Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Donald Henri Grusin was born April 22, 1941 and grew up in Littleton, Colorado to a Latvian, classical violinist father. He graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a master’s degree in economics. In the early Seventies he was an economics professor in Guadalajara, Mexico but soon after he taught economics at Foothill College in California.
By the mid Seventies Grusin was touring with Pete Escovedo’s group Azteca alongside his daughter Sheila E in Bogota, Colombia. The trip sparked a lifelong interest in Latin music. In 1975, Quincy Jones invited him to tour with his band, and he left teaching for a career in music.
He worked as a studio musician on albums by Randy Crawford, Billy Eckstine, Joe Pass, and the Pointer Sisters. He formed the fusion group Friendship with Lee Ritenour, Ernie Watts, and Alex Acuña and recorded one album, then released solo albums in 1981 and 1983. By 1985 Don had produced the album Musician for Ernie Watts, winning a Grammy Award.
Grusin’s 2004 live album The Hang received a Grammy Award nomination, and he won Grammy Awards for his work on two albums by the Paul Winter Consort. He won an Echo Award for the album Quality Time, recorded with Peter Fessler.
As a record producer or keyboardist, Grusin has worked with Gerald Albright, Patti Austin, David Benoit, Larry Carlton, Oscar Castro-Neves, Dori Caymmi, Gilberto Gil, Jim Hall, Sérgio Mendes, Airto Moreira, Milton Nascimento, Flora Purim, Nelson Rangell, Brenda Russell, Zoot Sims, Leon Ware, and Sadao Watanabe.
Keyboardist, composer, and record producer Don Grusin, who is Dave Grusin’s younger brother, continues to push the boundaries of jazz and Latin jazz music.
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Patrick Earl Rebillot was born on April 21, 1935 in Louisville, Ohio and studied music at Mt. Union College and the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music with Jeno Takacs. He graduated with a Bachelor of Music Education in 1957.
A long-time member of Herbie Mann’s various line-ups and credited as arranger, Pat appears on recordings by David Newman, Jon Faddis, Flora Purim, Michael Franks, Freddy Cole, Patti Austin and Chris Connor as well as Steely Dan, the Average White Band, Gloria Gaynor, Irene Worth, Bette Midler, Hall & Oates, Morrissey–Mullen, Barbra Streisand, Judy Collins, Carly Simon, The Spinners, and Laura Lieberman.
Rebillot has played live with Sarah Vaughan, Joe Williams, Anita O’Day, Benny Powell, Jimmy Rushing, Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, James Moody, Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Benny Goodman, Gary Burton, Paul Winter, Joan Baez, Liza Minnelli, Cissy Houston, O.C. Smith, and others.
Rebillot is associated with fellow session and studio musicians Hugh McCracken, Tony Levin, Steve Gadd, Ray Barretto and Ralph MacDonald.
Pianist and composer Pat Rebillot performs occasionally at the age of 90.
Requisites
Relaxin’ at Camarillo ~ Hank Jones | By Eddie Carter
Have you ever found yourself planning to listen to a specific album in your library, only to be drawn to another title on the shelf? That’s precisely what happened to me, and it ultimately led to a delightful surprise and this morning’s discussion. Hank Jones has been one of my favorite pianists since I first heard him on Bass on Top, New Trombone, Portrait of Art Farmer, and Somethin’ Else many years ago. Relaxin’ at Camarillo (Savoy Jazz WL 70504) was initially released in 1956 as the Hank Jones Quartet, and this gem is often overlooked within his extensive discography. Accompanying Hank in this session are Bobby Jaspar on flute, Paul Chambers on bass, and Kenny Clarke on drums. My copy is the 1984 U.S. mono reissue.
The album opener is the lovely forties tune Moonlight Becomes You by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke. A brief piano introduction sets up Bobby’s gentle melody, with the trio in tow. Hank begins the solos with notes of beautiful simplicity. Bobby takes over to deliver the second statement effortlessly, then comes Paul’s elegantly subtle closer before the melody returns and ends softly. The title track, Relaxin’ at Camarillo by Charlie Parker, elevates the pace for the foursome’s mid-tempo theme. Jaspar takes flight first in a spirited presentation of rhythmic energy. Chambers then walks skillfully through the following solo, and Jones vigorously tackles the third reading. All three soloists repeat this sequence several times until the theme’s reprise ends abruptly.
Side Two begins with Minor Contention by Hank Jones. The pianist’s introduction ushers in the foursome’s upbeat melody. Bobby leads the charge, building each chorus with irresistible momentum. Hank surges into the following interpretation with a vibrant energy. Paul takes a jaunty walk through the third performance, and finally, Bobby, Hank, and Kenny conclude with an exhilarating three-way dialogue, culminating in a splendid finale. The quartet enjoys a pretty Sunday in Savannah by Hugh McKay next. Hank’s slow-paced introduction blossoms into Jaspar’s tenderly passionate melody. Jones opens with a delicately thoughtful presentation, and then the flutist provides a sultry commentary preceding a gentle conclusion.
The beat ascends one final time for an original by Cannonball Adderley, Spontaneous Combustion. Bobby’s introduction opens the door for the quartet’s blues-infused theme. Hank dives into the leisurely opening solo with relaxing lines. Bobby follows with a refreshing statement reminiscent of a cool swim on a sweltering summer day. Jaspar and Jones share a delightful exchange of notes, leading to Paul’s pleasant moment ahead of the climax. Ozzie Cadena produced the initial session, while Bob Porter oversaw the reissue’s production. Rudy Van Gelder operated the recording dials. The album boasts a stunning soundstage for a fifties release, with instruments that jump out of the speakers in this mono reissue.
Throughout his illustrious career, which spanned sixty-six years, Hank Jones recorded over sixty albums as a leader. He was also a prominent member of the Great Jazz Trio, contributing to thirty-eight albums and an additional seven titles with the Great Jazz Quartet and Quintet. His extensive discography also includes numerous appearances as a sideman. If you’re a piano jazz enthusiast and also enjoy cool jazz and hard bop, Relaxin’ at Camarillo by Hank Jones is an exceptional choice for a spot in your library. As I mentioned earlier, it’s a delightful surprise with the addition of Bobby Jaspar to the trio, making this a title that shouldn’t be missed on your next record-shopping trip!
~ Bass on Top (Blue Note BLP 1569/BST 81569), Hank Jones Quartet (Savoy MG-12087), New Trombone (Prestige PRLP 7107), Portrait of Art Farmer (Contemporary Records C3554/S7027), Somethin’ Else (Blue Note BLP 1595/BST 81595) – Source: Discogs.com
~ Moonlight Becomes You – Source: Wikipedia.org
© 2025 by Edward Thomas Carter
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NOAH JACKSON & FULL CIRCLE
A Detroit original, Noah Jackson is a bassist, cellist, and composer specializing in black american music and classical music. Aimed with a curiosity to where sound could touch audiences from within, he has both written and performed music for large international audiences since 2010.
A graduate of Michigan State University (B.M.), and Manhattan School of Music (M.M.), Noah has performed with world renowned artists such as NEA Jazz Master Abdullah Ibrahim, Branford Marsails, Jason Marsalis, The Marsalis Family, Hugh Masekela, Nnenna Freelon, Kenny Garrett, Wizard Harper, George Burton, Jazzmeia Horn, and Christian Sands.
Shows ~ 7:30pm & 9:30pm
Tickets: $25.00
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MINGUS BIG BAND
Mingus Big Band performs exclusively the music of composer/bassist Charles Mingus who celebrated his Centennial year in 2022. Building off the strengths of Mingus Dynasty septet Sue Mingus formed after Mingus’ death in 1979, and 1989’s Epitaph orchestra, in 1991 she created this 14-piece band to feature new arrangements of Mingus compositions in a larger band format that Mingus wanted, but was not always able to organize in his lifetime. The dynamic structure encourages deep explorations and ever-evolving ideations of Mingus Music and provides a platform for individual artistic expression.
Drawing from a rotation of the best established and rising musicians, Mingus Big Band is highly sought-after by festivals and prestigious venues around the world. The band has twelve recordings to its credit, seven nominated for Grammys, and one win in 2011 with Live at Jazz Standard. A new album, The Charles Mingus Centennial Sessions, was released in October 2022 and nominated for a Grammy. The second volume will be released in 2024.
Shows: 7:00pm & 9:30pm
Tickets: $40.61 – $50.91
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