Page 10 - Jazz Feature News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

Chicago born John Arnold Griffin 111 is better known as simply Johnny or in some cases "The Little Giant." Griffin was and is one of the major voices of the tenor saxophone. He emigrated to New York in late 1956 and was soon causing musical excitement in the Big Apple. He recorded his first Blue Note album and it was getting lots of play and in early 1957 he joined Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. He was doing sideman record dates as well. Tonight's Jazz Feature is his second Blue Note date and it's basically a jam type date with long tunes and plenty of solo time for all. Griffin reque...

Tonight`s Jazz Feature is one of the few albums under his name that he recorded despite the fact that master drummer Arthur Taylor was on literally hundreds of recording sessions in the 50`s and 60`s. He played with everyone of note from Coleman Hawkins, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk et al. The Jazz Feature album is called `A.T.`s Delight` and it is one that Art Taylor was proud of. He selected the tunes and picked the personnel. First up is the underrated and under recorded trumpeter Dave Burns. On tenor saxophone is a young up and coming star, Stanley Turrentine. On piano is...

Drum great Max Roach is tonight`s Jazz Feature Artist. Mr.Roach was always aware of civil rights and was politically aware of the changes in American society but around about 1960 he decided to combine his music with the politics of civil rights and made a statement that he would never play any music that didn`t have social significance. Tonight`s Jazz Feature is his fine album, his first of two for the newly formed Impulse Records. Roach wrote and arranged all six pieces all dedicated to aspects and people involved in the fight for rights and freedom. Along with Roach on drums, Art Davis is o...

Tonight's Jazz Feature is our first for 2023 and it spotlights the talents of Dizzy Gillespie and Stuff Smith. Dizzy Gillespie is of course a Jazz pioneer and the major voice of Modern Jazz trumpet. Hezekiah "Stuff" Smith is a a rarity in Jazz, a master violinist. Stuff has that raw sound derived from the blues and a deep swing and a style that is very adaptable. Producer Norman Granz was right when he brought Stuff and Dizzy together as their outgoing musical personalities meshed and they lit a fire under each other. Dizzy chose the rhythm section wisely. Pianist Wynton Kelly, bassi...

Tonight's Jazz Feature is a special one as composer arranger Gil Evans did not record many albums under his name. He became prominent as an important collaborator with Miles Davis and they produced three important and iconic albums, "Miles Ahead", "Porgy and Bess" and "Sketches of Spain". Davis was the principal soloist and the arrangements for the accompanying orchestra was conducted and arranged by Gil Evans. A magical combination!. Evans, through these famous recordings was able to form his own band and record under his own name. Tonight's Jazz feature album is...