Hollywood On 52nd Street

Stella by Starlight is a popular song by Victor Young that was drawn from thematic material composed for the main title and soundtrack of the 1944 Paramount Pictures film, The Uninvited. Appearing in the film’s underscore as well as in source music as an instrumental theme song without lyrics.

It was turned over to Ned Washington, who wrote the lyrics for it two years later in 1946. The title had to be incorporated into the lyrics, which resulted in its unusual placement: the phrase appears about three-quarters of the way through the song, rather than at the beginning or the end.

At one point in the film, the main character, Rick (Ray Milland) tells Stella (Gail Russell) that he is playing a serenade, To Stella by Starlight.

Plot 

Rick (Ray Milland) and his sister Pamela (Ruth Hussey) unknowingly buy a seaside home that is haunted by the ghost of Mary Meredith. Meredith’s husband was a painter who had an affair with his gypsy model, Carmel, Meredith discovers the affair, takes Carmel to and leaves her in Paris, where she gives birth to a child, which ultimately Mary took. Subsequently, Carmel returned to England, takes the infant Stella from Windward, and, during the confrontation, pushes Mary off the cliff to her death. So Mary haunts the house and when Stella returns her affinity to the place is cemented. Rick falls for her but wants her to leave. Seances, ghost visitations by both Camel and Mary, and a sanatorium reveal that Carmel, not Mary is Stella’s mother. This frees Carmel’s spirit from Windward House and with Rick confronting Mary’s spirit announcing he is no longer afraid, the spirit also departs.

Recordings

“Stella by Starlight” is one of the most popular standards, its May 1947 recording by Harry James and his orchestra reached 21st place in the pop charts. Two months later, the recording by Frank Sinatra with Axel Stordahl and his orchestra also rose to the 21st position.

Early adaptations of the song were performed and recorded by Charlie Parker, Stan Getz in December 1952, trumpeter Chet Baker, Bud Powell, Stan Kenton, Nat King Cole. Other recordings have been made by Miles Davis, Red Garland, Earl Grant, Joe Pass, Bill Evans, Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, Lou Donaldson, Charlie Rouse, Dexter Gordon, Billy Eckstine, Dick Haymes, Ray Charles, Anita O’Day, Helen Reddy, Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Mina, Al Hirt, Larry Coryell, among others.

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Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Jothan Callins was born October 29, 1942 in Birmingham, Alabama. The third of nine children he received his childhood education in Ensley at Council Elementary School and Western-Olin High School. Obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree from Florida A&M University, he subsequently became a member of the Lionel Hampton Orchestra and performed with Max Roach, Milt Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Sun Ra, Cecil McBee, Consuela Lee, George Coleman, Geri Allen, Joseph Jennings, Jeff Watts and many others.

In 1978, Jothan became the first Jazz Artist-In-Residence for the Birmingham Public Schools and helped found the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame and City Stages. In 1982, after receiving a fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh, he obtained a Masters’ Degree in Ethnomusicology and Jazz Studies and remained there for five years teaching jazz history. As a prolific, creative artist, Jothan was a performer, composer, arranger, educator, consultant, musical director, and cultural catalyst, who earned the respect and admiration of fans, musicians, and critics throughout the world.

With his band, The Sounds of Togetherness, he toured and performed around the United States and the world. He specialized in Jazz performances and workshops for children and adults. In the ‘90s, Callins founded the Birmingham Youth Jazz Ensemble, Inc. (BYJE), serving as Director until his death. Trumpeter, flugelhornist, electric bassist, and composer Jothan Callins, who was inducted into the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame in 1979, passed away on April 30, 2005 at Baptist-Princeton Medical Center.

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Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Glen Moore, born October 28, 1941 in Portland, Oregon started his performing career began at age 14 with the Young Oregonians in Portland. It was at this time where he met and played with Native American saxophonist, Jim Pepper.

Graduating with a degree in History and Literature from the University of Oregon, his formal bass instruction started after college with Jerome Magil in his hometown, James Harnett in Seattle, Washington, Gary Karr in New York City, Plough Christenson in Copenhagen, Denmark, Ludwig Streicher in Vienna, Austria, and Francois Rabbath in Hawaii.

Moore is a founding member of Oregon but worked also regularly with Rabih Abou-Khalil, Vasant Rai, Nancy King, and Larry Kar. For the past 30 years, has played a Klotz bass fiddle crafted in Tyrol circa 1715 on which he has made extensive use of a unique tuning with both a low and high C string. He has recorded ten albums as a leader, twenty~eight with Oregon, and twenty as a sideman. Double bassist Glen Moore, who also plays piano, flute, and violin continues to perform and record.

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Requisites

Relaxin’ With The Miles Davis Quintet | By Eddie Carter

It took only two days in 1956 for The Miles Davis Quintet to record four incredible jazz albums that have not only stood the test of time but are considered by many to be perfect examples of Hard-Bop at its best. All four LP’s the ensemble recorded completed Davis’ contractual obligation to Prestige before moving on to Columbia Records where he would make some of the most important music over the next thirty years. The albums are Cookin’, (1957), Workin’ (1959), Steamin’ (1961), and this morning’s title submitted for your approval, Relaxin’ With The Miles Davis Quintet (Prestige PRLP-7129), released in 1958. The personnel is Miles on muted trumpet (tracks: A1 to A3, B1, B2), trumpet (track: B3); John Coltrane on tenor sax; Red Garland on piano; Paul Chambers on bass and Philly Joe Jones on drums. The copy used in this report is the 2013 Mono audiophile reissue (APRJ 7129) by Analogue Productions.

The album opens with If I Were a Bell composed by Frank Loesser from the 1950 Broadway musical Guys and Dolls. It became a jazz standard after Miles’ rendition on Relaxin’ and would become a signature song during the quintet’s live performances. The trumpeter comments the band, then several snaps of his fingers bring the tune to life. The quintet begins the medium melody with Miles leading on the muted horn, then continuing on the first solo cruising along at an easy speed. John steps in next for some smooth sailing and Red ends with an exciting performance that swings masterfully ahead of the leader’s closing chorus into the subtle summation.

You’re My Everything is by Harry Warren, Mort Dixon, and Joe Young. This song debuted in the 1931 Broadway show, The Laugh Parade and after two false starts, the quintet opens with a delicately tender intro and melody by Davis moving into an exceptionally gentle presentation showing off Miles’ sentimental side. Coltrane follows, executing his thoughts intimately with refined grace secured by the tasteful richness of the trio into a pensive ending by the leader.

The tempo moves upward for I Could Write A Book by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. This show tune comes from the 1940 Broadway musical Pal Joey.  The trio makes a brief introduction before the quintet delivers the medium-fast melody collectively. Miles takes off on the lead solo with some fast blowing that sets the tone. John attacks the next reading with formidable energy and Red climaxes the performances with exhilarating agility before Davis’ theme reprise ends abruptly.

Sonny Rollins’ Oleo was written in 1954 and first recorded on the album, Miles Davis With Sonny Rollins. This jazz classic is one of Rollins’ most recorded compositions and the title comes from the butter substitute, Oleomargarine that was first made in France in 1869.

Side Two begins with two false starts and some studio small talk leading to the leader’s quick intro and fast-paced theme treatment with Trane finishing the melody. Miles rips into the lead solo with an expedient performance. John soars high into the sky on the second solo and Red provides a speedy resolution of the interpretations with sprightly notes ahead of the quintet’s reprise and brisk ending. Paul and Philly provide the propulsive power behind each soloist on Oleo, inspiring them to the next plateau.

Up next is the 1943 popular song, It Could Happen To You by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke. This standard has been a favorite for musicians and vocalists for over seventy years. Jo Stafford made the first recording with The Paul Weston Orchestra. The group eases the throttle back for this rendition with Miles establishing the relaxing midtempo framework for the group on the melody.  He then goes to work with a sweet-toned delivery that’s pitch-perfect. John follows with a compelling statement as cool as the other side of the pillow and Red delivers a very happy melodic interpretation showing great interaction with Paul and Philly into the quiet coda.

The 1943 jazz standard, Woody‘n You aka Woody ‘n’ You by Dizzy Gillespie was written for bandleader and clarinetist Woody Herman ends the album at an uptempo beat. The song starts with a brief introduction by Garland ahead of the quintet’s lively theme. Miles fuels the lead solo with plenty of fire from his open horn, then Trane delivers an aggressively energized performance of strength and virility. The final statement of the album is split between Miles and Philly who deliver passionate phrases flowing into the reprise and soft fade into emptiness followed by a few final words by Miles.

Relaxin’ With The Miles Davis Quintet is part of Analogue Productions’ Prestige Mono Series and the sound quality is crystal clear demonstration class, and spectacular. The mastering is by Kevin Gray of Cohearent Audio and was cut from Rudy’s original analog masters using two-hundred-gram Virgin Vinyl, pressed by QRP (Quality Record Pressings) and features a deluxe high-gloss laminated album cover. The record is very quiet until the music starts, and what’s great about listening to this reissue are the false starts, and Miles’ comments while talking to Rudy. Their brief conversations transport the listener into the studio, making them part of the event. On a good mid-fi or high-end audio system, the tonal balance between the highs, midrange, and the low end will stand out. There’s inspired playing from each member of the group on every track and Relaxin’ With The Miles Davis Quintet is a great album of standards.  It’s also a perfect choice to sit back, listen, and enjoy any time of the day, evening, or night!

~ Cookin’ With The Miles Davis Quintet (Prestige PRLP 7094); It Could Happen To You (Capitol Records 158); Miles Davis With Sonny Rollins (Prestige PRLP 187); Steamin’ With The Miles Davis Quintet (Prestige PRLP 7200/PRST 7580); Workin’ With The Miles Davis Quintet (Prestige PRLP 7166/PRST 7166) – Source: Discogs.com

~ Oleo, It Could Happen To You, Woody’n You – Source: JazzStandards.com

~ If I Were A Bell, You’re My Everything, I Could Write A Book, Oleomargarine – Source: Wikipedia.org

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Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Fred Hopkins was born on October 11, 1947 in Chicago, Illinois and grew up in a musical family, listening to a wide variety of music from an early age. Attending DuSable High School, he studied music under Walter Dyett, who became well-known for mentoring and training musicians. Originally inspired to learn the cello, without one at the school Dyett steered him to the bass. After graduating from high school, while working at a grocery store he was encouraged to pursue music more seriously.

Hopkins soon began playing with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, where he was the first recipient of the Charles Clark Memorial Scholarship, and studying with Joseph Gustafeste, principal bassist for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at the time, as well as picking up piano duo gigs. He also began playing with Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre, with whom he made his debut recording in 1970 Forces and Feelings. At that point he started becoming more serious about improvisation, playing with Muhal Richard Abrams’s Experimental Band and other related groups.

The early 1970s saw him forming a trio called Reflection with saxophonist Henry Threadgill and drummer Steve McCall. In 1975, he left Chicago, moved to New York City, regrouped with Threadgill and McCall, renamed their trio Air, and went on to tour and record extensively. He also joined the AACM, immersed himself in New York’s loft scene. Over the following decades, he increasingly gained recognition, gigging with Roy Haynes.

He performed and recorded with Muhal Richard Abrams, Hamiet Bluiett, Anthony Braxton, Marion Brown, Arthur Blythe, Oliver Lake, David Murray, Diedre Murray, and Don Pullen, as well as with various groups led by Threadgill. Moving back to Chicago in 1997, he continued to perform, tour, and record with a wide variety of musicians. Double bassist Fred Hopkins passed away on January 7, 1999 at age 51 of heart disease at the University of Chicago Hospital.

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