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Charles McPherson with Strings

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Today in Jazz

Today in Jazz

Sunday, September 07, 2008

Birthdays of notable jazz musicians:


Max Kaminsky, Trumpet, 1908, Brockton, MA

Max's first professional gigs were in the Boston area before he ventured to Chicago where he played with George Wettling and Frank Teschemaker at the Cinderella Ballroom.  In the late '20s he spent a short time in New York working with Red Nichols.  For the next five years Max worked mainly in commercially oriented bands but at the same time recorded jazz with Eddie Condon and Benny Carter's Chocolate Dandies.  During the mid to late '30s he played with the big bands of Artie Shaw and Tommy Dorsey.  Kaminsky spent the war years in the service, as a member of Artie Shaw's band.  After his discharge he performed with Sidney Bechet, George Brunis, Art Hodes, Joe Marsala, Willy "the Lion" Smith, and Jack Teagarden.  Later he was primarily involved in television work and also toured Europe with Teagarden and Earl Hines.  In the mid '70s he made some recordings as a leader that perfectly illustrate his style, which is full-toned, economical, and swinging in the manner of the old-timers, King Oliver, Freddie Keppard, and Louis Armstrong.

Harry South, Piano, 1929, London Eng

In addition toplaying the piano, Harry was a prolific composer and arranger.  In the mid '50s he wrote wonderful charts  for Ronnie Scott's band, and performed with Tony Crombie, Tubby Hayes, Joe Harriott, and Dizzy Reece, all popular groups in Britain.  In 1961-2 Harry spent some time a in India with Dick Morrissey.  Together, they formed a popular quartet when they returned to England.  He was associated for a lengthy period as a performer with the rhythm-and-blues singer Georgie Fame, with whom he also recorded.  Later, he performed less frequently as a musician, and worked as a music director for Annie Ross, and wrote arrangements for Sarah Vaughan, Buddy Rich, and Jimmy Witherspoon.  Thereafter, in the '70s and '80s,  South concentrated on writing music for films and television, and achieved considerable success in this field..

 

 

 

 



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Reviewed by KJZZ Music Director Blaise Lantana


Charles McPherson with Strings
Charles McPherson with Strings

Charles Mc Pherson is an alto sax player with some serious roots and a vibrant bluesy style. On this release he salutes his mentor, Charlie Parker, with a reworking of "Just Friends", "April in Paris" and "If I should Lose You" from "Bird with Strings". McPherson uses the same string arrangements that Parker used so the only new elements are McPherson's playing, and the production quality of the 21st century. It's an interesting blend of talents with McPherson's biting alto and the rich blend of the Cleveland Chamber Symphony. First you are enchanted by the strings and then surprised and impressed with McPherson's imagination and skill. You may have heard Charles McPherson's alto when he played on the film "Bird" in which Dexter Gordon played a jazz musician in Paris, or maybe you remember his years with Mingus. McPherson has built a career in jazz from ensemble work to leading his own quartet for the past 20 years and this recording, taking on the legend of Charlie Parker was a challenge that he met with distinction.


www.charlesmcpherson.com www.charlesmcpherson.com
Visit Charles' web site.


[ Blaise Lantana ]

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