Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Sam Woodyard was born January 7, 1925 in Elizabeth, New Jersey. He learned to play the drums by teaching himself, with no instruction. He began playing locally around Newark, New Jersey area in the 1940s. Sam gigged with Paul Gayten in an R&B group, moving on in the early 50s to play with Joe Holiday, Roy Eldridge, and Milt Buckner. It was in 1955 that Woodyard would join Duke Ellington’s orchestra, remaining the ensemble’s drummer until 1966.
After his time with Ellington, Sam played behind Ella Fitzgerald prior to moving to Los Angeles, California. In the 1970s he played less due to health problems, but recorded with Buddy Rich and toured with Claude Bolling. In 1983 he played in a band with Teddy Wilson, Buddy Tate and Slam Stewart. His last recording was on Steve Lacy’s 1988 album “The Door”.
A little more than a month after this recording was completed, drummer Sam Woodyard passed away on September 20, 1988 in Paris, France.
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Keith Ronald Christie was born January 6, 1931 in Blackpool, England and began playing trombone at 14 while attending the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He formed a band with his brother Ian in the late 1940s, and soon after the pair joined the band of Humphrey Lyttleton, recording copiously.
Keith served in the military early in the 1950s, reconvening to lead an ensemble with his brother in 1951 that lasted until 1953. He went on to work with other jazz musicians like John Dankworth, Cleo Laine, George Chisholm, Vic Ash and others in the mid 50s. He worked with Ted Heath as well as Allan Ganley in the Jazzmakers from the late 50s to early 60s, with brief stints in other bands through the end of the decade.
During this period he joined Benny Goodman on a European tour, also playing with Tubby Hayes, Paul Gonsalves, Kenny Wheeler, Ronnie Ross, and Bobby Lamb among others. In the mid-1970s Keith Christie suffered and recovered from a fall but his continuing battles with alcoholism eventually resulted in the trombonist’s early death on December 16, 1980 in London, England.
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The Jazz Voyager
Jamboree Jazz Club: Plaça Reial, 17 08002 Barcelona, Spain / Contact: Joan Mas & Anna Mas / Telephone: (0034) 933017564 or 933191789
One of the most important jazz clubs in Europe, they have had Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Elvin Jones, Art Farmer, Chet Baker and many more play on the stage at this venue. They continue to present the highest quality jazz 365 days a year. Live music sets at 8:00pm and 10:00pm. For more information visit http://www.masimas.com/en/jamboree.
Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Laten John Adams was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on January 5, 1932 the oldest of ten children and became a professional musician after leaving school. He began his career-singing gospel with the Soul Revivers and Bessie Griffin’s Consolators, but crossed over to secular music in 1959. He recorded Dorothy LaBostrie’s “I Won’t Cry” on the RIC label and produced by teenager Mac Rebennack a.k.a. Dr. John who would later give him a #27 hit in 1962 with “A Losing Battle”.
In 1963, Adams went on to record for Modern Records and Watch Records with limited success until he signed with SSS International. Having three hits on the billboard charts and an album “Heart and Soul” he moved unsuccessfully to other labels like Atlantic and Ariola. During this period he held down a regular gig at Dorothy’s Medallion Lounge in New Orleans and toured the southern nightclub circuit.
In 1983 signing with Rounder Records, Johnny recorded a series of nine critically acclaimed albums beginning with “From the Heart” in 1984, encompassing a wide range of jazz, blues and R&B styles while highlighting Adams’ voice. By 1991 “The Real Me” album brought him a number of accolades, including a W.C. Handy Award. He began touring internationally, working and recording with such musicians as Aaron Neville, Harry Connick Jr. Lonnie Smith and Dr. John.
Johnny Adams, jazz, blues and gospel singer, passed away on September 14, 1998 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana after a long battle with prostate cancer.
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From Broadway To 52nd Street
How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying opened the 46th Street Theatre on October 14, 1961 and ran for one thousand four hundred and seventeen performances landing it in the blockbuster musical hall of fame. Bob Fosse choreographed the musical to the Frank Loesser compositions performed by the stars of the show Robert Morse, Rudy Vallee, Bonnie Scott and Charles Nelson Reilly. From the show rose the song I Believe In You to become a jazz standard.
The Story: Based on the Pulitzer prize winning play, chronicles the rise of a window washer as he schemes, connives and plots his way to the top of the Worldwide Wicket Company. Foundation for the Michael J. Fox version of Secret of My Success)
Broadway History: In 1811, the city planners of New York City began a massive building execution of the grid, which is now a major characteristic of Manhattan. Broadway, as we know it, was born. All existing roads were redesigned according to this concept; only Broadway was spared. The theater district sits between the 41st and 53rd Street and between the Sixth and Ninth Avenues.
Some 40 theaters are immersed in a sea of light from the theaters’ neon signs, each advertising the latest performances; keeping the Broadway mythos alive. In the early years, Broadway began as a leader in the retail sector. The commercial draw is what really sparked growth in the area. The retail venues that lined the street attracted affluent patrons and created a centralized cultural environment over time. It is because of the retail area that Broadway really took off in the early 1900’s.
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