Three Wishes

Sonny Stitt replied to the inquiry made by Nica as to his three wishes:

1. 1. “Peace among men.”
   2. “To play my music, and please everyone.”
   3. “And I want happiness. And nothing bad to happen to anyone – that’s my fourth and dearest wish.”

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Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Gerhard Rochus “Gerd” Dudek was born September 28, 1938 in Wrocław, Poland. He studied clarinet privately and attended music school in the 1950s before joining a big band led by his brother Ossi until 1958.

During the early 1960s, Dudek played in the Berliner Jazz Quintet, in Karl Blume’s group and in Kurt Edelhagen’s orchestra until 1965. He then became interested in free music and joined Manfred Schoof’s quintet. He took part in the first sessions of The Globe Unity Orchestra in 1966, and played with them at various times into the 1980s.

He also worked with many other European free musicians and composers, including Alexander von Schlippenbach, Loek Dikker and The Waterland Ensemble And European Jazz Quintet.

He is best known for his work with Manfred Schoof, Wolfgang Dauner, Lala Kovacev, the Globe Unity Orchestra, Berlin Contemporary Jazz Orchestra, Albert Mangelsdorff, Don Cherry and George Russell. Tenor and soprano saxophonist, clarinetist and flautist Gerd Dudek continues to be involved in music.

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Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Archie “Skip” Hall was born in Portsmouth, Virginia on September 27, 1909 and studied piano under his father. From the age of eight he lived in New York City and in the late 1920s he relocated to Cleveland, Ohio where he led his own band for most of the 1930s.

He worked as an arranger on contract and arranged for Jay McShann from 1940 to 1944 and during World War II played with Don Redman. In 1943 he entered military service and played in a band while stationed in England. Around 1945 Skip worked with Hot Lips Page and then joined the Sy Oliver band, who was his brother-in-law. Following this he worked with Wynonie Harris, Thelma Houston, and Jimmy Rushing before joining Buddy Tate’s group in 1948.

Hall went on to work with Tate for twenty years both as a performer and arranger. He also played in the 1950s and 1960s with Dicky Wells, Emmett Berry, and George James, as well as solo and with his own small groups. Arranger, pianist, and organist Skip Hall, who never recorded as a leader, passed away in November 1980 in Ottawa, Canada.

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Requisites

Anniversary ~ Stan Getz | By Eddie Carter

There’s nothing I enjoy more than watching jazz music performed live. Since the pandemic, the next best thing is being transported to a particular location when listening to an album on the turntable. This morning’s album was recorded on July 6, 1987, at one of the best European jazz venues, Café Montmartre, and is titled Anniversary (The EmArcy Jazz Series 838 769-1) by Stan Getz. Stan had turned sixty earlier in the year, and he was celebrating year forty-four of his illustrious career. His sound on the tenor sax was warm, lyrical, and immediately identifiable and his resume of great musicians and vocalists he’s played and recorded with reads like the Encyclopedia Britannica of jazz. Getz played many times at Montmartre, and on this album, he’s joined by Kenny Barron on piano, Rufus Reid on bass, and Victor Lewis on drums. The copy used in this report is a friend’s Phonogram France Stereo pressing by Polygram Classics.

Side One opens with an original tune by Johnny Mandel, El Cahon. The song’s title is an anagram for tenor man, Al Cohn, one of The Four Brothers in Woody Herman’s Thundering Herd. Stan starts with a brief solo introduction before moving the tempo upward for the first reading. Kenny offers some light-hearted entertainment on the next statement. Rufus plays just as imaginatively on the third solo and Victor shares the finale with Stan before the closing chorus. I Can’t Get Started by Ira Gershwin and Vernon Duke is a timeless evergreen from The Great American Songbook. Getz begins the song, not at the beginning, but the bridge with a haunting introduction and melody. He also performed the song this way in concert during the late eighties. The melody moves upward for Getz’s opening solo before ending with notes of voluptuous warmth. Drew embodies the spirit of the song on the closing chorus with a compelling performance complementing the gentle response of Reid and Lewis.

Side Two starts with a second staple in the Songbook, Stella By Starlight by Ned Washington, and Victor Young. The ensemble begins at a livelier tempo with Stan asserting his skill with a bright, lively, and cheerful melody and lead solo. Kenny comes in next for an exciting and intriguing reading. Rufus provides the next exquisite statement with an improvised bass line that’s undeniably attractive. Stan adds a few vigorous closing remarks ahead of the ending and the crowd’s approval. The closer is Stan’s Blues by Gigi Gryce allowing everyone a solo opportunity. The leader sets the tone with a relaxed attitude on the opening chorus. Reid is up first with a delightful reading that starts slowly but builds to a soulful climax. Getz blows with authority on the second statement. Drew compliments him with an air of assurance on the third reading, and Lewis gives a concise comment. Getz takes the ensemble into the finale, receiving an enthusiastic ovation from the Montmartre audience.

Anniversary was produced by Ib Skovgaard for broadcast on Denmark Radio and the man behind the dials is engineer, Johnnie Hjerting. The result of their efforts is a beautiful recording with a stunning soundstage. The record is silent until the music starts, and the listener is transported to the Café Montmartre audience to enjoy Stan Getz at his best. Two years after Anniversary was released, Getz passed away on June 6, 1991, at age sixty-four. Sadly, there was only one pressing of the LP and it may be hard to find (I know because I’m still looking for a copy). But should you come across it on your next vinyl search, it’s the perfect music to chill to after a long day or week or to enjoy during or after a romantic dinner with that special someone. If you’re a fan of Cool or Modal Jazz, Anniversary by Stan Getz is sure to please newcomers to his music as well as seasoned fans and is highly recommended for your library!

~ I Can’t Get Started, Stella By Starlight – Source: Discogs.com © 2021 by Edward Thomas Carter

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Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Nelson “Cadillac” Williams was born on September 26, 1917 in Montgomery, Alabama and began playing piano at age 13, however, he settled on the trumpet soon afterwards. It has been speculated that while still a teenager he may have played with blues pianist/singer Cow Cow Davenport.

In the 1930s, he played in the territory bands Trianon Crackerjacks and Brown Skin Models, and acted as musical director for the Dixie Rhythm Girls. Around 1940, he left Alabama for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he played with Tiny Bradshaw’s band before joining the U.S. Army during World War II.

After the war, Billy Eckstine hired Williams, before working with John Kirby and pianist Billy Kyle. In 1949, he began the first of several stints with Duke Ellington, who bestowed upon him the nickname “Cadillac”.

In 1951, he left Ellington’s employ and moving to Paris, France he led his own bands and recorded for French labels. He returned to Ellington in 1956, and played with him again in 1969 on a tour of Europe. Trumpeter Nelson “Cadillac” Williams settled in the Netherlands and passed away in 1973 in Voorburg.

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