A lovely one from Jack Sheldon

I understand if you've never heard of him.

Jack Sheldon was part of that great West Coast scene that produced tons of amazing music that would take a lifetime or two to get through. Let me just say that his early recordings are wonderful. Maybe he isn't a cutting edge innovator, but I'm not sure that was the intent of those West Coast Cool guys (with Gerry Mulligan being one exception...). I like to think that they just wanted to make great music. Have a listen to "Ahmoore" by Jack Sheldon.



The cool and fabulous Jack Sheldon

I first heard this track many years ago when I picked up "The Progressive Al Cohn" at a used CD shop in Toronto. I liked his version, but there's something about Sheldon's version that I prefer. I suppose debating the merits of each version would be a delightful topic of conversation the next time we are together. For now, enjoy this wonderful song that seems perfectly suited for a warm and sunny spring day.

The Name is Gildo Mahones

Busy, busy. I wish I had more time to chat with you but today won't work. Just the same, I felt the need to share with you, if even for a moment. Gildo Mahones is the man's name, my friends, and may I present Blues For Yna Yna. I don't know much about him yet, but this song says a lot.

Albums That All Humans Should Own #8

The trombone gets a bad rap these days. I mean, everyone loves the sax and trumpet, but friends, let's be honest, how many of you could claim to love listening to the trombone? How many of you could name three trombone players? Or even two? I would hope that most of you could name J.J. Johnson, especially since I have played so much of his music for you over the years... but today I would like to present another trombone master, who followed in J.J.'s ellustrious footsteps: Curtis Fuller.

He played with some of the greats (surely you noticed his playing on John Coltrane's "Blue Train" album) and was part of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers in the 60s and made several incredible albums with them.

I could list some of those albums as essential, but for today, I'm proud to announce that:

'Blues-ette' (1959) by Curtis Fuller is my eighth pick of essential albums that all humans should own.

How many times have I mentioned that the band often makes the record? Often, I know, but how about this line-up?

Benny Golson - tenor sax
Curtis Fuller - trombone
Tommy Flanagan - piano
Jimmy Garrison - bass
Al Harewood - drums



Great player, great writer.

A stellar line-up. There is a ton of great grooving music on this disc. Have a listen to the classic Five Spot After Dark and tell me that all of a sudden the trombone doesn't seem as staid as you previously thought... Besides, you know I'll listen to anything Benny Golson played, especially his recordings from the 50s and 60s.

If you have $30 to spare, and spending money on music is an investment in life-enrichment, I would recommend you head over to iTunes and pick up Curtis Fuller's "Complete Savoy Recordings" on which "Blues-ette" is featured. Killer music friends.

You're welcome. Happy listening and see you soon, okay?

Another Bit of Shepp

Archie Shepp in and out of focus

Yesterday's post had me in an Archie Shepp frame of mind so I thought I'd share something a bit more adventurous than yesterday's groove. Have a listen to 'Lybia'. It's 20+ minutes of dynamite. Shepp has something special, though I admit he may not be to everyone's taste. I like to pull out tracks like this when people argue that they like jazz because it helps them relax. Not all jazz, baby! I say, and then turn this number up.

(and to avoid doing it tomorrow, here's 'Blase', another classic energized track.)

Archie Shepp And George Jackson

Great album, great cover

Now I don't want you to think I don't value our friendship, but if "Blues For Brother George Jackson" by Archie Shepp from his wonderful album Attica Blues (Impulse Records, 1972) doesn't make you want to move, then sorry, our friendship is done.

No pressure, but enjoy this one, okay? It's a great groove and I know you'll love it. It was my ringtone for awhile, but then you got offended that everytime you called I'd let it ring and ring...

Fabulous Flamenco on a Winter's Morn

Miles & Bill - I wish they had recorded 100 albums together...

Friends, I know I've spoken a great deal about spending a lot of time listening to lesser known jazz musicians and while this is true, the track that accompanied me through my drive to work on this unseasonably mild January morning (what happened to northern winters?) was the absolutely lovely "Flamenco Sketches" from Miles Davis' seminal recording Kind of Blue. You know that I am in love with Bill Evans and to hear him playing with Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Paul Chambers, Cannonball Adderley and Jimmy Cobb... well it doesn't get much better than that, does it?

Enjoy this classic, my friends.

Kind of Blue is the best-selling jazz album of all time for a very good reason, don't you think? After all, I named it an Essential Album That All Humans Should Own, so I imagine you've already bought it, listened to it constantly like I did upon first hearing it, then rushed out and bought as much Bill Evans as you could afford.

Eddie Costa, Another One Who Died Too Young

happy hipster

I've been on a real kick of exploring some of the lesser known lights of jazz, as my last few posts will attest. Have you heard of the incredible Eddie Costa? He was a West Coast player who was equally proficient on piano and vibes, he had a percussive attack on the keys that really is all his own.

He played some great music with Bill Evans handling the keys while Eddie played vibes. Another great group in the history of jazz.

Luckily Eddie left some fine music behind before his tragic car accident (wait, ignore that - we avoid talking about the details of the bad endings that came to jazz musicians, though perhaps if I am feeling particularly nihilistic one day I could write all about it) and one of my favourites, at least as of this morning as I drove to work, is his rendition of 'Get Happy'. Friends, listen for a few seconds and you'll see what I mean about his wonderful rhythmic talents. It's a gem of a song and I urge you to seek him out.

Bobby Timmons Is A Name You Should Know

well-dressed and amazing

If you are even a semi-fan of jazz, surely you enjoy the music of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. They went through many encarnations over the years but one of the best groups ever was the one he put together in the late 50s to early 60s.

Now I've always been drawn to this music for the front line of Lee Morgan on trumpet and Wayne Shorter on tenor, but there was someone in that band who I never gave his due: Bobby Timmons on piano.

Not only did he have an incredible acuity, he was also an incredible songwriter. Have a listen to the Jazz Messengers playing his classic 'Dat Dere'.

If that doesn't get your feet tapping you are no friend of mine. I know that must seem harsh, but even I, as easy-going as I am, have my limits. Wayne Shorter plays a killer solo doesn't he? Then Lee does his usual magic, then at 5:05 you've got Mr. Bobby Timmons himself. Incredible.

His solo recordings are equally wonderful and worth seeking out. How about another classic, 'Moanin' recorded in a trio setting? Man, don't you wish you could play like that? Well, maybe you are that good, I don't know. As for me, I'll be content to listen to Timmons and it will help warm me on this -40C day.

Like so many in jazz, he died far too young but let's think about the music he made during his 38 years instead of his early exit, shall we?


He could play, he could write.