Wax quote: "One thing...remains constant. That's the tension of it, that electricity, that kind of feeling. It's a lift sort of feeling. No matter where it happens, you get that feeling and you know. It's a happy feeling." —John Coltrane, on the similarity underlying all great jazz performances, from Ralph J. Gleason's Celebrating the Duke (1975).
Teddy Charles CD update: If you want the complete Teddy Charles New Directions recordings that I wrote about in my "Teddy Charles, Part 2" post, they're available used on one CD from sellers starting at about $25—or for only $9.99 as an Amazon download. They're absolute killers. They take a couple of listens and then you're so hooked. I've been listening to them all week. To check out both versions, click here.
"Detour" redux: I received quite a few e-mails this week from Sarah Vaughan fans in response to my post on Sassy's recording of Detour Ahead from After Hours at the London House and the Over the Rainbow videoclip. As a followup, click here to see a tasty clip of guitarist Herb Ellis playing Detour Ahead, which he co-wrote.
Mission defined: New visitors to JazzWax.com often wonder what's covered at the blog and how I decide what to write about. This blog is devoted to an appreciation of exceptional jazz musicians and their records, and a desire to get their stories out.
That's pretty much it. The jazz recordings and artists I choose to write about are based purely on my taste in music, my curiosity and my passion for interviewing the artists who played a role in making this music great. It's a labor of love that draws on my skills as a journalist and historian.
The results are then posted for one and all to read. There are no bothersome ads here, and I receive no compensation; it's simply a quiet place for artists and thinkers to gather virtually. If this blog adds to your knowledge or reminds you about recordings you own but haven't listened to in some time, the blog has done its work.
Global reach: Just a fast shout-out to the many JazzWax fans from Brazil, Belgium, Japan and the Middle East (yes, there are readers working there who check in daily). It's great to know that this "club" of careful listeners isn't limited to New York City or the U.S. but is a worldwide community linked by a love for jazz and the musicians who play it.
Monday: Part 3 of my interview with jazz vibraphonist and legend Teddy Charles.
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