Discovering Jazz

Latest Episodes:

Episode 143, A Tune Inside a Tune: Quotes in Jazz Solos Mar 30, 2021

Show notes

I found one well-known tune played in the midst of five different jazz recordings. And I’m sure it’s present in a lot more. Guess what the tune is? In this episode I play all five of them.

Then there is Mary Had A Little Lamb, which I found in two different jazz solos.

You’ll also hear Nature Boy, Mack The Knife, and in just one two minute tune, a number of different classical compositions.

This is Part 1 of Quotes in Jazz solos. A quote is simply a situation where a musician throws in a touch of a tune in the middle of another tune.

I had a lot of fun finding them. I think you’ll have some fun finding them too. Not only that, you’ll get to hear some great recordings by Billy Taylor, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Jane Bunnett & Maqueque, Mike Rud & Peter Bernstein, Erroll Garner, Julio Padron, Jackie McLean, and Rashaan Roland Kirk.

Episode 142: More Jazz Piano, How To Tell One Pianist From Another. Mar 23, 2021

Show notes

The first 20 minutes of this week’s podcast is dedicated to the piano styles of Nat King Cole and Oscar Peterson. I explore similarities and differences, plus a ‘story’ that is told about why one stopped singing and the other stopped playing piano.

The podcast ends with McCoy Tyner and something called ‘quartal voicings’.

In the middle you’ll hear three other pianists who have some commonalities. They are Nina Simone, Don Shirley, and Aaron Diehl.

Episode 141: Jazz Piano: A History Mar 16, 2021

Show notes

One way of understanding what any modern (or ancient) jazz pianist is doing is to know the ‘roots’ of what they are playing. Even the wildest jazz is influenced by what came before.

So this episode, to get more clarity about different piano styles, I’m exploring some history. From ragtime up to free-jazz.

I’ll take you from Scott Joplin to Paul Bley, and between I’ll cover a bit of Jellly Roll Morton, James P. Johnson, Earl Hines, Count Basie, Art Tatum, Meade Lux Lewis, Nat King Cole, Bud Powell, John Lewis, and Bill Evans. I also throw in something by a Toronto pianist named Ron Davis who mixes be-bop and stride……and maybe a couple other subgenres as well.

Episode 140: Jazz Piano:How to Tell One Pianist from Another. Mar 09, 2021

Show notes

I was always amazed by those Blindfold Tests in Downbeat Magazine where Leonard Feather would challenge various jazz musicians by playing certain pieces of music—and have them guess who was playing. Musicians would rate the selection and talk about why. What amazed me was how they so often knew who was playing—even if they had never heard the piece before.

So this week, I’m trying to figure it out how somebody really attuned to jazz can be so good at distinguishing one player from another. Specifically, I’ve narrowed it down to pianists. I’m exploring which pianists I think I can pick out if I were given such a blindfold test.

I start the program by talking about Ahmad Jamal, and the four things that seem to characterize his playing. One recording is from 1958—and it contains all four of those stylistic elements. The other is from 2020—and while he’s changed a lot, some of what characterizes his style remains.

I also feature five other pianists—-some of whom I have a lot of familiarity, and two of them who I’m in the process of discovering.

Episode 139: Five (maybe six) More Songs With Interesting Stories. Mar 02, 2021

Show notes

Why the waffling between five or six songs? Well, it has to do with a new song that was created out of a saxophone solo used in I’m In The Mood for Love. Is Moody Mood For Love a new tune or a variation of an old one?

And those interpretations of I’m In The Mood For Love led to a whole new jazz vocal style called jazz vocalese. It also takes a detour into the old Our Gang (aka The Little Rascals) short films from the 30’s that I saw many years later on television.

On this week’s program you’ll also hear interesting renditions of (and stories about) two Duke Ellington tunes (It Don’t Mean a Thing if It Ain’t Got That Swing and I Let A Song Go Out of My Heart). The last two tunes I feature are One O’Clock Jump (including a bebop version), and Body and Soul)

One last comment: re. that version of Moody Mood for Love by King Pleasure that I play. There’s a female vocalist who comes in. Who is it? Apparently it’s Blossom Dearie. I just found that out. I should also mention (since I forgot to point it out on the podcast) that those lyrics were written by Eddie Jefferson.

Episode 138:I Wanna Be Around,I’ll Remember April,Solitude,Billie’s Bounce,I’m All Smiles Feb 23, 2021

Show notes

This episode focuses on five great songs. I’ll play two or three different versions of each one. You’ll hear some stories about either the song or the performance of it,

You’ll hear Tony Bennett (twice—once with Buddy Rich), Renee Rosnes w Dave Young, Bobby Wellins, Sergio Armaroli & Billy Lester, Duke Ellington (twice), Wynona Carr, Erroll Garner, Oliver Jones w. Neil Swainson, Charlie Parker w. an unusual pianist, and Barbra Streisand,

Discovering Jazz -137- Tribute to Chick Corea and his Compositions Feb 16, 2021

Show notes

This past week we lost a musical giant: one of the most eclectic pianists ever. Chick Corea. There have been many well deserved tributes online. This one will focus more on some of his great compositions. Most of them are played by Chick Corea himself, but I also include a great Canadian vocalist and another one of his well-known tunes played on bassoon and accordion,

The other recordings include one from his latest album—which is up for a Grammy this year, and something from his first album under his own name. And lots in between.

Episode 136: Best of 2020, Part 6 Feb 09, 2021

Show notes

Have you ever noticed that sometimes meals taste even better the next day when they become ‘leftovers’?

Here on what is actually Part 6 of my Best of 2020 Series According To Experts, I’m mostly playing selections that have been ‘left over’ because I couldn’t fit them in during the first 5 podcasts. Three of the selections are from albums nominated for Grammy’s (and you’ll find out who wins March 14). Two of them were selected because they are on at least somebody’s ‘best of’ list. And two of them are Canadian recordings—-on some Canadian jazz lovers lists. Two I can’t find on any lists…..but they were on last year’s JazzWeek charts and I really liked what I heard.

And last, but certainly not least, is something from an album released a couple years ago—but she was the surprise winner this year in Jazz Time’s reader’s poll for Top female vocalist. She’s a delightful soul and an amazing lyricist as well as a fine singer. She lives in Victoria, B.C. (where I live)….and her name is Angela Verbrugge.

And before we finish, I want to remind everyone that February is Black History month. I posted a program last February celebrating black history and I want to encourage you to listen to it. And if you already have, listen again. It’s Episode 95 and it’s #7 in the rankings of my most listened to programs. Let’s see if we can use this month to move it up higher.

Episode 135: Best Canadian Jazz Albums of 2020 Feb 02, 2021

Show notes

In this episode I play a few tracks from some of the Canadian albums selected by some ‘best of’ lists. You’ll hear some great music from artists whose origins span the length of the country—from Victoria to Nova Scotia!

Artists featured include John Stetch, Mike Rud, Patrick Boyle, Emie R. Roussel Trio, Laila Biali, The Doxas Brothers, The Joe Bowden Project, Brandi Disterheft, and Kevin Goss.

Discovering Jazz -134- Jazz at The Grammy’s. Jan 26, 2021

Show notes

Added Note: The grammy’s were slated for Jan 31st but I was just advised that they have been put back to March 14 due to an added spike in COVID cases in Los Angeles.

I’ve never been much for award shows—and rarely watch them. I probably won’t watch the Grammy’s either. But I did look at some of the great jazz artists and recordings that have been nominated, and played a few selections. Some of the ones that ‘stood out’ for me I’m playing on this podcast.

You’ll hear Christian Scott A Tunde Adjuah, Gerald Clayton, Kenny Washington, Somi, Ambrose Akinmusire, Chick Corea w. Christian McBride and Brian Blade, and Arturo O’Farill and the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra.

So this is, in actuality, Part 4 of The Best of 2020.

Since there are no Canadian nominees (at least that I’m aware of), I thought I’d end the podcast with a Canadian violinist. From Toronto, its Drew Jurecka, who engineered, mixed, and played all the stringed instruments for a ‘Record of the Year’ nominee.

And next week I’ll go 100% Canadian, with Part 5 of The Best of 2020.

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