Each month Peter Batten recommends a recording that jazz fans may wish to add to their personal library. Oscar Peterson My Favorite Instrument Like several of my musician friends, I started out feeling rather uneasy about Oscar. I heard some very impressive work on record, especially a concert version of “Tenderly”, but, in […]
Each month Peter Batten recommends a recording that jazz fans may wish to add to their personal library. Clark Terry with Horace Parlan and Red Mitchell Out of Nowhere This is a rare item from my vinyl collection. It was recorded in 1978 at Jacques Loussier’s famous studio at Miraval in Provence. I […]
Each month Peter Batten recommends a recording that jazz fans may wish to add to their personal library. Buddy de Franco and Sonny Clark Anybody remember these recordings? Are there any young players working hard on the clarinet these days? Buddy De Franco could be a great inspiration. Over 60 years, from […]
Each month Peter Batten recommends a recording that jazz fans may wish to add to their personal library. Bud Powell Trio Plays Recently I was chatting with a friend who hears quite a lot of contemporary jazz live: Keith Jarrett solo, for example. He had attended a recital of recordings by Bud Powell. “I […]
Each month Peter Batten recommends a recording that jazz fans may wish to add to their personal library. Mexican Green Tubby Hayes My dear friend Mick Holbrook, who died last year, was one of Tubby’s biggest fans. In the 1950s and 60s, with his wife Pam, he was often at London venues […]
Each month Peter Batten recommends a recording that jazz fans may wish to add to their personal library. Expressions Chick Corea This month it’s one for the pianists. Playing solo jazz piano is a difficult art. Rhythm, harmony and improvisation must all be sustained. I was lucky enough to watch and hear close-up our […]
Each month Peter Batten recommends a recording that jazz fans may wish to add to their personal library. Cuban Fire! Stan Kenton Orchestra When the Kenton Orchestra toured the UK in 1956, I was lucky enough to get an invite to the opening concert in Croydon. The sheer power and precision […]
Each month Peter Batten recommends a recording that jazz fans may wish to add to their personal library. East Coasting Charles Mingus Charles Mingus began the 1950s as a very gifted bass player, part of a successful trio led by Red Norvo, on vibes, with Tal Farlow on Guitar. Eventually he left because […]
Each month Peter Batten recommends a recording that jazz fans may wish to add to their personal library. Bobby Wellins/Colin Purbrook: The Satin Album I met Colin Purbrook at University, where we sometimes played in the same student bands. Later I bumped into him occasionally in London clubs. One evening he […]
Each month Peter Batten recommends a recording that jazz fans may wish to add to their personal library. My choice for this month is an outstanding box set. First issued in 2000, this feast of music was edited for Properbox by Joop Visser. The years immediately before and after the US entered WW2 saw […]