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.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Dorothy Ashby, Alice Coltrane

May the 4th Be With You, if you're inclined to celebrate the opening of the first Star War movie.  Being a Sunday Music Muse Day, I add this musical tidbit, my sons were born in the mid-90's around the time the pre-sequel Phantom Menace came out. I remember rocking them to sleep as babies while humming the Darth Vader theme.

This week's featured musicians are somewhat of a rarity, not that they are women playing jazz, but that they play the jazz harp.  First up, Dorothy Ashby The Jazz Harpist.  This is a recording from 1956.  I had come across mention of Dorothy play, in passing, on the internet. It's nice to be able to give her playing a solid listening. I can't say the recording quality brings the harp to the forefront, that I would like to hear but, it's there.

Next is perhaps the foremost jazz musician on harp and, as well as jazz harp recording, Alice Coltrane Ptah The El Daoud.  This is a true jazz classic recording. AI Google AI describes her: "Alice Coltrane was known as a jazz musician, composer, and spiritual leader. She was particularly recognized for her pioneering work in spiritual jazz, blending elements of gospel, Indian classical music, and her own spiritual awakening. She was also the wife of the influential jazz saxophonist John Coltrane."  You definitely should own this album/CD if not other. Just look at her side men, all legends in their own right.  "Blue Nile" alone is worth it.

So, just to round off the harp theme. My most clear memory was hearing and seeing Harpo Marx play the harp in Marx Brother movies on TV as a kid.   But, there is a harpist on my iTunes play list, with a wistful number by Joanna Newsom, titled, "On a Clear day".  It just struck in my head from first listen.

So, always, go enjoy some music.  Peace.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Horace Silver, Charlie Byrd

This Sunday Music Muse Day, I'd like to present toe legendary and highly regarded jazz veterans,w ho need no introduction.  First Horace Silver  Silver's Serenade, This remastered Blue Note CD release of the original session recorded at the Rudy Van Gelder Studio, on May 7 & 8, 1963. The classic jazz sounds as toe-tapping fresh as if it was recorded yesterday. 

Next is Charlie Byrd Latin Byrd. Like the Silver CD, this is a reissue of two sessions from May, 1962, and April 1963.  The music was released on two Riverside Records albums, "Latin Impressions " and "Once More! Charlie Byrd's Bossa Nova".  Two notes highlighted in the liner notes, one, Charlie Byrd, along with Chet Atkins, was featured in the first issue of Guitar Player's Magazine.  I had subscription to it for many years. Secondly, it's noted in that Byrd plays his nylon-string Jose Ramirez guitar "unamplified", unusual in era of growing electrification for recording guitar music. I like finding these little musical culture tidbits.

So, again, I hope this weekend find everyone in good spirits.  Peace.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Booby Hutcherson, Jaco Pastorius

This sunny Sunday Music Muse Day find me highlighting two CDs I picked on our short trip to Saratoga Springs, NY and a little R&R, this past week..  First up is Bobby Hutcherson Un Poco Loco, was recording originally released in 1980 on the Columbia label, but no exact recording dated is listed. It has leader Hutcherson on vibes & marimba, leading a quintet, each playing electric and acoustic instruments, with John Abercrombie on guitars, George Cables on pianos, Chuck Domanico on basses, and Peter Erskine drums, and percussion.  This inclusion of Abercrombie and Erskine made picking this up a no-brainer. The late guitarist, Abercrombie, remains one of my favorite musicians.  Erskine also ranks hight as a favorite from his work with Weather Report and post-WR trio work as a leader. I like the sound of the vibes and marimba, so this is enjoyable session, with Jack DeJohnette's "Silver Hollow" being a standout tune.

Next up is Jaco Pastorius Ultimate. There isn't much I can add that hasn't been said about the late Jaco Pastorius since his playing defined the jazz-fusion bass playing with his bands as a leader, his playing with Weather Report and work as a side man with artists like Joni Mitchell.  The music speaks for itself. This CD is a nice overview of his work. I intentionally grouped these CDs together because Peter Erskine played with Jaco in Weather Report.

So, looks like spring has finally arrived, so enjoy.  Peace.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Herb Ellis, Gene Bertoncini.

This Sunday Music Muse day features two stellar veteran masters of the jazz guitar. First, Herb Ellis An Evening with Herb Ellis.  This is a live recording from 1995 quartet performance, that sound as fresh, laid back as you can imagine.

Next up, is Gene Bertoncini Acoustic Romance.  This is mellow trio set with Gene, on guitar, Akira Tana on drums and Rufus Reid on bass. This might just the thing for a quiet escape from the chaos of current events.  I must admit, I'm rather embarrassed, I've discovered Gene Bertoncini playing since 2020, a little after I moved to Rochester, after picking up a CD he did with guitarist Steve Green, who I'd seen playing with the White Hots at a Jazz90.1 event.  Since then, I've picked up any Bertoncini CD I've come across, five so far, and counting.

So, in closing, be kind to yourself, find the time and space to be at peace with music to help lead the way.  Take care.

Sunday Music Muse Day. - Steve Lacy with Sam Woodyard, Lorraine Feather

This Sunday Music Muse Day, finds me relating a wonderful personal story of music collecting. A new release by the late, great Ella Fitzgerald was coming out this week.  It is a live recording date in my father, Sam Woodyard, and other Ellington sidemen accompanying her on Los Angeles date (more details later, when I receive the CD).  In any case, I went to Bop Shop Record store to purchase a copy.  Owner, Tom Cohn, didn't have it, yet, so I order three copies.  One for myself, and two to donate to Jazz90.1, my local listener supported jazz station.  (I also volunteer with them.)  Jazz90.1 is having their spring fund drive. They can offer the two copies to sweeten their gift package of a new supporter.   My slight disappointment in Ella CD not being there, ended with an unexpected find.  My first selection, Steve Lacy The Door. This is a recording I've heard of, and wanted for a long time. It has the last session my father played on, four months before he died.  Sam played on the last cut of the CD, "Virgin Jungle", a Duke Ellington tune, Sam probably played with the band.  The cut is unique in that there are two drummers and two saxophonists on it.  The added bonus is Sam's pictured with Steve Lacy on the back cover.

My next selection is Lorraine Feather The Green World.  I was introduced to Lorraine by Derrick Lucas, program director at the Jazz90.1 radio station at a CD release event at the Before Your Quiet Eyes Book store in Rochester, host owner Ken Kelbaugh. Sorry to say I missed most of Lorraine's talk, due to attending the protest yesterday.  Lorraine is the daughter of the famous jazz writer Leonard Feather, giving her a connection to Duke Ellington, socially.   But, I did purchase a sighed copy of her latest CD, although her music is totally new to me. My understanding is she's primarily known as a singer and songwriter.  Her promo flyer says: "Feather has been compared to Tom Waits,  Kurt Weill, Jon Hendricks, and Laurie Anderson". After several listenings, I can relate to the comparisons, especially Laurie Anderson.  I'd add she also reminds me of singer/pianist Patrica Barber. The Green World is deep, and dense music experience, worth diving into.

So, that's this week's Sunday Music Muse Day, on a weekend that might be a turning point in our country's political history. Stay safe, and stand tall. Peace.