jazzbo

Welcome! Wear out the posting fingers!

Hey Tony, this is from the All Music Guide: Johnny Richards was one of the more progressive-minded arrangers of the 1950s and '60s, turning out big, heavily orchestrated scores with a sometimes unabashed use of dissonance and a good feel for Latin rhythms. His music has been called "provocatively colorful," though in the case of his notoriously portentous "Prologue" for the ego-tripping Stan Kenton, simply the word "provocative" says it all. Richards grew up in Schenectady, NY, learning piano, violin, banjo, and trumpet; his mother was a concert pianist who had studied with Paderewski. He started writing film scores, first in London in 1932-1933, and then in Hollywood for the remainder of the decade, as Victor Young's assistant at Paramount while studying composition with Arnold Schoenberg. From 1940 to 1945, he led a big band and then returned to Los Angeles to arrange for Charlie Barnet and Boyd Raeburn. He also arranged a string album for Dizzy Gillespie in 1950, along with recording dates with Sarah Vaughan, Helen Merrill, and Sonny Stitt. His most famous association was with Kenton, with whom he started arranging in 1952; Kenton's album Cuban Fire! is an outstandingly flamboyant example of Richards' work. Richards continued to lead his own orchestras in 1956-1960 and 1964-1965, recording for Capitol, Coral, Roulette, and Bethlehem, and co-wrote one of Frank Sinatra's signature songs, "Young at Heart."

More than twenty for me. Almost heard jazz as long as I can remember thanks to my Dad and Mom and Grandparents and Aunts and Uncles. And it's been more than twenty years that jazz has been my MAIN musical interest.

WORD! Not his best work, but worth having if you are an Elmo fan. Is this the Fresh Sounds or the Prevue version (the Prevue sounds best). . . . Good stuff, to me along the lines of the Specialty sessions.

Jeff, I've always felt like a kindred spirit. . . .! Take care and be sure to come back when you can! May James T. look after ya!

Many happy returns Ray!

May the art and happiness flow like wine!

Maybe we got bum information earlier on? Let's fire someone!

It's a damned centipede!

I have this spinning right now. It sounds FANTASTIC! R. I. P. Mr. Davies. A great series comes to an end!

Actually I think that it is interesting how well these meldings of cultures actually do "translate."

I've got the Millionaire. I dig it. LOCK.

Yes, a lot of Sixteen Men Swinging was on that Verve LP By Request "King of Swing." I'd like to see someone put out Basie's "The Happiest Millionaire" . . . seriously!

Kindred is a tenor saxophonist with a lyrical and warm sound. I know him from Jimmy Scott dates and from the Secret Ellington cd. He has a few other leader dates out that I haven't heard; his duo recording with Larry Willis for Mapleshade has gotten some good reviews from the "audiophile" crowd.

But on the internet you may miss some listings if you do (and vice versa). I'd assume the Dutch are correct too!

Most referrences I have seen on American issues say Nico Bunick. Most European referrences seem to be for Nico Bunink.

Neat poem: for nico bunick (et al) before the 33 1/3 spinning song -- one of petroleum's finest moments, there were opening acts: shrink wrap crackling like blakey's traps after pee wee marquette's half falsetto, then the player's names, my basement mantra -- the closest i ever came to cool this side of san fran: melba liston, fred katz, carmell jones, jamil nasser, and the one i may have whispered more than christian pals whispered jesus. tough-tender as a half decent steak. played with mingus -- could have played with the cleveland browns. "now swinging his ass off for the delight of too damn few folks, NICO BUNICK!!! didn't record much, a friend snipes upon hearing of his death. but i am still in love, and learning from a distant spring. reuben jackson 2/20/02

You will find it hereon:

They're interesting discs. I confess that I like Wilen the mature player better than his prodigious and powerful young self. . . but I'm a Wilen competist and find enjoyment in all his work I've found so far. Still need to find some of the seventies rock/Indian/jazz fusions. . . .

I believe that is one and the same Nico!

And I do believe that this very year a Verve Jam Sessions box is scheduled, which would have quite a bit of Basie and Basieites involved!

According to Lester Young, "Half a mohterfucker." If an artist didn't tip him to his satisfaction he'd mispronounce or otherwise mangle your name in announcements. . . .