Jackie McLean 10 p.m. - 3 a.m.

[Lazaro Vega]

Alto saxophonist/bandleader/composer Jackie McLean is featured in the first 20 minutes of each hour tonight during Jazz From Blue Lake ( www.bluelake.org/radio ). For this broadcast his apprenticeship period with Miles Davis, Art Blakey, Charles Mingus and Prestige Records is by passed so as to focus on the recordings he made as a leader for Blue Note Records between 1959 and 1967.

We'll hear some music from his second great period, including "Round Midnight" recorded in Belgium in 1991 and "Little Melonae" with Japanese pianist Junko Onishi in 1995, but the main focus of tonight's broadcast will be on J-Mac's transition from Charlie Parker protege/hard bop master to explorer as improvisor aware of developments from Ornette Coleman and John Coltrane.

New records, too, in the other 40 to 30 minutes of each hour.

From the liner note to "Let Freedom Ring," McLean is quoted talking about his controversial sound:

"Whenever I get with Hank Jones and ask him to tune me up, he'll always hit B flat rather than A," McLean joked wile discussing his tone in 1997 [with Bob Blumenthal], then continued in a more serious vein. "Some people would prefer music to be a kingdom, with someone at the helm defining what to do; but jazz is a the perfect example of democracy. You could line me up with Phil Woods, Lee Konitz, Gary Bartz and Kenny Garrett, tell us to hit C, and get five different spins on the same note. We all have our own perceptions. My life has been sweet and sour, bittersweet, and I'm interpreting my experience. I'm a sugar free saxophonist."

[Mark Stryker]

Great quote from Jackie -- I've seen him use the phrase "sugar-free" to describe his sound in other places, but I've never seen the story of Hank playing a B-flat to tune to Jackie's A -- funny stuff. A bit confused about the source of that quote: That's from the liners from a Connoisseur issue of "Let Freedom Ring"?

[ghost of miles]

Listening right now--thanks, Lazaro.

Mark, I've read the "sugar free" description elsewhere too... David Rosenthal's essay for the Mosaic box, I believe. On the LET FREEDOM RING quote, maybe from the 2003 RVG edition?

Man, I love this period (1959-67) of Jackie--haven't listened to these records in awhile, great to hear them again. McLean was one of the players, along with Bud Powell, who got me really hooked on jazz.

Edited May 18, 2011 by ghost of miles

[ghost of miles]

Brother Ray! Is this from that recent Rare Masters CD?

[Lazaro Vega]

Wheel of Fortune. Yes, Rare Genius on Concord. And yes to the quote being lifted from Bob Blumenthal's 2003 RVG series "Let Freedom Ring" liner notes.

Thanks for listening, David. I think we're going to put another program on in the hour right before yours Sunday nights. It comes out of Nashville and is called "Jazz on the Side."

[Daniel A]

It seems to be common knowledge that Jackie most often tuned his instrument sharp, but yesterday I happened to hear a tune from Walter Davis' Blue Note album on the car stereo (might have been 's Make It) where I could have sworn he's a bit low.

[ghost of miles]

Wheel of Fortune. Yes, Rare Genius on Concord. And yes to the quote being lifted from Bob Blumenthal's 2003 RVG series "Let Freedom Ring" liner notes.

Thanks for listening, David. I think we're going to put another program on in the hour right before yours Sunday nights. It comes out of Nashville and is called "Jazz on the Side."

I'll definitely check it out--looks like an excellent show & a great one for Night Lights to be paired with.