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

[Ralph_Cramden]

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

 

[DarrylG]

 

[Kagemusha]

 

[MoreWatts]

At the dawn of the 21st century, the Grammy Awards selectors realized that Sonny Rollins had never won the award. He’d only received 1 music nomination, for his 1966 Alfie! film soundtrack. His 2000 album This Is What I Do, won the 2002 Grammy for Best Instrumental Jazz Album. A guilt award? Maybe, but it’s still a fine jazz album. Several of these tunes became staples in the string of excellent live albums Sonny produced this century.

Please enjoy the album whose cover is my ASR avatar. Jazz album recommendations is mainly what I do, here at ASR.

Sonny Rollins, This Is What I Do, full album: YouTube link. Spotify link.

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

 

[DarrylG]

 

[MoreWatts]

1998 was 25 years ago. Wait, what?

Gonna do some posts about albums from 1998 and 1973 (you know, a quarter-, and a half-century ago). The 2nd 1973 post was saxophonist Gato Barbieri's Bolivia, upthread here. The 1st was Dave Brubeck's We're All Together Again For The First Time, upthread here.

I had 5 previous posts about albums from 1998. Chris Potter got a Grammy nomination for his saxophone work on pianist Joanne Brackeen’s Pink Elephant Magic, upthread here. Arranger Don Sebesky’s I Remember Bill: A Tribute To Bill Evans won a Grammy, upthread here. Trumpeter Erik Truffaz' electric Miles style EP The Dawn, upthread here. Altoist Phil Woods' The Rev And I, with tenorist Johnny Griffin, upthread here. Trumpeter Arturo Sandoval won the Grammy for Best Latin Jazz Album for Hot House, upthread here.

How about the 1999 Grammy winner for Best Instrumental Jazz Album? Allmusic: “Gershwin's World is a tour de force for Herbie Hancock, transcending genre and label, and ranking among the finest recordings of his lengthy career....From beautiful to funky, percussive to melodic, improvisational to tightly arranged, Hancock and cohorts take a wondrous journey through the music and world of Gershwin.” Guests include Wayne Shorter, Stevie Wonder on harmonica, soprano Kathleen Battle, and Joni Mitchell in a true jazz voice.

Please enjoy some fine Gershwin adaptations, from only a quarter century ago.

Herbie Hancock, Gershwin’s World, full album: YouTube link. Spotify link.

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

 

[DarrylG]

 

[MoreWatts]

Time Is Of The Essence, is a 1999 Michael Brecker album that earned a Grammy nomination for Best Instrumental Jazz Album in 2001 (it can take awhile for the Grammys to notice sometimes). Pat Metheny plays guitar, Larry Goldings organ, and drummers Elvin Jones, Bill Stewart and Jeff 'Tain' Watts rotate amongst songs. Yup, no bass. It works. Please enjoy.

Michael Brecker, Time Is Of The Essence, full album: YouTube link. Spotify link.

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

 

[MoreWatts]

Saxophonist Kenny Garret’s 2013 album Pushing The World Away earned a Grammy Best Instrumental Jazz Album nomination. Allmusic: “Pushing the World Away is a wildly diverse offering for Garrett. It reveals intricacies, shadows, impressive arrangements, and striking musicianship.”

Featured musicians include keyboardists Vernell Brown and Benito Gonzalez, percussionist Rudy Bird, bassist Corcoran Holt and drummers Marcus Baylor and McClenty Hunter.

Kenny Garrett, Pushing The World Away, full album: YouTube link. Spotify link.

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

 

[DarrylG]

 

[MoreWatts]

Doin’ another album recommendation from 1973, i.e., a half-century ago. The 1st was Dave Brubeck’s We’re All Together Again For The First Time, upthread here, and the 2nd was Gato Barbieri’s Bolivia, upthread here. Will post these on Fridays, as 'Friday 50s', albums that are 50 years old.

Elvin Jones, famous as John Coltrane’s drummer from 1960-65, had a long solo career, and by 1973s Mr. Jones, he had released ~20 albums. From RTE: “Mr Jones, is an intriguing… post-bop listening experience. Querulous and questing, and still fresh-sounding. Joined by Thad Jones on flugelhorn, Dave Liebman on flute, Steve Grossman on soprano sax, Jan Hammer on piano, and Gene Perla on bass.”

Ah, yes, vinyl album lengths. It’s a really nice 38 minutes. And you don’t have to flip sides, these days. Please enjoy.

Elvin Jones, Mr. Jones, full album: YouTube link. Spotify link.

 

[notsodeadlizard]

 

[Ralph_Cramden]