Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Mark Jay Levine was born on October 4, 1938 in Concord, New Hampshire and began playing the piano at the age of five, trombone in his early teens. Attending Boston University, graduating with a degree in music in 1960, he also studied privately with Jaki Byard, Hall Overton and Herb Pomeroy.
Moving to New York City in the Sixties he freelanced and then played with musicians Houston Person, Mongo Santamaría, and Willie Bobo from 1971 to 1974. Levine then moved to San Francisco, California and played with Woody Shaw for two years. His debut album was made as a leader for Catalyst Records in 1976.
He went on to play with the Blue Mitchell/Harold Land Quintet, Joe Henderson, Stan Getz, Bobby Hutcherson, Luis Gasca, and Cal Tjader. From 1980 to 1983, he concentrated on valve trombone, but then returned to playing mainly the piano. He then led his own bands, and recorded for Concord as a leader in 1983 and 1985. From 1992 Mark was part of Henderson’s big band. He created a new trio in 1996 and recorded it for his own, eponymous label. His Latin jazz group, Que Calor, was formed in 1997.
He put on his educator hat in 1970, teaching in addition to private lessons at Diablo Valley College, Mills College, Antioch University in San Francisco, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Sonoma State University, and the JazzSchool in Berkeley. Levine wrote two method books: The Jazz Piano Book, and The Jazz Theory Book.
Pianist, trombonist, composer, author and educator Mark Levine, whose album Isla was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Latin Jazz Album, died of pneumonia on January 27, 2022 at the age of 83.
More Posts: bandleader,clarinet,composer,educator,history,instrumental,jazz,music,producer,trombone
Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Norris Jones, better known as Sirone, was born September 28, 1940 in Atlanta, Georgia. He worked in Atlanta late in the 1950s and early in the 1960s with “The Group” alongside George Adams. He recorded with R&B musicians such as Sam Cooke and Smokey Robinson.
In 1966, in response to a call from Marion Brown, he moved to New York City, where he co-founded the Untraditional Jazz Improvisational Team with Dave Burrell. He also worked with Brown, Gato Barbieri, Pharoah Sanders, Noah Howard, Sonny Sharrock, Sunny Murray, Albert Ayler, Archie Shepp, and Sun Ra, as well as with John Coltrane when he was near the end of his career.
He co-founded the Revolutionary Ensemble with Leroy Jenkins and Frank Clayton in 1971. Jerome Cooper later replaced Clayton in the ensemble, which was active for much of the decade. The 1970s and early 1980s saw Sirone recording with Clifford Thornton, Roswell Rudd, Dewey Redman, Cecil Taylor, and Walt Dickerson.
In the 1980s, he was a member of Phalanx, a group with guitarist James “Blood” Ulmer, drummer Rashied Ali, and tenor saxophonist George Adams. From 1989, he lived in Berlin, Germany, where he was active with his group Concord with Ben Abarbanel-Wolff and Ulli Bartel.
Bassist, trombonist, and composer Sirone, who was involved in theater, film, and was a practicing Buddhist, died in Berlin, Germany on October 21, 2009, at the age of 69.
More Posts: bandleader,bass,composer,history,instrumental,jazz,music,trombone
BERNARD LINNETTE INTERACTIVE
Drummer Bernard Linnette is a force of nature behind the kit, blending precision, groove, and creativity in every performance. With roots in both jazz and R&B, he has built a reputation for his ability to drive a band with thunderous power while also bringing subtle nuance to more intimate settings. His career has taken him to stages across the country, where his dynamic playing consistently captivates audiences and earns the admiration of fellow musicians.
Beyond his technical mastery, Linnette is celebrated for his versatility and collaborative spirit, making him a sought-after accompanist for both seasoned artists and rising stars. Whether laying down a swinging rhythm, crafting complex polyrhythms, or igniting the stage with high-energy solos, he embodies the heartbeat of the music. With every performance, Bernard Linnette proves why he is one of the most compelling drummers working today.
The Band: Bernard Linnette, Drums | Frank Lacy, Trombone | Chanda Leigh Adeogba, Vocal | James Robertson, Saxophone | Derrick White, Trombone | Louis Herivaux, Piano | Tommy Sauter, Bass
Cover: $42.00
More Posts: adventure,bandleader,drums,genius,instrumental,jazz,music,preserving,travel,trombone,vocal
Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Doug Beavers was born September 22, 1976 in Bellflower, California. He received a BA in music from California State University, East Bay, an MA in composition from the Manhattan School of Music. He is the founder of the music production company and record label, Circle 9.
As a performer Doug has worked with Eddie Palmieri, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Mingus Big Band, Christian McBride, Paul Simon, and others. He also served as an adjunct professor at Los Medanos College and music faculty of Jazz Trombone at California State University, East Bay.
His most recent album recording,Sol, was released in 2020. In 2021, he received a New Jazz Works grant from Chamber Music America. Trombonist, arranger, composer and producer Doug Beavers, a Grammy Award-winning musician, is currently an adjunct faculty member at the College of New Jersey.
More Posts: arranger,bandleader,composer,history,instrumental,jazz,music,producer,trombone
Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Frank Orchard was born on September 21, 1914 in Chicago, Illinois. He studied at Juilliard from 1932-33 and performed for a year with Stanley Melba’s band, but then worked outside of music altogether, mostly as a salesman until 1941.
Orchard became a part of the New York Dixieland scene in the 1940s, working with Jimmy McPartland, Jimmy Dorsey, Louis Armstrong, Bobby Hackett, Max Kaminsky, Wingy Manone, Joe Marsala and the Eddie Condon gang.
The mid-1950s saw Frank’s move to Dayton, Ohio and eventually to St. Louis, Missouri and still playing trombone although out of the spotlight. He never led his own record date and returned to New York in the 1960s. He worked regularly at Jimmy Ryan’s from 1970-71 and with Billy Butterfield in 1979.
Trombonist, violinist, banjoist and tubist Frank Orchard, who also played in the Willie “The Lion” Smith band with Jack Lesberg, Mac McGrath, Max Kaminsky, Rod Cless, died December 27, 1983 in Manhattan, New York City, New York.
More Posts: banjo,history,instrumental,jazz,music,trombone,tuba,violin