THE COPA KINGS

A night of swingin’ Rat Pack music reminiscent of Las Vegas in its prime! The Copa Kings were formed out of a desire to breathe new life into some of the great jazz standards of the 1930s, ’40s, and ’50s. With great reverence, the band brings a unique passion, artistry, and flair to the jazz music of this period. Led by frontman Billy Murphy, the Austin-based Copa Kings pay homage to some of our country’s greatest jazz songwriters and performers, including Frank, Billie, Ella, Louis (Armstrong and Jordan), Dean, and Ray.

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CHAMPIAN FULTON & CORY WEEDS

Champian Fulton is considered one of the most gifted pure jazz musicians of her generation. This young woman from Oklahoma captivates audiences in New York’s finest jazz rooms and in concert halls around the world, where her piano and voice skills have been recognized by peers and critics as distinctive and sophisticated.

A saxophonist with an expressive sound rooted in jazz tradition with over 20 records to his name, a label owner tirelessly documenting unsung jazz heroes, one of North America’s most important jazz impresarios, the hardest-working man in jazz business – Cory Weeds is all of these things, and much more.

Weeds and Fulton have been playing together for over 10 years and have recorded 3 times previously. Their latest recording Every Now and Then features just the two of them and was recorded at the beginning of a tour in 2023. They have a wonderful rapport on and off stage and a Weeds/Fulton duo concert is always a ton of fun.

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WOODY WITT & JIM ROTONDI

Renowned trumpeter Jim Rotondi has been a jazz powerhouse for over 30 years, leaving an indelible mark in New York and across the globe. Brace yourself for an electrifying performance as he joins forces with an all-star ensemble curated by Houston saxophonist Woody Witt. Get ready to groove to the sounds of Ross Margitza on piano, David Craig on bass, and Gerry Gibbs on drums.

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Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Reuben McFall was born on February 1, 1931 in Los Angeles, California to a musician father and grew up in the Belvedere neighborhood of East Los Angeles, long established as a Mexican-American enclave.

McFall attended Westlake College of Music in Hollywood, California, one of the first institutions in the county to offer a diploma in jazz. The school was founded in 1945 and ran until 1961.

As a sideman he performed with Freddie Slack, Vido Musso, Floyd Ray, Glen Henry, Lalo Guerrero. From 1946 to 1955 he recorded albums with Roy Porter and His Orchestra, Gerry Mulligan, Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Shorty Rogers, Gerald Wilson and Teddi King.

Trumpeter, composer and jazz arranger Reuben McFall, who was also known as Ruben and Rubin and Ruban, is 93 years old.

BRONZE LENS

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Requisites

A few nights ago, I spent the evening listening to records by Howard McGhee, Freddie Hubbard and Woody Shaw and was still in the mood to hear another trumpet player, so I picked one of my favorite albums by Lee Morgan. This morning’s record submitted for your approval is Leeway (Blue Note BLP 4034/BST 84034), an excellent 1961 quintet session. I’ve always loved Lee’s tone, articulation, energy, and imagination since first hearing him on A Night In Tunisia, Blue Train, Candy, Houseparty, Introducing Wayne Shorter, The Cooker and The Sermon. An exceptional supporting cast backs Lee on this date: Jackie McLean on alto sax, Bobby Timmons on piano, Paul Chambers on bass and Art Blakey on drums. My copy is the 2016 Music Matters Stereo audiophile reissue (MMBST-84034).

These Are Soulful Days by Cal Massey opens Side One at an easy pace for the quintet’s bluesy melody. Paul leads off the solos with an immensely soothing interpretation. Bobby follows with an attractive performance. Jackie enters next with a satisfying statement, and Lee makes a brief point in the closing solo ahead of the theme’s return. Lee Morgan’s The Lion And The Wolff is his tribute to label founders Alfred Lion and Francis Wolff. The rhythm section’s introduction gets it started for the front line’s collective melody. Jackie leads the way with a relaxing solo; then Lee comes in for a carefree reading. Bobby delivers a delightful statement next, followed by Paul’s bouncy bass lines and Art’s concise comment until the closing chorus fades out slowly.

The quintet dives into Jackie McLean’s Midtown Blues to begin Side Two. The group’s leisurely-paced theme gets things off to a good start. Lee begins the opening solo in a happy vein. Jackie responds with a lightly swinging reading. Bobby keeps the ideas flowing in the third statement, and Paul puts together a satisfying conclusion preceding the ensemble’s reprise and exit. Nakatini Suite by Cal Massey was composed in 1948 and is dedicated to a columnist of The Pittsburgh Courier. The rhythm section sets the tone with their introduction to the quintet’s vibrant melody. Lee leads off the solos with a spirited statement. Bobby follows the leader and gets a chance to stretch out next. Art is right on the mark, with a brisk workout leading to the theme’s restatement.

Alfred Lion produced the original session, and Rudy Van Gelder was the recording engineer. Kevin Gray of Cohearent Audio mastered this audiophile reissue, and the album’s sound quality is simply breathtaking. If you close your eyes while listening, you’ll swear that the quintet is in your listening room playing. The record is pressed on 180 grams of audiophile vinyl and is dead silent until the music starts. The album cover is worthy of hanging on your listening room wall, and the gatefold photos from the session are gorgeous. Lee Morgan recorded thirty albums as a leader and appeared on some of the greatest jazz albums as a sideman. Leeway is sadly overlooked in his discography, but in my opinion, it’s one of his best releases of the sixties. If you’re in the mood for hard bop, I happily recommend Leeway by Lee Morgan. It’s an excellent introduction to his music and a terrific album you shouldn’t miss when record-shopping!

~ A Night In Tunisia (Blue Note BLP 4049/BST 84049), Blue Train (Blue Note BLP 1577/BST 1577), Candy (Blue Note BLP 1590/BNST 1590), Houseparty (Blue Note BLP 4002/BST 84002), Introducing Wayne Shorter (Vee Jay VJLP 3006/SR 3006), The Cooker (Blue Note BLP 1578/BST 81578), The Sermon (Blue Note BLP 4011/BST 84011) – Source: Discogs.com

© 2024 by Edward Thomas Carter

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