Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Patt Casion was born on December 31, 1963. She graduated from Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts and pursued a career that led her around the world, working in multiple genres. Along with playing with her own band, IOC with its rotating membership, she performed regularly in every kind of venue. Her versatility also made her an in-demand musical instructor.
Casion returned to the sound of the 50s and 60s, and introduced African based music into the post bop era music. Her music is also rooted in the Black church gospel idiom as she weaved improvisation into all her music.
Soprano saxophonist Patt Casion, who performed in both gospel and jazz genres, transitioned from cancer in Monterey, California on December 31, 2017. She was 55.
More Posts: bandleader,history,instrumental,jazz,music,saxophone
Requisites
Cannonball Adderley Live! | By Eddie Carter
Alto saxophonist Cannonball Adderley steps into the spotlight of this morning’s discussion with his first live album after leaving Riverside. Cannonball Adderley Live! (Capitol Records T 2399/ST 2399) is a live date highlighting his sextet’s performances over three nights at Shelly’s Manne Hole in 1964! It hit the stores a year later and he’s joined on stage by brother Nat Adderley on cornet, Charles Lloyd on flute and tenor sax, Joe Zawinul on piano, Sam Jones on bass, and Louis Hayes on drums. Lloyd joined Cannonball’s group after Yusef Lateef left, and this is the only album I’m aware of that he recorded with the sextet. My copy used in this report is the original US Stereo release.
Cannonball introduces the set’s first tune, Little Boy With The Sad Eyes by Nat Adderley. Charles sets the introduction for the sextet’s collective theme on flute with a tender interlude by Joe. Nat paves the way for the others with a vivacious statement. Cannonball plants some firm roots on the second reading, next Charles adds an abundance of swinging ideas preceding leading the ensemble into a soft summation. Up next is Nat’s contemporary jazz classic, Work Song. Cannonball begins this tune with a concise introduction anchored by the group ahead of their feisty melody. The altoist is up first with a mesmerizing interpretation. Nat responds with a spirited solo leading to the ending theme and the leader’s remarks.
Sweet Georgia Bright, the first of two tunes by Charles Lloyd begins Side Two at a frenzied pace as the sextet rips into the torrid theme furiously. Charles has the first say and wails like the Road Runner traveling at breakneck speed. Nat moves with the fury of a violent whirlwind preceding the ensemble’s swift reprise and abrupt exit. The Song My Lady Sings is a very pretty ballad that could fit perfectly in a love story soundtrack. Cannonball and the rhythm section open the song tenderly. Nat and Charles add their haunting horns to complete the melody. Cannonball caresses each note of the first solo delicately. Nat enters next using the mute to build a warm, moving reading, next Joe delivers a luxuriously rich four-minute performance ahead of Cannonball’s postscript and gentle ending.
The Theme aka Unit 7 by Sam Jones allows Cannonball to address the audience and acknowledge his bandmates who end the set on an upbeat note. Cannonball Adderley Live! was produced by David Axelrod. It’s unknown who the recording engineer was, but the sound quality is quite good, placing the listener in the audience each night. A decade after this album was released, Cannonball suffered a stroke from a cerebral hemorrhage. He passed away at age forty-six on August 8, 1975. He also recorded for Blue Note, EmArcy, Fantasy, Mercury, and Riverside over his two-decade career and his legacy is an extensive discography including some albums as a leader and sideman that have stood the test of time. If you’re in the mood for some good live jazz, I invite you to check out Cannonball Adderley Live! It’s an underappreciated and overlooked gem deserving of a wider audience and a title I recommend for your library!
~ Cannonball Adderley – Source: Wikipedia.org ~ © 2022 by Edward Thomas Carter
More Posts: choice,classic,collectible,collector,history,instrumental,jazz,music,saxophone
Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Frank J. Valeriani was born in Newark, New Jersey on November 26, 1966. He started studying saxophone at age of 15. When his family moved to Italy he put together his first mediterranean blues oriented band. While living in Italy he graduated magna cum laude from the music conservatory in Naples. After the conservatory years he started several bands, including jazz, fusion and latin jazz, and peformed at several festivals before moving north to Milano, Italy.
In Milano He studied songwriting, arranging and jazz at the alternative contemporary music school, Professional Music Center, graduating with excellent scores. During his Italian years he performed with Wess, Rocky Roberts, Cristiano Malgioglio, Peppino Gagliardi, Nello Daniele and others. He was music coordinator and conductor of the folk show Quanno Tramonta ‘o Sole that toured all over Italy for several years. He also toured with Maestro Gianni Mazza and performed on Italian tv networks.
Deciding to move back to the states he chose Las Vegas, Nevada for its musical activity. He performed with some of the best musicians in town, such as The Platters, The Drifters, jazz singers Nancy Kelly and Tony Bennett. Frank also performs with the Frank Valeriani Band all over the town.
He plays jazz, smooth jazz, and pop, doubles on percussion, rhythm guitar & keyboards and enjoys back up singing when required. As an educator he teaches saxophone and harmony in music schools. Saxophonist Frank Valeriani is also a composer and arranger and continues to perform and teach.
More Posts: arranger,bandleader,composer,history,instrumental,jazz,music,saxophone
Daily Dose Of Jazz…
David Theak was born on November 10, 1970 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia and was raised in a house of impromptu parties. His childhood found him listening to his downstairs neighbor teaching piano every afternoon which led to lessons and a piano for Christmas. His bandmistress at Mona Vale PS introduced him to the saxophone but paid his dues on the baritone horn for a couple of years. After a brief stint at the Conservatorium High School, he returned to the local high school with some enthusiastic music teachers. They encouraged us to improvise and created opportunities for us to play in jazz and rock bands.
he following years saw David practicing, composing, gigging, releasing his own albums and organizing tours of Australia & Europe for his quartet, theak-tet, but with limited opportunities in the 90’s, he became involved with a musician led organization, the Jazzgroove Association, which received NSW and Federal government funding that allowed presentation of new music every week as well as create a record label and form an original creative jazz orchestra, The Jazzgroove Mothership Orchestra.
He went on to become involved with SIMA, WAYJO and the formation of the Australian National Jazz Orchestra and ANJO Youth Big Band. David has been running a boutique international jazz festival for the past five years, is currently a Senior Lecturer in Jazz at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Artistic Director of the Australian National Jazz Orchestra, an advisory panel member of the Western Australian Youth Jazz Orchestra, President of the Sydney Improvised Music Association and Artistic Director of the Sydney Con Jazz Festival.
Jazz saxophonist, composer, bandleader, educator, festival director and jazz protagonist, David Theak, who continues to compose, perform and tour, is the artistic director of the Jazzgroove Mothership Orchestra and collaborates with a who’s who of international jazz musicians.
More Posts: bandleader,composer,educator,history,instrumental,jazz,music,saxophone
Requisites
Hawkins! Alive! At The Village Gate ~ Coleman Hawkins | By Eddie Carter
This morning’s choice from the library takes us to The Village Gate for two performances on August 13 and 15, 1962 by The Coleman Hawkins Quartet. Hawkins! Alive! At The Village Gate (Verve Records V-8509/V6-8509) hit the stores in 1963 and is the companion to Hawkins! Eldridge! Hodges! Alive! At The Village Gate. It was also recorded on August 15 with special guests Roy Eldridge and Johnny Hodges. Hawk was one of the greatest musicians during the Swing Era and a commanding presence on the tenor sax throughout his career. Hawk’s joined on stage by Tommy Flanagan on piano, Major Holley on bass, and Ed Locke on drums. My copy used in this report is the 1995 Classic Records US Stereo Audiophile reissue sharing the original catalog number.
Side One opens with All The Things You Are by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II. Tommy lays the foundation on a concise introduction leading to Coleman’s melody and lively lead solo possessing one imaginative idea after another. Tommy matches him in agility on a spirited reading. Major follows with a splendid statement leading to Coleman’s return for the theme’s reprise. Hawkins introduces the next tune to the audience, the African American spiritual, Joshua Fit The Battle of Jericho. Hawk takes the lead on the theme, stepping aside for Flanagan who gives a marvelous first solo. Holley makes his presence felt on a strong, personal interpretation vocally accompanying his bass playing. Hawkins puts an exclamation point on the finale preceding the group’s climax.
The quartet starts Side Two with the old favorite, Mack The Knife by Kurt Weill, Bertolt Brecht, and Marc Blitzstein. After the ensemble’s melody presentation, Coleman lets us know we’re in for a treat with a joyful opening solo. Tommy delivers a cheerful interpretation next, then Major gets a chance to shine on a charming reading ahead of the closing chorus. The album ends with a lovely ballad, It’s The Talk of The Town by Jerry Livingston, Al J. Neiburg, and Marty Symes. Hawk opens this standard with a warm, moving melody that continues in the poignant beauty of his opening statement. Flanagan follows with a touching interpretation of his own, and Holley manages the next reading with great delicacy. Hawk reappears and gently takes the group home to appreciative applause from the crowd.
Hawkins! Alive! At The Village Gate was produced by Creed Taylor. Frank Greenwald and Tom Hidley were the men behind the dials of the original recording. This Classic Records reissue was mastered by Bernie Grundman and pressed on 180 grams of audiophile vinyl that’s dead silent until the music starts. The sound quality is breathtaking with a stunning soundstage placing the listener in the Village Gate crowd while the musicians are performing. Coleman Hawkins recorded forty albums as a leader for various labels and appeared as a sideman with some of the elite musicians in jazz. He passed away at age sixty-four from liver disease on May 19, 1969. If you’re a fan of his LPs, the tenor sax, or just love good jazz, I invite you to check out Hawkins! Alive! At The Village Gate the next time you’re out searching for vinyl treasure. Like its companion, it’s a great album that’s perfect to enjoy with your favorite beverage after a long day or week, and a record any jazz aficionado or novice fan can enjoy!
~ Hawkins! Eldridge! Hodges! Alive! At The Village Gate (Verve Records V-8504/V6-8504) – Source: Discogs.com ~ All The Things You Are, It’s The Talk of The Town, Mack The Knife – Source: JazzStandards.com © 2022 by Edward Thomas Carter
More Posts: choice,classic,collectible,collector,history,instrumental,jazz,music,saxophone