Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Frank Rehak was born July 6, 1926 in New York City and began on piano and cello before switching to trombone. He worked with Gil Evans and Miles Davis. He also appeared with Davis on the broadcast The Sounds of Miles Davis.
A heroin addiction combined with other financial problems led to his withdrawal from music and his lapsing into relative obscurity. It was probably partially contributed to his failed marriage to nightclub dancer Jerri Gray. In an effort to deal with these issues he spent time at Synanon, which led to his mention in Art Pepper’s autobiography.
Trombonist Frank Rehak transitioned in Badger, California on June 22, 1987 of throat cancer at the age of 60.
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Wilhelm Josef Grah was born on June 24, 1928 in Bergisch-Gladbach, Germany. He led his own quintet from 1949 to 1953, then performed and recorded with Fatty George 1954-1959. I
During the 1960s he moved to Austria where he hosted a radio show in Vienna. He officially became a citizen in 1970. In the 1970s he played with the Austrian Barrelhouse Jazz Band and also led his own quintet.
Pianist and vibraphonist, who led a trio, quintet, sextet, big band and orchestra, transitioned on September 17, 1996 in Vienna.
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The Quarantined Jazz Voyager
This week the Jazz Voyager is choosing from the library of rare gems seldom heard on this side of the pond. Thanks to the internet, as you listen to the twenty-nine minutes of the album, remember to keep vigilant about the safety of your health and others. On the turntable is the hard bop Jazz De Chambre, a 1954 recording by double bassist Buddy Banks.
Buddy Banks, originally a saxophonist who switched to bass, had arrived in Europe after World War II. On this session he is accompanied by drummer Roy Haynes, pianist Bob Dorough, and guitarist Jimmy Gourley. The leader takes the spotlight in a subtle take of Yesterdays, though a strange clicking mars an otherwise swinging “I Love You.” Banks’ group also offers serviceable interpretations of modern pieces like Gerry Mulligan’s Line for Lyons and Milt Jackson’s Bag’s Groove.
The album was recorded at Geneix Studio in Paris, France and was produced by Frank Ténot. The liner notes were provided by Alain Tercinet with English translation by Martin Davies.
Tracks | 32:56- A Night In Tunisia (Dizzy Gillespie / Frank Paparelli) ~ 4:26
- Almost Like Being In Love (lan Jay Lerner / Frederick Loewe) ~ 3:19
- Bag’s Groove (Milt Jackson) ~ 3:47
- Yesterdays (Otto Harbach / Jerome Kern) ~ 3:29
- I Love You (Cole Porter) ~ 5:58
- Line For Lyons (Gerry Mulligan) ~ 3:46
- You Go To My Head (J. Fred Coots / Haven Gillespie) ~ 4:29
- Buddy Banks Blues (Buddy Banks) ~ 3:27
- Bob Dorough ~ piano
- Buddy Banks ~ double bass
- Jimmy Gourley ~ guitar
- Roy Haynes ~ drums
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Maurice Vander born Vanderschueren, on June 11, 1929 in Vitry-sur-Seine, Val-de-Marne, France. He worked in the 1950s with Don Byas, Django Reinhardt, Bobby Jaspar, Jimmy Raney, Stephane Grappelli, Chet Baker, and Kenny Clarke.
In the 1960s he was a session musician for Roger Guerin, Pierre Gossez, and Boulou Ferré, and played with Claude Nougaro and Ivan Jullien. He won the Prix Django Reinhardt in 1962.
Playing with Baker again in the late 1970s he went on to work with Johnny Griffin. His later work included performing and recording with Clarke, Richie Cole, Art Farmer, and Benny Powell.
Pianist Maurice Vander transitioned on February 16, 2017 in Paris, France.
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
James Pasco Gourley, Jr. was born June 9, 1926 in St. Louis, Missouri. He met saxophonist Lee Konitz in Chicago when both were members of the same high school band and credits Konitz with encouraging him to become a serious musician.
His father started the Monarch Conservatory of Music in Hammond, Indiana, though he didn’t teach and bought his son his first guitar. Jimmy took his first guitar classes at the school and became interested in jazz while listening to the radio, enjoying in particular Nat King Cole. For his first professional experience as a performer, he dropped out of high school to play with a jazz band in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
From 1944 to 1946 Gourley served in the U.S. Navy. Upon his return to Chicago, Illinois he met guitarist Jimmy Raney and wanted to play like him. He worked in bars and clubs with Jackie Cain & Roy Kral, Anita O’Day, Sonny Stitt, and Gene Ammons. Through the G.I. Bill he received tuition for three years to any college in the world.
Beginning in 1951, Jimmy spent the rest of his life in France, working with Henri Renaud, Lou Bennett, Kenny Clarke, Richard Galliano, Stéphane Grappelli, Bobby Jaspar, Eddy Louiss, Martial Solal, and Barney Wilen. He played with American musicians who were passing through, including Bob Brookmeyer, Clifford Brown, Stan Getz, Gigi Gryce, Roy Haynes, Lee Konitz, Bud Powell, Zoot Sims, Lucky Thompson, and Lester Young.
Guitarist Jimmy Gourley, who spent the better part of his life in Paris, France transitioned at the age of 82 on December 7, 2008 in Villeneuve-Saint-Georges, France.
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