Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Morris “Moe” Koffman was born on December 28, 1928 in Toronto, Canada. At the age of nine he began his musical studies in his native city, studying violin. He attended the Toronto Conservatory of Music, where he was a student of Samuel Dolin.

Dropping out of school when he found work performing in dance bands, in 1950, he moved to the United States, where he played with big bands including those of Sonny Dunham and Jimmy Dorsey. In 1955, he returned to Toronto where he formed a quartet and later a quintet and recorded Swinging Shepherd Blues in 1957 which helped establish his reputation as a flautist.

Koffman was inspired by Rahsaan Roland Kirk to play multiple instruments at once. He had a modified set of straps to hold a tenor and alto saxophones so that he could put forward incredible chords and improvise at the same time. He performed with Dizzy Gillespie and Peter Appleyard during the 1980s, as well as continuing to front the Moe Koffman Quintet. He often performed with Rob McConnell’s Boss Brass.

He was appointed to the Order of Canada in 1993 and inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1997.

Saxophonist, flautist, composer and arranger Moe Koffman, who was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2000, died of cancer in Orangeville, Ontario, Canada on March 28, 2001 at the age of 72.

CALIFORNIA JAZZ FOUNDATION

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Requisites

Wheelin’ & Dealin’ ~ Frank Wess, John Coltrane, Paul Quinichette, Mal Waldron, Doug Watkins and Arthur Taylor | By Eddie Carter

This morning’s album from the library is an excellent 1957 jam session by Frank Wess, John Coltrane, Paul Quinichette, Mal Waldron, Doug Watkins and Arthur Taylor. Wheelin’ & Dealin’ (Prestige PRLP 7131) is an outstanding album featuring an impressive team of musicians. The ensemble consists of John Coltrane and Paul Quinichette on tenor saxophones, Frank Wess on flute (tracks: A1, B1, B2) and tenor saxophone (track: A2), Mal Waldron on piano, Doug Watkins on bass, and Arthur Taylor on drums. The copy of this album that I own is the 2025 Worldwide Stereo audiophile reissue (Craft Recordings CR00862).

The album opens with Things Ain’t What They Used To Be by Mercer Ellington and Ted Parsons. Frank’s flute sets a welcoming tone for the sextet’s laid-back melody before moving into a relaxing first solo. Paul soars with graceful ease, then John follows him effortlessly with a mellow reading, then the saxophones revisit the sequence. Mal responds with a breezy interpretation, and Doug takes a quick walk, leading to the closing chorus. Wheelin’ by Mal Waldron takes off with the ensemble’s spirited theme. Coltrane leads the way with an energetic statement. Quinichette lets loose next, then Wess wails on the tenor saxophone. Waldron delivers a lengthy, vigorous performance. Taylor adds a brief footnote that leads to the ensemble reprising the theme and a rousing finish.

Side Two opens with Robbins’ Nest by Illinois Jacquet, Bob Russell, and Sir Charles Thompson, a tribute to DJ Fred Robbins. Frank, returning on flute, gently guides the ensemble through the melody, then enters like a cool breeze for the first solo. Paul then offers some down-home cooking; John makes every note count in a relaxed interpretation. Mal then keeps the mood easygoing, and Doug takes a brief walk before the closing ensemble. Mal Waldron’s Dealin’ starts with the sextet’s collective melody; Waldron leads with an inviting opening solo. Wess, on flute, produces a warm, fluid sound. Quinichette steps in for a few relaxing choruses, then Coltrane flows with fresh, creative ideas. Wess makes a short return on tenor sax, and Waldron has the last word before the group reunites to close the set.

The dynamic combination of Coltrane and Quinichette on tenor saxophones infuses the sextet with vibrant energy, establishing an engaging lead voice for the group. Coltrane, poised on the threshold of stardom, plays with deep emotion and a sense of adventurousness, while Quinichette’s silky, relaxed approach pays homage to Lester Young’s signature sound. Frank Wess further elevates the ensemble’s texture, seamlessly alternating between flute and tenor sax; his flute contributions, in particular, bring a light, breezy quality to the arrangements. Supporting them, the rhythm section of Waldron, Watkins, and Taylor lays down a consistent, swinging foundation, artfully mixing delicacy with spirited drive to enhance each soloist’s performance throughout the album.

Bob Weinstock supervised the first session, and Rudy Van Gelder was at the recording console. Kevin Gray did an excellent job mastering this audiophile reissue from the original tapes at Cohearant Audio. The sound quality truly shines, offering a spacious soundstage and vibrant clarity that makes you feel like the musicians are right in front of you. The record is pressed on 180-gram Virgin Vinyl and is silent until the music begins. If you’re craving a fantastic Hard-Bop album, I highly recommend checking out Wheelin’ & Dealin’ by Frank Wess, John Coltrane, Paul Quinichette, Mal Waldron, Doug Watkins, and Arthur Taylor on your next record-shopping trip. It’s an outstanding album by the talented group that later became The Prestige All-Stars, and I believe it will become a beloved favorite in the libraries of both new and seasoned jazz fans for many years to come!

Things Ain’t What They Used To Be – Source: JazzStandards.com © 2025 by Edward Thomas Carter

Wheelin’ & Dealin’: 1957 | Frank Wess, John Coltrane, Paul Quinichette, Mal Waldron, Doug Watkins, Arthur Taylor

For the serious collector of jazz… #Jazz #Classic #Collectible #Music #Notorious

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Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Ze Luis was born José Luis Segneri Oliveira was born December 17, 1957 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and as a child lived next to Antonio Carlos Jobim in the historic Ipanema neighborhood. Early on Oliveira began playing flute and he graduated from Pro-Art Conservatoire in flute and traditional harmony in 1975. Two years later he continued his studies in Performance Arts at Villa-Lobos Institute and soon after studied with renowned Brazilian saxophonist and clarinet player Paulo Moura.

The mid-70s saw him becoming heavily influenced by the album Native Dancer, a collaboration between Wayne Shorter and Milton Nascimento. He was also drawn to the music of Ian Anderson, leader and flutist of the British band Jethro Tull.

Zé’s first professional engagement began with Brazilian vocalists Ney Matogrosso and Luiz Melodia. Oliveira met pianist Tomás Improta while working with Brazilian actress and singer Zezé Motta, who at that time was working with emerging Caetano Veloso and recorded on his album and eventually joined Veloso’s newly formed band.

During this time Oliveira worked extensively with Gilberto Gil, The Wailers, Chico & Caetano on Globo TV and played with Chico Buarque, Rita Lee, Milton Nascimento, João Bosco, Elza Soares, and Mercedes Sosa.

He moved to New York City in 1990 and began studying with saxophonists Joe Lovano and Ted Nash at New York University. In 2004, Oliveira received his Masters in Composition and Arranging from the Juilliard School. His career includes multiple Grammy Award nominations.

Throughout the 1990s, Oliveira continued to record and perform with hundreds of artists from different genres, composed and performed for choreographer and dancer Patricia Hoffbauer and became a part of the New York Samba Band with Duduka da Fonseca, Romero Lubambo, Cyro Baptista and Nilson Matta.

Saxophonist and flutist Zé Luis Oliveira is the current producer of Just Play, a traveling improvisational music series and global storytelling project.

CALIFORNIA JAZZ FOUNDATION

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HOLIDAY JAZZ VESPERS

Come celebrate the holiday season with the timeless sounds of jazz at the 2025 Holiday Jazz Vespers at historic First Congregational Church in downtown Atlanta. The Holiday Jazz Vespers has become a highly anticipated treat and an annual favorite among jazz enthusiasts.

All Proceeds benefit the Education and Outreach Programs of the First Church CDC.

Featured Guest Artists:
Kathleen Bertrand ~ Vocal
Doc Powell ~ Guitar
Will Scruggs ~ Bariton Saxophone
Phil Davis ~ Piano
Dwight Andrews ~ Flute
Atlanta Jazz Chamber Chorus

Tickets: $28.52

 

 

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Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Pat Patrick was born Laurdine Kenneth Patrick Jr. on November 23, 1929 in East Moline, Illinois, to Laverne and Laurdine Kenneth Patrick. He first learned piano, drums, and trumpet as a child, and then switched to saxophones. He attended and studied music at DuSable High School in Chicago, Illinois where he met fellow students and future musicians bassist Richard Davis and saxophonists John Gilmore and Clifford Jordan. While still in school he was baritone saxophonist for the Regal Theater’s house band.

1949 saw Pat enrolled at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, but soon returned to Chicago to study at Wilson Junior College. Around 1950 he first played in one of Sun Ra’s bands as part of a trio and occasionally in Sun Ra’s Arkestra. By 1954 he became a regular member of the band. He moved to New York City in 1961, spent several years in the Arkestra’s communal residences in the East Village and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

He went on to play and record with John Coltrane, Blue Mitchell, Mongo Santamaría, Thelonious Monk, and  Babatunde Olatunji. In 1972, Patrick co-founded the Baritone Saxophone Retinue, which featured Charles Davis and recorded two albums for Saturn Records.

He toured Europe with Sun Ra in 1970 and 1976, and was part of some other Arkestra performances in that decade, but he also devoted time to teaching at the State University of New York at Old Westbury.>

Baritone and alto saxophonist, bassist, flutist, percussionist and composer Pat Patrick, who is known for his 40-year association with Sun Ra, died from leukemia in Moline on December 31, 1991.


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