For the Arts in Review page of The Wall Street Journal this past week, I interviewed Francis Lai, composer of the soundtrack for the French New Wave film A Man and a Woman, which came out in the summer of 1966 (go here). The soundtrack album was released in October and became a sensation among young parents too old for the British Invasion and young enough to remember life before matrimony. As many of you who were kids back then probably recall, most parents had this album hidden away in the middle of their album collections. The cover was steamy, and the album was their introspective, sensual Rubber Soul of sorts. The movie is relentlessly romantic and remains in my top five of all time. For years, I wondered what instrument was playing on the famed theme. Francis told me he used a prototype of an electric accordion that Hohner sent along after he suggested the instrument to the company. You'll find the soundtrack here. Or listen for free at Spotify (type in "Francis Lai" and then choose the album Un Homme et Une Femme). For some reason, the DVD is harder to come by (I paid $70 for mine).
Also in the WSJ, my interview with documentary filmmaker Ken Burns (above, courtesy of Ken Burns) on growing up with hardship and tragedy (go here). Ken's most recent film, Defying the Nazis: The Sharps’ War, will air on PBS on Sept. 20.
And finally in the WSJ, my interview with author and theoretical physicist Sean Carroll on Von Freeman's solo recording of Billy Strayhorn's My Little Brown Book and how it helped him sort through a critical career decision (go here). Sean's book, The Big Picture: On the Origins of Life, Meaning, and the Universe Itself (Dutton), can be found here.
Tiny and Al. This week, I found an amazing photo on the Facebook page of legendary bassist Bill Crow of Tiny Kahn, left, and trumpeter Al Porcino. To read my multipart interview with Al Porcino, go here.
Ken Rhodes, RIP. Last week, I received the following email from reader Roberts Bass:
"I have been enjoying your JazzWax blogs for the past few years, since David Cathers introduced me to your site. I've enjoyed jazz since the late '80s but in a very casual way. Your blogs have really deepened my appreciation and understanding of the broad connectivity of jazz. Thank you for your insights and love of jazz.
"I am writing because I was at an open-mic jazz show last night in honor of the late Ken Rhodes, a longstanding leader of the jazz scene in North Carolina. His influence was on full display at Tate's Bar in Winston-Salem, where a couple of dozen jazz musicians sat in for hours with the regular trio. All of the musicians either studied under Ken, studied under Ken's students, performed with him over the decades, or just respected and loved him.
"Here is a link to the Winston-Salem Journal’s obit of Ken's life and influence. I expect that there are hundreds of jazz musicians like Ken around the country, but he was a great example of the way that jazz can permeate a community, make it closer, and make it more alive.
"Thanks for listening, and thanks for making jazz come alive."
More Brazil. The great trumpeter and arranger Marty Sheller sent along the following email (photo above of Marty Sheller by Marc Myers):
"I've been enjoying your YouTube series on Brazil's extraordinary female singers. Here's another version of Voce Abuso, recorded by Willie Colon and Celia Cruz. Celia always knocked me out."
You'll have to click on the link above to access. The person who posted the clip at YouTube has made it impossible to embed here.
Marion Evans tribute. If you're in New York on Tuesday, Sept. 27 at 4 p.m., head over to the Club Room of the American Federation Musicians' Local 802 at 322 West 48th Street (212-245-4802). The union's 48th Street Big Band will pay tribute to Marion Evans, one of the great arrangers of all time who is expected to be in attendence. The concert is open to the public and benefits the Local 802 Musicians’ Emergency Relief Fund, which supports musicians going through difficult times. All donations are tax deductible. Checks and credit cards will be accepted at the door—or donate anytime here. I expect to be there. For more on Marion Evans, read my conversation with him here.
Session Men: The Wrecking Crew. Drummer Hal Blaine sent along the following clip:
What the heck. It's Madison Time—again! Reader Tom Dupin reminded me that Maynard Ferguson recorded a version of It's Madison Time, called Doin' the Madison (1960), arranged by Willie Maiden. As Tom notes, "It was released as a 45, parts 1 and 2 on flip sides. And maynard called the dance moves." Here's Ferguson's Doin' the Madison...
I'm going to throw in a bunch more. Here's Al Brown's TuneToppers in 1960...
Here's German saxophonist and bandleader Max Greger in 1962...
Here's Wild Bill Davis in 1960...
Here's British radio personality Alan Freeman in 1962...
And here's a German TV show featuring dancers demonstrating the Madison...
Oddball album cover of the week.
The only thing more spooky daunting than the cover of this gospel album is the back cover...
Here's how it sounds...
