For his tenth record release since his solo debut a decade ago, saxophonist Don Braden has chosen a concept he has been considering for some time: “contemporary standards.” The jazz repertoire has always revolved around popular tunes. Its harmonic genesis was in the hymns and folk tunes of the south. Tin Pan Alley songs and hits from musicals became standard fodder for improvisation and the basis for jazz tunes under assumed names.
The four pop tunes Braden has chosen for this ensemble are from the last quarter of the 20th Century, while most of the popular tunes currently in the jazz repertoire are from much earlier in the 1900s. He has also included four originals — three of his and one by the bassist on this date, Richie Goods - for the recording debut of his Contemporary Standards Ensemble. Completely new jazz compositions can become standards in the jazz catalog if several other artists record them. Other artists have recorded each of these originals and, Don speculates, they might be on their way to becoming jazz standards.
Presenting pop tunes along with new compositions may be a way to lure a new, younger audience for jazz. “I think it’s a way at least to try to bring the people my age to jazz,” Braden says. The pop tunes on this CD should be instantly recognizable to anyone who listened to the radio in the 1970s and 80s, as well as to those who tune in to stations featuring “oldies” from that era. “It makes more sense to add newer music to the overall repertoire,” Braden continues. “It gives new listeners to jazz a comfort zone, a tune they know and can relate to in a jazz context. Then they can better understand the jazz tunes on the CD.”
Artist: COLTRANE, JOHN
Title: "HEAVYWEIGHT/ATL.BOX"
Media: CD
Label: RHI
Rel: 1995-08-15
List: $103.98 (Save 20%)
Your Price: $82.95
Artist: WALL, DAN
Title: "ON THE INSIDE LOOKINGH IN"
Media: CD
Label: DBT
Rel: 2000-11-28
List: $14.98 (Save 15%)
Your Price: $12.75
I came from a family of three generations of professional pianists, so it’s no surprise that I became a musician. My first influence out of the jazz world was as an aspiring guitarist and Wes Montgomery was the guy! I was led to Jimmy Smith through Wes’s records and to Larry Young and the other great jazz organist of the time. Later as a pianist I was influenced by everyone from Erroll Garner, Art Tatum to Herbie, Chick and McCoy.
Since those early days as a student of jazz piano and organ I’ve been fortunate to have had a great musical life. Some names that come to mind that I’ve worked and/or recorded with are Eddie Gomez, Tom Harrell, Steve Grossman, Joe Lovano, Billy Hart, Kenny Wheeler, Joe Chambers and many others.
For the last eight years I have had the wonderful experience of being a part of the John Abercrombie band with John, Adam Nussbaum and now Mark Feldman added on violin. I have also been an integral part of the last four CD’s recorded by Jerry Bergonzi for Double Time Records and it has been a real pleasure.
My last CD as a leader was for Enja Records, “Off The Wall” with Adam, Ingrid Jensen and Karl Ratzer, which brings us to the present. This CD “On The Inside Looking In” is a collaboration of two long time musical associates Mick Goodrick and Jerry Bergonzi, both wonderful musicians and real individuals on their instruments.
Billy Drummond is one of the finest and busiest drummers on the scene today and I was very happy to have him come to Boston and contribute his talent to the making of this music.
It was a rewarding couple of days in Boston doing these sessions with such gifted musicians and I thank Jamey Aebersold and Double Time Records for the experience!
Dan Wall - Oct. 2000
Artist: DAVIS, MILES/EVANS, GIL
Title: "COMP. COLUMBIA STUDIO REC'S (6CD BOX)"
Media: CD
Label: COL
Rel: 1996-09-03
List: $107.98 (Save 21%)
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Artist: D'EARTH, JOHN
Title: "RESTORATION COMEDY"
Media: CD
Label: DBT
Rel: 2000-11-28
List: $14.98 (Save 15%)
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Restoration Comedy takes its title from John’s composition whose six-measure head, constructed of open fourths and fifths, recalls the stentorian horns of a Renaissance theatrical fanfare. As a title for his third recording as a leader, its meaning assumes literal and literary connotations. Restoration Comedy is the name given to the witty, urbane seventeenth century English theatrical form which staged the sexual pursuits of “proper society” for laughs and social critique. While joy in comedy is central to the music on this date, you can be sure humor’s potential for oblique social critique does not escape John. What then for restoration? As it is for so many of his generation who came of age in the sixties when jazz and improvisation were being explored as practices leading toward heightened consciousness and spiritual awareness, music for John remains spiritually restorative and regenerative. This date also marks John’s return to the quintet format after years of commitment to other projects—most notably his octet captured on his recording Thursday Night: Live at Miller’s (Cosmology Records). Twelve years of playing at the now-famed Miller’s has made his weekly session a Charlottesville (VA) institution. In addition, and particularly pertinent here, is this date’s restoration and fulfillment of John’s long-standing wish to record with Jerry Bergonzi. They first gigged together in the late 60s outside Boston before playing sessions in the legendary New York loft scene of the 1970s. Jerry has come to be recognized as one of the greatest tenor saxophonists in jazz. He has a distinct ability to evoke light whispers while communicating an immense gravity.
Artist: PARKER, CHARLIE
Title: "COMP.SAVOY & DIAL STUDIO REC.(1944-48)"
Media: CD
Label: ATL
Rel: 2000-10-24
List: $134.98 (Save 22%)
Your Price: $104.95
Well Savoy has finally put together one of the greatest box sets of all time. The Charlie Parker Complete Savoy & Dial Studio Recordings (1944-1948).
This is simply a dream come true for many jazz fans as these recordings have been scattered here and there for the past 10 years with many of them being in print for only a short period of time. Now all of Parkers out takes, false starts and incomplete takes are gathered together in this impressive box set.
Producer Orrin Keepnews has sequenced the program with master takes from a session all grouped together, followed by the alternates/incomplete takes. Along with keeping all of a single session together intact, Keepnews has included sessions for Musicraft and Guild and ends the 8th disc with a Comet Records session led by vibraphonist Red Norvo with Park and Dizzy on it.
Famous tunes included are "Koko" "Bird of Paradise" "Milestone" "Half Nelson" "Sippin at Bells" and "Little Willie Leaps."
This is a must have box set period. A glimse of the past that created bebop is finally available for all to enjoy!!
trumpeters Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis; bassists Curly Russell and Tommy Potter; drummer Max Roach; and pianists Bud Powell, Duke Jordan, and John Lewis
