Surprise Sunday Music Muse day Update: The Dave Burrell & Sam Woodyard -The Lost Session CDs have ARRIVED!

The title of this blog post says it all, The Dave Burrell & Sam Woodyard -The Lost Session 1979 CDs have ARRIVED! This was totally unexpected. When I placed the order, they estimated my delivery date would be in mid-August, but to my delight they arrived two days ago.  In addition, I ordered two copies, but received 3 copies. There was an odd extra charge in the checkout, I couldn't figure out.  I thought it was tariff related. But, I didn't have energy to argue about, so I paid it, since I just wanted the CDs.  The recording had a mythical legacy concerning it's lost status.  I'm including the complete liner notes to give the full story.  I was not familiar with pianist Dave Burrell, and the liner said most of the music is from a jazz opera he was developing titled "Wayward Passages".  Looking online, he did release a live album of the music, and there is a studio version with saxophonist David Murray. I'm thinking of picking up both of them, just out of curiosity. The liner notes gives me a glimpse in Sam's early days in Paris, musically, and personal, such as his "being a well-known alcoholic" (I knew that, so not a shock to me).  As I said, before, I plan to keep a copy for myself, and donate one to Jazz90.1 for their library, but with having a third one, I donate that to them also, as one they can use as a special premium for the next fundraiser.  

Actually, it slipped my mind, but Sam's birthday (January 7, 1925) this year, 2025, would have been his 100th birthday.  This year is turning out to be a banner year for Sam's musical legacy.  Just two months ago, the Ella Frizgerald, "The Monment of Truth - Ella at the Coliseum", album/CD was released, featuring Sam playing in the trio supporting her. In addition, while I was searching for the Ella CD, I found a hard-to-find CD, "The Door" by saxophonist Steve Lacy with Sam playing on one tune, "Virgin Jungle", a Duke Ellington - Billy Strayhorn composition.  It was Sam last recording, he died two months later on September 20, 1988. 

This year, 2025, September 20th fells on a Saturday. I had a thought to ask Tom Pethic if I could join him as a guest on his Saturday radio show, "Artistry in Jazz" to celebration Sam's 100th year, with a program featuring performances from these three CDs and others. I've been a guest on his show before and we've had a good time.

This year, 2025, September 20th fells on a Saturday. I had a thought to ask Tom Pethic if I could join him as a guest on his Saturday radio show, "Artistry in Jazz" to celebration Sam's 100th year, with a program featuring performances from these three CDs and others. I've been a guest on his show before and we've had a good time.

 

Sunday Music Muse Day - Dave Burrell & Sam Woodyard, Pat Martino, John Scofield

Here's a quick Post- 2025 Rochester International Jazz Festival.  Although, I didn't get to attend any of the shows, I was there in spirit. In a show of support, I wore the Jazz 90.1 t-shirt to the Public Market yesterday, and got two shout-outs and thumbs up of approval, so the love of jazz was present.

I waited to share this exciting news, so not to be buried in the RIJF posts, that a long-lost recording of my father, Sam Woodyard and pianist Dave Burrell, has finally surface.  My thanks to Jean-Marie Juif for this notice on the Duke Ellington Society facebook page. I had read mentions of this studio session several times online over the year.  I've already ordered two copies of the CD, and plan to donate one to Jazz90.1.  It should arrive in August, hopefully sooner.

Now, for my regular Sunday Music Muse Day selections, first up, Pat Martino Remember - A Tribute to Wes Montgomery.  The title tell you all you need to know. The late outstanding Pat Martino playing the music written by, and associated with the legendary jazz guitarist, Wes Montgomery is a must-have.  I'm not a completist when it comes to collecting music, or anything else, but I'm always willing to pick up a Pat Martino recording I don't have.  You should to.

My second selection is John Scofield Piety Street. This isa fun and enjoyable recording. Scofield states he wanted to make a blues album, but turned to leaning toward gospel which he saw as "the fraternal twin to R&B, and I've been a huge fan of."  Scofield's down home playing hits the right tone.  It's well worth checking this out.

So, that's this week's Sunday Music Muse.  Again, I wait to share Sam's Lost Recording.  Until than, enjoy.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Charles Lloyd, Dizzy Gillespie

This Sunday Music Muse day, find me concerned we're on the verge of a Civil War, with the events in LA, but I still try to push those thoughts away with an afternoon of Jazz. First up, Charles Lloyd and the Marvels, this is a nice collection with some laid back renditions of tradition tunes, like Shenandoah", and a quiet reading of Charles Lloyd's jazz classic "Sombrero Sam", my favorite on the CD. One of the Marvels is Bill Frisell, a favorite guitarist of mine, and a guest player is Willie Nelson, on vocals and guitar. This is an eclectic outing, well worth exploring.

Next up, is Dizzy Gillespie Jazz in Paris. I, of course, know the music Dizzy Gillespie, and his rightfil  place in the history of jazz, but I never owned a Dizzy LP.  I decide to pick up this CD for the cover art design, I liked.  My only other Dizzy stand-alone CD is from the Ken Burns  Jazz anthology. Those cheeks of his and the bent horn are legendary.  (On a personal note, I was told by my grandmother, that it was a letter from Dizzy that informed her of my father, Sam's, illness back in the 1980s, that led to my going Paris, to visit him.) This is nice recording, I'm sure I'll revisit many times to come.

Again, chaos in tin the air, and we have to fight with all we have.  Stay safe, and peace to you all.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Manu Katche, Kenny Wheeler

Here's short Sunday Music Muse Day post, presenting two nice recordings.  First, drummer Manu Katche Neighourhood, with solid group of sidemen who's names would be a challenge for me to pronounce properly, except for Jan Garbarek, who I know from his ECM recordings as leader and side man. This is solid session, you come to except from ECM, a little laid back, but always interesting.

Next up, Kenny Wheeler All the More. I paired this Soul Note CD by the trumpet and flügelhorn player with Manu Katche's ECM disc because I associate Wheeler with ECM, also.  Actually, the liner acknowledges Wheeler and pianist John Taylor appears courtesy of ECM Records.  So, I'll consider this ECM outing.  In any case, it sounds wonderful.

So, that's it for this week Sunday Music Muse Day.  Remember to take a moment to honor the real meaning of Memorial Day, and fallen who give their lives for their country and all of us.  Peace.

Sunday Music Muse Day - James Blood Ulmer, Stanley Clark & Lenny White.

This Sunday Music Muse Day post will be short and bitter-sweet, after a severe thunderstorm the passed through n the area yesterday with high winds, dumping heavy rain and hail.  Luckily, it didn't last long, but it was impressive. My first selection is James Blood Ulmer Third Rail - South Delta Space Age.  The music of guitarist Ulmer can be an acquired taste, being a mixture of deep South Delta blues and avant garde and free jazz.  This session is almost subdued compared to some of his other recordings.  It well worth listen for the adventurous.

My next selection, Stanley Clark & Lenny White Vertu is a disappointment. I'm a fan of their bass and drum wore, respectively, in the legendary jazz fusion group Return to Forever, led by pianist Chick Corea, with Al Di Meola on guitar (Yes, I know Bill Conner was the group's first guitarist). Unfortunately Vertu offers the worst of the 80's jazz/rock fusion, sounding muddled and unfocused.  You might want to avoid this.

  

Well, the short bitter-sweet Sunday Music Muse Day, proving you can't win them all, but all storms pass.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Ella Fitzgerald, Sylvain Luc

This Sunday Music Muse Day, find us celebrating Mother's Day. (I posted a tribute to my late mom, on Facebook, so I won't repeat it here).  My first selection is special, but a better late than never one.  Ella Fitzgerald The Moment of Truth - Ella at the Coliseum.  This is a previously unreleased recording of live date featuring Ella accompanied by members of the Duke Ellington orchestra, with a core trio of Jimmy Jones on piano, Bob Cranshaw on bass, and my father,  Sam Woodyard on drums. Sam, also famously played with Duke. I had for years known that Sam played with Ella, but never came across any recordings, except ones she did with Duke.  When the CD was announced, I planned to buy several copies to donate to the Jazz90.1 radio station to use for their fund drive.  But the CD's didn't arrive in time, but I will still donate copies to the station to use as they please. I admit I'm not a big jazz vocals fan, but who doesn't love Ella.  I'm really proud to share this with everyone.

Next is Sylvain Luc Joko.  This is the second CD I have of this French jazz guitarist, who unfortunately died March 14, 2024, at the age of 58..  Ironically, I only found a CD of his when I picked it up while my friend Dev Ramsaran in Ottawa, Canada, in July 2024. This CD, Joko has an pleasant, eclectic feel to it, spanning styles. It's worth checking out.

  

Again, Happy Mother's Day to all.  Peace.