Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Martin Vallely was born in Belfast, Ireland on July 1, 1962. His musical history spans a career working with Cork bands Soon and No Sangoma to working with acclaimed indie oufit Dear Wolf in Germany with whom he recorded.
As a bandleader he put together a quartet that recorded and released three albums beginning in 2008 with Debut, his maiden voyage receiving critical acclaim as a jazz composer. The following year Waltzin and in 2010 he released Gloves Off.
As a singer/songwriter, Martin also released two cds of his own songs as the band Glen River, first 12 in 2009 and After The Fall in 2010 which showcases his songwriting abilities. He is a half of an excellent duo called The Apologists.
Bassist, composer, songwriter, producer and educator Martin Vallely presently resides in Cork, Ireland where he continues to perform and teach.
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Arthur Doyle was born June 26, 1944 in Birmingham, Alabama and was inspired to play music as a child after watching Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington on television. During his high school years, he began listening to Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins, and picked up gigs as a saxophonist. While still a teenager, he played with saxophonist Otto Ford, trumpeter Walter Miller and in R&B and blues groups.
After graduating high school, Doyle attended Tennessee State University in Nashville, receiving a degree in Music Education. While there he played with trumpeter Louis Smith and singers Gladys Knight and Donny Hathaway. He briefly went to Detroit, Michigan to play with hard bop trumpeter Charles Moore. He gravitated toward free jazz after playing at a Black Panthers festival.
Moving to New York City in 1968, Doyle worked with Sun Ra and Bill Dixon, and met and befriended saxophonist Pharoah Sanders and guitarist Sonny Sharrock. The following year, he recorded with Noah Howard and while in the city he met drummer Milford Graves, who encouraged him to pursue his natural affinity for pure sound. In 1977 he recorded his debut album Alabama Feeling, his first as a leader. He began playing with guitarist Rudolph Grey, and in 1980 along with Grey and drummer Beaver Harris, they became known as The Blue Humans and recorded Live NY 1980.
At around this time, Arthur began struggling with anxiety issues, and moved to Endicott, New York, where he worked as a counselor. In 1981, he moved to Paris, France where he began an association with multi-instrumentalist Alan Silva and his Celestrial Communication Orchestra, and participated in the recording of the album Desert Mirage in 1982. The following year, while in France, he was accused of rape and imprisoned. Maintaining his innocence he was pardoned and released in 1988 and during his time in prison, he wrote over 150 songs and assembled what he called the Arthur Doyle Songbook.
In the early Nineties Doyle returned to the United States, moving back to Endicott, and restarted his involvement in music. He resumed his association with Grey, playing at CBGB and releasing Arthur Doyle Plays and Sings from the Songbook Volume One on Grey’s Audible Hiss label. Over the next decade, he played and recorded with drummers Hamid Drake, Sabu Toyozumi, and Sunny Murray, among others, and formed The Arthur Doyle Electro-Acoustic Ensemble.
Saxophonist, bass clarinetist, flutist, and vocalist Arthur Doyle, who was best known for playing what he called free jazz soul music, died on January 25, 2014 in his hometown.
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Eddie Miller was born Edward Raymond Müller on June 23, 1911 in New Orleans, Louisiana. In his early teens he got a job selling newspapers, so he would be eligible for a newsboys’ band. His professional career began in New Orleans at 16, with his recording debut occurring in 1930 with Julie Wintz.
He went on to work in Ben Pollack’s orchestra and then stayed when Bob Crosby took over its leadership. He stayed with Crosby until the band broke up in 1942. He had his own band for a brief time after that, before being drafted. However, he was discharged from the military early because of illness.
Settling in Los Angeles, California he worked with Pete Fountain, appeared in most of Crosby’s reunions, did club work and also played with trumpeter Al Hirt.
As a songwriter Eddie composed Slow Mood, which later became known as Lazy Mood after Johnny Mercer noticed the tune and composed lyrics. Miller was inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1998. He won numerous Playboy and Esquire Jazz polls. Miller finished his career as the lead saxophonist with Pete Fountain, living in New Orleans.
Tenor saxophone and clarinet Eddie Miller died at age 79 in Van Nuys, California of pneumonia on April 1, 1991.
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BOYCE GRIFFITH QUINTET
Boyce Justice Griffith is a soulful and melodic saxophonist and composer based in New York City. Known for his captivating melodies birthed from inescapable groove, Griffith has turned heads in his emerging career as a performer and composer. His work on the renowned label Outside In Music includes three singles, “Joe’s Blues,” “The Rule of Three,” and “Four In One,” as well as an EP titled “Tuning In.” Having studied under the legendary Wynton Marsalis and having performed regularly with world renowned pianist Marcus Roberts, Griffith’s music simultaneously embodies the acknowledgement of the tradition and the spirit of innovation that characterizes the genre, making him a standout artist in contemporary jazz.
Lineup:
Boyce Justice Griffith – Saxophone
Anthony Hervey – Trumpet
Tyler Bullock – Piano
Marty Jaffe – Bass
John Sturino – Drums
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DANNY JANKLOW & ELEVATION
Danny Janklow + Elevation Band ft. Katherine Ella Wood and Dennis Hamm
Danny Janklow is an acclaimed saxophonist and composer, recognized as a leading musical voice of his generation. He is celebrated for his work on the Grammy-winning “Monk’estra plays John Beasley” in 2021. His performances, rooted in themes of justice and love, have seen him share stages with icons like Stevie Wonder and Herbie Hancock.
Katherine Ella Wood, a Juilliard-trained vocalist from Miami, is also in the jazz spotlight. Known for her rich, nostalgic voice, Katherine has captivated global audiences and brought her passion for jazz to prestigious venues alongside renowned musicians. Dennis Hamm is a renowned keyboardist and pianist known for his work with Thundercat, Flying Lotus, and Kamasi Washington. His unique style blends jazz, rock, and electronic influences, making him a standout performer and a sought-after session musician in the music industry. Nicholas Clark is a producer, musical director, and bassist from Fort Worth, Texas. His credits include working with Jon Batiste, Kanye West, HER, Demi Lovato, the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Janelle Monae, and many others.
The Band: Danny Janklow, saxophone | Dennis Hamm, piano, keyboard | Nicholas Clark, bass | Katherine Ella Wood, vocals | Anthony Fung, drums
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