The Jazz Voyager
Manhattan is calling the Jazz Voyager once again to its theater district wherein lies the famed jazz nightclub Birdland. This venerable jazz club opened on December 15, 1949 and though the original location, which was located at 1678 Broadway, just north of West 52nd Street closed in 1965 due to increased rents, it re-opened for one night in 1979. Then in 1986 a revival began with the opening of the second nightclub by the same name that is now located not far from the original nightclub’s location. The current site at 315 West 44th Street 10036 is in the same building as the previous New York Observer headquarters.
Too young to have gained admittance to the original club before it closed, this Jazz Voyager will enjoy revisiting the club, not patronized since the Nineties, to hear one of the genres emerging vocalists Veronica Swift and of course for the late show at 10:30. The price of admission is $40 and if memory serves me, make a reservation at 212-581-3080. #wannabewhereyouare
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Three Wishes
When the question of three wishes was directed to Roy Eldgridge he replied:
- “To finish my course as a radio and television technician, so as to not have to blow that horn anymore.”
- “Enough money to buy my own club.”
- “Hold the war off for ten years – that’s long enough, I’ll be sixty then – so I can collect some money!”
*Excerpt from Three Wishes: An Intimate Look at Jazz Greats – Complied and Photographed by Pannonica de Koenigswarter
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Requisites
King Pleasure Sings, Annie Ross Sings is an album released in 1952, the same year Ross met Prestige Records owner Bob Weinstock, who asked her to write lyrics to a jazz solo, in a similar way to King Pleasure, a practice that would later be known as vocalese. The next day, she presented him with Twisted, a treatment of saxophonist Wardell Gray’s 1949 composition of the same name, a classic example of the genre. The song, first released on the 1952 album King Pleasure Sings/Annie Ross Sings, was an underground hit, and resulted in her winning DownBeat magazine’s New Star award.
The cover art design is by Marc Rice, the photographs were taken by Esmond Edwards and the liner notes were written by Ira Gitler. Of the twelve tunes that comprise the album, eight of them are King Pleasure’s, taking all of side A and two tracks on side B. the remaining four tracks belong to Annie Ross.
The track list is as follows for King Pleasure Sings: Red Top, Jumpin’ With Symphony Sid, Sometimes I’m Happy, This Is Always, What Can I Say Dear, Don’t Get Scared, Parker’s Mood and I’m Gone.
Annie Ross Sings four tracks are: Twisted, Farmer’s Market, The Time Was Right and Annie’s Lament.
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The Jazz Voyager
The Jazz Voyager is heading to the 15222 zip code in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to take in a jazz set at Little E’s Jazz Club. Situated at 949 Liberty Avenue on the second floor they are known to hosts some of the finest jazz players around and also welcomes jazz scene newcomers.
Open for two years, it has quickly become one of the best jazz clubs in the city offering up an American fare of surf and turf house specialties. Hosting local, regional and national musicians in addition to the hottest up-and coming acts, reservations are best made in advance. To find out who’s playing when as well as cover charge, I recommend you call ahead for that information at 412-392-2217, as their website has limited information. #wannabewhereyouare
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Three Wishes
The Baroness asked of David “Fathead” Newman what his three wishes would be and all he had to say was:
- “To get high… right now. Tell you the rest tomorrow”
*Excerpt from Three Wishes: An Intimate Look at Jazz Greats – Complied and Photographed by Pannonica de Koenigswarter
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