Jazz ♫ Music only | In the now, or recently, or that you love...

[MoreWatts]

The YouTube algorithm served up acoupla nice renditions of Sidney Bechet's Petite Fleur (Little Flower). Don't know these folks, just sounds nice. He penned this tune late in his career, 1952, recorded it twice with big bands, and it was a minor hit for other performers in the early 1960s, after he passed in 1959. He popularized soprano sax, also played clarinet, and his history traces to King Oliver in New Orleans in 1913, i.e., the origins of jazz. So, here the first video is with soprano sax (does George R.R. Martin do a piano side-gig?), and the second is with clarinet. Hmm, might as well serve one up performed by Mr. Bechet. Not a video, but a wonderful tune. And, because my posts are usually album recommendations, a YouTube link to Blue Note #105/7009, from 1949, with Wild Bill Davidson on cornet, wraps up this post. Please enjoy some Petite Fleur, and Sidney Bechet.

Sidney Bechet, "Sidney Bechet & His Blue Note Jazzmen," YouTube link, full album.

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

 

[melvinjames]

 

[MoreWatts]

From Allmusic.com: "With Discover, Milwaukee-based trumpeter and jazz educator Eric Jacobson and team take us on an aural time trip ... drenched in blue-hued Hard Bop. This is a fine effort with precise presentation.... Jacobson has a beautiful tone that shades on the brighter side with lush vibrato. His lines, always melodic, hint at something new and surprising around the corner. That makes for highly communicative playing and for us, involved listening.... Fellow front-liner Geof Bradfield's saxophone is a mellow, subtle partner. Section mates Bruce Barth, George Fludas and Dennis Carroll individually and collectively also shine brightly.... Discover is a terrific session of which Jacobson and talented crew can be proud."

Jacobson's YouTube page is a Khan Academy for jazz trumpet lessons, and it is wonderful to see dedication to jazz education. The first vid is a clip from a live gig in the bass player's band, then a nice duet with piano, and YouTube and Spotify links to the album follow. Please enjoy a solid be-bop album from 2022.

Eric Jacobson, "Discover," YouTube link, full album.

Eric Jacobson, "Discover," Spotify link, full album.

 

[MoreWatts]

Jazz sax blowing sessions deserve an occasional Twofer Tuesday. Today features a few albums by 2 wonderful alto saxophonists, Sadao Watanabe (b. 1933) and Charlie Mariano (1923-2009). They released 3 albums together in 1967-68, and one in 2006, and the 3 when they were, ahem, younger, are really hot, with a lot of variety. The live reunion from 2006 is also nice. Available YouTube and Spotify links are at the end.

Sadao released a 2021 album, Jazz & Bossa (Live at Suntory Hall), has over 60 albums in his name, and is credited on over 300 more. His career dates from 1952, with 3 years in the Toshiko Akiyoshi Quartet, a Berklee degree, and his first album in 1961. He loves both bossa nova and bop, and was huge worldwide, when jazz still sold really well in the 1970s and 1980s.

From 1949 to 1966, Mariano was a master altoist in his own bands, with Nat Pierce, Stan Kenton, Shelly Manne, Charles Mingus, and with his then-wife Toshiko Akiyoshi. A European life led to fusion and bop albums, and work with Paul Horn, Eberhard Weber and Philip Catherine. He taught at Berklee twice. He finished with a final ~65 releases in his name, and credits on ~675 (!) more, with prolific session work from 1955-68.

These concert vids of a 2005 tour sound just fine, and the 2nd is a Japanese promo vid for their 2006 album, and the tune starts ~90 seconds in. Please enjoy two alto saxophone masters and their fruitful collaborations.

Sadao Watanabe, "Nabesada & Charlie," (1967), Spotify link, full album. YouTube link.

Sadao Watanabe, "Sadao & Charlie Again," (2006), Spotify link, full album. YouTube link.

Sadao Watanabe, "We Got a New Bag," (1968), YouTube link, full album.

The only links I could find to Iberian Waltz (1967), on my 2 platforms, were low quality.

 

[MoreWatts]

From AllAboutJazz.com: "On Pocket Guides, his debut recording as foreman, Denver-based pianist Ben Morris leads a one-dozen strong quasi-big band with rather unusual instrumentation—two horns, two woodwinds, two violins, mandolin, cello, melodica and rhythm—through eight of his engaging compositions, most of which touch on his Norwegian heritage.... While clever solos by most hands are sprinkled throughout, for the most part they are subordinate to Morris's luminous charts, from which they spring as naturally as water from a fountain.... Even though inspired by his Norwegian heritage, Morris' music seldom strays from its jazz bloodline, with swing and improvisation always given their due. On the other hand, this is jazz with an explicit Nordic flavor, which separates it from the more conventional themes heard on most recordings these days. Whether that serves as a plus or minus is for the listener to decide. The verdict here is an emphatic thumbs up." I believe the word is, eclectic? A nice 2022 album, with original ideas. YouTube and Spotify links follow. Please enjoy some inventive, quasi-big band.

Ben Morris, Pocket Guides, full album: Spotify link. YouTube link.

 

[MoreWatts]

From AllAboutJazz.com: "Canadian-based saxophonist Cory Weeds plays tenor on Just Coolin', backed by a rhythm section he assembled in 2021 for a live gig at Frankie's Jazz Club in Vancouver.... Weeds is a standout, a smooth-spoken charmer from the Dexter Gordon/Hank Mobley school of hard bopping who can easily stand his ground against any player you'd care to name.... As icing on the cake, Weeds has chosen a trio of staunch supporters in pianist Tilden Webb, bassist John Lee and drummer Jesse Cahill, none of whom is less than admirable as accompanist or soloist.... Weeds notes that all of the proceeds from Just Coolin' will benefit the Fraser MacPherson Jazz Fund, which is dedicated to offering financial support and broadening educational opportunities for jazz students in British Columbia. A worthy cause, and a marvelous way to lend a helping hand."

Since 2000, Weeds has released 19 albums as a leader, and owned and performed in The Cellar jazz club in Vancouver, BC, for 14 years. The first vid is Weeds with a quintet for a radio show, and the second is a bit long, but is ~13 minutes of hot jazz with Weeds in a sextet. YouTube or Spotify links to the full album are available, after the videos. Please enjoy another hot jazz release from 2022.

Cory Weeds, Just Coolin', full album: YouTube link. Spotify link.

 

[MoreWatts]

From AllAboutJazz.com: "The term "all-star" is not one to be used lightly. Be that as it may, the appellation fits guitarist Doug MacDonald's Los Angeles-based octet as snugly as a glove; he and his colleagues are among the finest, most experienced and in-demand musicians on the West Coast. On Overtones, a 2022 release, the ensemble shows its mastery by gracefully skating through seven of MacDonald's upbeat themes and one standard.

MacDonald's front-liners—alto saxophonist Kim Richmond, tenor saxophonist Rickey Woodard, trombonist Ira Nepus—have impressive resumes which span decades, as does the splendid rhythm section—pianist Bill Cunliffe, bassist Chuck Berghofer, drummer Roy McCurdy. The group's "youngster," trumpeter Aaron Janik, has performed with Lady Gaga, Snoop Dogg, Robin Eubanks and Bill Holman, tnaf.

As their c.v.'s speak for themselves, so do their solos, which are models of taste and consistency that never miss the mark.... No, there is nothing new here apart from the personnel, framework of songs, their chord changes and enticing character. This is simply forty-five minutes of invariably charming music, played with spirit and enthusiasm by eight notably talented musicians whose sole aim is to please."

MacDonald: has recorded since 1981, based in L.A. & Las Vegas; has ~28 album releases; played with Rosemary Clooney, Ray Charles & Buddy Rich, tnaf; plays ~300 gigs annually throughout the world. YouTube and Spotify links to Overtones are below. MacDonald also released a quartet album in 2022, I'll See You In My Dreams. AllAboutJazz.com: loved it, and YouTube and Spotify links are also included. A promo vid for his 2017 trio album, View of the City, is below, just to give you a taste. Please enjoy these 2 recent, nice, jazz albums.

Doug MacDonald & the L.A. All-Star Octet, Overtones, full album: YouTube link. Spotify link.

Doug MacDonald, I'll See You In My Dreams, full album: YouTube link. Spotify link.

 

[DarrylG]

 

[DarrylG]

The full Cory Weeds album on Bandcamp:

Just Coolin', by Cory Weeds

8 track album

coryweeds.bandcamp.com

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

 

[_thelaughingman]

 

[MoreWatts]

From AllAboutJazz.com: "Veteran jazz man Yannick Rieu, based in Montreal, was tagged back in 1988 as one of the top young saxophonists in the world, his name mentioned alongside Branford Marsalis, Joe Lovano and Courtney Pine. That set the bar high. A bit over thirty years have passed since he was presented with that high praise. Qui Qu'en Grogne, released in 2022, says that comparison was well deserved. Rieu has crafted an enriched and distinctive language all his own, presenting it with the help of his Generation Quartet. The language has deep roots in the tradition, and radiant blossoms in the right now....A few spins of Qui Qu'en Grogne doesn't leave so much an impression of skillful soloing—though there is a good deal of that going on—but rather the feeling of adept and fluid group interplay, and a collective immersion into the now that takes on an aspect of the spiritual. A top-notch classic jazz quartet album."

The first vid is a performance from the album, longish, but hey, it's jazz, and nice. Rieu describes his creative process, and the music retreat in Quebec where he made the album, in the 2nd vid, as tunes play on. This is his 14th album release. Please enjoy some nice sax jazz from another Canadian master.

Yannick Rieu, Generation Quartet, full album: YouTube link. Spotify link.

 

[MoreWatts]

From StageAndCinema.com: "When acclaimed tenor saxophonist and educator Keith Oxman learned that one of his former students, bassist Joey Pearlman, had passed away ... at the age of 24, Oxman decided to create a recording paying tribute to the brilliant young man who’d already earned a place on the New York scene. This One’s for Joey features Oxman’s quartet with pianist Jeff Jenkins, bassist Mark Simon and drummer Todd Reid.... Oxman penned the title track as well as six others. Jeff Jenkins, another of Pearlman's teachers, as a member of the Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts, wrote 'Waltz for Joey' as well as 'Kahlid.'” From AllAboutJazz.com: "Oxman's tenor is smooth and wrinkle-free. It's a first-class session, and even though Joey Pearlman had departed before its conception, he left a large footprint, one that Oxman's quartet traces quite well."

YouTube didn't have vids of Oxman's quartet, so here's YouTube and Spotify links for what is another fine saxophone jazz album from 2022. This is his 13th album release, since 1995. Please enjoy.

Keith Oxman, This One's For Joey, full album: YouTube link. Spotify link.

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

 

[melvinjames]

Some lovely music on this fine morning.

 

[DarrylG]

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

 

[MoreWatts]

From AllAboutJazz.com: "On his fourth album for Cellar Music, western Canada-based tenor saxophonist Steve Kaldestad leads an exemplary quartet, whose members are among the most accomplished jazz musicians in British Columbia and beyond, throughout a more than hour-long concert on Live at Frankie's Jazz Club in Vancouver.... Kaldestad appreciates that, and takes full advantage of the wide comfort zone they provide. His phrasing is sure, his creative power strong, his solos models of invention and dexterity. That is no less true of his teammates who not only comp with sagacity and stamina but add unfaltering solo voices whenever Kaldestad pauses to catch his breath and prepare for the next sortie.... The sound quality is so clean that it's the next best thing to actually being there. A well-drawn and solidly impressive concert performance. "

The first video is Kaldestad playing in the bass player's band in a zoom show. The second is his band playing in the Cellar Jazz Club, owned at the time by saxophonist Cory Weeds, who was referenced above. A longer tune, but hey, it's jazz. This is another really nice saxophone-jazz album from 2022. Please enjoy.

Steve Kaldestad, "Live At Frankie's Jazz Club," full album: YouTube link. Spotify link.