Discovering Jazz

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Episode 56, Cuban Jazz Part 2 Feb 19, 2019

Show notes

Some great Cuban jazz! And a few interesting tidbits of information.

You’ll hear music by David Amram (with Thad Jones, Pepper Adams, and others), Ray Barretto, Jane Bunnet, Harold Lopez-Nussa, Juan De Marcos and the Afro-Cuban All Stars,Rita Montaner, Ibrahim Ferrer, Interactivo, and Gonzalo Rubulcaba with Ron Carter and Alex Acuna.

As for the ‘tidbits’? The possible origin of the clave—a pair of hardwood wooden sticks. Also you’ll hear about the man who was responsible for bringing back those old Buena Vista Social Club musicians—and giving them the opportunity for international stardom. And the distinction between New York ‘salsa’ and Cuban ‘timba’. (hint: it’s the difference between a debate and a riot).

I’ll also introduce you to a couple of Lucumi (aka Santaria) Gods. There is one with an enormous head who has one huge ear that can’t hear anything and a smaller one that can hear a leaf falling from a tree miles away. And another God who owns all the roads.

If you are interested in hearing more about Cuba—its music, culture, politics, and history–, about 4 years ago I put together a series of 60 half hour podcasts called “Cuba in Motion” for Peach City Radio in Penticton, B.C. They can be heard through http://www.peachcityradio.org/programs/cubainmotion/

-larrytheradioguy.

Episode 55: Afro-Cuban Jazz, A History Feb 12, 2019

Show notes

In celebration of the coming of Maqueque—a group of five Cuban women plus flautist/soprano saxophonist Jane Bunnett–coming to Peterborough in April, I’m starting a three part series on Afro-Cuban Jazz.

Today’s episode tracks its ‘modern’ history, from the 1920’s in New York. Yup! That was the birthplace of Afro-Cuban Jazz, not Havana or New Orleans.

This episode starts off with a modern Afro-Cuban recording—the amazing Harold Lopez-Nussa. Then I backtrack. How did we get from there to here?

Some of what you’ll hear in this informative and entertaining program? The very first jazz flute solo recorded, thanks to a Cuban musician named Alex Soccaras. And even in that solo from 1927 you’ll hear touches of those more complex Afro Cuban rhythms seeping into what sounds like a New Orleans style swing.

You’ll also hear a bit of the first Cuban bolero to become an international hit. And the first Cuban tune to ‘begin’ the era of Cuban jazz: three different versions of El Manisero. Then I’ll talk a lot about Mario Bauza, Chano Pozo, Machito, and Dizzy Gillespie and the contributions they made to Afro-Cuban jazz.

Did you know that it was a Cuban who ‘discovered’ Ella Fitzgerald?

The following weeks will feature a program about Maqueque, as well as a program of some of the best of other modern Afro-Cuban jazz.

Episode 54: The Jazz Solo, Part 3 Feb 05, 2019

Show notes

So many great jazz solos….wish I could play them all! I’m still trying to figure out what makes a *great* jazz solo, compared to one that isn’t so great. Listening to some of these is giving me some ‘intuitive’ sense—-but probably couldn’t give you a list of all the criteria. Sometimes it’s just some mysterious thing that comes from the ‘soul’. And sometimes not.

For this program I play 5 solos that five famous musicians have described as being “essential solos” to which any aspiring jazz musician (or appreciator) must listen.

I also include one solo that has been cited as a great musician ‘gone bad’……at least in that particular solo. Thanks to native Peterborough bassist ‘gone good’—Wesley Collett-Taylor—for suggesting that one.

And as usual, one Canadian player. This time one selected by another Peterborough bassist–Craig Paterson—and a wonderful solo by Toronto pianist Robi Botos.

You’ll hear two Freddie Hubbard tracks today, two versions of Ella Fitzgerald scatting on the same tune 13 years apart (just to get an idea of the creative development of a solo over the years), Charlie Parker, Weather Report, Bill Evans, and a group of Canadian musicians led by American drummer Terri Lyne Carrington.

Episode 53, The Jazz Solo, Part 2 Jan 29, 2019

Show notes

In this episode you’ll hear more of the solos that jazz musicians and writers say are ‘essential solos’.

You’ll also hear words and phrases like ‘architectonics’, ‘vertiginous’, ‘eking’, ‘narrative structure’, ‘directional energy’, ‘wrong side of the beat’. I don’t know what most of them mean, either, but real jazz aficionados seem to.

You’ll hear

-John Coltrane playing his greatest masterpiece.

-Guido Basso playing a lovely fluegelhorn solo with Rob McConnell’s Boss Brass.

-Cannonball Adderley’s solo on Miles (aka Milestones), and some differing opinions on it.

-Charlie Christian’s solo on Swing to Bop

-Clifford Brown and Sarah Vaughan together.

-Ornette Coleman

-McCoy Tyner

-Larry Young, featuring an Elvin Jones drum solo.

Episode 52, The Jazz Solo (Part 1) Jan 22, 2019

Show notes

The ‘improvised’ solo is the heart of jazz.

This series of programs looks at what have been termed ‘essential solos’, using an article from Jazz Times magazine, where jazz writers and musicians described the solos that have been their favourites over the years. These are solos that they have been playing or humming to themselves over the years.

And since these solos don’t exist in a void, I play all or most of the whole piece, but talk about why this solo resonates with so many jazz aficionados and players.

I start the program with the solo that received more ‘votes’ from jazz scholars and players than any other, and is analyzed and taught in jazz schools throughout the world. Without listening to the program—any guesses?

You’ll hear tracks by John Coltrane, Ahmad Jamal (w. bassist Israel Crosby), Oliver Nelson, Miles Davis, Louis Armstrong, and Sonny Rollins & Coleman Hawkins. The last one has an ‘essential’ solo by Canadian Paul Bley. Thanks to Peterborough bassist Dan Fortin for pointing out that one.

Episode 51: Random Records from Trent Radio Jazz Library Jan 15, 2019

Show notes

Recorded live from the studios of Trent Radio in Peterborough, Ontario, this is an assortment of tracks from jazz albums I blindly selected from the station’s extensive jazz library of vinyl.

It includes some of the ‘usual suspects’—Oscar Peterson, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington & Ray Brown, and Keith Jarrett. You’ll also hear the very first version of In the Mood—and it wasn’t by the Glenn Miller Orchestra. Then I play some lesser known artists—Randy Bernsen, Ted Nash, and Skyline (a fusion supergroup from Vancouver).

Episode 50, Masterpieces from 2018 Jan 08, 2019

Show notes

I play a track from eight different jazz albums—seven of them from 2018.

They include five recordings that Downbeat Magazine, in their January 2019 issue, claim are the “Masterpiece Albums of 2018”. They may or may not coincide with your tastes (or mine). But part of the ‘discovery’ process is to hear out the ‘experts’—–and Downbeat reviewers listen to a lot of jazz. So they must know something, eh?

At least one of those ‘masterpieces’ resonate with me—-I’m thinking of the Polish bassist/composer, Wojtek Mazolewski, and I hope to hear more from him.

Also on the program is an album that received a four star review (from all four reviewers) in that same issue of Downbeat. Canadian trumpeter Ingrid Jensen (originally from Nanaimo), with saxophonist Steve Treseler, playing music of Canadian icon, Kenny Wheeler.

One selection from Stingray music’s top 10 jazz albums of 2018 is also featured.

Lastly, I go backwards and forwards. Backward to 2017. And forward to later this year…. a six piece group featuring five Cuban women who just might (as the rumour goes) be playing in Peterborough for International Jazz Day.

I always appreciate feedback, and invite any listener to submit and itunes review of this program. It would be much appreciated.

-Larry Saidman, aka Larry the Radio Guy.

Archives….Christmas, Winter, and Holiday Jazz Dec 19, 2018

Show notes

Hello. I’m taking a break from Discovering Jazz programs for a few weeks—but I’ll see you in 2019.

If you want something to tide you over until the next program, give my last year’s holiday special a listen. It was Episode 14.

You’ll hear music for Christmas, for non-specified winter holidays, New years, Ramadan, Hannukah (Channukah), and one you’ve probably never heard of—-Chalica.

Music by the likes of Charlie Parker, Bill Evans, Ella Fitzgerald, John Eidsvoog, Shuffle Demons, former Peterborough resident Wesley Collett-Taylor, Bob Dorough with Miles Davis, The Cairo Jazz Band, Kenny Ellis, Dexter Gordon, Barbra Lica, Mike Rud, Ahmad Jamal, and The Darylectones (from Penticton, B.C.).

I also talk a bit about the chord that makes songs sound ‘Christmasy”.

Episode 49, Craig Paterson’s Formative Recordings, Part 2 Dec 04, 2018

Show notes

Part 2 of the formative recordings of jazz musician, fan, and organizer, Craig Paterson. You’ll hear some Miles, some Keith Jarrett, Wayne Shorter, John Coltrane, Liberation Music Orchestra, and Phil Dwyer. Great music!

And some great stories—-especially Craig’s description of a piano workshop led by Keith Jarrett that he attended. And his delightful description of his mother’s reaction to Wayne Shorter’s rendition of Dindi.

Episode 48, A Jazz Fan’s Formative Recordings, Part 1 Nov 27, 2018

Show notes

Jazz bassist and concert organizer Craig Paterson talks about some of the albums that formed his excitement about jazz. Craig also tells some great stories about those albums and the concerts those albums spawned.

And I play a recommended track from each album.

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