Tonight s Jazz Feature honors the late, great Les McCann who passed away December 29,2023 at age 88. This fine album featuring pianist McCann s working trio with bassist Herbie Lewis and drummer Ron Jefferson was called "Les McCann LTD". McCann had been appearing at New York s Village Gate with the LTD and recording for his label Pacific Jazz but this was a one-night only get together with very limited rehearsal with three of McCann s favorite horn players including trumpeter Blue Mitchell, and the great tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine and the lesser known Frank Haynes. All six compositions are by McCann and reflect his talents as a writer. This is one fine way to honor a musician that was loved by just about everyone. Les McCann in New York is tonight s Jazz Feature.Les McCannLes McCann in New YorkChip MonckLes McCannLes McCann in New YorkFayth, You re..Les McCannLes McCann in New YorkCha-Cha TwistLes McCannLes McCann in New YorkA Little 3/4 for God and Co.Les McCannLe
Tonight s Jazz Feature has been an important part of tonight s Christmas Jazz Show for many years and tradition will continue with the famous and lasting Christmas Eve (1954) recording session with the Miles Davis All-Stars. It s sometimes known as the "Bags Groove Session" as that tune written by Milt Jackson is the opener. The All-Stars are of course, Miles Davis on trumpet, Milt Jackson on vibes, Thelonious Monk on piano, Percy Heath on bass and Kenny Clarke on drums. Four tunes were recorded and the session has gone into Jazz History as a very important document and timeless music. The men creating this music were just playing what they always played doing it so very well. The tunes are "Bags Groove by Milt Jackson, Bemsha swing by Thelonious Monk, The Man I Love by the Gershwin Brothers, and Miles Davis , Swing Spring. The spirit of Christmas seems to be evident throughout the session without any actual reference to Christmas music, There will be more tributes to
Tonight s Jazz Feature is an obscure by excellent album by a group of fine players based in Los Angeles. The leader is the great Harold Land on tenor saxophone along with a fine lesser known trumpeter named Martin Banks. Amos trice is on piano, Clarence Jones on bass and Leon Pettis on drums. Save for Land, none of these players are well known but their music is world class. The album was recorded in 1960 and not ever issued until 1980, undeservedly delayed. The tunes are by Land(2) Amos Trice(1), Martin Banks(1) and one by original producer, writer Leonard Feather plus a well chosen ballad standard. The album is entitled "Take Aim" and it aims to please those who love real Jazz. It s tonight s Jazz Feature.Harold LandTake AimAs You Like ItHarold LandTake AimTake AimHarold LandTake AimLand of PeaceHarold LandTake AimReflectionsHarold LandTake AimYou re My ThrillHarold LandTake AimBlue NellieBill Evans & Jim HallUndercurrentMy Funny ValentineBill Evans & Jim Ha
Tonight s Jazz Feature is a one time meeting of two great Jazz stars. They knew one another but never played together and were brought together by the producing genius of Norman Granz. Granz was one of the great entrepreneurs of Jazz. Tenor saxophonist Stan Getz was one of the major voices of that instrument and vibraphonist Lionel Hampton was one of the pioneers of that instrument and had been prominent since the early 1930s. Creative sparks flew on this session and the combination of Getz and H Hampton worked beautifully. The rhythm section was made up of people who worked with Getz throughout most of 1955 and Lou Levy is on piano, Leroy Vinnegar is on bass and the drummer is the magnificent Shelly Manne. The repertoire is a collection of good standard tunes, a ballad medley and two up tempo burners. Enjoy this classic one time get together from August 1, 1955. Hamp and Getz!Lionel Hampton/Stan GetzHamp and GetzCherokeeLionel Hampton/Stan GetzHamp and GetzBallad MedleyLionel Hampton/
Tonight s Jazz Feature is a suite in 6 movements written by the late Gary McFarland and it s titled "America The Beautiful: An Account of It s Disappearance". McFarland wrote this music in 1968 over deep concerns about his beloved America which was in that year in turmoil.race riots, assassinations, the Vietnam War plus the wanton destruction of the environment manifested by endless shopping malls, tract housing, garbage strewn everywhere and unmitigated greed. This suite is McFarland s protest of all of these happenings. However it is not an angry suite but more a lament for what was happening to the nation. It is an orchestral piece with the odd solo movements and played by first call New York musicians such as trumpeters, Marvin Stamm, Snooky Young and reed masters like Jerome Richardson, Romeo Penque, pianist Warren Bernhardt, guitarist Eric Gayle, bassist Jerry Jemmott and Chuck Rainey and drummer Bernard Purdie to name but a few. The music of Gary McFarland and his &quo