Sunday Music Muse Day - Duke Ellington, Johnny Hodges & his Orchestra

This Sunday Music Muse Day is a double serving of Ellingtonian music. Both were picked in part because my father, Sam Woodyard plays drums on both selections.  First up, the maestro himself, Duke Ellington - Private Collection - Volume One Studio Sessions Chicago 1956. In the liner notes by Stanley Dance, noted that "big band business was by no means healthy in 1955", but this session was financed and recorded by Duke for what he called his "stockpile".  As luck would have it: "After four years...the nonpareil johnny Hodges came back to him (Duke).  And on the same day a great new drummer, Sam Woodyard, entered the band.'" He adds, "They were certainly an inspiration to Ellington himself, and with a year he had scored the greatest single triumph of his career". Of course, Dance is referring to the legendary 1957 Newport Jazz performance of the Duke Ellington Orchestra. That gives this excellent record in a deeper importance, as this may have been Sam first recording session with the band. Earlier this year, I finally found the last recording Sam played, on a month before his birth.  

My second selection is the perfect follow-up to the first, Johnny Hodges and his Orchestra Not so Dukish. This 2 CD set features three separate albums recorded in 1958 by Hodges as a leader, with a roster of Ellington band members.  Blues-a-plenty (which I have on CD), Side By Side, and Not so Dukish, plus "Bonus Tracks" from 1952 and 1954 sessions with Ben Webster and Roy Eldridge.  An added personal side note for me is that the Not so Dukish session was recorded in NYC on September 10, 1958, my 8th birthday.  Wow.  This is truly the music to enjoy for the ages..

I'm not completist when it comes to collecting anything, even jazz recording of my father, but these will be treasures to pass on to my sons.

Stephane Wrembel, Carl Amundson & the Modern Guitar Quintet

Welcome to this Sunday Music Muse Day.  First up, Stephane Wrembel Introducing 2001-2010. The first strum of his guitar immediately bring to mind Django Reinhardt, the legendary jazz from the 1930's & 40's most well for his Quintette du Hot Club de France, an dhis recording with violinist Stephane Grappelli.  The two CD set has twist, in the both CD  have the same tunes, just played ten years part. Definitely worth a listen. Wrembel just finished a week of local performances at the  Lovin' Cup, near in Rochester.  I'm sorry I missed him.

My second selection is Carl Amundson & The Modern Guitar Quintet. I admit. I never heard of guitarist, Amundson or the Quintet, but the cover art interested me, and reading the song list, many of the tunes were by classic jazz guitarists from the 1950 and 60s, like Herb Ellis, Jim Hall, Wes Montgomery, and others.  The group sound presents the tunes in the favor of the era.  Again, it's an enjoyable listening experience.

This Sunday Music Muse Day find us enjoying the pride of having done our civic duty and exercising our right to free assembly in joining together to take part in the No Kings Day protest. I left the protest with a sense of hope. I hope you did, too.  Peace
 

Milton Nascimento & Esperanza Spalding, October Jazz Birthday Celebration

Sorry, I missed a couple of weeks' post.  Life gor tin the way. This first October Sunday Music Muse Day,find my first selection, Milton + Esperanza, by Milton Nascimento and Esperanza Spalding to be a slight disappointment.  I felt it was a will meaning effort, but for in the end, nothing grabbed, or stand out.  In my mind, I was imaging it in  comparison to the Wayne Shorter and Milton Nascimento collaboration Native Dancer (1975).  Spalding often played with Wayne Shorter, and I know they had many fruitful offerings.  It may be worth listening to this CD just to form your own opinion.

My second selection is my October Jazz Birthday Celebration. Sadly, I must note the passing of bassist Palle Danielsson, who passed away in May 18, 2024. (It's too hard to re-edit the video, sorry)

Fall is here, and the leaves are turning to autumn colors. Hope everyone get a chance enjoy them. Peace.