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    Music

    Discovering Jazz

    Larry The Radio Guy and the listener discover jazz together.

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    Copyright: © 2017 Discovering Jazz

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    Latest Episodes:
    Archives: Episode 20, Jazz Beatles (Part 2) Jul 09, 2019
    Show notes

    Another ‘archive’ program this week; for the summer I’ll have some of the best programs from the past two years of “Discovering Jazz” every 2nd week.

    This week is one of the two episodes of Beatles music transformed into jazz. Many of these are relatively modern recordings, such as the version of You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away by Bill Frisell, and Here Comes the Sun by Joel Harrison. Eleanor Rigby by Chick Corea and Gary Burton, and Elizabeth Shepherd’s and Michael Occhipinti’s beautiful rendition of Across the Universe.

    The program begins with some very early jazz-rock fusion, as saxophonist Steve Marcus does a bizarre rendition of an equally bizarre John Lennon tune–Rain. I then play, from the same year, Roland Kirk and his interpretation of “And I Love Her”. Then two versions of Yesterday—one by Oscar Peterson and another by Lee Morgan. And then some more Lee Morgan as he plays trumpet on another version of Eleanor Rigby by a group led by organist Dr. Lonnie Smith.

    Many different sub-genres of jazz in this program, with very different interpretations of Beatles tunes.

    I invite you to make comments on either the itunes “ratings and review” link, or my facebook page entitled “Discovering Jazz”.


    Episode 70, Miles Davis and The Most Popular Jazz Record of All Time Jul 02, 2019
    Show notes

    It’s Kind Of Blue by Miles Davis, first released in 1959. It still sells more per year than any current jazz recordings. Why? And why do critics also rate it as one of the best albums of all time? I quote a few critics and musicologists, play 4 of the 5 tracks, a couple other renditions of the tunes, and throw in a few pieces of irrelevant but interesting tidbits.

    Note: This episode, due to copyright concerns, is no longer available for listening via Apple podcasts.


    Archives, Episode 40: Jazz and Politics Jun 25, 2019
    Show notes

    Last year I recorded a 4-part series on Jazz and Politics. Here is Part 3—probably my favourite of the four. It explores a few different political issues relevant to jazz music, and I play lots of great music.

    If you consider ‘politics’ to be about power and influence, then Jazz was political right from the get-go in terms of the struggle for the black originators to gain recognition and wrest some of it away from the white artists who had the money, the power, and the influence to profit from the creativity and innovation of these black musicians. I start this program with a 1917 recording by the white man (not Paul) who claimed to have invented jazz.

    Bassist and Vancouver native Brandi Disterheft records a tribute to Nelson Mandela while Wadada Leo Smith salutes Martin Luther King. Joni Mitchell pays tribute Lester Young and Charles Mingus in Goodbye Porkpie hat, with lyrics that focus on the prejudice that Lester Young experienced. Saxophonist Bobby Watson wrote what might be described as a ‘tone poem’ about black bicyclist Major Taylor who, in 1899, thwarted the attempts by white bystanders to stop him from winning a bicycle competition in Montreal.

    Other political issues: Toronto’s Elizabeth Shepherd plays and sings about the attempt in Quebec to ostracize veiled Muslim women. Kurt Elling calls our attention to the rise of tribalism and fascism in the western world, singing Bob Dylan’s “A Hard Rain’s a Gonna Fall”. Alex Samaras and the Queer Songbook Orchestra out of Toronto sing Bronski Beat’s Small Town Boy, about being gay in a world hostile to gays.

    If you like this program, give a listen to Episodes 38, 39, and 41, which are also about Jazz and Politics.


    Episode 69, Victoria Jazz Festival part 3 Jun 18, 2019
    Show notes

    This is the last of three series of programs on the upcoming Victoria International Jazz fest (Jun 21-30). I play music by some of the great jazz artists coming as well as interview the founder and artistic director, Darryl Mar. If you’re thinking of taking in some of the festival, these programs are a great way to help you decide who to go see. And if you can’t because you are too far away—you’ll still make some great discoveries of veteran and up and coming jazz and jazz-oriented musicians and singers.

    This episode features Makaya McCraven, Eric Alexander, Trio LSD (from Sweden), Attila Fias, Rowan Farintosh (with Chris Parnis), Davina & The Vagabonds, Melissa Aldana (from Chile), Steve Smith and The Groove (who is also a member of ‘Journey’), and the up and coming genius, Jacob Collier. About Collier, Quincy Jones stated “I have never in my life seen a talent like this”.


    Episode 68: Victoria Jazz Festival, Part 2 Jun 11, 2019
    Show notes

    This program starts off with the performer I’m most looking forward to seeing and hearing at this year’s Victoria Jazz festival, March 21-30—Pianist/singer, Patricia Barber. An interesting rendition of a Beatles tune.

    You’ll also hear a couple emerging artists: child prodigy Joey Alexander, and multi-instrumentalist from Victoria, John Lee.

    Festival organizer and founder, Darryl Mar, talks about the history of this festival bringing such emerging artists forward—-well before most people had ever heard of them.

    Lots of great local performers are featured at the festival, and Darryl talks with pride about how the city of Victoria has nurtured these great artists.

    You’ll also hear The Mark Atkinson Trio, Amina Figarova, the amazing Cuban pianist Pablo Cardenas, Jesse Cook, and Gregory Porter.


    Episode 67, Victoria Jazz Festival, Part 1 Jun 04, 2019
    Show notes

    This is the first episode since my move from Peterborough to Victoria—and as an introduction to the jazz world in Victoria, I’m putting together, over the next three weeks, three one hour programs about the upcoming 36th edition of the Victoria Jazz Festival. I play music by some of the artists (international, national and local), and chat with the festival’s founder and artistic director, Darryl Mar.

    This week, you’ll hear some of the players featured on day 1 to day 4 of this 10 day festival. It includes Laila Biali, Lionel Loueke, The Marquis Hill Blacktet, Jacqui Naylor, Dominique Fils Aime, The Suffers, Aaron Scoones, John Magnarelli Quartet, and The HeavyWeights Brass Band.

    Another highlight: Darryl talks about how he was inspired to start this festival.

    You’ll also get a slight taste of the sounds of Victoria, as I record the program outside of the townhouse where we’re staying for a couple months.


    Archives: Episode 28, Classical VS Jazz and its Cross-Pollination (from April, 2018) May 29, 2019
    Show notes

    As I settle in my new residence in Victoria, B.C., before I begin recording some brand new programs (probably next week), here is another one from the archives—-keeping my Peterborough, Ontario Connection.

    This was the first program featuring Al Baggs—a classical and jazz music buff and raconteur who also plays a mean baritone sax, as well as a few other instruments. You can hear Al most Thursday nights at The Black Horse in Peterborough jamming with master pianist, Rob Phillips.

    Here Al reveals an even greater love for classical music than he has for jazz, and we play music by classical composers such as Ravel, Shostakovitch, Stravinksy, and Duke Ellington. Yes! Al says. In the future Ellington will go down in history as a classical or ‘serious’ composer.

    The one area where jazz has a superiority over classical, Al thinks, is in jazz drumming. He states that they are “well ahead of the pack–they seem fearless in launching themselves into deep mind blowing rhythmic space”. I play part of a composition by a great Canadian drummer—Claude Ranger.

    You’ll also hear on this program music by Johnny Hodges, Alex Welsh Jazz Band, Moe Koffman, Charlie Parker, and the combination of Gerry Mulligan and Chet Baker.


    Archives: Episode 32, All About Downbeat Magazine (May, 2018) May 21, 2019
    Show notes

    Continuing with programs from the Archives until I once again begin recording episodes.

    Here I talk about the 85 year old Jazz magazine that is still going strong, Downbeat. You’ll hear a bit about its history, the first ‘review’ published, and their famous “Blindfold Test”. I also share an anecdote about how I personally gave famous jazz critic (and host of the blindfold test), Leonard Feather, a blindfold test. Also the tune that stumped him.

    I play music by Tia Fuller, Duke Ellington, Karen Souza, Ontario’s Nick Fraser, Kurt Elling, The Farr Brothers, Charles Lloyd with Lucinda Williams, Oscar Peterson, and Roberta Piket. All of these are records heralded by Downbeat Magazine.


    Archives: Episode 27, Jazz Musicians Making their Mark Outside of Jazz May 14, 2019
    Show notes

    One of my favourite series of programs was the four episodes from last year that involved jazz musicians who have played a part in making music that isn’t jazz. Sometimes they were studio musicians, or put a special ‘flair’ into a pop hit. a way for jazz musicians to be rock and roll stars. Except their contribution rarely gets mentioned.

    This series, Episodes 24-27, aimed to rectify that.

    As I settle into my new home in Victoria, posting a few programs from my archives, I thought that one from this series was one deserving of a re-listen. I chose Part 4, (Episode 27).

    You’ll hear Connie Kay and Richard Davis playing, first, some real jazz, followed by their contribution by one of the great classic rock albums of the 1960’s.

    Then I play a tenor saxophonist, Curtis Amy, who played on a number of rock and pop hits.

    Zoot Sims and Teddy Wilson both played on a single by Phoebe Snow.

    Sting used Branford Marsalis and percussionist Manu Katine on Englishman in New York. And you’ll also hear a solo saxophone rendition of Stardust courtesy of Branford.

    And even Miles Davis got into the act!

    And one cannot forget the great guitarist, Nels Cline, who became an actual member of Wilco.

    Keeping my Peterborough connection, I talk about three of the Peterborough area’s most spectacular pianists, and play a jazz track by one of them–Steve Holt. Steve also sent me a recording of a track from a ‘pop’ album he made a few years ago, and he does a very interesting version of Stevie Winwood’s “Can’t Find My Way Home”.

    I invite you to listen to this program, and it might motivate you to check out the other programs from this series on “Jazzies’ Playing Outside the Genre”: Episodes 24, 25, and 26.

    If you like them, submit a review on itunes. It would be much appreciated?

    -Larry


    Archives: Michael Morse on Thelonious Monk. (Episode #8, Oct 2017) May 07, 2019
    Show notes

    While I’m settling in to my new home in Victoria (and apartment hunting), I’ll re-post some episodes from the archives. This week, keeping some Peterborough connections, it’s resident ethnomusicologist/bassist and all round genius from Trent University, Michael Morse, talking about one of his most significant jazz influences—-Thelonious Monk. He has a lot of interesting Monk related stories.

    You’ll hear some original Monk recordings, plus other versions of some of his great compositions. One of those is by Canadian West Coast jazz players Brian Tate, Michael Creber, Rene Worst, and Tom Keenlyside.


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