Requisites
Lights Out! ~ The Jackie McLean Quintet | By Eddie Carter
The Jackie McLean Quintet steps into this morning’s spotlight with a 1956 release, Lights Out! (Prestige PRLP 7035/PRST 7757). It was the alto saxophonist’s label debut, and a superb supporting cast joins him on this date, Donald Byrd on trumpet, Elmo Hope on piano, Doug Watkins on bass, and Art Taylor on drums. My copy is the 2022 Analogue Productions Mono Audiophile reissue sharing the original catalog number. Side One opens with Jackie McLean’s Lights Out, a slow blues that comes to life in the rhythm section’s introduction, with a short statement by Elmo segueing into Jackie’s easy-going theme and opening solo. Donald compliments him leisurely using a mute, and Hope does his thing in the following reading. Both horns engage in an exchange of thoughts before the climax.
Up, also by the saxophonist, soars from the front line’s introduction into a rapid-fire melody. Byrd is up first and back on the open horn for a brisk reading. McLean romps through the second interpretation; next, Hope keeps up the energetic pace in a speedy performance. Taylor displays his talents in a brief finale followed by the horn’s return for a quick reprise. Lorraine, by Donald Byrd, begins with the trumpeter’s lovingly tender theme. He adds a personal touch to the first interpretation, matched by the rhythm section’s gorgeous groundwork. Jackie follows with a beautiful reading that’s a sultry treat for the ears, then Donald returns for a second statement that takes us away into a pretty ending by the front line.
A Foggy Day by George and Ira Gershwin kicks off Side Two. The song premiered in the 1937 musical comedy, A Damsel In Distress. McLean begins the melody with a happy, medium beat that extends to his lead solo. Byrd is back on the mute and flows with a gentle swing before passing it on to Hope. The pianist gives a charming closing statement leading to the ending theme that dissolves into emptiness. Donald Byrd’s Kerplunk gets underway with a carefree opening statement by Elmo that Donald maintains on the second interpretation with a relaxed groove. Jackie enters next and delivers a very efficient solo that proceeds to the front line blending their ideas into a satisfying conclusion ahead of the quintet’s exit.
Jackie McLean’s Inding starts with the trio’s introduction ahead of Byrd’s lively opening statement. Hope succeeds him with a lively presentation that shapes up nicely. McLean has the final say and brings the song home with a cheerful reading preceding the climax. Bob Weinstock supervised Lights Out!, and Rudy Van Gelder recorded it. Kevin Gray remastered this reissue, and the sound quality is outstanding. The record is on two-hundred grams of audiophile vinyl, and the album jacket has a high gloss. If you don’t already own an original pressing or early reissue, I highly recommend this Analogue Productions reissue for a spot in your library. It’s an excellent album by Jackie McLean that’s nearly forty-six minutes of pure bliss and can be enjoyed during the day, evening, or with the Lights Out!
~ A Foggy Day – Source: JazzStandards.com ~ © 2022 by Edward Thomas Carter
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CHARLES LLOYD~GERALD CLAYTON DUO
NEA Jazz Master Charles Lloyd, celebrating his 85th year, has never sounded better. The depth of his sound reflects a lifetime of experience. A Memphis Music Hall of Fame inductee, and recipient of the prestigious Chevalier des Arts et Lettres from the French Minister of Culture, Lloyd has a legendary history in the music world.
His concerts and recordings are events of pristine beauty and elegance, full of intensely felt emotion and passion that touches deep inside the heart. This is not entertainment, but the powerful uncorrupted expression of beauty through music. When music vibrates, the soul vibrates and touches the spirit within.
Lloyd is joined by six-time GRAMMY®-nominated pianist Gerald Clayton, a supremely gifted improviser hailed as one of the finest pianists of his generation. Charles Lloyd and Gerald Clayton have performed together since 2013, sharing incredible chemistry.
THE 222 is a small intimate venue. All seats are very good and have a clear view of the stage.
Seating for this concert is club style with round tables that seat four people. Seating will be assigned by the date of purchase, so the sooner you buy your tickets the closer you will be within the ticket level you purchase from.
GOLD SEATING – FRONT MIDDLE TABLES
SILVER SEATING – SURROUNDING FRONT TABLES
GENERAL SEATING – REMAINDER
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The Jazz Voyager
The Jazz Voyager is taking his next flight out to the great northwest to Idaho to pay a visit to a performing arts center called The Argyros. That is where the jazz vocalist Curtis Stigers will be performing for one night only. Besides his vocal talents he is also a songwriter, and plays the saxophone and guitar.
An intimate evening of songs and stories by this Emmy-nominated musician is something to anticipate. He has redefined the constitution of contemporary jazz singing, bringing new tunes to the Great American Songbook.
This is another first time discovery of the city and venue but I am excited to see what part of the country has to offer. Will definitely be dressed properly for the cold weather and hope any storms hold off. As always each flight I take has me masked as a preventative measure as these strains are continuing to mutate.
The center is located at 120 Main Street South, Ketchum 83340. The center’s number is 208-726-7872. For more information visit https://notoriousjazz.com/event/curtis-stigers.
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Theodore Guy Buckner was born on December 14, 1913 in St. Louis, Missouri but was raised in Detroit, Michigan where he played very early in his career before joining McKinney’s Cotton Pickers.
He became a member of the Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra, remaining from 1937 to 1943. After working with Lunceford, Buckner primarily played locally in Detroit, where he worked well into the 1970s. He played in small jazz combos, worked in the Motown studios, and co-led a big band with Jimmy Wilkins, Ernie Wilkins’s brother.
He toured Europe in 1975, and also appeared in the New McKinney’s Cotton Pickers that decade. Saxophonist Ted Buckner, who was the older brother of pianist Milt Buckner, transitioned on April 12, 1976 in Detroit.
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GAFIEIRA RIO MIAMI
Special concert to celebrate the release of their debut album, Bring Back Samba.
Imagine Count Basie went down to Rio de Janeiro and combined his big band with a samba school. This is Gafieira Rio Miami, a one-of-a-kind, 11-piece Brazilian band created by bassist and Latin Grammy winner Diogo Brown. One of the most in-demand bass players in the industry, Brown has worked with renowned artists such as Laura Pausini, Buika, Nouvelle Vague and Gloria Estefan.
To put together this samba-jazz big band, he called on Latin Grammy-nominated saxophonist Dr. Pablo Gil and Pedro Carrero, former principal trombonist of the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra. With a powerful five-piece horn section, plus bass, guitar, drums, percussion and the lovely vocals of Isa Duarte, Gafieira Rio Miami fuses samba, jazz and soul inspired by the 20th century Rio de Janeiro ballroom dance music known as samba de gafieira.
The group’s repertoire includes gorgeous arrangements of classics by Gilberto Gil, Djavan, Alcione, Moacir Santos and others. Get ready to experience the joyous energy of Gafieira Rio Miami!
Live on the Plaza is a series of outdoor concerts on our Parker and Vann Thomson Plaza for the Arts.
Please note: Tables can be purchased for 1, 2, 3 or 4 guests. Ticket prices are per person. Locations are assigned in the order of purchase in parties of up to four guests based on reservation type.
Doors open at 6 p.m. with light bites and beverage service.
Happy hour pricing available until 7 p.m.
Performance starts at 7:30 p.m.
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