Milestones

I think my favorites when it comes to mainstream jazz guitar are Midnight Blue by Kenny Burrell and Full House by Wes Montgomery.

I get that it is sometimes hard to tell piano players. It has taken me a long time deeply appreciate certain fine players because I didn't hear them as being truly distinctive. I'm referring to pianists like Tommy Flanagan and Wynton Kelly. Still, there are quite a few that I identify instantly: Monk, Tatum, Ellington, Weston, Tyner, Evans, Taylor, Silver, Corea (usually), Jarett (usually). As for bass, I find that Haden, Mingus, Carter, and Pastorious have highly distinctive voices.

August 2021 This was not a difficult blindfold, but there was a connection between the pieces. The common ground is that every track features at least one musician (and usually several) who played with Miles Davis—and Randy was the one who spotted that. Most often the connection is through the leader, but sometimes the thread exists among the sidemen. I avoided several artists who would be instantly recognized: Coltrane, Cannonball, John McLaughlin, Bill Evans. Still, it proved to be an easy BFT. ONE: Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section. “Jazz Me Blues”—Art Pepper / 1957 · This track obviously belongs to Art, but features the entire Miles rhythm section of Red Garland, Paul Chambers, and Philly Joe Jones. They are even given equal credit in the title. TWO: Let’s Hang Out. “It Never Entered My Mind”—J.J. (with Jimmy Heath) / 1992 · J.J. Johnson appeared with Miles several times in the 50’s, as did Jimmy Heath (at least once together). This record is of much more recent vintage. THREE:, Standards (and Other Songs) “L Bird”—Mike Stern (with Al Foster) / 1992 · Stern had a significant stint in Miles’ early comeback, and Al Foster is found on quite a few records. The track also features Randy Brecker doing a Milesian turn. FOUR: The Trio. "Angel Eyes”—Tommy Flanagan (with Ron Carter and Tony Williams) / 1983 · This is the only track on which everyone played with Miles. FIVE: We’ll Soon Find Out. “Bit O’ Water”—Joey Baron (with Ron Carter) / 2000. · I think this is a fine piece from leader Joey Baron with Arthur Blythe, Bill Frisell, and Ron Carter (who of course is the Miles connection). SIX: The Individualism of Gil Evans. "Barracudas”—Gil Evans (with Wayne Shorter) / 1964 · Well, Gil Evans certainly had a big Miles connection, and Wayne just as much if not more. This was a much-admired track on the BFT, and for excellent reasons. SEVEN: Trio Music. "Think of One”—Chick Corea (with Roy Haynes) / 1982 · Chick largely channeling Monk, and the great Haynes on drums. I don’t think Mirolsav Vitous ever played with Miles, but who knows? EIGHT: Beyond the Blue Horizon. "Somewhere in the East”—George Benson / 1971 · A track from my favorite Benson record. Benson worked with Miles on one record, while Ron Carter and Jack DeJohnette were major contributors to Miles’ music. NINE: The Nurturer. "Batista’s Groove”—Geri Allen (with Kenny Garrett) / 1990 · Geri Allen put together a fine group, with a solid spotlight on Garrett—the last great sideman in Miles’ bands. TEN: Prime Directive. "Candlelight Vigil”—Dave Holland / 1999 · Nice mellow track by the Dave Holland Quintet, except the drummer lays out. Holland is the sole link. ELEVEN: The Opener. "Oscalypso”—Curtis Fuller (with Hank Mobley and Paul Chambers) / 1957 · This enjoyable number features three fine Miles sidemen: Chambers, Mobley, and Art Taylor. TWELVE: The Wonderful World of Jazz. "Afternoon in Paris”—John Lewis / 1960 · This midsize group prominently features the unmistakable Dolphy, who I’m sure would never have been invited to play with Miles. The Miles connection is the leader, John Lewis. THIRTEEN: Groove Elation. "Lazy”—John Scofield / 1995 · Another guitarist who made some nice contributions late in Miles’ career.

Yep, that would be the connection. That ubiquitous Ron Carter...you'll find him anywhere!

We are running out of time. Anyone care to guess at the connection between tracks?

Yes, all great and concise pieces. I've loved "Why Was I Born?" for decades.

I just wanted to see where a discussion on Coltrane's more concise pieces would go. Of course, Trane was known for very long and intense solos. When I was first getting into Coltrane, I very much thought of his work in this vein--"Impressions," "Chasin' the Trane," "My Favorite Things," Spiritual." The last part of his career was known for incredibly long performances, sometimes past the 30-minute mark. And even in the early Prestige days he had all kinds of appearances on long jams (sometimes an LP side long), though to be sure there was plenty of space allotted to other players. But I put together a couple of playlists (CD length) of Coltrane in truly concise form. Some very famous and acclaimed pieces did not even make it to 2:30--"Alabama" and "Countdown." How about "Bessie's Blues" at 3:35? Two of his greatest mellow piece don't go much beyond 4 minutes: "Naima" and "After the Rain." I like the concise songs on Ballads and on Blue World, which I finally got around to checking out. Anyway, each playlist features 16 tracks. I'm sure I could have made one with 20 tracks. It's not that we want to see Trane's legacy simply represented by brief takes in the manner of Bird or Coleman Hawkins in his early days. But by concise, I have included some tunes that run nearly 7 minutes long, though none that crack seven. But guess you could say this is an atypical approach to listening to Coltrane.

I can't say that I've heard a lot of Tina Brooks, so I'll take Mobley. I like both of these guitarists a great deal, but I'll go with Frisell.

I vote for Randy Weston. And earlier, I take Lovano over Liebman. Also, Chandler over Hammett. Keith Jarrett or Hank Jones?

Wes Montgomery or Kenny Burrell? These are the two who best express mainstream jazz guitar--certainly the two I listen to the most. Seems to me that "This or That?" is simply about preference.

The most memorable one for me is my wife buying Portraits of Monk by Randy Weston. I'm a huge Weston fan, and I already owned the others two "Portraits" album. I had heard the Monk CD from a library copy and thought it was the best of the three. I really wanted this record/CD, and yet it was so hard to find at the time; this was maybe close to 20 years after its release. Even now it can't be found very easily at a decent price. She found it somewhere and for years wouldn't tell me the cost. Then eventually she told me it cost around $40! But it was not the cost that was important, but rather the kindness. It was just something I mentioned, and she tracked it down and made it a gift. We might have been only engaged at the time.

There is a link between musicians on each track--at least one player and often several. The link is not always found in the leader.

Of all jazz saxophonists associated with bebop and hard bop, for me he is the least heard and least appreciated. He did go very heavy with standards and the occasional Charlie Parker tune. But I am sure he is an artist who will rise in estimation if I listen to more of his work.

I find it be a fine record--good both jazz newbies and for most grizzled veterans hanging out around here. I used to be one of those who thought Brubeck was a bit square (maybe mostly based just on the appearance of the man), but I have come to appreciate a great deal of his work. I also like Time Further Out (1961) a good deal.

I don't know who Marc Myers is. I'd just soon as get lists of geniuses from members of this forum.

Without a doubt. The connection (not so broad as bassists) is more accidental than deliberate, but I guess that's often the case.

"Candlelight Vigil." That makes everything identified. This thing couldn't last even 5 days! Could that be a record? However, the theme/connection/thread remains.

Thom, you are doing great. You are right in naming Stern as the guitarist. It took me awhile to really appreciate Stern, but for some time now I have come to enjoy a great deal of his work (albeit not all of it). On the BFT this track has mostly received praise. Also, you are hot (not just warm) on #10. Mjzee, it's not Cyrille on #3, but it is notable veteran drummer.

As I expected, this was a pretty easy BFT. But there is a sort of theme here, or at least a connection--so you may want to try guessing that. Two tracks have still not been identified by either artist or title: #3 and #10. They are not obscure artists.

Some good guesses here. I note Frisell's name popping up a couple of times. He is on #5, but another well-known guitarist on #13. The majority of the selections have been previously identified. You took care of the full ID on #9: The Nurturer by Geri Allen (with Garrett on sax).

Chick was certainly fond of Monk, with renditions throughout his career--including in the trio with McBride and Blade.

Yes, sir. You also had Chick Corea and Roy Haynes on #7 (with Vitous on bass). This was a notable trio, and I personally quite enjoy their take on Monk.

Jsngry, Some interesting responses, especially on the tracks that sound like they belong on a soundtrack or would benefit from lyrics. You mentioned Ron Carter on #4. Of course it is him. I'm expecting an ID on the drummer, which should be easy. You correctly named George Benson, though not the title.

On #4, I think that you should NOT say "definitely not Tommy." Track 6 is Gil Evans from 1964--and it is Wayne Shorter and it is Elvin and it is Kenny Burrell (you were confident on him, but not much on the others). You are correctly hearing Kenny Garrett on #9. He is not the leader.

Jimmy Heath is correct! It's a record from the 1990s.