On August 17, 1959, “Form of Blue” by jazz trumpeter, composer, and bandleader Miles Davis was released. It’s one among music’s most beloved albums of all-time. Rolling Stone magazine ranks it at number 12 on its biggest albums of all-time. “Form of Blue” is certified 5x platinum.
My favorite track, if I had to choose, is “Blue in Green.” The long-lasting recording features saxophonists John Coltrane, Julian “Cannonball” Adderley, pianist Bill Evans, bassist Paul Chambers, drummer Jimmy Cobb, and pianist Wynton Kelly.
August 16 marks the birthday of pianist Duke Pearson, who was born in Atlanta, GA. Pearson’s album“Sweet Honey Bee,” released Jan 1, 1958, is a favourite. One other album of his to ascertain out is “Introducing Duke Pearson’s Big Band” released Jan 1, 1968. Check him out for those who haven’t already done so.
It was also on August 16, 1956, that the album “Ella and Louis” from Verve Records was recorded. All the album—all 11 songs—were recorded in a single session. This album is actually a masterpiece. Highlights among the many tracks include “Moonlight in Vermont” and “They Can’t Take that Away from Me.”
On Saturday, September 10 from 11 am to 7:30 pm at Selby and Milton in St. Paul, the Selby Avenue Jazz Festival will probably be happening again this yr. The fest is free and open to the general public.
Entertainment includes headliner Lynval Jackson and the International Reggae All-Stars, plus the Erica West Band, Pavel Jany’s World Jazz Collegium, Selby Avenue Brass Band, Walker West Music Academy, and the Minnesota State Band.
There will probably be quite a lot of vendors, including various food vendors and activities for teenagers. For more information, visit selbyavejazzfest.com.
Glad 83rd Birthday to vocalist Mary Stallings. She recently performed with pianist Emmet Cohen at Smoke Jazz Club in Recent York City. The club is currently celebrating its grand reopening. Stallings is a lifelong San Franciscan. Love her 2019 album “Songs Were Made to Sing” from Smoke Sessions Records.
Oscar Peterson, one among the best jazz pianists of all-time with greater than 200 recordings to his credit, also celebrated a birthday on August 15, 1925. He was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Peterson was well-known for his dazzling solo technique. I used to be fortunate enough to have heard him play at Orchestra Hall. He played “Backyard Blues” twice and nobody looked as if it would mind.
Did you understand Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson was an enormous jazz fan? Earlier this month, actor Denzel Washington and others celebrated the grand opening of the August Wilson House, which can offer each artist residencies and other programming in the identical house where Wilson grew up.
Sixty years ago this month, the famous photo called “A Great Day in Harlem” by Art Kane appeared in Esquire magazine’s Golden Age of Jazz issue. It features 57 jazz musicians in front of a Recent York City apartment constructing. The 2 surviving musicians are saxophonists Sonny Rollins and Benny Golson who’re each 90-something.
Good luck to “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” bandleader and Grammy-winner Jon Batiste, who’s leaving the show. Recently, Colbert made the announcement that Batiste could be leaving the show after seven seasons.
Louis Cato will replace Batiste, who’s moving on to pursue personal and skilled interests.
Pianist Cyrus Chestnut has a brand new album out entitled “My Father’s Hands” from HighNote Records, and I couldn’t be more excited. Jazz veteran players bassist Peter Washington and drummer Lewis Nash join Chestnut for this musical outing. For the week of Aug. 15., Jazzweek reported the album No.1 on the jazz radio chart.
Considered one of my favorite vocalists Lizz Wright is ready to perform on the Dakota (dakotacooks.com) on September 1. In June, she released the album and short film “Holding Space.” Take heed to the album and watch the short film via lizzwright.net.
Expect to listen to her special alto voice and mixture of R&B, gospel, blues and jazz. The album music features Wright live in Berlin in 2018. The set includes highlights reminiscent of Allen Toussaint’s “Southern Nights.”