Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Andrea Ventriglia was born in Capua, Italy on April 29, 1953 and studied the saxophone with the masters Franco Florio in Salerno and Eraclio Sallustio at the GB Martini Conservatory in Bologna, Italy. He later studied the flute with Aldo Ferrantini.

His professional career began while he was still a music student around the end of the 1960s, following the rhythm & blues and soul of James Brown, Wilson Pickett, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles and Joe Cocker in fashion at that time and still today. At a very young age he was part of the best and

As a soldier Andrea was part of the National Band of the Italian Army. He moved to Verona, Italy in the mid 1970s and began playing in small bands in night clubs. He was invited to join the Big Band Citta’ di Verona directed by Maestro Mario Pezzotta, in the first tenor saxophone. At the same time he performed in Fernando Brusco’s small orchestra as an arranger and saxophonist.

Moving to the United States he initially played in small bands that performed on cruise ships where he met among others Count Basie, Mercer Ellington, Sarah Vaughan, Harry James and Bob Crosby. Settling first in San Francisco, then in Los Angeles, California he played on the road with small bands collaborating with Harry James and Bob Crosby in the latter city.

Back in Italy he gained membership into Franco Rosselli’s orchestra and did the night club circuit in Florence, San Remo and Riviera Romagnola. Leaving Roselli he toured with Bobby Solo throughout Italy. His passion for jazz and big band led him to the Luciano Fineschi Orchestra, again sitting in the first tenor saxophone and flute chair.

After the orchestra disbanded Ventriglia went on to play in other big bands, duos, artistic partnerships, and guest appearances. For a decade he was a professor of saxophone at the Giuseppe Martucci Music High School in his hometown. He trained musicians currently working with famous artists or with their own groups and some of whom practice the profession of musician in the USA.

By the Eighties the public became more sensitive towards jazz, so Andrea led quartets performing in various Italian jazz clubs. that sprung up a bit everywhere in Italy. During his career and for professional reasons, saxophonist and flutist Andrea Ventriglia has performed on nearly every continent and continues to perform, tour and record.

More Posts: bandleader,flute,history,instrumental,jazz,music,saxophone

Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Scott Robinson was born on April 27, 1959 in Pompton Plains, New Jersey and was the son of a piano teacher and National Geographic book editor. Graduating from the Berklee College of Music in 1981, the following year he joined the college’s staff, becoming its youngest faculty member.

Robinson has appeared on more than 275 LP and CD releases, including twenty under his leadership, with musicians Frank Wess, Roscoe Mitchell, Ruby Braff, Joe Lovano, Ron Carter, Paquito D’Rivera, David Bowie, Maria Schneider, Rufus Reid, Buck Clayton, and the Orchestra of St. Luke’s. Four of these recordings won a Grammy Award. He has received four fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts.

In 2000, the U.S. State Department named him a jazz ambassador for the year 2001, funding a tour of West Africa in which he played the early works of Louis Armstrong. Material from these appearances was released on the album Jazz Ambassador: Scott Robinson Plays the Compositions of Louis Armstrong by Arbors Records.

Throughout his career, Scott has worked to keep unusual and obscure instruments in the public view. His main instrument is a C-melody saxophone, however he has recorded with the ophicleide, and the rare contrabass saxophone.

Saxophonist Scott Robinson has operated his record label, ScienSonic Laboratories since 2009, in addition to his performing and recording.

More Posts: bandleader,history,instrumental,jazz,music,ophicleide,saxophone

Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Greg Fugal was born on April 14, 1991 and started playing when he was twelve, receiving a zephyr saxophone from his great aunt. He began on alto then eventually played on all three saxophones.

He initially learned the classical genre but was introduced to jazz in his junior high years. Fugal became involved in a band that was organized outside of high school and called themselves the Rum House Jazz Mafia or R.H.J.M. as a baritone player in that band.

Having moved several times Greg played at three different high schools. Those schools being Uintah, Lehi, and Westlake high school, all based in Utah. During his senior year he was first chair and section leader and was rewarded the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award.

Graduated from Westlake High School in 2010, saxophonist Greg Fugal now plays for The Utah Valley University Jazz Band.

More Posts: history,instrumental,jazz,music,saxophone

Requisites

Gettin’ Together ~ Art Pepper | By Eddie Carter

This morning’s library selection is a standout example of cool jazz by the multi-talented musician Art Pepper. Gettin’ Together (Contemporary Records M3573/S7573), released in 1960, was his third album on Lester Koenig’s label. It

demonstrated his creativity and versatility as a composer and featured a superb lineup. Conte Candoli on trumpet (tracks: A1, A2, B1), Art Pepper on alto (A1, A3, A4, B2) and tenor sax (A2, B1, B3), Wynton Kelly on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Jimmy Cobb (listed here as Jimmie) on drums. My copy is the 1984 U.S. Original Jazz Classics stereo reissue (Contemporary Records OJC-169).

Side One opens with Whims of Chambers by Paul Chambers, initially recorded by the bassist in 1957. Art, Paul, and Jimmie’s introduction gets things started ahead of the ensemble’s melody. Art sets the groove with some homecooking, and then Wynton follows with a thoroughly satisfying statement. Conte steps in briefly before Paul takes the next flight. Art and Jimmie briefly exchange thoughts, leading to the theme’s reprise. Bijou the Poodle is an original by Art Pepper, inspired by his dog; the quintet collectively presents the medium-paced melody. Pepper opens with long, flowing phrases, and then Candoli makes a profound impression. Kelly gets into the groove next, succeeded by Chambers, who weaves comfortably through the final interpretation until the climax.

Up next is a quartet performance of Why Are We Afraid? by Dory Langdon and André Previn. Wynton’s brief introduction leads into Art’s gentle theme and first solo, which asks this tender question with tranquil support from the rhythm section. Wynton continues the thoughtful mood in the following interpretation before Art makes a few final comments and delivers the ending theme. The tempo picks up with Softly As In a Morning Sunrise by Sigmund Romberg and Oscar Hammerstein II. The trio gets things started, then Pepper leads the lively melody. The leader steps into the spotlight first with a terrific presentation. Kelly takes a sizzling reading next. Paul walks through the third reading with strong bass lines, and Pepper and Cobb engage in an upbeat conversation, leading to the melody’s restatement.

Side Two opens with Thelonious Monk’s Rhythm-a-Ning. Jimmy starts with a brief introduction before the quintet dives into the playful theme. Art goes right to work with fiery passion, and then Conte plays with intense emotion. Wynton makes a quick, impressive statement, and then Paul delivers a deeply expressive reading. Art and Jimmie conclude with an inspired improvisation, leading to the finale. Diane is Art Pepper’s heartfelt tribute to his wife. The rhythm section introduces this gentle ballad ahead of Pepper’s beautiful melody. He continues in the opening solo, displaying romantic tenderness. Kelly glides elegantly into the following performance, culminating gracefully with the quartet’s out-chorus and exit.

The title tune, Gettin’ Together, by Art Pepper, is a blues that allows each musician to shine. The quartet gets underway with Art guiding them through the relaxing theme. The saxophonist opens with a lightly swinging statement. Wynton offers a few breezy choruses next, and then Paul strolls leisurely. Finally, Art and Jimmie briefly converse before the theme returns. Lester Koenig produced the album, and Roy DuNann and Howard Holzer were behind the dials. This OJC reissue is an excellent recording with a stellar soundstage and crystal-clear sonics. If you’re a cool jazz fan, I invite you to check out Gettin’ Together by Art Pepper on your next record hunt. It’s a stellar effort in allareas that sounds as fresh as when it was first released and is highly recommended for a spot in your library!

~ Softly As In a Morning Sunrise – Source: JazzStandards.com

~ Rhythm-a-Ning – Source: Wikipedia.org

© 2025 by Edward Thomas Carter

More Posts: choice,classic,collectible,collector,history,instrumental,jazz,music,saxophone

Daily Dose Of Jazz…

John Axson Ellis was born on April 13, 1974 in North Carolina and learned clarinet and piano as a child. During the Nineties in New Orleans, Louisiana he studied with Ellis Marsalis and performed with Brian Blade and Nicholas Payton.

Independently releasing his debut album Language of Love in 1996, he went on to receive a music degree from the New School in New York City and won second place in the 2002 Thelonius Monk Institute of Jazz International Saxophone Competition. John traveled to Africa as a cultural ambassador for the United States Information Agency.

With playwright Andy Bragen, Ellis composed the theatrical works Dreamscapes, The Ice Siren, and Mobro. An album version of The Ice Siren with Gretchen Parlato on vocals was released in 2020.

Ellis has performed with the group Doublewide with Jason Marsalis, The Holmes Brothers, John Patitucci, and Miguel Zenón. He has recorded thirty-seven as a sideman with Charlie Hunter, Anne Mette Iversen, Kat Edmonson, Kendrick Scott, Ben Sidran, Lonnie Smith, Darcy James Argue, Will Bernard, Laila Biali, Erin Bode, Sean Costello, Caramelos de Cianuro, Gilfema, Robert Glasper, Jon Gordon, Norah Jones, Kathy Kosins, Michael Leonhart, Mike Moreno, Igor Lumpert, Eric Revis, Robert Sadin, Kate Schutt, Leo Sidran, Edward Simon, Sting, and Helen Sung.

Tenor saxophonist John Ellis, who recorded nine albums as a leader or co-leader, continues to perform, record and tour.

More Posts: bandleader,history,instrumental,jazz,music,saxophone