So, What Are You Listening To NOW?

[BillF]

39 minutes ago, mikeweil said:

 

[JSngry]

Illinois Jacquet 's big bands of the lsat how many years of his life appear to be seriously under-documented.

That's too bad, because they always swung right, felt right, blended right, did everything right. Illinois Jacquet should have been the highest "jazz education" clinician/artist-in-residence in the history of the world, because he knew how this type of big time needed to sound to do its job, which is to create an undeniable swing that lifts people up, both physically and spiritually.

On this last performance, yeah, he's old, he sings a lot, he rambles a lot, he plays well, and that band of his, unlike SO many other pretenders, lays it down, all the way down, into the pocket and keeps it there, they just do it right.

[Rabshakeh]

David Hurley – Outer Nebula Inner Nebula (Porter, 2008)

[jazzbo]

Charles Mingus "Mingus in Wonderland" Blue Note cd

Been too long since I spun this one and today it sounds magnificent and hitting the spot HARD.

[Dub Modal]

25 minutes ago, JSngry said:

Illinois Jacquet 's big bands of the lsat how many years of his life appear to be seriously under-documented.

That's too bad, because they always swung right, felt right, blended right, did everything right. Illinois Jacquet should have been the highest "jazz education" clinician/artist-in-residence in the history of the world, because he knew how this type of big time needed to sound to do its job, which is to create an undeniable swing that lifts people up, both physically and spiritually.

On this last performance, yeah, he's old, he sings a lot, he rambles a lot, he plays well, and that band of his, unlike SO many other pretenders, lays it down, all the way down, into the pocket and keeps it there, they just do it right.

Intrigued, I looked this up and scant to no details are included about this release on discogs. Released in 06-07, was that when this was recorded? I’m also wondering who was in this band…

Then I see a decent amount of albums from his big bands from the late 80s (and one from the mid-90s) exist, but on the questionable Squatty Roo label…any of those recommended? 

[JSngry]

Squatty Roo is not necessarily a "quality" operation...bootleg and pretty proud of it. What those are likely to be is audience recordings, which can be anywhere from quite nicely done to horrendous beyond redemption money, you talks your chances. So far, all I've gotten from them is some really interesting Ellington stuff. Bootleg like a mo, always rough-ish sound, but sme deep music.

Here's a bit of background on the album and a listing of the players: https://www.allaboutjazz.com/swingin-live-with-illinois-jacquet-illinois-jacquet-jacquet-records-review-by-jim-santella

Recorded 7/16/24. Jaquet died six days later.

What nobody has reference of is the arrangers, and this is where it gets really interesting: Eddie Barefield, Sy Oliver, Wild Bill Davis, Jimmy Mundy, Aubrey Tucker (who's that?), A.K. Salim, Rick Henderson(!!!), Roger Hamilton Spotts (again, who's that?), Buck Clayton, Phil Wilson, and Jacquet himself.

Obviously/mostly "vintage" charts, and those type things need to be played a certain way or else they just don't pop. Pretty obvious to me that Jacquet molded that band to get it right. This isn't some clueless Lincoln Center abomination, nor is it a pickup band that plays everything the same flat way.

Sorry to go on, but I still have a soft spot for big bands, all kinds, and it pisses me off when they don't got no kind of flayva. There's really no excuse for that except willful ignorance. But when I hear sections playing as sections, shading, not playing louder than the pocket can hold (and the rhythm section holding that pocket open when it does get loud, that's a good listen for me. And this is that.

I can't dance for shit, but I can sure as hell feel when it's dance time. And this is dance time!

Oh, there's a documentary about Jacquet, "Texas Tenor", I think it's called? Whateverit is, check it out because it's got footages of Jacquet leading and playing with his band. Great stuff.

[kh1958]

Miles Davis, Merci Miles!

[jazzbo]

[soulpope]

2 hours ago, EKE BBB said:

❤❤❤ !!!

[Dub Modal]

46 minutes ago, JSngry said:

Squatty Roo is not necessarily a "quality" operation...bootleg and pretty proud of it. What those are likely to be is audience recordings, which can be anywhere from quite nicely done to horrendous beyond redemption money, you talks your chances. So far, all I've gotten from them is some really interesting Ellington stuff. Bootleg like a mo, always rough-ish sound, but sme deep music.

Here's a bit of background on the album and a listing of the players: https://www.allaboutjazz.com/swingin-live-with-illinois-jacquet-illinois-jacquet-jacquet-records-review-by-jim-santella

Recorded 7/16/24. Jaquet died six days later.

What nobody has reference of is the arrangers, and this is where it gets really interesting: Eddie Barefield, Sy Oliver, Wild Bill Davis, Jimmy Mundy, Aubrey Tucker (who's that?), A.K. Salim, Rick Henderson(!!!), Roger Hamilton Spotts (again, who's that?), Buck Clayton, Phil Wilson, and Jacquet himself.

Obviously/mostly "vintage" charts, and those type things need to be played a certain way or else they just don't pop. Pretty obvious to me that Jacquet molded that band to get it right. This isn't some clueless Lincoln Center abomination, nor is it a pickup band that plays everything the same flat way.

Sorry to go on, but I still have a soft spot for big bands, all kinds, and it pisses me off when they don't got no kind of flayva. There's really no excuse for that except willful ignorance. But when I hear sections playing as sections, shading, not playing louder than the pocket can hold (and the rhythm section holding that pocket open when it does get loud, that's a good listen for me. And this is that.

I can't dance for shit, but I can sure as hell feel when it's dance time. And this is dance time!

Oh, there's a documentary about Jacquet, "Texas Tenor", I think it's called? Whateverit is, check it out because it's got footages of Jacquet leading and playing with his band. Great stuff.

Good info. Will check the documentary out too. Those arrangers listed, Wild Bill also shows up on a credit for one of Jacquet's 80s big band albums as do players Carmell Jones and Richard Wyands. SRoo the only outfit that has them so looks like you gotta gamble if you want to hear these.

[Niko]

Roger Hamilton Spotts did all the arranging for Al Grey's Shades of Grey which is a great album imho

[mhatta]

Milt Buckner on MPS is often overlooked.  More Chords is one of the best.

 

[JSngry]

1 minute ago, Niko said:

Roger Hamilton Spotts did all the arranging for Al Grey's Shades of Grey which is a great album imho

Wow, I have that record, but never paid attention to the name. Great record indeed!

Mr. spots has quite the story:

https://www.discogs.com/artist/643932-Roger-Hamilton-Spotts

[BillF]

1 hour ago, jazzbo said:

Charles Mingus "Mingus in Wonderland" Blue Note cd

Been too long since I spun this one and today it sounds magnificent and hitting the spot HARD.

Now playing:

[soulpope]

1 hour ago, jazzbo said:

Charles Mingus "Mingus in Wonderland" Blue Note cd

Been too long since I spun this one and today it sounds magnificent and hitting the spot HARD.

Booker Ervin + John Handy .... wonderful indeed ....

[Peter Friedman]

[Rabshakeh]

Charlie Mingus – A Modern Jazz Symposium Of Music And Poetry (Bethlehem, 1959)

I feel like this one gets lost in the shuffle sometimes. A great record.

[JSngry]

Character!

The Bertha Hope story is waiting to be told?

[Chuck Nessa]

[jazzbo]

Lonnie Smith "Afrodesia" cd

[soulpope]

1 hour ago, Rabshakeh said:

Charlie Mingus – A Modern Jazz Symposium Of Music And Poetry (Bethlehem, 1959)

.... A great record.

Indeed ....

[scooter_phx]

[Peter Friedman]

[jazzbo]

The King Jazz Story, disc 4

[soulpope]