Tonight s Jazz Feature is one of the many that alto saxophonist Jackie McLean did for Blue Note Records during his early years with the label from 1959 to 1967. Jackie reached musical maturity during his Blue Note years and his playing progressed by leaps and bounds. This album seems unjustly neglected and deserves a hearing as the music is superb. It marks the recorded debut of trumpeter/composer Charles Tolliver. Charles contributes 3 compositions to the set which was recorded at Rudy van Gelder s Studio on August 5, 1964. Jackie McLean picked the great rhythm section with Herbie Hancock playing some very adventurous solos, On bass is Cecil McBee and on drums is the always creative "Mr Snap-Crackle" (Roy Haynes).. Mclean contributes 3 tunes to the set including the title track: "It s Time!". This Jazz Feature is a belated Birthday tribute to Mr. McLean who was born on May 17, 1931 in New York. It s Time for Jackie McLean!Jackie McLeanIt s Time!TruthJackie Mclea
Tonight s Jazz Feature is a unique one of a kind recording by the great tenor saxophonist Stan Getz. He said when interviewed near his passing that "Focus" was his favorite album. It it essentially Stan Getz improvising over 7 compositions that could stand on their own by Eddie Sauter. They tried many approaches at rehearsals and came up with this simple formula, Stan would use his skills as a master improviser to make all these pieces happen. The seven compositions cover a huge range of moods from exciting to romantic to whimsical to fanciful. This album stands alone as one of the masterpieces of 20th century music. Stan Getz, Eddie Sauter s compositions and the large string orchestra conducted by Hershy Kay. It was recorded over several sessions beginning in July 1961 and wrapping up in October of 1961. Focus is Getz masterpiece and tonight s Jazz Feature.Stan GetzFocusI m Late, I m LateStan GetzFocusHer.Stan GetzFocusPanStan GetzFocusI Remember WhenStan GetzFocusNight Rid
Tonight s Jazz Feature is a fine album which harkens back to Don Cherry s early days leading a band called "The Jazz Messiahs" which existed in 1956/57 but sadly never recorded. This album done in August of 1988 is kind of a recreation of the Messiah s music and sound. It is much more traditional than many of Cherry s recordings. The band is Don Cherry on trumpet, James Clay on tenor saxophone, Charlie Haden on bass (replacing the original bassist Don Payne) and Billy Higgins on drums. 3 Ornette Coleman tunes are featured and one by Thelonious Monk, two by Don Cherry and two ballad features for James Clay (minus Cherry). The album called "Art Deco" is a wonderful experience and everyone is in top form. That s tonight s Jazz Feature.Don CherryArt DecoArt DecoDon CherryArt DecoWhen Will The Blues Leave?Don CherryArt DecoI ve Grown Accustomed to Your Face.Don CherryArt DecoBemsha SwingDon CherryArt DecoBody and SoulDon CherryArt DecoThe BlessingDon CherryArt DecoComput
Tonight s Jazz Feature is the third album in young Herbie Hancock s Blue Note Records era. All of his Blue Note albums are "classics" but this one is lesser known but an important document. It was supposed to be a straight forward piano trio album with Herbie playing well known standards, plus a couple of originals and a couple of 12 bar blues. Herbie had something very different in mind and created some tunes that left open a lot of room for improvisation. They all had interesting properties and enhanced by a solid rhythm section made up of Paul Chambers on bass, Willie Bobo (aka William Correa) on drums and Oswaldo "Chihuahua" Martinez on added percussion. The five Hancock compositions explore a variety of moods and leave a lot of space for exploration. It is a unique document and a credit to Hancock s adventuresome musical spirit. "Inventions and Dimensions" was the album title and in honor of Herbie Hancock s 83rd Birthday on April 12, 2023 we feature
Tonight is a special Jazz Feature as it it the music of Charles Mingus but not by his Jazz Workshop band but by Mingus alone at the piano. It is unique in his recorded legacy and features Charles playing his own compositions and standards that he loved on the piano alone. The piano had always been part of Mingus` musical journey and it was occasionally heard on some recordings especially one with his band called ``Oh Yeah!``. This album was recorded in New York on July 30, 1963 with the studio made warm and comfortable and the lights dimmed. Mingus explores some of his favorite standards and his original creations and brings us a more contemplative and introspective side of Charles with of course a few hints of turbulence too! Enjoy almost an hour of the music of Charles Mingus at the piano, tonight`s Jazz feature.Charles MingusMingus Plays pianoMemories of YouCharles MingusMingus Plays PianoMyself When I`m RealCharles MingusMingus P)lays PianoI Can`t Get Started With YouCharles Mingu