Requisites

On February 14 and 19, 1969 at RCA Studios in New York City, tenor saxophonist Pharoah Sanders brought ten musicians together to record his seminal free jazz album Karma. During this time of social and political upheavals of the Sixties, Sanders was just one of the musicians who was a major factor in the emergence of a new stylistic trend in jazz, variously called “free jazz”, “the new thing”, or “energy music”. It was recorded and released for the Impulse! label.

This was the third album by Sanders as a leader and just one of the spiritually-themed albums of the period. The cover design was by Barbara and Robert Flynn and the cover photograph was taken by Charles “Chuck” Stewart. The album had only two compositions by composers Sanders and Thomas: The Creator Has A Master Plan (32:46) and Colors (5:37).

The personnel was Pharoah Sanders, percussionist and vocalist Leon Thomas, Julius Watkins on French horn, James Spaulding on flute, pianist Lonnie Liston Smith, bassist Reggie Workman, Richard Davis and Ron Carter, drummers Billy Hart and Freddie Waits and Nathaniel Bettis on percussion.

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Hollywood On 52nd Street

Guess Who I Saw Today is a popular jazz song composed by Murray Grand with lyrics by Elisse Boyd. The song was originally composed for Leonard Sillman’s Broadway musical revue New Faces of 1952 in which it was sung by June Carroll.

The revue opened on Broadway at the Royale Theatre on May 16, 1952 and ran for 365 performances. It was produced by Leonard Sillman, directed by John Murray Anderson and John Beal with choreography by Richard Barstow. The sketches were written by Ronny Graham and Brooks. The songs were composed by, among others, Harnick, Graham, Murray Grand and Arthur Siegel.

The cast featured Graham, Kitt, Clary, Virginia Bosler, June Carroll, Virginia De Luce, Alice Ghostley, Patricia Hammerlee, Carol Lawrence, Paul Lynde and Bill Milliken. De Luce and Graham won the 1952 Theatre World Award. The revue marked Kitt’s Broadway debut, singing a sultry rendition of “Monotonous”, about how boring a life of luxury was.

Two years later, the name was abridged to New Faces and was adapted into a motion picture filmed in Cinemascope and Eastmancolor and was released by 20th Century Fox on March 6, 1954. It helped jumpstart the Hollywood careers of several young performers including Paul Lynde, Alice Ghostley, Eartha Kitt, Robert Clary, Carol Lawrence, Ronny Graham, performer/writer Mel Brooks (as Melvin Brooks), and lyricist Sheldon Harnick.

SUITE TABU 200

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Three Wishes

Lammar Wright told the Baroness his three wishes were:
  1. “Complete mastery over my instrument.”
  2. “To have a contented life.”
  3. “That music would really become a musical language.”
*Excerpt from Three Wishes: An Intimate Look at Jazz Greats – Complied and Photographed by Pannonica de Koenigswarter”

GRIOTS GALLERY

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Requisites

Black Fox is a 1970 album released by Freddy Robinson of the World Pacific record label. The photography and art design were both provided by Ron Wolin. The producers for this date were Dee Ervin and Monk Higgins, the latter also arranged and conducted. Liner Notes were written by Bob Hatchett. The album was alternately titled The Coming Atlantis.

The tracklist on this soul jazz and modern electric blues album include four tunes on Side A – Before Six, The Coming Atlantis, (I’m A) Fool For You and Freddy’s Sermon. Side B rendered the title track Black Fox, The Oggum Boogum Song, Rita and Monkin’ Around.

Crediting the performers are Backing Vocals – Adrienne Williams, Alexandra Brown, Difosco Ervin, Mamie Galore, Patricia Dunn; Fender & Upright Bass – Bob West; Bass Clarinet & Baritone Saxophone – Ernest Williams; Bongos & Congas – King Errison; Drums – Paul Humphrey; Piano – Joe Sample; Flute – Allen Butler; Guitar – Fred L. Robinson; Organ – Monk Higgins; Percussion – Dee Ervin, Strings – Sid Sharp; Tenor Saxophone – Plas Johnson; Trumpet – Allen Brisbois and Vibraphone – Alan C. Estes.

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Three Wishes

Lou Donaldson replied to NIca with one simple answer:
  1. “I have asthma a bit. I’d like to get rid of that. I can’t think of anything else.”
*Excerpt from Three Wishes: An Intimate Look at Jazz Greats – Complied and Photographed by Pannonica de Koenigswarter”

THE WATCHFUL EYE

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