval Hot House. And: Joanne Brackeen Pink Elephant Magic; Don Sebesky I Remember Bill; Erik Truffaz The Dawn; Phil WoodsThe Rev And I; Charlie Mariano An American In Italy; Joshua Redman Timeless Tales…; David Sanchez Obesion; Patrick Williams Sinatraland; Eric Alexander Mode For Mabes; Maceo Parker Funk Overload; Yellowjackets Club Nocturne; Mark Turner; Brian Blade Fellowship; Bennie Maupin Driving While Black; Julien Lourau City Boom Boom; Poncho Sanchez Afro-Cuban Fantasy; Dave Holland Points Of View; Tom Harrell The Art Of Rhythm; Red Records All Stars Together Again...; Chris Potter Vertigo = 23.

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Listened to this yesterday...really good...the "Meeting Again" album from 2021 is equally good IMO. Very elegant and enjoyable.

 

[MoreWatts]

AllAboutJazz: “All the music on the album was written by either trombonist/bandleader Michael Davis or his son, Cole, who plays bass on the album. The instrument sections often play in unison blocks intricately fitted together which give off a joyful vibe that combines big swells of brass and reeds with subtly driving rhythms… This album shows that Michael Davis is a force in his own right as a composer, arranger, and bandleader.”

He’s recorded and/or toured with The Stones, Dylan, Bob Mintzer, Buddy Rich, Paul Simon, and Sarah Vaughan. He’s based in NYC, where most of the players are from. See the AAJ review for band members.

This is Michael’s ~14th album since 1989, and 2nd with the big band. The video is an in-studio performance of an album tune. Here’s a YT playlist with 4 more live album tunes, plus a few older songs.

Michael Davis Hip-Bone Big Band, Open City, full album: YouTube link ; Spotify link

 

[MoreWatts]

Friday, so an album from 50 years, or a half-century ago, 1973, is suggested.

Allmusic: “Trumpeter Freddie Hubbard's CTI recordings have long been underrated… Hubbard is heard in fine form on four of his originals with a septet that includes tenor-saxophonist Junior Cook, keyboardist George Cables, guitarist Aurell Ray, either Kent Brinkley or Ron Carter on bass, drummer Ralph Penland and Juno Lewis on percussion. The music is sometimes funky but definitely creative jazz with Hubbard heard during his prime period.”

This was Hubbard’s ~25th out of >60 albums, from 1960-2007. Recommended upthread: Freddie’s 1983 album Back To Birdland; he partnered on Benny Golson’s 1985 Stardust; he played on Don Sebesky’s Giant Box, as part of this 1973 retrospective.

See this post above for links to posts about 20 more nice jazz albums from 1973.

Freddie Hubbard, Keep Your Soul Together, full album: YouTube link ; Spotify link

 

[MoreWatts]

Here's a 2nd album from a half-century, or 50 years ago, 1973, for Friday 50.

Allmusic: “Right from the start, a vastly different Weather Report emerges here, one that reflects co-leader Joe Zawinul's developing obsession with the groove… Wayne Shorter now contributes mostly sustained ethereal tunes on soprano sax… The wane of freewheeling ensemble interplay is more than offset by the big increase in rhythmic push; bassist Miroslav Vitous, drummer Eric Gravatt, and percussionist Dom Um Romao are now cogs in one of jazz's great swinging machines.”

This was their 3rd of ~14 studio albums, from 1971-’86. Recommended upthread: Heavy Weather, in a Wayne Shorter memorial post; Wayne’s albums Alegria & Live At The Detroit Jazz Festival, with 2 videos; Wayne’s last session, probably, on saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin’s Phoenix; bassist Jaco Pastorius hadn’t joined the band yet, but here’s a post about ~his Jazz Street & Night Food albums.

See the post above and this post more above for links to posts about 22 nice jazz albums from 1973.

Weather Report, Sweetnighter, full album: YouTube link ; Spotify link

 

[Timcognito]

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

 

[MoreWatts]

Tuesday 25, albums from 25 years ago, 1998, serves up a nice big band album.

Allmusic: “In 1997, bandleader/arranger Gerald Wilson was commissioned by the Monterey Jazz Festival to write an original piece to be performed at that year's festival… Highly recommended.” The album has 5 originals and 2 nice Gershwin covers. The album earned a Grammy nomination, Wilson’s 7th.

Wilson was a Los Angeles-based big band leader in a career that spanned from 1938-2012. This was his ~19th of ~24 albums he released with his various big bands from 1961-2011. To wrap up his life on a high note, he released 5 excellent big band albums between the ages of 85 and 93! He is the father of jazz guitarist Anthony Wilson, who played in dad’s big bands since 1986, in vocalist/pianist Diane Krall’s band since 2001, and has released ~13 of his own albums since 1997.

Layin’ on the kudos a bit because I saw the big band several times, and they were always a joy. He led the band for his Detroit album tour, at 92 years old! TBH, Anthony stood and directed the tunes as needed, but Gerald introduced and got most started. What’s your plan for 92?

Gerald Wilson Orchestra, Theme For Monterey, full album: YouTube link ; Spotify link

Previous 1998s (link upthread). Grammys: Instrumental, Herbie Hancock Gershwin’s World; Big Band, Count Basie Orch Count Plays Duke; Latin, Arturo Sandoval Hot House. And: Joanne Brackeen Pink Elephant Magic; Don Sebesky I Remember Bill; Erik Truffaz The Dawn; Phil Woods The Rev And I; Charlie Mariano An American In Italy; Joshua Redman Timeless Tales…; David Sanchez Obesion; Patrick Williams Sinatraland; Eric Alexander Mode For Mabes; Maceo Parker Funk Overload; Yellowjackets Club Nocturne; Mark Turner; Brian Blade Fellowship; Bennie Maupin Driving While Black; Julien Lourau City Boom Boom; Poncho Sanchez Afro-Cuban Fantasy; Dave Holland Points Of View; Tom Harrell The Art Of Rhythm; Red Records All Stars Together Again...; Chris Potter Vertigo; Lee Konitz Dialogues; Dave Brubeck So What’s New = 25.

 

[DarrylG]

 

[MoreWatts]

The Jimmy Smith suggestion above reminded me about 2 new organ-driven albums. Both have nice sax work. One includes drum legend Steve Gadd.

AllAboutJazz: “Whatever the mood or tempo, organist Chris Hazelton fits it like a glove, as do baritone saxophonist Brett Jackson (a real find) and the others, guitarist James Anderson, and drummer John Kizilarmut… Indeed, ‘seductive’ is a word that faithfully describes this album in its entirety.” This is Chris' 5th album since 2016.

Chris Hazelton, After Dark, full album: YouTube link ; Spotify link

This one will only consume 35 minutes of your day. JazzView: “Michael Blicher, saxophones; Dan Hemmer, Hammond organ; Steve Gadd, drums… Blicher also composed all the tunes; co-arranged them with Gadd and Hemmer and produced the album. This band has played together for more than ten years, touring extensively and recording three previous albums.” An LP with additional studio tunes is available. The video is a tune from an earlier album.

Gadd played on the Grammy nominated Center Stage, with the WDR Big Band, recommended upthread, with 2 videos. I saw the Gadd Band with organist Joey DeFrancesco (RIP), who also played some flugelhorn, and Ronnie Cuber (RIP) on bari sax. A very nice show.

Blicher Hemmer Gadd, It Will Be Alright, full album: YouTube link ; Spotify link

 

[BenjaminB]

Thanks, had no previous knowledge about these guys. Interesting, in its way.

 

[BenjaminB]

As we are into the Smith family, Tommy from Scotland has a lot to say en eg

which was one of his attempt of cross-over jazz and "classical".

There is certainly more by him ... as the more typical jazz "Standards" from 1991