September 15th see the appointment and celebration of the 2026 National Endowment for the Arts – Jazz Masters in the class of 2026. Among those this year is CTI All-Star, Airto Moreira [1]https://www.arts.gov/honors/jazz/airto-moreira. Airto Moreira [2]https://web.archive.org/web/20161030102723/http://www.airto.com/ is one of the most influential percussionists in the history of modern jazz, a musician whose imagination reshaped the role of rhythm in contemporary […]
Creed Taylor Month – Join us to discuss THE book!
Join David Sutter, Creed Taylor’s authorized biographer, and me as we discuss his book “Creed Taylor – The Man Who Put Jazz on the Pop Charts” – Sept 19th, 2 PM Eastern – free and online.
New From Ace Records: Incorporated! Compilation
Coincident with David Sutter’s new book on Creed Taylor comes this new Ace Records double album “Incorporated! CTI Records And The Genius Of Creed Taylor,” featuring a compilation of classic jazz tracks from 1969-1974. Available for pre-order, it highlights Taylor’s legacy and marks the first CTI compilation in more than a decade..
Is Jazz Really Dead? Insights from 1970s Scene
Time for another look at the long running theme of “jazz is dead” – this from 1973. Peter Levison’s views on its resurgence in the 1970s following the successful Newport Jazz Festival. He notes the renewed interest among younger audiences, evidenced by sold-out CTI All-Star concerts. Levison acknowledges the importance of integrating new talent alongside established figures to sustain jazz’s growth. Despite challenges, initiatives like educational programs and innovative performances aim to foster appreciation for this uniquely American art form. Levinson though did have a vested interest
Larry Ramsdell’s Review of George Benson in 1973
The post includes a review by Larry Ramsdell from February 23, 1973, published in The Patriot Ledger, highlighting George Benson’s performance at Boston’s Jazz Workshop. Ramsdell praises Benson as a prominent jazz guitarist, noting his exceptional skill and emotional depth. The review details the synergy in Benson’s quartet, featuring Earl Klugh and others. It showcases Benson’s technical abilities, his unique sound, and hints at his potential to become a significant figure in jazz.
George Benson Live at Boston’s Jazz Workshop: A 1973 Experience
George Benson live set from the Jazz Workshop in February 1973, one of the earliest with George and Earl Kulgh. Includes a look at the Grammy Awards that year plus history about the Jazz Workshop and lots more.
Unraveling Don Sebesky’s ‘The Rape Of El Morro’
The story of the title and cover photos of Don Sebesky’s “The Rape of El Morro” is both complex and controversial. The CTI album ended up on the list of boycotted albums which no doubt hurt its sales. This is the story, I think.
Pure Pleasure Records – CTI Releases
This week, Pure Pleasure Records released two new pressings: Kenny Burrell’s “God Bless The Child” and Ron Carter’s “All Blues.” While I don’t have these UK releases I’d like to hear from others that have.
Sounds: Supermarket Jazz
It’s fairly well-known that Creed’s production techniques were not universally liked. Creed himself knew that and was often quite dismissive of critics in general. I’ve often quoted Creed himself on this, as early as 1963 he said: These men[musicians], no longer concern themselves with critical limitations, imposed by journalists within the jazz fraternity. More and more of them are looking […]
Exploring CTI and A&M: CTI Album Mix Tracks Vol. 2
Volume 2 of the CTI Albums mix features one track from each of the 14x albums produced by Creed Taylor for A&M Records, showcasing a blend of vinyl recordings to end out the series. Noteworthy highlights include dual versions of some tracks and the involvement of various artists, primarily George Benson, who adds depth to the collection. This mix marks a transition in Taylor’s production style, reflecting evolving musical trends.
Exploring CTI and A&M: Creed Taylor’s Musical Journey
Today marks the 97th birthday of Creed Taylor, a pioneering figure in jazz‑infused popular music during his tenure at A&M Records. Doug Payne’s comprehensive article on Taylor’s CTI productions is featured here, accompanied by a vinyl mix showcasing tracks from the first fifteen CTI/A&M albums produced by Creed Taylor.
Website Updates: Enhancing User Experience for CTProduced
The website ctproduced.com has undergone significant updates after a long period, now showcasing over 1.3 million impressions and 1,260 subscribers. Key changes include the removal of traditional categories and tags from individual posts, improved site navigation with advanced search, and enhanced subscription options. Future plans involve using subscriber feedback for upcoming content and exploring theme changes.
Creed Taylor: The Man Who Put Jazz On The Pop Charts
David Sutter’s authorized biography of Creed Taylor is now available for pre-order, set for release on October 29, 2026. The book details Taylor’s influential role in jazz history, drawing on extensive research and interviews. Pre-orders are available in multiple countries, with formats including hardback, eBook, and audiobook.
Calling You – New from Ted Rosenthal!
Ted Rosenthal’s new trio album, “The Good Old Days,” will release on May 1, 2026, marking his return after 30 years of active performance and teaching. This album pays homage to classic jazz styles and features ten tracks, including guest Ken Peplowski. It reflects Rosenthal’s vibrant reinterpretations of earlier music while continuing his legacy in the jazz scene.
Exploring Nancy Wilson’s Jazz Profiles on NPR
While organizing my digital archive, which includes thousands of indexed books and magazines, – I’ve been trying to deal with 1,500 files in my downloads folder. It was good to find that the recordings of Nancy Wilson’s NPR show, Jazz Profiles, are available via both NPR and the Internet Archive, there are many really great shows.
