Jazz Poems

LOUIS ARMSTRONG

suddenly in the midst of a game of lotto with his sisters

Armstrong let a roar out of him that he had the raw meat

Red wet flesh for Louis 

and he up and sliced him two rumplings 

since when his trumpet bubbles 

their fust buss

poppies burn on the black earth 

he weds the flood he lulls her

some of these days muffled in ooze 

down down down down 

pang of white in my hair

after you’re gone

Narcissus lean and slippered

you’re driving me crazy and the trumpet

In Ole Bull it chassés aghast 

out of the throes of morning 

down the giddy catgut 

and confessing and my woe slavers 

the black music it can’t be easy 

it threshes the old heart into a spin 

into a blaze

Louis lil’ ole fader Mississippi 

his voice gushes into the lake 

the rain spouts back into heaven 

his arrows from afar they fizz through the wild horses 

they fang you and me 

then they fly home

flurry of lightning in the earth 

sockets for his rootbound song 

nights of Harlem scored with his nails 

snow black slush when his heart rises

his she-notes they have more tentacles than the sea 

they woo me they close my eyes 

they suck me out of the world

ERNST MOERMAN Translated by Samuel Beckett 

from Jazz Poems ~ Selected and Edited by Kevin Young

SUITE TABU 200

 

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Charlie Galbraith was born August 13, 1920 in Lambeth, London, England. In the late 1940s he worked with the John Haim Jelly Roll Kings, Cy Laurie, Reg Rigden and Mike Daniels.

From 1949 to 1954 Charlie led his own group, Jazzmen and in late 1954 with Eric Silk, Bobby Mickleburg the following year, George Webb, Joe Daniels and Kenny Ball for two years beginning in 1957.

1960 saw Galbraith leading his own All Stars Jazz Band and in 1963 co-led with trumpeter Brian Jones. He later worked with Monty Sunshine and Joe Daniels through the end of the decade.

During the 1970s and Eighties he led his own band. Trombonist and singer Charlie Galbraith died January 16, 1997 in London, England.

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Bent Axen was born on August 12, 1925 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Axen played for a year with Ib Renard in 1949 and in 1950 became a member of the Johnny Campbell and Max Brüel bands until 1958. He then moved on to work in Ib Glindemann’s orchestra. In 1960 he founded his own jazz quintet and also accompanied guest soloists such as Eric Dolphy in Erik Moseholm ‘s trio.

Between 1961 and 1967 he was a member of the radio jazz groups of Danmarks Radio, for which he also wrote compositions. He also performed with Don Byas. He went on to work as a theater musician and composer, first at Gladsaxe Teater and from 1971 at Folketeatret.

In 1960 he was honored as Danish “Jazz Musician of the Year”. Pianist, theatre and film composer Bent Axen, who released a half dozen albums as a leader, died on May 20, 2010.

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Requisites

Monty Alexander In Tokyo | By Eddie Carter

I first heard Monty Alexander In Tokyo (Pablo Records 2310-836) in 1985 at the former jazz station, WNOP 740 AM, after my move to Cincinnati from Cleveland, Ohio. It was recorded during the pianist’s first trip to the city and is his nineteenth release as a leader. Here, he is working with two of the best in the business: Andy Simpkins on bass and Frank Gant on drums. My copy is the 1979 U.S. Stereo pressing, and the trio opens this musical adventure with a trip to Broadway by Billy Byrd, Teddy McRae and Henri Woode. They begin this catchy tune with a delightfully crafted melody. Monty cuts loose in a spirited statement that’s sure to have your fingers popping and toes tapping along until the song’s conclusion.

Just In Time by Jule Styne, Betty Comden, and Adolph Green starts with a short introduction by Monty, segueing into the threesome’s pulsating theme, who treats the standard like an old friend. Monty comes alive in the song’s only interpretation ahead of the closing chorus and finish. Sweet Lady is a lovely ballad by Dave Zoob, Frank Crumit, and Howard E. Johnson. It’s a showcase for Monty and Andy, who start the song with a tender introduction that leads to their enchanting melody. The duo sustains the gentle mood in the delicately sensitive statement they share, preceding a polite reprise and climax.

Tricotism by Oscar Pettiford begins with the trio introducing this happy swinger collectively before taking the theme at a fast clip. Monty kicks off the solos with a scintillating opening statement; then Andy takes over for a bit of brisk walking. The pianist has a second interlude before Frank engages in a short workout ahead of the melody’s restatement and ending. Never Let Me Go by Jay Livingston, and Ray opens with the threesome’s slow-tempo introduction. The pace picks up to a medium beat for the opening chorus, ahead of the pianist’s driving solo that has something to say into the closing chorus.

Up next is Montevideo by Richard Evans, which takes off from the opening notes of the trio’s upbeat introduction and melody. The rhythm section spurs Monty to soar into the stratosphere in the song’s only statement until he returns to Earth for the theme’s reprise and abrupt ending. Pawnbroker by Quincy Jones is a very pretty ballad from the 1964 film drama. It’s a solo showcase for Monty Alexander, and the pianist uses the poignant melody effectively to depict the song’s sincerity and melodic beauty in a gorgeous interpretation, preceding the melody restatement and a lovely summation.

See See Rider by Ma Rainey brings the album to a close on an upbeat note. The trio starts expressing their joy and pleasure in the melody. Monty is up first with an especially impressive interpretation; then Andy takes a short walk through the second reading. The pianist puts the finishing touches on the song ahead of the closing chorus and ending. Monty Alexander produced Monty Alexander In Tokyo, and Katsuyuki Handa and Kazutoyo Takeda were the recording engineers. The sound quality is excellent, with a vivid soundstage that transports the trio to your listening room’s sweet spot.

Whether you’re new to Monty Alexander’s music or a seasoned fan, Monty Alexander In Tokyo is a versatile album that’s perfect for any occasion. It’s the perfect soundtrack for a relaxing evening or a lively dinner with friends. I highly recommend adding it to your jazz library. With its diverse range of tracks, it’s a testament to the trio’s musical prowess and a must-have for anyone who loves a piano trio!

~ Just In Time – Source: JazzStandards.com

~ Broadway, See See Rider – Source: Wikipedia.org

© 2024 by Edward Thomas Carter



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Jørgen Ryg was born on August 11, 1927 in Copenhagen, Denmark and  was the son of the opera singer and barber Evald Asger Ryg Kristiansen and the pianist Ellen Kirstine Ryg.

Over the course of his career Jørgen recorded several jazz albums but is best known for his comical monologues on stage. He appeared in 37 films between 1954 and 1978. He won the Bodil Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his role as adjutant Mühlhauser in Lenin, You Rascal, You.

Ryg was diagnosed with throat cancer in 1979. He was declared healthy the following year, but suffered a severe relapse when he appeared in the Tivoli revue in the summer of 1981. He collapsed with a bleeding stomach ulcer and had to give up work for the rest of the season.

Trumpeter, composer, comedian and actor Jørgen Ryg, was admitted to the Finsensinstituttet in Copenhagen and died on August 28, 1981 at the age of 54.

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