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.
OTD: The “lost” Cal Tjader live Album
On January 18, 1967, Wally Heider transported recording equipment to San Francisco for a live session of Cal Tjader, overseen by Creed Taylor and Chico O’Farrill. While Tjader found success at El Matador, the fate of the recorded album remains uncertain, what happened to the unreleased tracks and other important events in Tjader’s 1967. Post includes a 1969 live set to listen to.
On This Day: Smokin’ At The Half Note
Wes Montgomery’s “Smokin’ At The Half Note,” recorded in June and September 1965, represents a significant moment in jazz history, showcasing his guitar mastery alongside Wynton Kelly’s Trio. Despite misconceptions about its recording venue, the album reflects the transient nature of jazz life, with notable performances and early deaths of three of the musicians involved.
The Untold Story of CTI Summer Jazz Albums – 1972
The Curious Case of “CTI Summer Jazz at the Hollywood Bowl” – Doug tackles the details, many you won’t know, we have a track by track playlist from the All-Stars live also 1972.
JATMH by CTI-successor to JATP?
The article by Bernard Lairet reflects on a 1972 CTI All-Stars concerty. Lairet compares them to Norman Granz’s Jazz At The Philharmonic, emphasizing their success and influence in jazz. The upcoming Winter Jazz Concert aims to promote CTI Records, showcasing talents like Freddie Hubbard and Hubert Laws. With ticket prices ranging from $4.50 to $6.50, the concert promises an exciting gathering of notable musicians.
New On The FM Radio Archive
Here are five recent live sets from the FM Radio Archive. Included are performances by Art Pepper, Stanley Turrentine, Gábor Szabó, Grant Green, and the Modern Jazz Quartet, each with broadcast history.
Grover Live Vol.2
Grover Washing, Jr. ‘live in 1998. This recording is released only in digital format (for now?). It really is a great set of GWJ classics. Lot’s of detail and streaming links etc.
On This Day: “If Jazz Is Dead…”
A while back I received a question from a reader that asked – Listening to the “Live at the Hollywood Bowl” CTI Summer Jazz series and I’m curious who the man is at the beginning who says “If jazz is dead, this is the biggest funeral I have ever seen.”
I had meant to answer it straight away, since I knew it was jazz journalist, musician Leonard Feather, especially since his name appears on the credits, printed top left on the inside left of the gatefold sleeve. This was complicated only by the fact that the credits list two “M.C. ‘s” and include Rick Holmes as well. I knew I’d read a good review of the concert that included that opening…
On This Day: CTI Chart Takeover
In 1973, Creed Taylor, Inc. dominated the Jazz charts with multiple albums, including Deodato’s “Prelude” and Grover Washington Jr.’s “Soul Box.” Jazz sales surged, influenced by CTI’s success. Prominent events included Ron Carter’s West Coast concerts and the release of notable albums like Esther Phillips’ “Black-Eyed Blues.” John Rosica assumed full marketing responsibilities at CTI.
Grover Washington, Jr – Kudu Live!
In April 1973, Grover Washington Jr. was preparing for the big stage at the 20th Newport Jazz Festival with performances at Boston’s Jazz Workshop. This live broadcast set includes early collaboration with bassist Charles Fambrough. Washington, a soul-jazz pioneer, filled in for Hank Crawford on “Inner City Blues” and had just recorded “Soul Box” featuring top jazz musicians. The album’s release coincided with the Newport Festival. Following the festival, he continued to perform, including a notable CTI All-Stars concert in Boston.
Bob James Live!
I missed attending the Biamp Portland Jazz Festival but was updated by Kim Paris with a review, photos, and a clip of Bob James’s performance. Kim also shared a 1985 live recording of a Bob James concert at Montreux, available for streaming and download.
“Follow Bob James All Around The Town”
Bob James was born on December 25th, 1939. On December 22nd, 1979, at the peak of his career, James had the last of a series of concerts in New York City to celebrate New York City and to show off the different styles he could work in. Three different venues, three different configurations, quartet, trio and big band. This post […]
They All Came Out To Montreux
If there was ever a party that you knew about, and wished you could have attended, this would be it for me. I wish I could have been at the Montreux Jazz festival in 1969, or possibly 1972. My awareness of the power of music started with the 1969, the Les McCann & Eddie Harris album, “Swiss Movement” [1]Ahmad Jamal […]
Jazz Revolutions In Denver
As I write, I’m on the Flatirons Flyer bus from Boulder to Denver. I’m heading to the last Friday Lunch Bunch: Purnell Steen and the Five Points Ambassadors at the Dazzle Bar’s Building location. The Baur’s location was always a temporary home, albeit one that lasted 6-years for Dazzle. Now they are ready to move into their new location at […]