Maybeck Recital Hall series of Concord Records(3)

I want to introduce early two works of Maybeck Recital Hall series.

In past I posted about three legendary pianists.

Please refer to my past blogs.

Volume 2, Dave McKenna, 1990, Concord CCD 4410
Tracks : Spoken Introduction, Dream Dancing, Detour Ahead, Exactly Like You, I’m Glad There’s You / I’m Glad I Waited For You, Knowledge Medley One, Knowledge Medley Two, I Don’t Know Why, I Never Know, C Jam Blues, Limehouse Blues

My past blog :Go here

Volume 3: Music Of 1937, Dick Hyman, 1990, Concord CCD 4415

Tracks : Spoken Introduction, Where Or When, A Foggy Day (In London Town), Bob White (Whatcha Gonna Swing Tonight), Some Day My Prince Will Come, The Folks Who Live On The Hill, Bei Mir Bist Du Sch, Loch Lomond, Thanks For The Memory, In The Still Of The Night, My Funny Valentine, Caravan

My past blog :Go here

 

 

Maybeck Recital Hall series of Concord Records(2)

Maybeck Recital Hall is located inside the Kennedy-Nixon House in Berkeley, California.

This hall was built in 1914 by the distinguished architect Bernard Maybeck.

In 1923, the hall was destroyed by fire, but was quickly rebuilt by Maybeck.

The hall’s seats are 60.There are two grand pianos: Japanese Yamaha ‘S-400’ and ‘ C-7’.

From 1989 to 1995, Concord records produced and recorded the previously mentioned 42 solo piano, Maybeck Recital Hall performances.

In addition, Concord also released CDs of 10 jazz duets that were performed at Maybeck during this same period.

Since 1996, the recital hall is no longer open for public concerts.

Today I will introduce the first work at Maybeck Recital Hall.

Volume 1 – Joanne Brackeen [CCD-4409]

1. Thou Swell (4:55)
2. The Most Beautiful Girl in the World (5:45)
3. Dr. Chu Chow (6:03)
4. Yesterdays (5:45)
5. Curved Space (7:06)
6. It Could Happen to You (4:47)
7. African Aztec (7:26)
8. My Foolish Heart (7:31)
9. Calling Carl (4:13)
10. I’m Old Fashioned (5:11)
11. Strike Up the Band (4:32)

Maybeck Recital Hall series of Concord Records(1)

In 1972 Concord Records was established by Carl Jefferson who was a local automobile dealer and jazz fan.

Since then, the label won 88 Grammy Award nominations and 14 Grammy Awards.

This week I want to post Maybeck Recital Hall series of Concord Records.

From 1920s into 1930’s, solo piano recitals were held by legend pianists.

James P. Johnson, Earl ‘Fatha’ Hines, Thomas ‘Fats’ Waller and Teddy Wilson.

Art Tatum was the epitome of Jazz solo piano.

Erroll Garner, Nat Cole, Lennie Tristano, George Shearing and Oscar Peterson continued the tradition of solo piano into the modern jazz era.

The Concord Jazz, Maybeck Recital Hall series stands out as somewhat of an anomaly.

Unfortunately over the second half of the 20th century, solo Jazz piano became something of a lost art with fewer except Keith Jarrett live recording.

Eric Dolphy(5)

Then Eric emerged as one of the leaders of the new jazz of the 1960s.

The Chico Hamilton quintet spent most of the following year on the road.

In addition, they had visited New York.

While playing Birdland in New York the group alternated sets with the Miles Davis.

Also Eric played with John Coltrane.

Eric felt he had gained enough experience with Chico and legend musicians.

He moved to New York in December of 1959.

Then he joined Charles Mingus group in Greenwich Village.

From then Eric would play and record often with Mingus.

About his success and his tragically early death in 1964,I want to post at a later date.

Eric Dolphy (4)

‘Ellington Suite’ was an album by Chico Hamilton’s Quintet featuring Buddy Collette on Pacific Records.

There was another historic session about Ellington Suite

In August 1958, Chico Hamilton with Eric Dolphy recorded some famous Duke Ellington compositions.

Unfortunately another session was not issued for some reason.

Probably producer Richard Bock may have thought Dolphy’s playing was at times too radical.

But in 1995 John Cobley discovered a test pressing of the Hamilton recordings with Dolphy.

It was reissued ‘The Original Ellington Suite’.

About discovery of this recording, please refer to the following article.Go here

 

 

 

Eric Dolphy(3)

In 1958 Chico Hamilton needed a replacement for reedman Paul Horn.

Fortunately Buddy Collette recommended Eric to Chico.

Eric’s first recording with the Chico’s quintet came in April 1958.

They recorded two numbers for Pacific jazz records.

‘In a Sentimental Mood’ and ‘I’m Beginning to See the Light’.

But two numbers were not to be issued until years later.

The Chico Hamilton Quintet was filmed at the Newport Jazz Festival for the documentary ‘Jazz on a Summer’s Day’.

Eric was playing flute on a performance of ‘Blue Sands’.

Then The album ‘Gongs East’ was the best recording by the Chico Hamilton Quintet.

Eric began to play his only developing style from this period.

 

Eric Dolphy (2)

From 1950 to 1953 Eric Dolphy served in the army.

In 1953 he returned to Los Angeles.

Then he again began to practice musical instrument and learn music theory.

After that he met the bass clarinet.

Buddy Collette introduced him to Marle Young who was a clarinet and woodwinds instructor.

Marle Young introduced Eric to the bass clarinet.

Eric also played around town with various groups.

In addition there were always his daily sessions with Harold Land.

One day Clifford Brown, Max Roach and Richie Powell would become frequent guests at the sessions.

In 1954 Eric also met two musicians who would play important parts in his subsequent career.

He met John Coltrane and Ornette Coleman.

Eric Dolphy(1)

Eric Dolphy was born in Los Angeles on 20 June 1928.

This week I want to post about his early activities.

When he was a student at Foshay junior High he was playing in the Los Angeles City School Orchestra.

After graduating from Dorsey High, Eric attended Lo Angeles City College as a music major.

Then Eric joined the Roy Porter big band, legendary proving-ground for budding jazz musicians.

In those days the Roy Porter big band had many talented jazz musicians.

Members are as follows:Art and Addison Farmer, Chet Baker, Jimmy Knepper, Joe Maini, Herb Geller, Teddy Edwards, Hadley Caliman, Bob Gordon and Russ Freeman.

Eric played lead alto during his tenure.

He recorded his first performance with the band.

Savoy SJL 2215 ‘Black California’ Go here

Band leader’s Roy Porter said about Eric Dolphy:

”Well, frankly speaking,
［…]
Eric was studying music at LA City College. He was very young. Because he could read so well, Eric playing first alto, and was good, but he was really a section man at the time.
［…] So I had no idea he would go to New York and become a legend. I’m glad he did.”

 

 

Ray Brown

 

Ray Brown was born October 13, 1926 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

His bass playing was influenced by Jimmy Blanton who was the bassist in the Duke Ellington band.

Arriving in New York in 1945, he played with Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, and Bud Powell.

He was hired by Gillespie for his small groups and his big band.

Dizzy Gillespie said:”Ray Brown, on bass, played the stongest, most fluid and imaginative bass lines in modern jazz at the time.”

After playing with Jazz at the Philharmonic, he married Ella Fitzgerald.

 

He recorded with early Modern Jazz Quartet , then he became a permanent member of the Oscar Peterson Trio (1951-1966).

After leaving Oscar Peterson’s group,he settled in Los Angeles.

Then he worked in the studios and continued recording with several jazz artists.

He was intimate friend with Milt Jackson.

He died on July 2, 2002 in Indianapolis.

 

Ichiro Suzuki hit ‘Two Bass Hit’

Ichiro Suzuki raised his hits total in the Japanese and North American major leagues to 4,257, passing Pete Rose’s record Major League Baseball total.Go here

There is a famous piece of music in jazz about ‘Hit’.

The name of piece is ‘Two Bass Hit’.

This piece was written by Dizzy Gillespie and John Lewis.

Also this piece originally was written for Ray Brown.

Next day l want post about Ray Brown.