Discovering Jazz

Latest Episodes:

Episode 102: All About Birds and a bit of ‘Bird’. Apr 14, 2020

Show notes

A lot of jazz and classical music has been inspired by the singing of birds. Including a few Charlie ‘Yardbird’ Parker tunes.

Today’s episode includes music of the veery thrush, a song thrush, a loon, and a northern mockingbird. And how they inspired Jeff Silverbush and Victoria pianist Karel Rossingh.

Also I play recordings by Blossom Dearie, Charlie Parker, Herbie Hancock ( a Joni Mitchell composition), Bob Dorough, Louis Armstrong, Bobby Darin, Charles Mingus, Sheila Jordon, and Carmen McRae. I also throw in a few words from Paul Winter and a project called Flyways.

Episode 101: More on Jazz Drumming (with Kelby McNayr) Apr 07, 2020

Show notes

Starting with two drums and a fife providing the entertainment at New Orleans picnics and funerals, and finishing with Canadian drummer Claude Ranger.

We talk about the development of the drum, and Kelby McNayr takes us through some of the components of the drum set. We also play music by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, talk about Jack Dejohnette and what to listen for as you listen to him playing with Charles Llloyd. I then spin a Fred Hersch Trio track with drummer Eric McPherson.

We then talk about why drummers and melody really is not an oxymoron, and demonstrate the amazing sense of melody that Kelby puts into his compositions.

We finish with a bit of jazz fusion. But, of course, all jazz is a fusion. The fusion that started in the mid 60’s was primarily a result of the technology—as have been many developments in all kinds of music. You’ll hear a short track by The Tony Williams Lifetime.

If you like this program, please leave a review or comment in the itunes podcast site. Thank you. -Larry

Episode 100: Celebrating my 100th Episode Mar 31, 2020

Show notes

With a party! But maintaining distancing. I’m exploring my own jazz roots which I’m pretty sure are pretty different from how most jazz aficionados discovered jazz. It wasn’t the great works of Charlie Parker or Miles Davis that did it for me. Rather it was a lot of ‘b’ sides of 45’s, hits and non-hits from the 50’s and 60’s, and records handed down to me by my parents (who weren’t really into jazz).

You’ll hear some terrific recordings in this episode, and at least one that is much less than terrific. That one explains why nobody came to my parties.

Much of the music—old and new—helps me to sustain my interest in jazz. And hopefully it will do that for you as well.

I also provide an interesting illustration of the difference between an ‘easy listening’ version of a jazz tune and one that is, without a doubt, jazz.

Hope you have a good time! Don’t drink all the wine.

Episode 99, A Tribute to McCoy Tyner Mar 24, 2020

Show notes

The great and legendary jazz pianist, known for his recordings with John Coltrane and his original compositions, died March 6th of this year. He had one of the most powerful left hands in jazz–but he actually gained a reputation as a composer even before he made his first record.

In this episode you’ll hear lots of music, and not that much talk. We’ll let McCoy Tyner’s playing do the talking.

I also play two compositions of his as interpreted by others. You’ll hear Tessa Souter with her interpretation of Contemplation (under the title “Ancestors”), and a great Toronto quartet playing Island Birdie.

Episode 98, Jazz Drumming (with Kelby McNayr) Mar 17, 2020

Show notes

This week I talk with amazing drummer, composer, and band leader, Kelby McNayr. Kelby has evolved into one of the most important ‘leaders’ in the Victoria jazz scene and is a first call drummer for virtually everybody!

This episode features music that employs some of our greatest jazz drummers. Kelby introduces us to each drummer by describing what to listen for, and uses great metaphors to make the music come alive. Each drummer develops his or her skill within a ‘context’. He describes the jazz rhythm section as a trio of three chefs, each one making a different course and needing to flavour and balance the flavours perfectly.

The drummers featured in this episode include Baby Dodds, Art Blakey, Zutty Singleton, Philly Joe Jones, Vernell Fournier, Ed Thigpen, Elvin Jones, and Kelby McNayr himself.

Episode 97, Songs with an Interesting Story Behind Them, Part 2 Mar 10, 2020

Show notes

Investigating a ‘story’ about a song can take a lot of time and effort. I do that as I track the interconnection among three Duke Ellington compositions. And the jury is still out.

You’ll also hear three great Cole Porter songs, interpreted by Django Reinhardt, Tony Bennett with Art Blakey, Sarah Vaughan, and Makoto Ozone. Cole Porter does ‘build’ his songs—so it’s not surprising that he was inspired by an architect. As well as the Islamic call to prayer.

I also talk a bit about Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Mercer—and how they do and don’t ‘write what they know’.

You’ll hear a bit about how Johnny Green wrote Body and Soul, and hear Molly Johnson singing it. I also talk about how Thelonious Monk and came up with the title to one of his tunes, and play a version of it by Monk himself and by Wynton Marsalis.

Other musicians you’ll hear include Chelsea Reed and the Fair Weather Five, Peter Appleyard, and Fraser MacPherson.

Episode 96, Songs with a Story Behind Them (Part 1) Mar 04, 2020

Show notes

Welcome to a series of “Discovering Jazz” episodes about compositions that jazz musicians play that seem to have an interesting story.

So what’s an example of an ‘interesting story’?. How about this one? Today when a new jazz musician to a band or jam session is being ‘tested’ for his or her chops, somebody will yell out “Giant Steps”—-a great tune to test to see if the musician knows it and can keep up. But before Giant Steps, what tune was most commonly used for those kind of ‘tests’?

(Listen to this program and you’ll find out).

For the first one, I play Scotch and Soda, another tune called Scotch and Soda, All the Things You Are, Autumn Leaves, Goodbye Porkpie Hat, and three versions of that ‘test the musician’ tune: one medium speed, one really slow, and one of them at 306 beats per minute.

The recordings you’ll hear are by Charlie Barnet (two), Gene Harris Quartet, The Kingston Trio, very early Frank Sinatra, Brad Mehldau Trio, Laila Biali, Rashaan Roland Kirk, and a British folk group called Pentangle.

Episode 95: Black History and Jazz Feb 25, 2020

Show notes

February as Black History Month has its roots as early as 1915, thanks to being the birthdays of Frederick Douglass–an abolitionist, writer, and statesman who had escaped slavery, and president Abraham Lincoln. In Canada this year the theme is “Canadians of African Descent: Going Forward, Guided by the Past”.

This week’s program pays a tribute to the history of jazz, blues, and ragtime.

I’ll talk about some of the earliest roots of jazz in America and Europe—celebrating the music of JellyRoll Morton, Buddy Bolden, Louis Armstrong, and James Reese Europe.

You’ll also hear a lot from Victoria’s Louise Rose, and her recent tribute to Black History Month.

I play recordings by Oscar Peterson and Harry Sweets Edison, Charles Mingus, The Modern Jazz Quartet, Wynton Marsalis, Ramsey Lewis, and Joe Williams.

You’ll also hear about how jazz has historically always addressed social issues of racism and injustice. And how both playing and moving away from classic blues and spirituals is an expression of freedom, and can always be called ‘political’ when performed by enslaved people.

Episode 94, Real Book Obscurities Part 4 Feb 18, 2020

Show notes

The last of this series of some of the best recordings of lesser known tunes found in the jazz student’s ‘bible’—The Real Book, 6th Edition.

Here is what you’ll hear today:

The Intrepid Fox by Freddie Hubbard
Central Park West by John Coltrane
I’m All Smiles by Lana Cantrell
I’m All Smiles by George Cables (w. Essiet Essiet on bass)
Full House (Wes Montgomery) by Christian McBride’s Big Band
Crystal Silence (Chick Corea) by P.E.I’s Teresa Doyle with Doug Riley
Broadway Blues by Ornette Coleman
UMMG (Billy Strayhorn) by Hilario Duran w. Jane Bunnett
Kelo (JJ Johnson) by Miles Davis

This episode is probably my favourite of this 4-part series. Some great music, interesting and fun to listen to.

If you like it, please post a review on the itunes site.

Episode 93, Real Book Obscurities Part 3 Feb 11, 2020

Show notes

The Real Book, 6th Edition, is commonly used by jazz musicians and students as a ‘guide’ for learning different well-known and not-so-well known jazz tunes. This current 4 part series focuses on the ‘not-so-well-known’.

Another great guide, I’ve discovered, is a website put together by pianist/teacher Ron Drotos, called keyboardimprov.com, and his youtube videos called “Journey Through the Real Book”….where he has taken on a project of playing each of the 400 tunes in the Real Book. In this episode, I introduce you to Ron’s introduction to an amazing saxophonist/composer named Wayne Shorter. I also play the original 1965 recording of his complex piece called ‘Deluge’ and one year later, his recording with Miles Davis of Dolores. This is all my attempt to understand Wayne Shorter’s music better—-and I hope that you’ll come along for the ride.

In this episode you’ll also hear a couple wonderful tunes by the great Antonio Carlos Jobim—-ones that are a little less known than Desifinado, Ipanema, Wave, and his other great ones.

I start off the program with two versions of a tune that people wonder why. Why is it even in both the original Real Book and the later edition? And why don’t more people play it? It’s a Steve Swallow tune called Arise Her Eyes, and I’ve discovered a very different rendition by Canadian guitarist Yvan Jacques.

Also in this program is a Herb Ellis tune called Detour Ahead, a fun gospel-ish composition by Charles Mingus, a fantastic rendition of Cole Porter’s ‘All of You’ by Paul Jost, and I take you home with a relaxing bit of blues by Kenny Burrell.

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