Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Teddy Napoleon was born January 23, 1914 in New York City, New York. His first professional engagement was with Lee Castle in 1933, then played with Tommy Tompkins for several years before working as a freelance musician in New York.
In the 1940s he played in several big bands, including Johnny Messner and Bob Chester, before signing up with Gene Krupa in 1944. He worked with Krupa intermittently for the next fourteen years including on many of his big band releases in the 1940s, and in his trio settings with Charlie Ventura.
He also spent time working with Flip Phillips, Bill Harris, and Eddie Shu. Teddy moved to Florida in 1959 and led his own trio there, though he never recorded as a leader, however he did record a duo album with his younger brother Marty, also a pianist.
Swing jazz pianist Teddy Napoleon, who was the nephew of trumpeter Phil Napoleon, eventually returned north and died on July 5, 1964 in Elmhurst, New York.
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GARY VERSACE
The Band: Gary Versace~piano, Adam Kolker~saxophone, Jeremy Stratton~bass, Billy Mintz~drums
No cover. One Drink minimum. Tips for musicians encouraged.
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Requisites
Scenery ~ Ryo Fukui | By Eddie Carter
This morning’s record from the library holds a special place in my heart because two Christmases ago, my nephew Kyle, knowing how much I love trio albums, introduced me to pianist Ryo Fukui. A Letter From Slowboat and Mellow Dream instantly became favorites of mine. Submitted for your consideration in this discussion is his first release from 1976, Scenery (Nadja PA-7148). It initially hit the Japanese stores that year, and his bandmates on this date are Satoshi Denpo on bass and Yoshinori Fukui on drums. My copy is the 2018 We Release Jazz Swiss Half-Speed Stereo reissue (WRJ001).
Side One opens with a jazz standard from the forties, It Could Happen To You, by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke. Ryo makes the first move with a solo introduction leading to the trio’s sprightly theme. The pianist soars cheerfully through the song’s only interpretation while his colleagues’ accompaniment keeps pace, leading to the closing chorus and ending. I Want To Talk About You is a gorgeous ballad by Billy Eckstine that starts softly with a touching piano introduction, segueing into the group’s elegant melody. As the featured soloist, Fukui delivers a reading of quiet finesse preceding the climax.
Early Summer by Hideo Ichikawa grabs the listener from the opening notes of the pianist’s introduction to the trio’s lively theme. Ryo is up first and catapults into a swinging statement. Satoshi takes flight next with an exhilarating interpretation that soars skyward until Ryo’s closing remarks lead to the theme’s restatement. Ann Ronell’s Willow Weep For Me gets the second side underway with the trio’s bluesy opening chorus. As the song’s only soloist, Fukui serves an enjoyable performance with a down-home flavor. Satoshi and Yoshinori provide the foundation before the theme’s reprise and the song’s conclusion.
I first heard Autumn Leaves by Joseph Kosma, Johnny Mercer, and Jacques Prevert many years ago on Somethin’ Else and have been captivated ever since. The trio’s version of the jazz standard opens with a brief introduction that eases into their joyous melody. Ryo’s opening statement is as comforting as a visit to an old friend. Satoshi’s contribution takes a delightful stroll toward the closing chorus. The title tune, Scenery, highlights Ryo’s ability as a composer. His gentle introduction sets the mood for the trio’s delicate melody. In the song’s only solo, Fukui creates a canvas of tender beauty complemented by Satoshi and Yoshinori’s elegant accompaniment until the theme returns.
Scenery was produced by Masataka Ito, supervised by Olivier Ducret and Stéphane Armleder, and engineered by Kunio Arai. Music Matters Mastering mastered this reissue from the original reels at half-speed. The album sounds fantastic, with a superb soundstage transporting the musicians into your listening room. The first time I listened to this album was on a rainy evening, and the music seemed to transport me to a serene, picturesque landscape. If you’re in the mood for a terrific trio album, I invite you to check out Scenery by Ryo Fukui on your next record-shopping trip. It’s worth every penny for a spot in any fan’s library and should give its owner many years of listening pleasure!
~ A Letter From Slowboat (HMV Record Shop HRLP 103), Mellow Dream (Trio Records PA-7182), Somethin’ Else (Blue Note BLP 1595/BST 81595) – Source: Discogs.com
~Autumn Leaves, It Could Happen To You – Source: JazzStandards.com
© 2025 by Edward Thomas Carter
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The Jazz Voyager
The Jazz Voyager is flying east for another visit to the Motor City and some atmosphere and jazz at Cliff Bell’s. Starting out as a pub, turned speakeasy during Prohibition, it has become one of the premier jazz venues in the Midwest. I’m going to stop by Hitsville U.S.A. and take a nostalgic walk down the soul music memory lane before hitting the club.
I will be checking out a musician I have never heard before but is one who is keeping the tradition alive. He is a Grammy nominated saxophonist who goes by the name of De’Sean Jones and he brings his trio with him for the night. I’ll be catching the second set, as usual, just in case he decides to give anything extra.
The cover charge is $25.00 and Cliff Bell’s is located at 2030 Park Avenue, Detroit, Michigan 48226. For more information visit cliffbells.com.
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SUBA TRIO
Global Rhythms: Omar Sosa & Seckou Keita SUBA Trio
The Atlantic Ocean separates Cuba and Senegal, the respective birthplaces of piano virtuoso Omar Sosa and kora master Seckou Keita, a distance diminished by their shared ancestral connection to Africa.
Recorded during lockdown and released in October 2021, Sosa and Keita’s second album SUBA is a hymn to hope, to a new dawn of compassion and real change in a post-pandemic world, a visceral reiteration of humanity’s perennial prayer for peace and unity. Joining Omar and Seckou in the studio and for live performances is the inimitable Venezuelan artist Gustavo Ovalles.
Tickets: $25.00~$50.00
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