One of the highlights of the Copenhagen Jazz Festival: The intercontinental trio of pianist Søren Kjærgaard, bassist Ben Street and drummer Andrew Cyrille are joined by bassist Barry Guy and saxophonist Torben Snekkestad for an encore at the Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen, July 6, 2011.
Final jam session at the 2011 Thelonious Monk Jazz Piano Competition Gala with Joe Lovano, Joshua Redman, Terence Blanchard, Ambrose Akinmusire, Jon Gordon, Percy Heath, Jon Irabagon, John Patitucci, Wayne Shorter and competition winner Kris Bowers.
Aretha Franklin sings Moody’s Mood For Love at the Thelonious Monk Jazz Piano Competition Gala, Sept. 12, 2011. Backing musicians include Terence Blanchard, Ron Carter, Herbie Hancock and Terri Lyne Carrington.
photo by Larry Appelbaum
1. Professor Longhair
“Tipitina” (from New Orleans Piano, Atlantic). Longhair [Roy Byrd], piano, vocals; Lee Allen, tenor sax; Red Tyler, baritone sax; Edgar Blanchard, bass; Earl Palmer, drums. Recorded in 1953.
Of course I know who that is. Professor Longhair was the beginning of a new era of piano playing, especially for rhythm & blues. It’s an amazing thing, even how he starts this tune. Continue reading
I shot a bit of trumpeter Eddie Henderson soloing with The Cookers tonight at Bohemian Caverns. Group includes Billy Harper, David Weiss, Craig Handy, Cecil McBee and Billy Hart.
Sonny Rollins, Molde (© by Larry Appelbaum)
At age 81, Sonny Rollins shows no signs of slowing down. He still records and tours internationally, keeping his musical tools sharp and his ears open. Though adulation makes him uncomfortable (of late, he humbly refers to himself as “a musical primitive”), Rollins has received nearly every important accolade in the world of music and the arts, including two Grammys, the Edward MacDowell Medal, Sweden’s Polar Music Prize and the NEA Jazz Masters Award. On March 2 he received the National Medal of Arts from President Obama at the White House. (Kennedy Center Honors, what are you waiting for?) Rollins latest release is his second volume of Road Shows recordings on his Doxy label.
Sonny Rollins, Molde (© by Larry Appelbaum)
In July of 2010, I caught up with the celebrated saxophonist in Norway at the 50th anniversary of the Molde International Jazz Festival, where he performed an outdoor concert for thousands of dancing, rain-soaked fans. At his hotel, we took a few minutes to enjoy the panoramic view of the fjord, and then sat down to listen.
1. Coleman Hawkins
“Picasso” (from The Jazz Scene, Verve). Hawkins, tenor saxophone. Recorded in 1948.
You say you like distortion? Here’s Even Helte Hermansen with Bushman’s Revenge at the Molde Jazz Festival in 2010. Foolish me, forgot my earplugs.
Drummer, composer, broadcaster and bandleader Jae Sinnett has never been one to wait for the phone to ring. He’s made eight recordings as a leader since 1986, tapping musical friends Chris Potter, Wallace Roney, Steve Wilson, Billy Pierce, Frank Foster and others to join him in his various projects. He’s scored the music for five documentaries, taught at Christopher Newport University and produced a performance/instructional video “Musical Drumming Concepts.” Sinnett is also the radio host of two successful programs, “Sinnett’s In Session” and “The R&B Chronicles” on NPR affiliate WHRV-FM in Norfolk, Virginia.
1. Jo Jones
“Liza” (from Jo Jones: The Everest Years, Empire Musikwerks). Jones, drums; Harry “Sweets” Edison, trumpet; Jimmy Forest, tenor saxophone; Bennie Green, trombone; Tommy Flanagan, piano; Tommy Potter, bass. Originally released 1960.
