JazzWax

Irene, Alba and Rey

In The Wall Street Journal this week, I interviewed the two Italian actresses who play Elana and Lila as adults in the fourth and final season of My Brilliant Friend (go here). I interviewed Irene Maiorino (Lila) and Alba Rohrwacher (Elena) in Italy via Zoom. The new season is sublime. All seasons are on HBO. [Photo above of Irene Maiorino]

Here's the trailer...

Film and TV Recommendations

Top 11 favorite TV series, ranked...

1. Babylon Berlin
2. My Brilliant Friend
3. Killing Eve
4. The Crown
5. The Americans
6. Band of Brothers
7. Downton Abbey
8. The Gentlemen
9. Turn: Washington's Spies
10. Unbelievable
11. Justified
12. The Blacklist
13. Voiceless (Bella da morire (2020/MHz)

Viewing now...

Behind Her Eyes (2021)—British noir psychological thriller TV series stars Simona Brown, the terrifying Eve Hewson and Tom Bateman. A single mother starts an affair with her boss as his wife befriends her. Both the husband and wife are hiding a dark secret. Beautifully cast, shot and acted. (Netflix)

Here's the trailer...

Nobody Wants This (2024)—A lovely rom-com miniseries starring Kristen Bell, Adam Brody and Justine Lupe. First, Kristen is marvelous in everything. You fall in love with her instantly. She a pure, natural actress (see her Veronica Mars series). Justine is terrific as her sister. A story of an interfaith relationship as they navigate the interference, family meddling and bumps along the way. (Netflix)

Starts September 26. Here's the trailer...

Emily in Paris Part 2 (2024)—Season 4 was divided into two parts. Part 1 takes place in Paris, but Part 2, which is now up, shifts to Rome. Pure fun and as good as a box of movie-theater Raisinets. (Netflix).

Here's the Part 2 trailer...

Previous recommendations...

TV series

• The Affair—(2014-2019/Hulu)
• Alaska Daily—(2022/Prime)
• The Americans—(2013-2018)/Prime)
• Anatomy of a Scandal—(2022/Netflix)
• Apples Never Fall—2024/Peacock)
• Babylon Berlin (2017-2024/MHz via Prime Video)
• Band of Brothers—(2001/Netflix) 
• The Bay (2019-current/BritBox)
• The Blacklist (2013-2023/Netflix)
• Belgravia—(2020/Prime Video)
• Blue Lights—(2023/BritBox)
• Bosch—(2014-2021/Prime)
• Bosch: Legacy—(2022-current/Prime)
• The Crown—(2016-2023/Netflix)
• Cherif—(2013-2019/Prime)
• Dark Winds—(2022/AMC)
• The Diplomat—(2023/Netflix)
• Downton Abbey—(2020-2015/Prime)
• Feud (S1): Bette and Joan—(2017/Hulu)
• Feud: Capote Vs. The Swans—(2024/FX, with streaming on Hulu)
• Fisk—(2021/Netflix)
• The Gentlemen—(2024/Netflix)
• Godless—(2017/Netflix)
• Goliath—(2016-2021/Prime)
• The Gilded Age—(current/Max)
• High Water—(2022/Netflix)
• Homeland—(2011-2020/Showtime)
• Jane Eyre—(2006/Britbox)
• Justified—(2010-2015/Hulu)
• Killing Eve—(2018-2022/Netflix)
• Life & Beth—(Seasons 1& 2, 2022-present/Hulu)
• Lincoln Lawyer—(2022-present/Netflix)
• Loudermilk—(2017-2020/Netflix)
• MI-5, the Series—(2002-2011/BritBox)
• Monsieur Spade—(2024/AMC)
• Murdaugh Murders: The Movie, Parts 1 and 2—(2023/Lifetime)
• My Brilliant Friend—(2018-current)
• 1923—(2022-present/Paramount+)
• 1883—(2021-2022/Prime)
• Outlander—(2014-present/Netflix)
• Pieces of Her—(2022/Netflix)
• Poldark—(2015-2019/Prime)
• Reacher—(2016-present/Netflix)
• Ripley—(2024/Netflix)
• Scott & Bailey (2011-2016/Prime)
• Turn: Washington's Spies—(2014-2017/Prime)
• Unbelievable—(2019/Netflix)
• Under the Banner of Heave—(2022/Hulu)
• Veronica Mars—(2004 to 2019/Hulu)
• Voiceless (Bella da morire—(2020/MHz)
• The Watcher—(2022/Netflix)
• The Way Home—(2023-current/Peacock)
• Who Is Erin Carter—(2023/Netflix)
• The Woman in the Wall—(2024/Showtime)
• The Veil—(2024/Hulu-FX)
• Wilder—(2017-current)
• WPC 56—(2013-2015/Britbox)
• Yellowstone—(2018-present/Paramount Network)

Films

• The Accountant—(2016/Hulu)
• American Gangster—(2007/Max)
• Armageddon Time—(2022/Prime)
• The Ballad of Buster Scruggs—(2018/Netflix)
• The Ballad of Lefty Brown—(2017/Netflix)
• Blackout (2022/Netflix) 
• The Bricklayer—(2024/Netflix)
• The Commuter (2018/Netflix)
• The Dig—(2021/Netflix)
• Eiffel—(2021/Prime)
• Enola Holmes 1 and 2—(2022/Netflix)
• The Equalizer 1, 2 and 3—(2014-2024/Prime)
• Fury—(2014/Netflix)
• God's Country—(2022/Hulu)
• Guy Ritchie's The Covenant—(2023/Prime)
• Jack Reacher (the movie)—(2012/Paramount+) 
• Kill Chain—(2019/Max)
• Knight and Day—(2010/Roku)
• Last Night in Soho—(2021/Prime)
• Last Seen Alive—(2020/Netflix)
• The Little Things—(2021/Netflix)
• Man on Fire—(2004/Max)
• Manchester by the Sea—(2016/Prime Video)
• MI-5—(2015/Max)
• The Mule—(2018/Netflix)
• The Night Agent—(2023/Netflix)
• Nobody—(2021/Prime)
• Ordinary Angels—(2024)
• Purple Hearts—(2022/Netflix)
• The Queen's Gambit—(2020/Netflix)
• Queenpins—(2021/Pluto TV)
• Reptile—(2023/Netflix)
• Ruthless—(2023/Hulu)
• The Secret: Dare to Dream—(2020/Netflix)
• Self Reliance—(2023/Hulu)
• Seraphim Falls—(2006/Netflix)
• Somewhere in Queens—(2022/Hulu)
• The Spy—(2019/Netflix)
• Spy(les)—(2009/Prime)
• The Stranger—(2022/Netflix)
• Toscana—(2022/Netflix)
• The Two Popes—(2019/Netflix)
• Wonder Wheel—(2017/Prime)

Documentaries

• Aftershock: Everest and the Nepal Earthquake—(2022/Netflix)
• The Beach Boys—(2024/Disney)
• Carole King: Live in Central Park—(2023/PBS)
• The Comeback—(2005 and 2014/Max)
• Cunk on Earth—(2022/Netflix)
• Cyndi Lauper: Let the Canary Sing—(2023/Paramount+)
• Facing Nolan—(2022/Netflix)
• Five Came Back—(2017/Netflix)
• Jane Fonda in Five Acts—(2024/Max)
• Kate Hepburn: Call Me Kate—(2023/Netflix)
• The Volcano: Rescue from Whakaari—(2022/Netflix)
• 'Tis Autumn: The Search for Jackie Paris—(2007/go h

Bill Evans. Dave Thompson sent along a rare partial clip of pianist Bill Evans (above) that Rob Rijneke posted on his Facebook page in the Netherlands. The clip of Bill Evans (p), Ruud Jacobs (b), Wim Overgaauw (g) and Larry Bunker (d) playing on Dutch television in February 1965 was originally posted on Jacobs's YouTube page. Fascinating to hear Evans play Israel in a quartet setting with a guitarist. Go here...

Dan Morgenstern. Following my tribute post on the late Dan Morgenstern (above), Jim Eigo of Jazz Promo Services and Original Vinyl Records sent this along:

Marc, it was always a pleasure to be in the presence of Dan Morgenstern. Over the years I had the good fortune to hang with him at jazz shows and concerts like Jack Kleinsinger's Highlights In Jazz; the Annual N.J. Jazz Bash, where he was a regular for many years; and at some of the many basement jazz clubs in New York. One night we were hanging at one of these subterranean dens when he said one of my favorite Dan Morgenstern lines, referring to them as "Sewers with upholstery."

Sinatra radio. If you haven't caught Chuck Granta's Sinatra Standard Time on KSDS-FM in San Diego, be sure to check it out. The weekly two-hour radio show airs each Sunday at 2 p.m. (PT). By visiting the site, the show streams live to phones, iPads and computers. All shows are also archived, so you can listen to past programs. They even have a real-time and archived Playlist for each show. Chuck, of course, is the author of the book, Sessions with Sinatra: Frank Sinatra and the Art of Recording, To access Chuck's Sinatra radio show, go here.

Your Smith. Two weeks ago, at a restaurant, I heard a song over the din that sounded cool. Out came my phone and I hit the Shazam app, which can immediately identify virtually any song you are hearing on the radio or sound system. Shazam said it was a group called Your Smith, an indie folk band from Minneapolis fronted by Caroline Smith (above) in the late teens.

Here's The Spot and Debbie. With the bass and electric piano riff track, the very clever Caroline Smith tags Stevie Wonder's Do I Do and Shalamar's Take That to the Bank. She also could have added Alicia Bridges' I Love the Nightlife...

And here's Ooh Wee...

CDs you must dig

History of the Vibraphone—Warren Wolf (Cellar Music). Superb vibraphonist Warren Wolf dives into compositions by legends of the instrument. On his new CD, there are songs by Terry Gibbs, Lionel Hampton, Bobby Hutcherson, Cal Tjader, Roy Ayers, Joe Locke and others. In addition to the album's concept and song choices being pure genius, Warren's playing swings and is in the pocket. He's backed by Tim Green (saxophones), Alex Brown (piano, Fender Rhodes), Vincente Archer (bass) and Carroll "CV" Dashiell III (drums). Go here to buy and here to listen.

Here's Wolf and the band playing Hutcherson's Herzog...

And here's Gibbs's Bopstacle Course...

Spanish Harlem Orchestra—Swing Forever (Ovation). If you dig salsa and Latin jazz as much as I do, this new album is stupendous. This tight band has been around for 24 years, they've won three Grammys and Swing Forever marks their ninth studio album. Led by pianist Oscar Hernández, the orchestra is sizable and packs a strong punch and is fiery. All 10 tracks will keep your head and knees moving. Go here or to YouTube here.

Here's Cuando Te Vi...

The Hot Club of San Francisco—Original Gadjo. Their 15th album, Original Gadjo pays tribute to Romani jazz. The five-member group is led by guitarist Paul Mehling, who's accompanied by Evan Price (violin, melodica, guitar), Jordan Samuels (rhythm guitar), Nelsen Hutchison (rhythm guitar) and Dexter Williams (bass). The quintet grabs the feel and energy of the rhythmic string music and will knock you out. To listen to the entire album and buy, go here.

Enrico Granafei—It's Hard to Say Goodbye (CAP). Italian jazz harmonica player Enrico Granafei has a beautiful touch on the instrument. He also plays guitar and sings, and is a terrific songwriter. This album, his fourth, is precious and has a bossa feel. Joining him are different musicians on each track, but the flugelhornist who duets with him throughout is the late Claudio Roditi. Seductive and surfy, the album is a joy from start to finish. To buy, go here. To listen, go here. 

Here's Enrico's Claudinho...

And here's Toots Thielemans' Bluesette...

And finally, here's Rey Ruiz singing Estamos Solos...

Backgrounder: Fats Navarro - 'Nostalgia'

One of jazz's greatest losses due to drug addiction was the death of Fats Navarro in 1950 at age 26. The trumpeter's promise was extraordinary and only partly expressed and fulfilled. After Dizzy Gillespie, Navarro was probably a close second in the years just after World War II in terms of sound, technique, improvisation prowess and the ability to navigate bebop.

A good introduction to Navarro is a 12-inch compilation released in 1957 of his 78rpm records for the Savoy label in 1946 and '47. His playing was both piercing and fleshy, exhibiting raw power in places on solos and a fleet ability to come up with bop ideas. Here are the album's tracks, where they appear on the YouTube upload and the personnel [photo above of Fats Navarro by William P. Gottlieb]:

1. Nostalgia 0:00:02 
2. Barry's Bop 0:02:46
3. Bebop Romp 0:05:27
4. Fats Blows 0:08:05
5. Dextivity 0:10:57
6. Dextrose 0:13:59
7. Dexter's Mood 0:16:49
8. Index 0:19:43 
9. Stealing Trash 0:22:49
10. Hollerin' & Screamin' 0:25:39
11. Fracture 0:28:22
12. Calling Dr. Jazz 0:31:17 

1-4. Fats Navarro Quintette: Fats Navarro (tp), Charlie Rouse (ts), Tadd Dameron (p), Nelson Boyd (b) and Art Blakey (d). New York, December 5, 1947

5-8. Dexter Gordon And His Boys: Fats Navarro (tp), Dexter Gordon (ts), Tadd Dameron (p), Nelson Boyd (b) and Art Mardigan (d). New York, December 22, 1947

9-12. Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis & His Beboppers: Fats Navarro (tp), Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis (ts), Al Haig (p), Huey Long (g), Gene Ramey (b) and Denzil Best (d). New York, December 18, 1946

Here's the complete Nostalgia showcasing Fats Navarro on Savoy without ad interruptions...

Other ad-free Backgrounders in my series:

• Zoot Sims Plays Bossa Nova, go here.
• Lee Morgan: Lee-Way, go here.
• Bossa Nova for Swinging Lovers, go here.
• Leon Spencer: Louisiana Slim, go here.
• Bossa Nova Modern Quartet: Bossa Nova Jazz Samba, go here.
• Bill Evans & Luiz Eça: Piano Four Hands, go here.
• Ray Brown Trio: Don't Get Sassy, go here.
• Os Tatuis: Os Tatuis, go here.
• Waltel Branco: Mancini Tambem É Samba, go here.
• Jack Wilson Plays Brazilian Mancini, go here.
• Conjunto Copacabana Bossa: Bossa, go here.
• Ella Fitzgerald: Ella Swings Lightly, go here.
• Charles Earland: Charles Earland, go here.
• Kenny Burrell: Crash! w/ Jack McDuff, go here.
• Jack McDuff: The Heatin' System, go here.
• Horace Silver: Horace-Scope, go here.
• Antonio Carlos Jobim: Wave, go here.
• Sonny Stitt: Sonny Stitt Plays, go here.
• Sonny Stitt with Bennie Green: My Main Man, go here.
• Johnny Hodges and Earl Hines: Stride Right, go here.
• Lionel Hampton: Bossa Nova Jazz, go here.
• Johnny Hodges & Ben Webster: Cellar Session, go here.
• Bill Evans: Solo Sessions Vol. 1, go here.
• Frank Wess: Trombones & Flute, go here.
• Presenting the Buddy DeFranco & Tommy Gumina Quartet, go here.
• Ernest Ranglin: Wranglin', go here.
• Dave Pell Octet: Plays Rodgers & Hart, go here.
• Milt Buckner: Block Chords Parade, go here.
• Roberto Menescal: A Nova Bossa, go here.
• Count Basie: Have a Nice Day, go here.
• Freddie Green: Mr. Rhythm, go here.
• Leny Andrade: Leny Andrade, go here.
• Johnny Alf: Ele é Johnny Alf, go here.
• Dodo Marmarosa: Dodo's Back, go here.
• Freddie Redd: The Music From the Connection, go here.
• Nicola Stilo & Toninho Horta: Duets, go here.
• Urbie Green: Persuasive Trombone, go here.
• Johnny Richards: Something Else, go here.
• Wayne Shorter: JuJu, go here.
• Hampton Hawes: All Night Session!, go here.
• Shorty Rogers Plays Richard Rodgers, go here.
• Chet Baker: Pretty/Groovy, go here.
• Sonny Stitt: The Sensual Sound of Sonny Stitt, go here.
• Gil Mellé: New Faces, New Sounds, go here.
• Herbie Mann and Charlie Rouse: Just Wailin', go here.
• Bobby Hackett: Memorable & Mellow, go here.
• Tina Brooks: Back to the Tracks, go here.
• Sonny Rollins Plays for Bird, go here.
• Red Garland: A Garland of Red, go here.
• Grant Green: Gooden's Corner, go here.
• Eumir Deodato Plays Marcos Valle, go here.
• Horace Parlan; Movin' & Groovin', go here.
• Russ Garcia: Four Horns and a Lush Life, go here.
• Vic Lewis: Plays Bossa Nova at Home and Away, go here.
• Buddy Collette's Swinging Shepherds, go here.
• Dizzy Gillespie: Gillespiana, go here.
• Nelson Riddle: Communication, go here.
• Nelson Riddle: Changing Colors, go here.
• Elmo Hope: Complete Trios, 1953-1966, go here.
• Buddy Collette: Man of Many Parts, go here.
• The Herbie Mann-Sam Most Quintet, go here.
• Shorty Rogers: Cool and Crazy, go here.
• The Return of Art Pepper, go here.
• Benny Golson and the Philadelphians, go here.
• Moacir Santos: Coisas, go here.
• Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis: Lock, the Fox, go here.
• Tony Bennett: The Movie Song Album, go here.
• Thad Jones/Mel Lewis: Consummation, go here.
• James Moody: Return From Overbrook, go here.
• Barry Galbraith: Guitar and the Wind, go here.
• Count Basie: With Quincy Jones and Neal Hefti, go here.
• Johnny Richards: Walk Softly, Run Wild!, go here.
• Dave Pike: Bossa Nova Carnival, go here.
• Clare Fischer: Só Danço Samba, go here.
• Reggie Johnson: First Edition, go here.
• John Graas: French Horn Jazz, go here.
• Eddie Lockjaw Davis & Johnny Griffin: Tough Tenor Favorites, go here.
• Bill Perkins: Bossa Nova With Strings Attached, go here.
• Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery, go here.
• Pepper Adams Quintet, go here.
• Sonny Rollins Plus 4, go here.
• Coleman Hawkins: Desafinado, go here.
• Sammy Davis Jr. Sings and Laurindo Almeida Plays, go here.
• Paul Quinichette: Moods, go here.
• Jimmy Forrest: Forrest Fire!, go here.
• Brazilian Jazz Quartet: Coffee and Jazz, go here.
• Art Blakey!!! Jazz Messengers!!!, go here.
• Sidney Bechet/Martial Solal, go here.
• John Carisi: The New Jazz Sound Of "Show Boat," go here.
• The Marty Paich Quartet, Featuring Art Pepper, go here.
• João Gilberto, 1998, go here.
• Bobby Timmons: Soul Time, go here.
• Gerry Mulligan: Jeru, go here.
• Ray Bryant: Alone With the Blues, go here.
• Leon Spencer Jr.: Bad Walking Woman, go here.
• Jimmy McGriff: Step 1, go here.
• Johnny "Hammond" Smith: Breakout, go here.
• Oliver Nelson: Taking Care of Business, go here.
• Quincy Jones: Americans in Paris, go here.
• Sonny Stitt: Tune-Up!, go here.
• Herbie Mann: Yardbird Suite, go here.
• Quincy Jones: Twilight Time, go here.
• Lou Levy Quartet: Jazz in Four Colors, go here.
• Johnny Alf: Rapaz de Bem, go here.
• Hank Mobley: Poppin', go here.
• Barney Kessel: Kessel's Kit, go here.
• Larry Young: Into Somethin', go here.
• Henry Mancini: The Jazz Sound From Peter Gunn, go here.
• Sonny Stitt: Night Crawler, go here.
• Maynard Ferguson: Around the Horn, go here.
• Frank Rosolino: Franky Speaking!, go here.
• Ben Webster: King of the Tenors, go here.
• Kenny Dorham: Una Mas, go here.
• Gigi Gryce: Nica's Tempo, go here.
• Charlie Parker With Strings: The Master Takes, go here.
• The Great Jazz Piano of Phineas Newborn Jr., go here.
• The Complete Chet Baker Sings, go here.
• Shorty Rogers Courts the Count, go here.
• Miles Ahead: Miles Davis +19, go here.
• Kenny Burrell, Jazzmen - Detroit, go here.
• Bill Watrous, In Love Again, go here.
• Gene Ammons, Boss Tenor, go here.
• Roy Eldridge: The Strolling Mr. Eldridge, go here.
• Clifford Brown and Max Roach with Sonny Rollins, go here.

Jim Hall and Louis Stewart: 'The Dublin Concert'

Stylistically, guitarists Jim Hall and Ireland's Louis Stewart had much in common. Both embraced edge in their playing, both were unconventional in their attacks, both could swing and both were vastly respected as jazz virtuosos by their peers and countrymen.

On December 26, 1982, Jim and Louis came together for a concert at Dublin's Maccabi Hall. The concert was recorded but only just now released for the first time as Louis Stewart & Jim Hall: The Dublin Concert (Livia).

The concert tapes were discovered in 2022 and have been lovingly digitized and mastered, and the album is now the only known recording of Jim and Louis performing together. The material and sound are terrific.

Jim and Louis first met in 1981 during Louis's residency at Bechet's in New York, a restaurant and jazz club on Third Avenue near 75th Street. Louis was a big admirer of Jim, particularly the duet albums Jim had recorded with Bill Evans. Louis also recorded in duet settings. [Photo above of Jim Hall]

That December, as Jim vacationed in Ireland, a concert was hastily set up in Dublin. "Look at what Santa brought us for Christmas" is how Louis introduces Jim. There was just one mic set up for each guitarist.

The music consisted mostly of standards, but the normally worn songbook songs are deconstructed and given new life. As one guitarist solos or takes the lead, the other plays rhythm. For those unfamiliar with the styles of these guitarists, I'll keep it simple for you: Louis is more pronounced and Jim is more delicate. [Photo above of Louis Stewart]

Interestingly, there are no flashy attacks to show off virtuosity. What you hear are two extraordinary guitarists engaging in musical conversations and clearly having loads of fun.

The tracks:

1. Stella By Starlight (Victor Young)
2. 2 Degrees East, 3 Degrees West (John Lewis)
3. But Beautiful (Jimmy Van Heusen)
4. St. Thomas (Sonny Rollins)
5. All the Things You Are (Jerome Kern)
6. My Funny Valentine (Rodgers and Hart)
7. How Deep Is the Ocean (Irving Berlin) ....
8. In a Sentimental Mood (Duke Ellington)

Among my many favorites here are But Beautiful, an even more astonishing ballad in their hands; St. Thomas, with a unique approach and easily one of the finest covers of this Sonny Rollins composition; and My Funny Valentine, which they gloriously re-invent and decorate. 

Jim Hall and Louis Stewart were JazzWax readers, and I miss them both. Jim Hall died in 2013 at age 83; Louis Stewart died in 2016 at age 72.

JazzWax tracks: You'll find Louis Stewart & Jim Hall: The Dublin Concert (Livia) here and on most major streaming platforms. To learn more about Livia Records, the Irish jazz label, go here.

Jazzwax clips: Here's But Beautiful...

But Beautiful

And here's St. Thomas...

St. Thomas