Jazz Feature News Today

Tonights Jazz Feature is a tribute to the 98th Birthday Anniversary of one of the most important and influential musicians in Jazz: Miles Dewey Davis who was born in Alton, Illinois on May 26, 1926. He left us on September 28, 1991 at age 65. Tonights Jazz Feature presents in concert in Belgium the "Second Great Quintet" at its peak. The personnel was Davis on trumpet and leader with Wayne Shorter on tenor saxophone, Herbie Hancock on piano, Ron Carter on bass and Tony Williams on drum...

Tonights Jazz Feature is an indirect tribute to my late Mother, whose Birthday Anniversary is today: May 20. This album was one of her favorites. It is a classic by the great vibist and Modern Jazz pioneer, Milt Jackson. Jackson and his co-star here is flutist and tenor saxophonist Frank Wess. Wess of course is one of the great practitioners of Jazz flute. The rhythm section is superb and led by Hank Jones on piano and indeed hes one of the finest. Eddie Jones (no relation to Hank) is solid on ...

Tonights Jazz Feature is a belated tribute to the Birthday of bassist/pianist/composer/iconoclast/ Charles Mingus. Mingus was born on Earth Day, April 22, 1922 in Nogales, Arizona and died in Cuernavaca, Mexico on January 5, 1979 from ALS. This album on tonights Jazz Feature is his first for Columbia Records and it literally brought Mingus out of the Jazz underground and into the forefront. It was also his best selling album and widened his audience by leaps and bounds. The album is one of the m...

Tonights Jazz Feature is a latter day classic and one of the finest outings by pianist/composer Chick Corea. It consists of three extended compositions hence the title "Three Quartets" The late Mr. Corea needs no introduction to the Jazz listening public of course but the band he has chosen for this date done in early 1981 is exceptional. On tenor saxophone is the late, great Michael Brecker and on bass is the accomplished Eddie Gomez and on drums is the phenomenal Steve Gadd. Fortun...

This classic album is tonights Jazz Feature recorded 64 years ago on April 1, 1960 at Rudy Van Gelders Studio for Prestige/New Jazz Records. It was Erics first album under his name and leadership. Dolphy, who was from Los Angeles had moved to New York and after working in L.A. for many years came to New York as a member of drummer Chico Hamiltons Quintet. After leaving Hamilton and settling in the big city, Eric began working with Charles Mingus in early 1960 and recorded this album with his roo...

Tonights Jazz Feature focuses on the obscure but fine trumpeter and flugelhornist named Wilbur Harden. Little is known about Harden other than he was born in Birmingham, Alabama on Dec. 31,1924 and after working in some major R&B bands moved to Detroit in 1957 and began working with Yusef Lateef.. He became part of the talented Detroit Jazz scene then ventured to New York to record as he signed with Savoy Records. His 4 albums for Savoy were done in 1958 and he also recorded with John Co...

Tonight is a special Jazz Feature as we present and interview by the author of the newest and indeed one one the finest documents on the Vancouver Jazz scene. The book is a series of 30 biographies that cover the spectrum of the Jazz scene from the mid 1950s up to the present. Its called "Journeys To The Bandstand" by Chris Wong. Mr.Wong is my guest then we return with a Jazz Show debut recording done at Vancouvers original Cellar with alto and tenor saxophone master Art Pepper playi...

Tonights Jazz Feature will be heard a bit later than usual as a guest was expected. The Jazz Feature will be pianist Andrew Hills Blue Note debut album "Black Fire". Andrew Hill was somewhat unfairly lumped into the "free form Jazz" category as his music was different from the norm and innovative and Hill did emerge in the 1960;s, a time of change for Jazz. However Hills music while different and fresh was structured and defined by chord progressions. His compositions were un...

Tonights Jazz Feature is a recording done at San Franciscos Jazz Workshop on October 27,1962 by the Max Roach Quartet with drum master Max Roach at the helm with Clifford Jordan on tenor saxophone, Mal Waldron on piano and Eddie Khan on bass. Two extended works are featured. The first is the title track "Speak Brother Speak" depicts speakers on a soapbox expounding on the state of the nation. The second piece is an extended work based on a theme by Villa-Lobos called Prelude by retitle...

Tonights Jazz Feature honors the late, great Les McCann who passed away December 29,2023 at age 88. This fine album featuring pianist McCanns working trio with bassist Herbie Lewis and drummer Ron Jefferson was called "Les McCann LTD". McCann had been appearing at New Yorks Village Gate with the LTD and recording for his label Pacific Jazz but this was a one-night only get together with very limited rehearsal with three of McCanns favorite horn players including trumpeter Blue Mitchel...