Man, I got up this morning and realized that I hadn’t given a single thought to a playlist for tonight’s show. Okay, so what do I want to hear tonight? Or to the point, what do they (the Listeners) want to hear tonight? I’ve realized I have to be a bit more considerate of what those Listeners might want to hear. I’ve gotten more than a few calls during the show from some very engaged Listeners. Sometimes they call with personal insights they want to share with me because the song brought back memories of a particular time in their lives. Once I had played something by Shelly Manne and His Men, from one of the several Shelly Manne and His Men at the Black Hawk albums that were recorded at the club over three nights in 1959 (there are five volumes and Joe Gordon on trumpet is amazing), and I got a call this guy who told me the tune reminded him of a time in the early 60’s when he used to hang out in the Tenderloin District of San Francisco as a young man. So, he knew about the Black Hawk jazz club and that tune triggered a nostalgic moment for him.
Okay, so go make a playlist that will trigger some nostalgia. I’ve got a few things in mind, but I always like to think of something that maybe the Listeners have never heard before. Naturally, as programmer, I choose some jazz I haven’t heard in a while. So here’s what I came up with for Tuesday night’s show:
Bennie Moten Orchestra “Professor Hot Stuff” from Kansas City Jazz (Bennie Moten Volume 6 1930-32) (1932) on trumpeter Hot Lips Page, trombonist Dan Minor, Eddie Durham (the main arranger) on trombone and guitar, baritonist Jack Washing, and Count Basie. Man, this is some swingin’ Kansas City jazz. Many of these musicians would become the core of Basie’s band.
Bill Coleman “Colemanology” in Paris: From Boogie to Funk (1960) on Universal Music Division Classics Jazz. Bill Coleman plays muted trumpet with Budd Johnson (tenor sax), Les Spann (guitar), Patti Bown (piano), Quentin Jackson (trombone), Buddy Catlett (bass), and Joe Harris (drums).
Bix Beiderbecke and Frankie Trumbauer “Borneo” from Bix and Tram (1934) on JSP Records — Harold Scrappy Lambert, vocals. This is a great tune. Reminds me of Jim Kweskin and the jug band’s version of “Borneo.”
Buddy Johnson “Please Mr. Johnson” composed by Johnson from Jukebox Hits 1940-1951 (2005) on Acrobat Music — Buddy Johnson, leader, piano; Ella Johnson, vocals
Bunny Berigan and His Orchestra “Love Letters in the Sand” from Bunny Berigan & His Orchestra (2010) on Cool Note
Cootie Williams “Drop Me off In Harlem” from Ellington’s Small Units (1938) on Jazz Archive — Barney Bigard / Lawrence Brown / Duke Ellington / Freddie Jenkins / Arthur Whetsol / Cootie Williams
Earl Hines “A Cigarette for Company” from A Cigarette for Company — Helen Merrill, vocals
Count Basie “Texas Shuffle” composed by Herschel Evans from Count Basie – Swingin’ the Blues on Affinity
Duke Ellington “SOPHISTICATED LADY” composed by Billy Strayhorn from SOPHISTICATED LADY — Jimmy Blanton, bass
Eddie South “Improvisation Sur Le Premier Mouvement Du Concerto En Ré Mineur De Jean-Sébastien Bach – Part 1 (11-23-37)” from Complete Jazz Series 1923 – 1937 (2009) on Complete Jazz Series
Josephine Baker “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” from Josephine Baker 1931-1968 (1931) on Pathe. A beautiful singer. She was originally from St. Louis, MO; she’s got a plaque on St. Louis’ Walk of Fame in the Delmar Loop. I think I remember seeing it across from Chuck Berry’s Blueberry Hill restaurant. She was very active in the Civil Rights Movement. A fascinating artist with a fascinating background.
Julia Lee and Her Boyfriends “Snatch It And Grab It” from Snatch It And Grab It
James Moody “Kriss Kross” composed by Holloway from Feelin’ It Together (1973) on Savoy Jazz — pianist Kenny Barron (who also plays some surprisingly distinctive electric piano and a bit of electric harpsichord), bassist Larry Ridley and drummer Freddie Waits
Duke Pearson “Blues for Alvina” composed by pearson from Dedication! (1961) on Compulsion — Pianist Duke Pearson is joined by trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, baritone player Pepper Adams, trombonist Willie Wilson, bassist Thomas Howard, and drummer Lex Humphries
Jack McDuff “Blues 1 & 8” from Blues 1 & 8 (1967) — Jack McDuff, organ; George Benson, Guitar; Red Holloway, tenor
Grant Green, Jr. “6 Grams of Funk” composed by Green from Introducing G.G. (2002) on Jazzateria
Don Byas “LAURA” composed by mercer from Jazz in Paris (1940) on Verve International
Gene Harris “Stormy Monday” from Down Home Blues (1997) on Concord — Nikki Harris, vocals; Ron Eschete on guitar
Abbey Lincoln “My Man” from Straight Ahead (1961) on Candid. Her version of the song is stunning. The emotional content of her delivery gives me the chills. One of the best stylistically there ever was. Right up there with Sarah Vaughn. Politically active in civil rights at the time with her future husband, drummer Max Roach.
Buddy Tate “Paris Nights” from Buddy Tate & His Buddies (Remastered) – EP (1973) on Chiaroscuro Records — tenors of Buddy Tate and Illinois Jacquet; trumpeter Roy Eldridge; rhythm guitarist Steve Jordan, bassist Milt Hinton and drummer Gus Johnson; Mary Lou Williams on piano
Charlie Shavers “Echoes Of Harlem” from Shavers Shivers (2006) on Impulse
Sammy Davis Jr. “Here’s That Rain Day” composed by Johnny Burke and Jimmy Van Heusen from Sammy Davis Jr. sings, Laurinda Almeida Plays (2004) on Collector’s Choice Music
Paul Horn “Yazz Per Favore” from The Jazz Years – Selected Pieces 1961~1963 (1987) on Inside Music
Teddy Bunn “Blues Without Words” from Teddy Bunn’s I’ll Be Ready When the Great Day Comes – EP (2006) on Charly Records
Teddy Wilson “Blues in D Flat” from Blues in D Flat
Call and Response 