Jazz

[Mr. Stevens]

 

[Mr. Stevens]

 

[Mr. Stevens]

 

[Mr. Stevens]

 

[Mr. Stevens]

I really love this album (in both versions). It has such a strong mood, and Ellington's band could really reinterpret his older songs. And I have an affinity for Strayhorn--a person I'd love to know. He seems quite sensitive and perceptive.

 

[Mr. Stevens]

 

[Mr. Stevens]

I was very sad to see Wayne Shorter died yesterday:

Wayne Shorter, icon of jazz saxophone, dies aged 89

 

[Mr. Stevens]

 

[Mr. Stevens]

 

[Mr. Stevens]

 

[Mr. Stevens]

 

[Mr. Stevens]

 

[Mr. Stevens]

Billie Holiday - The Complete Decca Recordings

I like the different style here, compared to the 30s recordings (though those are great, too). I don't listen to her a lot, but then I'll play a lot of her stuff for a few days. She's one of those artists who draws you into their world. It's interesting to hear the influence on Sinatra, too, though Billie always feels more personal.

 

[Mr. Stevens]

Recorded 100 years ago this week, as King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band:

Louis Armstrong and King Oliver - "Canal Street Blues" (recorded 4/5/1923)

"Dipper Mouth Blues" (recorded 4/6/1923)

It's fascinating to think this stuff is so old, yet "What a Wonderful World" makes Armstrong seem not so remote. He's not like Bix Beiderbecke, a 20s figure who died quite young. Or even Benny Goodman, whose massive popularity ended in the 40s, though he lived much longer.

 

[Knower of nothing]

Cover of a solo I got obsessed with. So many ideas cleanly developed and an overall lovely arc. All intention.

 

[Mr. Stevens]

I've played this album a million times, but for some reason this track jumped out at me recently. Brubeck is so easy to like, but I feel like I'm still surprised by him. His music is so satisfying.

 

[Loren]

 

[Loren]

 

[Mr. Stevens]

The Dave Brubeck Quartet - "Far More Blue"

 

[Gerald Wilgus]

A diversion for your listening pleasure: Sun Ra and his Arkestra's interpretation of Disney's most surreal piece. This album has pieces by some amazing artists, and I am happy that they snuck in some of Ken Nordine's word jazz. In the medley after Sun Ra, Nordine leads off followed by Ringo Starr.