Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Susanne Alt was born April 15, 1978 in Würzburg, Germany to Hans-Joachim and Maria Alt. Her father is a composer, poet and piano teacher, and mother a guitar teacher. After studying classical piano and guitar with her parents, she began playing the saxophone at thirteen and successfully participated in several saxophone competitions.

While still in high-school she started taking lessons in classical saxophone at the Meistersingerkonservatorium Nuremberg between 1993 and 1995, becoming a full-time student there in the 1995–96 academic year. During this period Susanne began practicing jazz and after winning the Siemens-Jazz-Förderpreis, she moved to the Netherlands to continue her studies at the Hilversums Conservatorium. Returning to Germany for postgraduate studies, she enrolled in the Berlin University of the Arts in 2000.

Forming the Susanne Alt Quartet in 2003, in the following year she released her debut album, Nocturne at Bimhuis, Amsterdam, Netherlands. Five jazz albums later, she released the funk album Saxify in 2016, preceded by the 7-inch single Saxify. The album features 36 musicians, amongst them are Fred Wesley, Michael “Clip” Payne, Michael Hampton, Rodney “Skeet” Curtis, and Roger Smith of Tower Of Power.

Alt has collaborated with a number of notable musicians and ensembles and has also toured worldwide. Saxophonist and composer Susanne Alt is based in Amsterdam, and continues to pursue her desire for new musical experiences.

ROBYN B. NASH

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SCOTT HAMILTON

According to The Guardian, Scott Hamilton represents the timeless essence of jazz. The tenor saxophonist is known for his captivating style of playing, for which trumpeter Roy Eldridge was a major influence. After trying out several instruments, he picked the saxophone when he ended up in New York. He stayed with the instrument ever since and performed with jazz legends such as Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman and Woody Herman.

This concert will feature straight-ahead jazz of the highest level by a musician who has been at the international top for many years. He will be accompanied by some of the finest in Dutch jazz: Rein de Graaff on piano, Marius Beets on double bass, and Eric Ineke on drums.

‘Following a Scott Hamilton solo is like listening to a great conversationalist in full flow. First comes the voice, the inimitable, assured sound of his tenor saxophone, then the informal style and finally the amazing fluency and eloquent command of the jazz language’ (Dave Gelly).

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SCOTT HAMILTON

According to The Guardian, Scott Hamilton represents the timeless essence of jazz. The tenor saxophonist is known for his captivating style of playing, for which trumpeter Roy Eldridge was a major influence. After trying out several instruments, he picked the saxophone when he ended up in New York. He stayed with the instrument ever since and performed with jazz legends such as Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman and Woody Herman.

This concert will feature straight-ahead jazz of the highest level by a musician who has been at the international top for many years. He will be accompanied by some of the finest in Dutch jazz: Rein de Graaff on piano, Marius Beets on double bass, and Eric Ineke on drums.

‘Following a Scott Hamilton solo is like listening to a great conversationalist in full flow. First comes the voice, the inimitable, assured sound of his tenor saxophone, then the informal style and finally the amazing fluency and eloquent command of the jazz language’ (Dave Gelly).

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Requisites

Blues For Harvey ~ Johnny Griffin | By Eddie Carter

It’s been a while since I listened to one of my favorite tenor saxophonists, Johnny Griffin, so I chose an album that became the inspiration for this morning’s discussion. Blues For Harvey (SteepleChase Records SCS-1004) is an excellent 1973 live date, and Johnny’s working with a stellar supporting cast: Kenny Drew on piano, Mads Vinding on bass, and Ed Thigpen on drums. My copy is the 1976 U.S. Stereo reissue (Inner City IC 2004). Johnny began his career in the forties playing the alto sax. He changed to tenor after joining Lionel Hampton’s Orchestra, and he’s played with Art Blakey, Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, Kenny Clarke-Francy Boland Big Band and Thelonious Monk, to name a few.

The quartet begins the set with a trip to That Party Upstairs, the first of four by Johnny Griffin. The ensemble’s melody begins at an easy swing before stepping aside for Johnny’s lengthy opening statement. Kenny takes an interesting turn next; then Mads finishes with a carefree stroll ahead of the foursome’s theme restatement and close. Alone Again is a pretty ballad that Kenny introduces gently segueing into Johnny’s delicately tasteful theme and opening chorus. The pianist follows with an elegantly stylish interpretation; then, Mads makes a few intimate remarks preceding Griff’s return for a touching theme reprise and finale.

Side Two starts with Soft and Furry. Griff and Mads open with a dialogue over Ed’s soft supplement into the quartet’s haunting theme. Johnny opens the solos with an exceptionally rich tone. Kenny takes an exquisite performance next, and then Mads gives a tender interpretation before the tenor and bass reappear to lead the foursome to a beautiful climax. Blues For Harvey is dedicated to the Montmartre bartender, Harvey Sand. Griff sets the tone in the introduction and the quartet’s melody. Johnny takes the lead in an incredibly fleet interpretation. Kenny adds a bit of fire and drive in the second reading, and Ed has a vigorous exchange with the leader, leading to the ensemble’s brisk conclusion.

Rhythm-A-Ning by Thelonious Monk starts with the foursome’s quirky theme before Johnny takes flight with a speedy interpretation that seamlessly switches to The Theme before the song ends with Griff’s introduction of the quartet. Johnny Griffin and Nils Winther produced Blues For Harvey, and Nils also did double duty behind the dials of the recording. The album’s sound quality is good for a seventies live date, placing the listener in the Montmartre audience, and the quartet’s performance is enjoyable throughout. If you’re a fan of Griff’s playing or in the mood for hard bop, I offer for your consideration, Blues For Harvey by Johnny Griffin. It’s a little-known release in his extensive discography deserving of greater recognition and worthy of checking out for a spot in your library!

© 2024 by Edward Thomas Carter



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THE MUSIC OF BENNY GOLSON

Eddie Henderson – trumpet | Ralph Moore – tenor saxophone | Steve Davis – trombone | Mike LeDonne – piano | Buster Williams – bass | Carl Allen – drums

“Among jazz’s greatest living composers.” – The Washington Post The music of jazz legend Benny Golson is celebrated and performed by the New Jazztet featuring trumpeter Eddie Henderson, trombonist Steve Davis, pianist Mike LeDonne, bassist Buster Williams, and drummer Carl Allen with special guest Ralph Moore on tenor saxophone. This group recorded together under Golson’s leadership in 2008, which resulted in the acclaimed album, New Time, New ’Tet. Golson is one of the most important contributors to jazz history as a player and the jazz canon as composer writing such enduring classics as “Killer Joe,” “I Remember Clifford,” “Along Came Betty,” “Stablemates,” “Whisper Not,” “Blues March,” “Five Spot After Dark,” and “Are you Real?” among quite a few others. He also was a major influence on the tenor saxophone playing in the bands of Benny Goodman, Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton, Earl Bostic, and Art Blakey. The full impact of his career on American culture is hard to summarize but Downbeat called him “a defining voice of modern jazz.”

***PLEASE NOTE: All 7PM and 9PM shows at Smoke are Dinner Shows | Fees Apply To All Tickets

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