Wardell Gray The Wardell Gray Story [Properbox 55] In the 1950s two of my friends formed an excellent traditional jazz quintet. They played clarinet and soprano sax respectively. Soon they began listening to Lester Young. Both were tempted to take up the tenor sax, but held back. Then they heard Wardell Gray. Lester plus […]
Thelonious Monk Mønk (Gearbox CD 1841) Live recordings are a precious part of any Jazz collection. If the recording quality is good and the performance outstanding you have a gem to treasure. This session in Copenhagen in 1963 certainly deserves that description. I heard this quartet at the De Montfort Hall in Leicester in […]
Dexter Gordon Quartet Tokyo 1975 (Elemental 5990428) Espace Cardin 1977 (Elemental 5990431) Two beautifully packaged CDs from Elemental these are in fact ‘discoveries’ – concert recordings not previously issued. Unfortunately there are many examples of Dexter available, so do they have any special interest? During his 15 years in Copenhagen Dexter acquired an A-list […]
Dexter Gordon Go [Blue Note 84112] About the time that this recording was made I heard Dexter in person. I still believe that it was one of the best live sessions I have experienced. The sheer strength of his performance, his ability to flow and to build for chorus after chorus, was breathtaking. Over […]
Peter Batten recommends a recording that jazz fans may wish to add to their personal library Artie Shaw & his Gramercy Five Summit Ridge Drive Last month I focussed on one of the key moments in the development of our music. This month I want to offer a suggestion to those who may be […]
Each month Peter Batten recommends a recording that jazz fans may wish to add to their personal library. The Shape of Jazz to Come Ornette Coleman As the 1950s came to an end, jazz appeared to be in a very healthy state. Thelonious Monk was accepted by a much wider public. Miles […]
Each month Peter Batten recommends a recording that jazz fans may wish to add to their personal library. Art Tatum, Red Callender, Jo Jones My recommendation this month is a recent addition to my collection. I did own the vinyl version of this album for several years, but did not replace it […]
Each month Peter Batten recommends a recording that jazz fans may wish to add to their personal library. Milt Jackson Three Classic Albums with Cannonball Adderley: Things Are Getting Better with Coleman Hawkins: Bean Bags with Art Farmer & Benny Golson: Bags Opus This recommendation is a new addition to my collection. […]
Each month Peter Batten recommends a recording that jazz fans may wish to add to their personal library. Charlie Haden Quartet West – Haunted Heart My choice this month is a rather unusual session which you may have missed. Recorded in France in 1991 and later mixed in San Francisco, it features […]
Each month Peter Batten recommends a recording that jazz fans may wish to add to their personal library. Ella Fitzgerald The Intimate Ella In 1964 Ella won 2 Grammy Awards for the album Ella in Berlin. She was 42 and at the climax of her career. That year she also released this […]