jazz1

A new 25 CD box is coming out on the 3rd of Dec. If you can't afford the 76cds box this could be a good alternative. We will have to wait until the 3rd of December to find out what the box consist of. Should me good, maybe it is the "Best off Jazz in Paris" Keep checking on www.amazon.fr Coffret 25 CD : Coffret de Noël Jazz In Paris - 25 CD qui racontent l'histoire du jazz au fil de la Seine - Edition limitée Artistes Divers Notre prix : EUR 139,93

Mr Tanno????? Why not ask him???

Lilac wine is a great cd, it was released in France on the 23rd OCT. Got it a week later and I am really loving it. I am not sure when it will be released in the uS. Lots of people have been writting off Helen Merrill voice, I think that on this cd she is in fine form, the choice of songs is really suited to her style. To my mind definetely one of her top 10 cds

Been looking for it on the web Amazon has a second hand set for something like 150$ which seems crazy Any suggestions Thanks

It was with great anticipation that I waited for this night to arrive The venue was unusual for a jazz performance, “The City Hall” which in days past was used by the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra. A grand old building sitting about 1300. As you can imagine the stage is huge and on it just a grand piano and an amazing set of drums, including kettledrums. Then the musicians, Irene Schweizer a small lady with short white hair, dressed in a pair of jeans and a red blouse, she could be a house wife in a small Swiss village rather than a jazz musician, very humble, very unassuming. Then Louis Moholo, a complete contrast, he is quite big in every respect, badly dressed with hideous camouflage pants and the most horrible see through black lace shirt I’ve ever seen, walks around the stage randomly it seems before settling down by his kit. Irene looks at Louis, shakes her head and them Whaaammm she hits the keyboard with a flurry of notes “a la “ Cecil Taylor, Louis assaults his kits and the sounds coming out of it reminded me of a machine gun, it was so fast, just incredible energy. After the initial burst things starts to settle down. Looking around me I could see that most people where flabbergasted, in semi- chock After all we are in Cape Town where the jazz audience it pretty conservative, Stuck in the sixties.. They played mostly originals, one aspect that struck me where the intense rhythmic personality of her music, maybe it is because Irene is also a drummer. I just love the ways she changes tempo, most of the music has an European rather than American quality to it, people that heard Martial Solal may understand what I am trying to put across, it must the classical background coming through. She played one standard, a Monk tune, which the title escapes me just now During the second set, the music shifted to a more South African sound, (Kwela-jive) Dollar Brand influence could be clearly heard. One must remember that when Dollar Brand left Cape Town to go in exile he went to Zurich, and obviously his influence is continuing in Schweizer playing. This was a hit with the crowd, some people started to stand up and dance. To me this music is great in small dose but it can become repetitive, and obviously Irene and Louis responded to the crowd and gave them more (let them eat cake) Louis was also acting, I am certain that he was under the influence???? He also walked off the stage a few times disappearing, Irene carry on regardless, She also started to explore the interior of the piano using different device to extract the most intriguing sounds possible. The evening ended with a tune similar to the one they opened with. I just love the way she shift gears, or style within a single phrase, from stride, to swing, to bop via Monk and Taylor, just plain amazing. This is experience coming through, but then she has been playing for over forty years. In a way she is capable of putting across the complete history of piano playing. Her technique is also astounding, she is self-thought. All in all a great concert, I could have done with a little less of the South African sound. I bought a few cds at the concert, (Chicago piano solo, and with Pierre Favre)I listened to them briefly, they sound fantastic I will report back when I had time to absorb all the intricacies. All in all a great evening, “unforgettable” Just been listening to "Chicago piano solo" this is a really good example of what happened Saturday evening, (also live) although there is no drummer. I suppose that it is due to the fact that the repertoire of originals is similar. One has to remember that during the concert Louis Moholo did not play the role of the time keeper at all, the drums where like another instrument, in actual fact the rythm originated from Irene playing. Sometimes one felt that they where working in opposite directions but always making beautiful sound. Moholo is very busy, has a very unusual sound, I cannot think of anybody sounding like him, maybe a little bit of Elvin (Coltrane days) now and then? The other cd I bought with Swiss drummer Pierre Favre, is very different, on some tracks the 2 nearly become one such is the rapport, this music takes us to a different level of interplay So Irene Schweizer is really somebody worth investigating, I've already ordered more of her cds

Afterglow was her first effort, (circa 1991) since then she has improved tremendously. Check her 2 recordings for Jazz Focus, there is some of the best jazz vocal of the last few years on it. Some really creative stuff, and her musicians are superb.

So few real jazz singer these days, at least this lady take chances, she is creative, improvise, chooses good material. I am getting tired of the usual GAS fare done by pop singers with a rythm section. Just wish this lady get a decent recording contract. She has all the attributes of a great jazz singer

Actually this is exactly what I tried to express with my post. I am sorry if I stired the pot, it was unintentional, I do like Stacey and actually own a few of her cds. Stacey Kent does serve a purpose. Lack of Depth, feelings, substances, whatever, all I tried to say is that I don't listen to Stacey Kent with the same expectations that I would have when I listen to say Jeanne Lee. I can listen to Stacey Kent while reading a book, or having a meal with friends. When I listen to Jeanne Lee, I sit down and devote my full attention to the music My expectations are much greater. Both serve a purpose, but if I a want goose bumps Stacey just does not do it for me. Vive la differenc.

I think that the problem with singers like Stacey Kent or DK for that matter. is that it is "light weight " music, very pretty un demanding to the soul, but obviously lacks substance. I like her stuff, but would never sit down and listen to it seriously, very nice stuff for dinner party. It will be popular and attract wider audience than the more serious jazz singers, there is a place for everything. To me she sounds good while having ice cream with chocolate sauce.

What about "Water from an ancient well" and "Echoes from Africa" I really enjoy them both.

Agree with you, but the duo's with Petrucciani are just amazing. I think that it was recorded about 10 years ago.

I hope that Eddy Louis is one of the 5, nobody seems to mention him. Recently I bought the 2 cds he did with Micel Petrucciani. YES piano and B# and it works, and as far as using pedals Mr Louis is a master

I do own "Idle moments" which is a great cd but to me the other musicians are what makes the cd great. I've listened to some of is other stuff, but I was never convinced by his playing, the single note technique does really not impress me. Maybe it is because I am a Jim Hall, Jimmy and Doug Raney, Kenny Burrell, Joe Pass fan which to me ar just on a different level.

I do own "Idle moments" which is a great cd but to me the other musicians are what makes the cd great. I've listened to some of is other stuff, but I was never convinced by his playing, the single note technique does really not impress me. Maybe it is because I am a Jim Hall, Jimmy and Doug Raney, Kenny Burrell, Joe Pass fan which to me ar just on a different level.

Saw the Dave Douglas quintet last year and to me Clarence was the highlight. Phenomenal playing, never too loud, very tasty indeed

Looking at the answers received I am absolutely amazed that one of the best guitarist is not even mentioned, maybe because he was not American But when it comes to a Organ, guitar drums trio cd, I don't know any better than the Eddy Louiss trio, with Rene Thomas on guitar and Kenny Clarke on drums. Unfortunately Rene Thomas died young and his recorded legacy is small, but to my ears anyway he was one of the most complete jazz guitarist I know. On this date he plays with such rare intensity, and now I am going to throw a cat amongst the pigeon, I don't understand what is all the fuss about Grant Green!! Give me Jimmy or Doug Raney anyday!!! Oooops Doug Raney cdwith Joey de Francesco and Billy Hart "Backbeat" is another of my fav in the genre.

Glad that you are enjoying the "Jazz epistles" cd. The line up you have is correct, as far as the date, according to a friend of mine it is September 1957, but I will have to comfirm that. Abdullah Ibrahim wife, (Sathima Bea Benjamin) will be back in Cape Town soon, she normally spends the summer down here, she is a good friend of mine and I will ask her, she surely should know. Actually it should be in her Biography, of which I must still get a copy.

Yes Yes Yes, the recordings with Warne Marsh are great, just shows you there is so much great Pepper around. I must have around 50 Pepper cds and I love most of it. Very few duds. In a way the early Pepper and the late Pepper could be compared with the early and late Billie Holiday. some prefer the early stuff, others the late stuff, myself I love it all. I am a Pepper addict.

Feelings, emotions?? maybe we are playing with words. Listening to the "Village Vanguard sessions" I rarely heard more pasionate playing than that. Art was playing with feelings in is early days but with passion near the end, and this is this particular period that I love. To me it is pure Passion.

I found another few Helen Merrill cds, First something new to me a cd called "Mixes" it features Tom Harrell and Art Farmer. Also a French issue called "Autour de minuit" on which Helen does a version of "You go to my head" in French. And lastly "plays the music of Alex Wilder with pianist Roland Hanna. I obviously ordered the Jowhn Lewis cd, and Casa Forte which was missing. A new Helen Merrill cd will also be released in France on Oct 23rd called "Lilac Wine" on the Gitanes/Emarcy label #067566 (and in Japan #UCCM-1045.) No details on instrumentation, but here are the track titles: Lilac Wine Wild Is The Wind Pierre Something I Dreamed Last Night Love Me Tender / How Sweet You Are The Island One More Walk Around The Garden Portrait Of Helen Merrill You Something to look forward to.

This is an easy question to answer, why he was the best 1) To whom: to me he gave me more listeneing pleasure than any other instrumentalist 2) On what day: Evertyme I played his music 3) In what context: I prefer the later period As far as Jim Pepper the only cds I have are the 2 TUTU at Utopia I really enjoy them, I can hear some similarity with Art, and "Intensity" is definetely one of them. I will investigate the other titles you mentioned. The search never ends. Anyway, thanks.

Wake up this morning with the urge, went to my PC and commited myself, even worst I ordered another Helen Merrill called "Mixes" seems like a brand new re;lease, does anybody knows about it?? I just could not resist, so cheap 13 bucks at Barnes and Noble.

We where all shocked by Cecil Ricca death, Maurice Goldberg visits and plays in Cape Town regularly. Maybe you even knew Maurice Gavronsky (drums) he still plays. Anyway if one day you come and visit maybe we could meet? Thanks for sharing Serge Cape Town

Got to Cape Town in the late sixties, I was wondering if "The Art center" on the Green Point common already existed?? Today it is occupied by McDonald, this is progress for you. Anyway they was some great jam sessions on Sundays evenings, with mostly "white musicians" every now and then "a non white" joined them. Maybe some of these guys where playing when you where there. Cecil Ricca, a great drummer, another guy called Merton Barrows (not sure of the spelling) on vibes, and a great jazz guitarist from Jo-burg Johny Fourie came down to jam with the guys, in jazz terms it was "the good old days" Today the jazz scene is pretty poor, Hugh Masekela is playing commercial jazz, lost his chops to. Wynston Mankuku is getting on. Luckily Abdullah Ibrahim still as good as ever maybe in a more serene way. Most of the jazz musicians that went in exile are back, some into politics which is unfortunate as they where better musicians than they are politicians. The strange phenomena is that " real jazz" is mostly supported by white audience. attendance to jazz gigs and concerts is 95% white, just so sad. and btw Bothners is still operating and by far the biggest instruments suppliers.

What about the 'The Hollywood All-Star Sessions', a 5 CD set. This was recorded between '79 & '82 (several months before his death) for a small Japanese label, Atlas. Galaxy has re-released this in the last couple of years - what a great package. This set has so much going for it - Art at his best (IMO), an exceptional line up of musicians and excellent sound quality. In addition, Laurie Pepper wrote the liner notes - an excellent read, full of honest insight on the process and Art. According to her, Art could not be the leader on these recordings, as he was under contract with Galaxy. He was under no restriction as a sideman, so for each of the sessions, he was billed as such. Laurie states this led to some of his best sessions as Art was more relaxed not being the leader. and the All-Stars are living up to their name. Russ Freeman, Bill Waltous, Bob Magnusson, Carl Burnett, Jack Shellon, Pete Jolly, Lou Levy, Sonny Stitt, John Jeard, Shelly Manne, Lee Konitz, among others - what a lineup. Highly recommended - especially considering the recording quality