JazzWax

Dan Adler: Friends on the Moon

As most readers know, I rarely feature new jazz albums at JazzWax. I simply don't have the time. My heart is in the music of the 1940s, '50s and '60s, and JazzWax is really an educational blog providing those in the know and those new to jazz with a roadmap and recommendations. Every so often, however, a track pops up that lures me into a knockout new-album experience. Dan Adler's new Friends on the Moon is one of those standouts. [Photo above of Dan Adler courtesy of Dan Adler]

Dan's approach on the guitar has a legacy feel. There's a touch of Wes Montgomery here and there, and a Jimmy Raney flavor in his sound. In addition, Dan can swing and compose. On his new album, Dan is backed by pianist Donald Vega, bassist Arnon Palty and drummer Byron Landham. All of the songs are originals and wonderful. Dan wrote Friends on the Moon, Deep Blue Waltz, I Just Did, Forget Me Not and It's Fine. Palty wrote House Is What, Let's Stay Warm, Shiny Dolphins, Cat and a Boat and Sweet Yardley.

For years, the guitar was a pastime for Dan. Born in Tel-Aviv, Israel, he spent his college years studying computer science and electrical engineering. After college, he worked in the technology sector and developed software. Through the years, he played guitar on the side. Since fourth grade, in fact. For Dan's complete bio, go here.

Dan also recently started a video series on active jazz listening for the layperson (go here).

In recent weeks, I've found myself listening to Friends on the Moon as I write. The album is highly seasoned and sophisticated, allowing Dan's electric guitar to show off its ringing colors and beauty.

JazzWax tracks: You'll find Dan Adler's Friends on the Moon (Emdan) here.

The album also is available at Spotify.

JazzWax clips: Here's the title track...

And here's Shiny Dolphins...

John Thms. Williams (1929-2018)

John Thomas Williams, a spirited jazz pianist strongly influenced by Bud Powell and Horace Silver who recorded with the Stan Getz Quintet in the early 1950s before recording his two sole leadership albums for EmArcy in 1954 and '55, died on December 15. He was 89.

Born in Windsor, Vt., Williams began as a church organist. In the mid-1940s, he joined the regional band of jazz violinist Mal Hallett, which brought him to New York. By the late 1940s, Williams was playing in saxophonist Johnny Bothwell's band. In 1951 and '52, he played baritone horn in an Army band during the Korean War. Discharged in 1953, Williams attended the Manhattan School of Music for a semester before touring and recording with Getz on his early Clef and Norgran recordings with trombonist Bob Brookmeyer. [Photo above, from left, of Bob Brookmeyer, Stan Getz, Frank Isola, John Williams and Teddy Kotick in 1953]

Williams also played piano on key recordings led by Med Flory, Nick Travis, Bill De Arango, Charlie Mariano and Cannonball Adderley, among others. But Williams was probably best known for his trio recordings as a leader on EmArcy. Today, these can be found on a single release here. Starting in the 1960s, Williams became a banker and eventually was named a city commissioner in Hollywood, Fla., before recording two final albums in the 1990s.

In tribute to John Thomas Williams, here are 10 terrific recordings that feature his piano:

Here's Williams with Stan Getz in 1953 playing Have You Met Miss Jones... 

Here's Williams with guitarist Sal Salvador in 1953 playing Gone With the Wind...

Here's Williams in Med Flory's big band in 1954 playing Med's arrangement of Straight Ahead...

Here's Williams with trumpeter Nick Travis in 1954 playing Nick's Knacks with Al Cohn on tenor saxophone...

Nick's Knacks

Here's Williams with Cannonball Adderley in 1955 playing Willows...

Here's the John Williams Trio, with Bill Anthony (b) and Frank Isola (d), in 1954 playing For Heaven's Sake...

Here's Williams in another trio setting with Bill Anthony (b) and Jack Edie (d) playing Like Someone in Love...

Here's Williams with Chuck Andrus (b) and Frank Isola (d) playing Manteca...

Here's Williams with Bill Anthony (b) and Frank Isola (d) playing Be Careful It's My Heart...

And here's Williams with the Stan Getz Quinetet in 1953 playing Pot Luck...

9 Nancy Wilson Video Clips

The late Nancy Wilson worked tirelessly during her long singing and acting career. Days off were rare. Weekends meant work, and holidays meant work. If she wasn't touring to support one of her Capitol albums she was appearing at one of the country's top supper clubs. Or she was in Las Vegas or on television variety shows. Or she was acting in dramas. Many people are unaware that Nancy was an exceptional actress.

When Nancy announced her retirement from touring in 2011, I spoke with her by phone. She said, "Honey, I just want to go home and watch TV." Speaking of TV, here are nine clips of Nancy in action throughout the 1960s, my favorite period in her long career:

Here's Nancy Wilson on Jazz Scene USA in 1962 hosted by Oscar Brown Jr. She's backed by pianist Lou Levy, bassist Al McKibbon, and drummer and then husband Kenny Dennis...

Here's Nancy on the Hollywood Palace in 1964 backed only by a guitar and eventually strings...

Here she is again on the same show...

Here she is in 1964 on French TV...

Here's she is in 1964 on another Hollywood Palace episode in an unfortunate dress that could have embarrassed or killed her if she tripped (the sync is a little off but still worth seeing her perform)...

Here's Nancy singing in 1965 on the TV detective series Burke's Law, with Ronnell Bright on piano...

Here's Nancy singing in 1966 on TV's I Spy...

Here's Nancy with Andy Williams in 1966, just as the price of color TV sets was starting to drop...

And here's Nancy in 1968 on the Ed Sullivan Show, mid-pregnancy...