Jazz Archives

035: Miles Davis, ‘Boplicity’ (“Birth of the Cool”)

2’58” of heaven

November 4, 2021 by jeff Jazz Song Of the week 1

032: Duke Ellington, “Take the ‘A’ Train” (Billy Strayhorn)

When young Billy Strayhorn played for him backstage, the legendary Duke Ellington was very impressed: “I’d love to have you in my organization. I’ll call you.” But no call came, so Billy, literally hungry, took the chance of showing up at the Duke’s door. Not wanting to go empty-handed, he took the note the Duke had written: “Take the ‘A’ train…”

June 24, 2021 by jeff Jazz Song Of the week 2

037: Lee Konitz, ‘Alone Together’ (w. Charlie Haden & Brad Mehldau)

Taken by the corona virus at 92, a great musician, a paragon of integrity, a role model. Rest peaceful-lee.

April 13, 2020 by jeff Jazz Personal Song Of the week 6

027: Lennie Tristano, ‘Wow’

An obscure club date by an obscure pianist and his band, forerunners of cool jazz.
Music for snobs, with some virtuosic playing that would make Paderewski blush.
Ice also burns.

April 4, 2018 by jeff Jazz Song Of the week 6

026: Andy Bey, ‘River Man’

The finest male jazz vocalist you’re never heard of, with a heart and a vocal range as wide as his 66-year professional career is long.

August 2, 2013 by jeff Song Of the week Vocalists 4