Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Nasheet Waits was born on June 15, 1971 in New York City, the son of legendary drummer Freddie Waits, and learned to play the drums as a child. Before pursuing a music career, he studied psychology and history at Morehouse College. Transferring to Long Island University, he graduated with a degree in music but during his matriculation, in 1970, drummer and instructor Michael Carvin, who laid a great foundation for Waits, secured him a spot in Max Roach’s M’Boom.
Waits has recorded or performed as a sideman with such talents as Fred Hersch, Antonio Hart, Joe Lovano, Jason Moran, Andrew Hill, Bunky Green, William Parker, Eddie Gomez, John Medeski, Ron Carter, Hamiett Bluiett, Steve Coleman, Bill Lee, Jackie McLean and Mark Turner among others.
Acquiring the moniker “Heavy” as a part of his jazz legacy, Nasheet has been active on the jazz scene since 1993 and delivered his first album as a leader in 2009, titled “Equality”. Waits has recorded and toured extensively in Africa, Europe, Japan, Canada, South America and the United States. Amidst all of that, Nasheet teaches private lessons to youth and adults, stressing a personal approach to the drums and music and remains dedicated to exploring his role and creative path in music.
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Requisites
Miles & Monk at Newport ~ The Miles Davis Sextet Featuring Cannonball Adderley and John Coltrane, and The Thelonious Monk Quartet, plus Pee Wee Russell | By Eddie Carter
This morning’s album from the library, Miles & Monk at Newport (Columbia CL 2178/CS 8978), documents two performances on July 3, 1958, and 1963 by The Miles Davis Sextet and The Thelonious Monk Quartet. The lineup is Miles Davis on trumpet; Julian “Cannonball” Adderley on alto sax; John Coltrane (tracks: A1 to A4), Charlie Rouse on tenor sax; Pee Wee Russell on clarinet (tracks: B1, B2); Wynton Kelly (tracks: A1 to A4), Thelonious Monk (tracks: B1, B2) on piano; Paul Chambers (tracks: A1 to A4), Butch Warren (tracks: B1, B2) on bass; Jimmy Cobb (tracks: A1 to A4), and Frankie Dunlop (tracks: B1, B2) on drums. The copy I own is no. 1841 of the 2013 U.S. Record Store Day Limited Edition mono audiophile reissue, sharing the original catalog number from Miles Davis – The Original Mono Recordings series.
The opener is Charlie Parker’s Ah-Leu-Cha, and the sextet’s melody flies out of the gate at the outset. Miles launches into the lead solo rapidly, then John takes flight next, soaring through the skies. Cannonball also moves at lightning speed next, before the ensemble jumps back into the closing chorus featuring two brief comments by Jimmy ahead of an abrupt stop. The audience has a second to catch their breath when the sextet changes gears for Thelonious Monk’s Straight, No Chaser. The group’s easygoing melody sets the tone. Miles makes his entrance with a mellow swing. Coltrane follows with a laid-back solo, then Adderley hits a cool groove. Kelly displays his versatility next, and Chambers takes a relaxing walk, leading back into the theme’s reprise and climax.
Miles switches to a mute to introduce the melody of Fran Dance, his tribute to his then-wife Frances. Cannonball leads off this time with a leisurely, carefree opening statement. John follows, making the most of each note with brilliant idea upon idea in an invigorating interpretation. Wynton gets the last word in a bluesy reading that takes the audience and listener into a restatement of the theme and a soft summation. The first side closes with Two Bass Hit, by Dizzy Gillespie and John Coltrane. Switching back to his open trumpet, Miles kicks things off with a lively opening and main theme, while Jimmy drives the group forward with his dynamic playing. Coltrane is the featured soloist and motors along at a breakneck pace into Miles’ return for the closing chorus, and a final thought by Cobb into the explosive climax.
The Thelonious Monk Quartet and guest Pee Wee Russell begin Side Two with their 1963 performance of Nutty, the first of two originals by Monk. Monk’s introduction sets the stage for the ensemble’s good-humored opening chorus. Charlie sails through the lead solo efficiently. Pee Wee continues the laid-back mood on the second reading. Monk swings casually into the third interpretation, then Butch delivers a few solid bass lines, and Frankie has the last word before the close. Blue Monk is the tune the pianist recorded most often throughout his career. Monk opens with a short introduction segueing into the ensemble’s melody. Rouse leads the way with an abundance of nostalgic charm. Russell answers him with a soulful statement. Monk matches them with a smooth statement, and Warren takes a short walk until the theme’s reprise.
Teo Macero produced both concerts, though it’s not clear who recorded them. Still, the sound quality on both dates is surprisingly good for the time they were recorded. This mono reissue is pressed on 180-gram vinyl and is completely silent until the music begins. The front and rear covers are made of sturdy, heavy cardstock. If I had to mention one small critique, it would be that Miles & Monk were two of the biggest stars on Columbia’s roster, and it might have been wonderful to see each performance released in a two-record set. But putting that aside, Miles & Monk at Newport is more than just a piece of jazz history; it’s a lively celebration of the genre’s energy and diversity during the late 50s and early 60s. If you’re a fan of either artist, I highly recommend checking it out next time you’re record shopping. Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk lead their bands through two unforgettable performances that every jazz fan should experience!
~ Straight, No Chaser – Source: JazzStandards.com © 2026 by Edward Thomas Carter
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Karl Marsh was born on June 14, 1959 in Los Angeles, California. He learned to play the saxophone as a child coming out of the tradition of John Coltrane, Joe Henderson and Pharoah Sanders, with an added twist of Ben Webster.
Marsh’s big & warm toned tenor saxophone is comfortable in a variety of performance settings, from combos, duos and quintets delivering heartfelt ballads and standards and straight-ahead, earthy and spirit-filled original compositions.
Since 2009 Karl has held a regular gig at the Left Coast Wine Bar and Gallery, has played Maggiano’s at The Grove and the LA Farmer’s Market Summer Jazz Concert series in Los Angeles, has performed at Belgocargo in France, the Joe Henderson Tribute Concert and art venues throughout metro Los Angeles. He released his debut album titled “Push’N Ahead!” in 2005.
Tenor saxophonist Karl Marsh currently serves as the saxophone instructor for the Pasadena Community Youth Orchestra and also offers private instruction.
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Buddy Catlett was born George James Catlett on June 13, 1933 and grew up in Seattle, Washington. During his childhood he listened to records his mother brought home, and learned to play the cornet around age 10 after hearing Louis Armstrong, and by fourteen had saved enough money from his movie theater job to buy a saxophone. He would soon be gigging with his childhood friend Quincy Jones till 5:30 in the morning and then the two would go to Garfield High School a few hours later. It was during this time that he also met and performed with Ray Charles.
He first professional gig was with vibraphonist Bumps Blackwell’s band that included Ernestine Anderson, but by 17 had to stop performing due to tubercular pleurisy that hospitalized him for two years. Not to be beaten, he started taking bass lessons with Tiny Martin of the Seattle Symphony. Learning quickly he was soon asked to join pianist Horace Henderson’s band and on the road he went. This was followed up with a stint with Cal Tjader, a move to New York in 1958, and a European tour with Quincy Jones playing for the musical Free and Easy starring tapper Harold Nicholas.
Throughout his career he performed with Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Frank Sinatra, Count Basie and Louis Armstrong among others. He has appeared on over 100 recordings and is recognizable on the Sinatra/Basie arrangement of Fly Me To The Moon and Armstrong’s What A Wonderful World. With declining health, bassist Buddy Catlett scaled down his jazz performances in his hometown of Seattle but has not lost his popularity or respect from an admiring community. Bassist Buddy Catlett passed away on November 12, 2014, at age 81 at the Leon Sullivan Health Care Center in Seattle’s Central District.
Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Chick Corea was born Armando Anthony Corea on June 12, 1941 in Chelsea, Massachusetts of Sicilian and Spanish descent. His father, a jazz trumpeter led a Dixieland band introduced him to the piano at the age of four. Growing up surrounded by jazz music, he was influenced at an early age by bebop stars Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Bud Powell, Horace Silver and Lester Young. At eight Corea added drums, which later influenced his use of the piano as a percussion instrument.
Corea started taking piano lessons and musical composition at age eight and went on to spend several years in the drum and bugle corps, the Knights of St. Rose. By high school he was gigging, listening to Herb Pomeroy’s band at the time, and had a trio that performed Horace Silver’s music at a local jazz club.
A move to New York had him studying music at Columbia University and The Julliard School but found them both disappointing, subsequently immersing himself in the New York jazz scene. Corea’s first major professional gig was with Cab Calloway, followed by Blue Mitchell, Herbie Mann, Willie Bobo and Mongo Santamaria. He released his debut album Tones For Joan’s Bones in 1966 and has followed with an impressive discography.
He would venture into the avant-garde with Miles Davis on Filles de Kilimanjaro, In A Silent Way and Bitches Brew; and on Joe Farrell’s Song of the Wind. Hew would record and tour with Davis into the 70s until leaving to form the group “Circle” with Dave Holland, pushing more free jazz. Striking out on his own, in 1971 he formed the fusion band Return To Forever that featured Flora Purim on vocals and has spawned a multitude of albums with his most popular tune “Spain” coming from the Light As A Feather album.
He has done duet projects, delved into electric instrumentation, has won 18 Grammys out of 51 nominations, two Latin Grammy awards, has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for Now He Sings, Now He Sobs, formed the 5 Peace Band and continued to perform, tour and record until his death. Pianist, keyboardist, and composer Chick Corea passed away of a rare form of cancer at his home near Tampa Bay, Florida on February 9, 2021, at age 79
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