Sunday Music Muse Day - Duke meets Coleman Hawkins, Charles Mingus - Mingus Ah Um, Clark Terry, and Dave Brubeck Quartet

This Sunday Music Muse Day finds me sharing new purchases with classic appeal, and a personal connection.  First up is the Duke Ellington meets Coleman Hawkins CD of the classic Impulse album.  I've been looking for this CD forever since I my father, Sam Woodyard, plays on this with other members of Duke's band.  Plus, Sam's name is right there on the cover, like so many of the classic Impulse covers.  But, the biggest thrill is the first tune"Limbo Jazz", were Sam is heard vocalizing on the tune unaware the he's being recorded.  I'm so glad Duke release this cut as is.  I always get a kick out of hearing it. Of course the whole session is full of great playing by everyone.  I had a copy of Limbo Jazz on a Starbuck Jazz compilation, so it's nice to have the original set. An additional plus is I found this in the used bin for $5.00.  That's a true bargain, but having it is priceless to me. 

The next selection also has Sam playing with his close friend, Ellington band mate, Clark Terry, on Clark Terry and his Ocrhestra, featuring Paul Gonsalves. (I picked up another Clark Terry Cd, but I'l save that for next week)  This CD starts off swinging with a drum intro by Sam on the first cut, "Serenade to a Bus Seat".  I think Clark have a thing for humorous titles. The music swing so hard it brings a smile to your face.

Talk about a bargain, This 2 CD Legacy Edition set of Mungus Ah Um / Charles Mingus is just that.  It's full of classic Mingus tunes and many of my favorites. I'm embarrassed to paid $9.99 for this.  A real head-scratcher was that the record shop (that will remain nameless) had it in a miscellaneous section it call "not sure what to label these".  I think the staff needs a little music education, if they don't know  Mingus is a Jazz legend. In any case, their lost is my gain.  The CD set contains the entire album versions of the Mingus Ah Um and Mingus Dynasty LPs, plus alternate takes and bonus tracks, and a nice liner notes booklet.  Like I said, a real bargain.

My final selection is the Dave Brubeck Quartet - Jazz Impression of Japan.  The liner notes says this it was long out of print.  I looking forward to to enjoying this.  

You can never have too much Dave Brubeck in your music collection.  Enjoy

Sunday Music Muse Day - Esperanza Spalding, Al DiMeola, Bill Evans, and Bad Plus.

Another Sunday Music Muse Day has arrived.  This week's selections finds a nice mix of old favorites and some catching to the buzz, sort to speak  That is the case with finally picking up Esperanza Spalding - Chamber Music Society, a Grammy winning CD by a Grammy winning artist (but to be honest, I rarely pay attention to the Grammy Awards, since so much of my favorite music never would make the list).  She definitely a amazing musician and earns, and deserves, all the praise and accolades she gets. Plus, the fact that her beating out Justin Bieber for 2011 Grammy Award for Best New Artist is just icing on the cake.

Next up is a old favorite fusion guitarist, Al DiMeola.   Flesh on Flesh continues Al's jazz fusion exploration of Mediterranean, Latin and Middle Eastern music.  I admit, in contrast to the taste pictures of Esperanza Spadling's on her CD, the reclining nude on Al's CD cover seems a little embarrassing.  Just enjoy the CD for the music.

There is nothing embarrassing about the next selection, the great pianist Bill Evans, the Everybody Digs Bill Evans CD.  Although the liner notes on the back of CD says Bill Evans was embarrassed by the four endorsement on the cover by Miles Davis, George Shearing, Ahmad Jamal and Julian Cannonball Adderley, only goes to show how humble he was.  No jazz lover's collection complete with lots of Bill Evans' music. I'm so happy to add stunning this trio set, featuring Sam Jones on bass, and Philly Joe Jones on drums, to the others I have.

My last selection is The Bad Plus - Give.  This interesting jazz trio makes music that keep the listener on their toes combining elements of modern avant-garde jazz with rock and pop influences.  For example, they cover Ozzy Osbourne's Black Sabbath tune "Iron man".  Check it out below.  I was first introduced to their music on my local jazz station, Jazz 90.1.  I find their music adventurous and complex, and the more you listen, the more levels of enjoyment you discover.  I've pick up some of their tunes in itunes, before, so it's nice to pick up full CD.

Thanks for dropping by.  Enjoy.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Duke Ellington & John Coltrane, Classic Jazz: Jazz Legends, and The Sneider Brothers

Here's  this week's Sunday Music Muse Day post, on a much sunnier day than last week.  I made some nice music purchases at the Hi-Fi Lounge and Record Archives.  First up is the Duke Ellington & John Coltrane CD of the Impulse label LP.  It's a iconic LP featuring titans of the jazz accompanying Duke and 'Trane.  Elvin Jones, Aaron Bell, Jimmy Garrison, and Sam Woodyard, my father. That made buying this CD a no-brainer.  I would buy this for the cover alone.  But, of course the music is fantastic.

Second up, is Classic Jazz: Jazz Legends, another Time-Life collection, which a companion to the Classic Jazz: Masters CD set I brought last month. I'll have to check if more of these exist.  It comes with a nice booklet (not pictured) with good liners notes and photos. The Jazz Legends features more vocal selections, so it's still a nice way to fill out my jazz collection of tunes.  

My third buy is sort of a Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival preview, the Sneider Brothers - The Brockton Best CD, featuring guitarist Bob Snieder and John Snieder on trumpet.  Plus, drummer Mike Melito.

Bob and Mike are on the festival line up fronting their own groups.  In addition, Bob and Mike play at the nightly after hours jam session the festival present, host by Bob.  (Bob sure knows how to stay busy)  I'll definitely will be attending the jam sessions, and as many other performances as I can.  Here's the link for the festival:  http://www.rochesterjazz.com/ 
You're bound to find something worth coming out for.  Also look for the Jazz90.1 radio station tent on Gibb Street .  I'm sure on-air host Derek Lucas, and Tom Pethic will be happy to see you. See you at festival.  Come and enjoy.