Three Wishes
The answer that Billy Strayhorn gave Pannonica when she asked him what his three wishes would be, if given, was:
1. “I would wish that music would become ever more beautiful than it is, and that I would be able to listen to it forever, and write it forever.”
*Excerpt from Three Wishes: An Intimate Look at Jazz Greats ~ Compiled and Photographed by Pannonica de Koenigswarter
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Born Garland Lorenzo Wilson on June 13, 1909 in Martinsburg, West Virginia. He attended Howard University in Washington, D.C. and in the 1930s worked in New York City nightclubs.
In 1932 the pianist joined Nina Mae McKinney on a European tour, worked extensively in England with local groups, and recorded with trumpeter Nat Gonella.
In the liner notes of the CD box l’intégrale Django Reinhardt ~ Vol 2 he is quoted as being accompanist of French singer Jean Sablon together with guitarist Django Reinhardt on two sides recorded on November 1, 1935 in Paris, France.
Returning to the United States in 1939, he remained there until 1951, when he moved to Paris, France. Pianist Garland Wilson remained in Paris until he passed away on May 31, 1954.
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Sanford Gold was born on June 9, 1911 in Cleveland, Ohio and played locally in Cleveland and led regional bands. Moving to New York City in the 1930s he collaborated with Babe Russin and Raymond Scott in 1935, and formed a trio with Dave Barbour in 1941.
In 1942 he worked as a studio musician for CBS before serving in World War II until 1946. After being discharged Sanford worked with Don Byas, Mary Osborne and others before he went to work for CBS rival NBC, from 1949-1954. An album was recorded under his name on the Prestige label in 1955 titled Piano d’Or.
A sideman, Gold worked with Johnny Smith, Al Cohn, Vic Dickenson, Coleman Hawkins and Sally Blair. He was one of the premier jazz piano teachers of his time. He self-published a book, A Modern Approach to Keyboard Harmony and Piano Techniques. Pianist Sanford Gold passed away on May 29, 1984.
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The Quarantined Jazz Voyager
Politics, unfortunately, are an integral ingredient in getting their idea of bringing financial stability back to America. Let us continue to practice the use of common sense when it comes to the future of society. As I observe, public companies are following the suggestions of governors to allow entry without masks and without checking. I can’t get with the honor system.
So in maintaining social distancing, this week I have selected the 1998 album Pure Imagination by pianist and composer Eric Reed, released through Impulse! Records. The album contains reinterpretations of traditional songs from classic Broadway and Hollywood productions.
Reed recorded the album on July 28~29, 1997 and was produced by Tommy LiPuma. The musicals from which the songs were taken are (2) West Side Story, (3) The King & I, (4) Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory, (5) 42nd Street, (6) A Little Night Music, (7) Porgy & Bess, and (9) Carousel.
It peaked at #8 on Billboard’s Top Jazz Album charts. All songs are written by famous songwriters of said productions except for the opening and closing tracks that were composed by Reed.
Track Listing | 49:52
- Overture ~ 2:02
- Maria (Leonard Bernstein, Richard Rodgers, & Stephen Sondheim) ~ 6:35
- Hello, Young Lovers (Rodgers and Hammerstein) ~ 5:16
- Pure Imagination (Leslie Bricusse, & Anthony Newley) ~ 4:04
- 42nd Street (Harry Warren & Al Dubin) ~ 4:07
- Send in the Clowns (Stephen Sondheim) ~ 4:54
- My Man’s Gone Now/Gone, Gone, Gone (DuBose Heyward, George & Ira Gershwin) ~ 8:15
- Nice Work If You Can Get It (George & Ira Gershwin) ~ 3:58
- You’ll Never Walk Alone (Rodgers and Hammerstein) ~ 2:18
- I Got Rhythm (George & Ira Gershwin) ~ 5:05
- Finale (Last Trip) ~ 3:40
- Eric Reed – Piano
- Brian Bromberg – Bass
- Reginald Veal – Bass
- Gregory Hutchinson – Drums
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Three Wishes
Nica spoke with Toshiko Akiyoshi and made the inquiry of her three wishes were she blessed with them and she replied with the following:
- “I want to be a pianist who can play everything in my mind. If I had this wish, I think two and three… I know they will come.”
*Excerpt from Three Wishes: An Intimate Look at Jazz Greats ~ Compiled and Photographed by Pannonica de Koenigswarter
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