CD Reviews - Feb 2003

Saturday, September 06, 2008

Birthdays of notable jazz musicians:

Buddy Bolden, Trumpet, 1877, New Orleans, LA

Buddy was the first of many New Orleans cornet "kings". He was highly respected by most of his contemporaries, and many legends about him still persist today. Buddy didn't begin his musical career as a youngster, like most of the other musicians of the era, he began around 1894, after he completed his schooling. Most of his contemporaries began by playing in marching brass bands, but Buddy came up through string bands, which played for private parties and dances. By 1895 he was working with his own band, although city records refered to him as a plasterer. Buddy's rise to fame coincided with the emergence of a black pleasure district called Black Storyville. Before long he was somewhat of a celebrity, playing in the dives, saloons, and even some of the more respecable venues in the district. By the early 1900 his reputation was at its peak, and his band performed regularly in the city's nicer dance halls and parks and also traveled to outlying towns. Around this time Bolden began showing some serious signs of violent mental problems, and his band rapidly disintegrated and was finally taken over by trombonist Frank Dusen. In 1907 Bolden was admitted to a mental institution where, sadly, he spent his remaining years. Although he never recorded, Bolden undoubtedly had a major influence on Freddie Keppard, Bunk Johnson, Louis Armstrong and countless other New Orleans cornetists. By his example, he helped to standardize the New Orleans jazz ensemble repertory still played today. His life formed the basis of the novel, Coming Through Slaughter by M. Ondaatje. Buddy Bolden died in 1931.

Eddie Duran, Guitar, 1925, San Francisco, CA

Eddie was a piano student before he played the guitar, and began playing professionally at the age of fifteen. From the mid '40s he performed with some of the major musicians in modern jazz; Stan Getz, Flip Phillips, Charlie Parker, George Shearing and Red Norvo. He played easily with both bop and swing musicians. He cut his first recordings in the mid '50s with Ron Crotty and Cal Tjader. Through most of the 1960s Eddie led and recorded with his own group. From 1976 to 1981 Eddie was an important member of Benny Goodman's band, and around 1987 he made his home in New York where he freelanced and continued to perform with many of the "name" musicians of the day.

Andrew White, Saxophone, 1942, Washington, DC

September 2008

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Jacky Terrasson, Smile, Blue Note #40668

No trumpets, no saxes, no vocals, but this CD is full of contrasting rhythms and tones. At 37 on his eighth Blue Note recording, Terrasson sounds secure in his strong and spirited voice on the piano. His youthful energy is channeled into hypnotic ostinatos interwoven with beautiful melodies and splashes of rhythmic innovation. On the standard “Smile” he makes you comfortable in 5/4 time without you even noticing, he uses all the tools in his box when he solos on “Autumn Leaves” but it sounds soulful not showy. Sean Smith on bass and Eric Harland on drums swing through the odd times, vamps and delightful variations that sweep you through familiar tunes. On “Mo Better Blues” and “Isn’t She Lovely” he adds electric bass to help create a solid form for the trio to shatter. If you are a piano trio fan don’t miss this dynamic CD and if not this release could make you one.

Mark O’Conner, In Full Swing, Odyssey/Sony #2SK-18063

Mark O’Conner is a violinist, a composer, a buegrass fiddler and a jazz player. What makes him a phenomenon is that he does all these things well, and artists from symphony hall to Nashville want to play with him. On this CD he works in the Hot Club of France style reminiscent of his mentor Stephane Grappelli. Frank Vignola who taught for a while at ASU is in the guitar chair Jon Burr plays bass and the swing is solid without a drummer. Joining the fun is Wynton Marsalis and the chops go over the top when trumpet and fiddle trade licks on “Tiger Rag”; you can hear these guys having a blast on the cutting contest. Jane Monheit’s perfect pitch and smooth delivery will make you hold your breath on “Misty” and “As Time Goes By”. This is a refreshingly different release brimming with charm, talent and good fun.

Benny Green & Russell Malone, Jazz at the Bistro, Telarc #83560

A duo always leaves more room for a player to shine on his instrument, and when Green and Malone do it, you think you’re in their living room and that they have always played together. This is an eclectic mix with standards originals and a little pop! Strayhorn’s “Intimacy of the blues” features Malone’s blues licks and Green’s stride, and Coltrane’s “Moments Notice” gives the guys a chance to hit the bebop groove. Each does a tune solo, but the real star is how they blend their instruments and styles together with spirit and ease.

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