Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Dick Johnson was born Richard Brown Johnson on December 1, 1925 in Brockton, Massachusetts. His primary instrument was clarinet, however, he also played the alto saxophone and flute.

He began his professional career as a musician while serving in the U.S. Navy in 1944-1946 and played with the navy band on the USS Pasadena during World War II. He often credited his stint in the Navy for kicking off his career in jazz.  After the war, Johnson toured with the big bands of Charlie Spivak and Buddy Morrow.

Eventually, after several years on the road, he settled in his hometown of Brockton, Mass. It was there in Brockton where he and his close friend, Lou Colombo formed a jazz sextet. The group lasted 10 years, but the friendship and musical kinship lasted for the rest of his life. In addition, Dick formed his septet, Swing Shift, which was a staple on the Boston music scene for many years.

Like Herb Pomeroy, Johnson managed a double career as a performer and an educator, teaching jazz at nearby Berklee School of Music, where he mentored many younger jazz musicians.

Between 1956 and 2006 he recorded ten albums as a leader. He worked with Frank Sinatra, the Swing Shift Orchestra, Dizzy Gillespie, and Tony Bennett.

Clarinetist, alto saxophonist, and flutist Dick Johnson, who also played in the free jazz genre, passed away on January 10, 2010 in Boston, Massachusetts after a short illness, aged 84.

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Requisites

Tenor and Flute ~ Bobby Jaspar | By Eddie Carter

Bobby Jaspar steps into the spotlight for this morning’s discussion with his 1957 album, Tenor and Flute (Riverside RLP 12-240). I first heard him on two records he made with Herbie Mann, Flute Flight, and Flute Soufflé (1957).  Bobby was born in Liège, Belgium, and began playing the piano at eleven and the clarinet at sixteen. He later switched to the flute and tenor saxophone, and in 1950 began working with French pianists Henri Renaud and Bernard Peiffer. Jaspar was also a member of the Bop Shops band and played and recorded with Toshiko Akiyoshi, Chet Baker, Kenny Burrell, Donald Byrd, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Milt Jackson, J.J. Johnson, Hank Jones, John Rae, and Wynton Kelly. He was married to jazz pianist and singer Blossom Dearie.  His supporting cast is Idrees Sulieman on trumpet (tracks: A1, B1, B2), George Wallington on piano, Wilbur Little on bass, and Elvin Jones on drums. My copy used in this report is the 1976 Japanese Mono reissue (Riverside SMJ-6156M).

The opener, Seven Up is Bobby’s easy blowing vehicle beginning with everyone laid-back on the melody.  Idrees starts the song in a nice happy mood on the first interpretation, then Bobby takes over for an outstanding solo as solid as the Rock of Gibraltar.  George follows with some carefree cruising that’s a treat for the ears and Wilbur is rhythmically infectious on a short statement ahead of the ensemble’s breezy climax.

Jaspar changes to flute for My Old Flame, written in 1934 by Arthur Johnston and Sam Coslow. It appeared in the film, Belle of The Nineties that year. He embraces the jazz standard lovingly on the melody and paints a compassionate portrait on the opening statement.  The second presentation by Wallington is tenderly expressed, then the leader gives a second performance that’s delicately pretty and Jones offers some beautifully shaped brushwork on the closer ahead of a tranquil ending.

Bobby returns to tenor sax for a spirited quartet rendition of All of You, Cole Porter’s 1954 jazz standard that first appeared in the 1955 Broadway musical, and 1957 film, Silk Stockings. The quartet gives a lift to this timeless classic with a briskly paced theme treatment. The saxophonist displays a lively intensity on the lead solo, then George adds a bouncy effervescence to the second reading.  Wilbur and Elvin split the third statement for a short, incisive comment, followed by Bobby and Elvin who guide us into the reprise with an expressive exchange.  Idrees Sulieman’s Doublemint is an energetic companion to his blues, Juicy Fruit, heard on The Hawk Flies High (1957). It opens Side Two with a collective infectious melody. Jaspar cooks vivaciously on the first statement, then Sulieman breaks into a robust reading. Wallington moves in next for a scintillating solo and Jones finds something good to say on the closing chorus sharing notes with the front line.

George Wallington wrote the final two tunes on Tenor and Flute beginning with his tenderly passionate ballad, Before Dawn. It starts slowly with a breathtakingly beautiful theme by Bobby and the rhythm section.  Jaspar then creates a mood of ecstasy on the first performance, then Idrees delivers a fine solo punctuated with delicate lyricism. George follows, sharing a brief moment of intimacy before Bobby adds a few additional affectionate remarks preceding the ensemble’s sultry coda.

Jaspar and the rhythm section take Sweet Blanche for a brisk ride on the finale with the leader back on flute. The quartet opens with a cheerfully pleasant theme and Jaspar excels with vigorous flair on the first interpretation. Wallington heads into the second reading expressing considerable delight, then Jaspar and Jones take us home sparring with each other into a satisfying climax. Tenor and Flute was produced by Orrin Keepnews, and the man behind the dials was Jack Higgins.

I was pleasantly surprised with the sound quality, the instruments produce an exceptional soundstage across the highs, midrange, and low end that’s right on the money. The analog Mono transfer by Victor Musical Industries from the original tapes has been gorgeously remastered and transports the listener to the studio alongside the musicians during the session. During 1961 & 1962, Jaspar formed a quintet with guitarist René Thomas and performed in a series of concerts and several recordings including appearing on Chet Is Back (1962). He passed away from a heart attack at age thirty-seven on February 28, 1963. I’ve enjoyed listening to this album and am happy to have it in my library.  If you aren’t familiar with Bobby Jaspar, are a fan of Hard-Bop or tenor sax, I hope you’ll seek Tenor and Flute out during your next vinyl hunt.  It’s a perfect album to get into jazz and the music is sure to make you tap your foot!

~ Chet Is Back (RCA Victor PML-10307); Flute Flight (Prestige PRLP 7124); Flute Soufflé (Prestige PRLP 7101); The Hawk Flies High (Riverside RLP 12-233) – Source: Discogs.com

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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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Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Douglas Ewart was born on September 13, 1946 in Kingston, Jamaica and emigrated to the United States in 1963. Settling in Chicago, Illinois he became associated with the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM) in 1967, studying with Joseph Jarman and Roscoe Mitchell. He served as that organization’s president from 1979 to 1986.

Douglas recorded eight albums as a leader and has performed or recorded fifteen with J. D. Parran, Muhal Richard Abrams, Art Ensemble of Chicago, Anthony Braxton, Alvin Curran, Anthony Davis, Robert Dick, Von Freeman, Joseph Jarman, Amina Claudine Myers, Roscoe Mitchell, James Newton, Rufus Reid, Wadada Leo Smith, Cecil Taylor, Richard Teitelbaum, Henry Threadgill, Hamid Drake, Don Byron, Malachi Favors Maghostut, Muhal Richard Abrams, Spencer Barefield, Tani Tabbal, Jean-Luc Cappozzo, Joëlle Léandre, Bernard Santacruz, Michael Zerang, Chico Freeman, Dennis González, Yusef Lateef, Adam Rudolph,

In 1992 he collaborated with Canadian artist Stan Douglas on the video installation Hors-champs which was featured at Documenta 9 in Kassel, Germany. The installation features Ewart in improvisation of Albert Ayler’s Spirits Rejoice with musicians George Lewis, Kent Carter, and Oliver Johnson.

Douglas Ewart has lived in Minneapolis, Minnesota since 1990 and plays sopranino and alto saxophones, clarinets, bassoon, flute, bamboo flutes, panpipes, and didgeridoo; as well as Rastafarian hand drums.

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Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Roy Willox was born August 31, 1929 in Welwyn, Hertfordshire, England into a musical family in 1929. At 16 he initially played with Johnny Claes for a short time in 1945 and then worked in other well-known bands before joining the Ted Heath Orchestra for a five-year stint from 1950 to 1955. During this time he also worked in a band with Keith Christie.

A collaboration with Jack Parnell and other bands led to extensive freelance in television, radio and theater. In the field of jazz, he was part of Harry South’s band in the 1960s and 1970s. This period of performing saw him occasionally returning to the Heath band throughout the 1990s and 2000s, playing the Ted Heath Bands farewell concert at London’s Royal Festival Hall in 2000.

In his later years Roy worked with Kenny Baker, the Robert Farnon Orchestra, and Laurie Johnson’s London Big Band. 2009 with the all-star formation The Allan Ganley Jazz Legacy. He was involved in 156 jazz recording sessions between 1951 and 2016 with Cleo Laine, Larry Page, George Chisholm, Beryl Bryden, Johnny Keating, Tubby Hayes, Kenny Clare, Dudley Moore, Louie Bellson, The London Jazz Chamber Group, Michel Legrand, Phil Woods, and the Len Phillips Big Band.

As a session musician, he is also in pictures of Bert Kaempfert, Tiny Tim ~ Live! At the Royal Albert Hall, and Harry Nilsson ~ A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night. Alto saxophonist Roy Willox, who also plays clarinet and flute, passed away on November 25, 2019.

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