Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Hailing from Los Angeles, California on September 18, 1951 Steve Slagle was born. He  grew up in suburban Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and received a scholarship to the Berklee College of Music and received a master’s degree in music from Manhattan School of Music. In 1976 New York City saw him first working with Machito and his Afro-Cuban orchestra, before touring and recording with Ray Barretto, Steve Kuhn, Lionel Hampton, Brother Jack McDuff, and Carla Bley. He has also performed and traveled with Woody Herman and Cab Calloway.

In the mid-1980s he began leading his own combos, first with Mike Stern and Jaco Pastorius, and then with Dave Stryker. He has played frequently with Joe Lovano and has been featured on several of Lovano’s albums, including the Grammy-winning 52nd Street Themes.

The mid-1980s had Steve recording with Milton Nascimento and recorded Rio Highlife in Brazil. He toured frequently worldwide during the 1990s and 2000s, in Western Europe, Japan, South America, Russia and Bulgaria. During the 1990s, he was a leading figure in the Charles Mingus Big Band, and co-leads a band with guitarist Dave Stryker.

He has played with such diverse artists as St. Vincent, Elvis Costello, the Beastie Boys, and Dr. John. As an educator Slagle has taught at the Manhattan School of Music, Rutgers, The New School, NYU, and clinics through the Thelonious Monk Institute, the Mingus Jazz Workshop and master classes and clinics worldwide.

He recorded a duo album with pianist Bill O’Connell in tribute album to Kenny Drew Jr. was released as The Power of Two. He has published a composition and improvisation workbook for the creative musician titled Scenes, Songs and Solos. He has released eighteen albums as a leader, six as a collaborator and 41 as a sideman.  Saxophonist Steve Slagle continues to perform, record, teach.

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Requisites

Standing Ovation at Newport ~ Herbie Mann | By Eddie Carter

After an exceptionally long week, I was ready to unwind and relax for the evening. So, I began listening to one of Herbie Mann‘s best live performances from the sixties, Standing Ovation at Newport (Atlantic 1445/SD 1445). Three tracks were recorded at the 1965 Newport Jazz Festival, while the fourth is from an earlier date at the Village Gate. The musicians joining the flutist on stage are John Hitchcock and Mark Weinstein on trombone, Dave Pike on vibraphone, Chick Corea on piano, Earl May (tracks: A1, A2, B1), and Ben Tucker (B2) on bass, Bruno Carr on drums, and Carlos “Patato” Valdes on congas. My copy is the 1971 US Stereo reissue.

The set opens with Patato, Dave Pike’s tribute to Carlos Valdes. The rhythm section sets the mood for the ensemble’s festive theme with a lively introduction. Herbie launches the opener energetically; Dave works wonders in the following solo. Carlos answers them with authority next. John and Mike bring the heat in the finale before the octet’s big finish. Stolen Moments by Oliver Nelson begins with the ensemble’s collective introduction, leading to Herbie’s carefree melody. Chick takes charge with a breezy opening statement; next, Herbie goes to work in an enjoyable performance. Dave tickles your ears in the closing chorus before the climax.

Herbie Mann’s Mushi Mushi starts Side Two with a perfect beat for a neighborhood block party. The title’s definition in Japanese means humid and begins with the ensemble’s joyously happy theme. Herbie’s opening solo will put everyone in a festive mood, but the song’s highlight comes with John and Mark’s sensational exchange ahead of the group’s upbeat finale. Herbie introduces the group’s finale, Comin’ Home Baby, by Ben Tucker and Bob Dorough. Ben takes over on bass, with Herbie and Dave as the featured soloists. Both musicians give electrifying performances that bring the crowd to their feet until the song’s upbeat conclusion calls for a well-deserved encore with player introductions.

Buddy Graham and Frank Laico were the recording engineers at The Newport Jazz Festival. Joe Atkinson, Tom Dowd, and Phil Lehle were behind the dials at The Village Gate. The album has a solid soundstage that reflects the enthusiastic energy of both audiences. It’s also a good pressing for a seventies reissue and quiet until the set begins. If you’re in the mood for an outstanding live album with lively performances and tight musicianship, I invite you to check out Standing Ovation at Newport by Herbie Mann on your next record-shopping trip. It’s a wonderful document of two great shows with Herbie at his best that sparkles from start to finish and is a high point in his list of albums!

~ Comin’ Home Baby, Stolen Moments – Source: Wikipedia.org © 2023 by Edward Thomas Carter

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THE JAZZ SYMBIOSIS QUINTET

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ANDREA BRACHFELD QUARTET

Andrea Brachfeld is an American jazz and Latin jazz flutist. She attended The High School of Music and Art and the Manhattan School of Music. She had her first professional performance at the age of 16. In 1974, she received the Louis Armstrong Award for outstanding Jazz student. She studied with Hubert Laws, Jimmy Heath, George Coleman, and Eddie Daniels. Her breakthrough came when she became flutist for the Latin band Charanga ’76.

Joining her on the bandstand are Mamiko Watanabe, Obasi Akoto & Alvester Garnett.

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JOE ADERIES QUINTET

The Joe Anderies Quintet was formed from summer and fall yard concerts during 2020/21. From these sessions Joe pulled together a full on album project featuring the group and original compositions (influenced by Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Hubert Laws and Lyle Mays). From hard driving swing to Latin and contemporary sounds, the Joe Anderies Quintet will deliver a joyful and revitalizing experience! Don’t miss out on this special night.

Joe Anderies is a longtime Denver flutist, saxophonist and music educator. Over the years Joe has developed cutting edge jazz education programs for elementary through high school students. His vision to connect tradition with the young and upcoming players continues to grow as he enters his 5th year as a board member of the Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts and his 23rd year in the organization as a teacher and advisor. Joe did his formal study at Colorado Mesa Univ, University of North Texas, Metro State Univ, and CU Boulder masters of music program. Joe has recorded and performed with artists such as Larry Coryell, Ron Miles, Chuck Lamb, Bennie Maupin and Rob Mullins.

Gonzalo Teppa – bass, Alex Heffron – guitar, Eric Gunnison – piano, Joe Anderies – alto flute, saxophone.

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