Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Fulton “Fidgy” McGrath was born in Superior, Wisconsin on December 6, 1907. He played with Red Nichols early in the 1930s, then joined the band of the Dorsey boys and worked on their studio recordings and radio broadcasts.. Additionally he worked extensively as a studio musician and in radio orchestras.
From 1935-37 McGrath played in Lennie Hayton’s radio ensemble, before playing later in the decade with Bunny Berigan, Joe Venuti, and Chauncey Morehouse. After spending time in an NBC orchestra, he moved to the West Coast around 1943, where he became a first-call studio musician who worked on film soundtracks in Hollywood.
His compositions include Shim Sham Shimmy and Mandy Is Two, the latter of which was recorded by Billie Holiday.
Pianist and songwriter Fidgy McGrath passed away at the age of 51 on January 1, 1958 in Los Angeles, California.
Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Jolyon Hunter was born on December 1, 1926 in Ealing, London, England and moved with his actor parents to America in 1935. He studied the French horn at two military schools before switching to trumpet. By 1943 he returned home to Britain and attended the Royal College of Music before joining the war effort in the British Army.
In 1950 Jo left Army service and joined the Kenny Graham Afro Cubists, working with them off and on until 1957. Departing the group, he then worked for a short time with Roy Fox, followed by a five year residence with the Jack Parnell Big Band. He went on to play with Oscar Rabin, replacing Jimmy Deuchar.
Moving to Brighton, he worked with local bands and was an active freelancer on both trumpet and piano. In his later years he worked on cruise ships and played harmonica. Trumpeter and pianist Jo Hunter, who also played pianist and harmonica, passed away on August 14, 2016 at the age of 89.
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Three Wishes
While having girl talk between Nica and Terry Pollard she asked her what her three wishes would be if they could be granted:
- “A baby girl.”
- “Guaranteed good health.”
- “An un~segregated world.”
*Excerpt from Three Wishes: An Intimate Look at Jazz Greats ~ Compiled and Photographed by Pannonica de Koenigswarter
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Requisites
Can’t See For Lookin’ ~ Red Garland | By Eddie Carter
I was in the mood for some nice soothing music to enjoy after dinner a few nights ago when I came across this morning’s choice from the library by Red Garland. Can’t See For Lookin’ (Prestige PRLP 7276/PRST 7276) is his twelfth album and was recorded in 1958 but not released until 1963. William “Red” Garland was born in Dallas, Texas, and began playing the clarinet and alto sax before taking up the piano. He became famous in The Miles Davis Quintet from 1955 to 1958 and was well versed in the styles of Bebop, Hard-Bop, and straight-ahead jazz. After leaving Miles, he formed a trio and has recorded albums with Arnett Cobb, John Coltrane, Curtis Fuller, Jackie McLean, Charlie Parker, Art Pepper, Sonny Rollins, and Phil Woods. Here, he’s joined by Paul Chambers on bass and Art Taylor on drums. My copy used in this report is the 1972 US Stereo reissue (Prestige PRT-7276) by Fantasy Records.
Side One starts with a pretty song from the forties, I Can’t See For Lookin’ by Nadine Robinson and Dock Stanford. The trio begins an enchanting collective melody then Red glides into the first solo with a gracious amount of warmth and elegant simplicity. Paul walks through the second statement with a dreamy, rich tone revealing some intimate thoughts ahead of the trio’s delightful ending. Soon by George and Ira Gershwin began as a show tune from the musical, Strike Up The Band (1927). The ensemble gets things underway with a lively theme that’s passionate, enthusiastic, and extremely confident. Garland gives a stunning account on the opening solo with an energy that tweaks some new insights out of this old warhorse. Chambers makes his mark on the second reading with a showcase of incisively nostalgic ideas, and Taylor becomes a friendly sparring partner to the pianist on the closing statement.
Side Two opens with Blackout, a tune from the pen of Avery Parrish and Sammy Lowe beginning with an easy, caressing style by the ensemble on the melody. Red steps up first, establishing a nice momentum with a gorgeous opening statement. Paul approaches the next interpretation with great sensitivity and delicacy. Red returns to share a polite conversation with Art on the closing reading into a tender exit. Castle Rock by Al Sears brings the trio back to a brisk beat on the melody in unison. Garland leads off the opening statement with a light and nimble performance, then Chambers cooks up a tasty treat of cool jazz on the second solo. Taylor enters the spotlight last with Garland in a brief exchange into the closing chorus and happy ending.
Can’t See For Lookin’ was supervised by Prestige founder Bob Weinstock and Rudy Van Gelder was the man behind the dials. Both men are at the top of their game with a tremendous soundstage and incredible definition of each instrument. The piano has an amazing sound, and the bass and drums are perfectly balanced as if we’re in the studio while the musicians are recording. Red Garland recorded forty-six albums as a leader and was always good regardless of the setting or bandmates he appeared with. His career lasted over forty years and he continued recording until he suffered a heart attack, passing away on April 23, 1984, at age sixty. If you’re a Hard-Bop fan, enjoy Red Garland or jazz piano, I submit for your consideration, Can’t See For Lookin’. It’s thirty-five minutes of great music that you can file under “T” for terrific and perfect to enjoy while relaxing!
~ Soon – Source: Wikipedia.org © 2021 by Edward Thomas Carter
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Requisites
John Jenkins, Cliff Jordan, Bobby Timmons | By Eddie Carter
I begin this morning’s discussion with the 1960 collaborative album, Jenkins, Jordan, and Timmons (New Jazz NJLP 8232) by John Jenkins, Clifford Jordan, and Bobby Timmons. Joining them on this date are Wilbur Ware on bass and Dannie Richmond on drums. My copy used in this report is the 1981 Japanese Mono reissue by Victor Musical Industries (New Jazz SMJ-6299). John Jenkins’ approach to Hard-Bop and standards on the alto sax was distinctively tasteful. His solos always showed respect and affection for the tunes he played, and he could bring imaginatively unique lines even to well-worn standards. His other album as a leader is the self-titled release, John Jenkins (1957). Clifford Jordan’s interpretations on the tenor sax were the perfect characterization of his sound, sometimes growling, sometimes purring, but always with a formidable technique and a passionately assertive tone. Here, Jordan is in great form with another horn to joust with.
Pianist Bobby Timmons was one of the most talented yet neglected figures in the annals of Jazz. He composed two songs that are etched in the minds of many Jazz fans, Dat Dere, a mainstay in the early days of The Cannonball Adderley Quintet and Moanin’ that became a huge hit for The Jazz Messengers. Timmons appeared on the landmark album, Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers (1958). On this date, he approaches each tune with a melodic and rhapsodic touch that’s irresistible. Wilbur Ware was an extraordinary soloist on the bowed bass; he possessed a beautiful sound that could be fat, resonant, and fluid without any loss of body on any of the songs he played. Dannie Richmond is best known for his many albums with Charles Mingus, he’s a very pleasant surprise on this record with an energetic liveliness in his playing. He also recorded with many jazz greats including George Adams, Pepper Adams, Chet Baker, Ted Curson, Booker Ervin, Duke Jordan, Herbie Nichols, Horace Parlan, and Don Pullen.
Clifford Jordan’s Cliff’s Edge starts Side One at midtempo with both saxes flexing their muscles in unison on the opening chorus. Cliff is up first with a very satisfying opening solo at an easy, unhurried pace. John continues the conversation with a pleasant zest on the second performance. Bobby tells his story last with a charming interpretation that comes across effectively anchored by Wilbur and Dannie’s support into the quintet’s ending. Up next is the 1946 jazz standard Tenderly by Walter Gross and Jack Lawrence. Timmons opens the song with a soothing introduction, then Jordan steps up first for a deeply compassionate melody and an opening statement exhibiting sensitive delicacy. Timmons comes in next, gently caressing each note of an exceptionally tasteful interpretation. Ware deftly captures the song’s subtle mood on a gorgeously warm solo, followed by Jenkins who concludes the readings and the song with a beautifully tender interpretation.
The first of two tunes from Jenkins’ pen, Princess begins with a collective mid-tempo groove. John starts the opening solo with an articulate tone dispensing absolute joy. Cliff takes the listener for a comfortable joyride on the next statement. Bobby is consistently inventive on the closing performance preceding the quintet’s exit. Side Two starts with Soft Talk by Julian Priester, an energized swinger from the start of the ensemble’s electrically charged theme. Jenkins speaks first to start this scintillating conversation with an aggressive fierceness. Jordan continues the dialogue, making every note count with high voltage power. Jenkins and Jordan soar to great heights in an invigorating exchange over the next few verses. Timmons adds his voice to the discussion next on a heated reading, then Ware walks briskly on an abbreviated statement. Richmond has the last word with energetic drumming in an exciting conversation between both saxes into the reprise and abrupt climax.
Jenkins’ Blue Jay is a laid-back midtempo blues that begins with an unaccompanied lively introduction by Ware, segueing into the quintet’s collective theme. John starts the soloing with an easy-going opening statement. Clifford responds with a marvelous interpretation. Bobby cruises into the third reading with a strong beat and Wilbur steps last into the spotlight for a concise comment that flows effortlessly to the ensemble’s closing chorus and finale. The remastering of Rudy Van Gelder’s original recording has been superbly recreated by Victor Musical Industries with all five instruments full of body, presence, and a vibrant soundstage. If you enjoy good Hard-Bop and are a fan of John Jenkins, Cliff Jordan, and Bobby Timmons, I offer for your consideration, Jenkins, Jordan, and Timmons. An excellent album that in my opinion, no library should be without!
~ Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers (Blue Note BLP 4003/BST 84003), John Jenkins (Blue Note BLP 1573), Them Dirty Blues (Riverside RLP 12-322/RLP 1170) – Source: Discogs.com ~ Tenderly – Source: JazzStandards.com © 2021 by Edward Thomas Carter
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