You'd have to be out of your mind to cover Lady in Satin (1958), one of Billie Holiday's final LPs and widely considered a masterpiece today. Unless, of course, you can pull it off, and vocalist Kandace Springs does just that on her new SRP release. She has the voice, the phrasing and the feel—without making the fatal mistake of mirroring Holiday's ache and phrasing.
The Nashville-born jazz/soul pianist and singer is no rookie. She has released four previous studio albums and performed on Late Night with David Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel Live! and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Her voice is seasoned and her taste and artistic judgment are top-notch.
The original Lady in Satin (Columbia) was arranged by Ray Ellis and recorded in February 1958. Columbia wanted her to sing songs she hadn't recorded before, which proved to be challenging for Holiday in her fading months. Holiday's choice of Ellis to arrange the LP was to ensure she had a pretty, relaxed backdrop. Ellis assembled a 40-piece orchestra, complete with horns, strings, reeds and even a three-piece choir.
But recording live with a symphonic accompaniment is a high-pressure enterprise, even in your prime. The singer has to be perfect and in control, since recording take after take in that environment often leads to diminishing returns. Add age, illness due to addiction and poor overall health, and it's quite a mountain that Holiday had to climb.
The song that best reflects the struggles Holiday endured in the studio is The End of a Love Affair. Despite her best efforts, Holiday didn't quite know how to navigate the melody and lyrics. As she admits on tape on the album's reissue, she was unfamiliar with the song and couldn't feel it. Ultimately, Ellis had the orchestra record the instrumental track, followed by Holiday recording her vocal to the music either coming through headphones or over monitor speakers in an empty studio.
The original Lady in Satin remains a towering work for its rough edges and the juxtaposition of Holiday's unsteady voice, Ellis's mink-stole arrangements, and the gorgeous instrumental soloists used on the session.
So how did Kandace pull off updating the venerated classic? By recording in Portugal, for starters. The orchestra there was conducted by Diogo Costa, and a range of Portuguese arrangers handled the 12 selections. An astonishing undertaking, and the orchestral results are simpatico with Ellis's original intent. [Photo above of Kandace Springs by Eli Sethna]
In a few cases, the arrangers hewed close to the originals. In others, they came up with a different but empathetic approach. Also interesting was the decision to organize the lineup of songs differently than the original album. I suspect this was to drive home the point that this shouldn't be considered a carbon copy but a respectful interpretation.
Kandace's decision to take on Holiday could have gone terribly wrong five different ways, especially for jazz fans who know the album inside and out. Instead, her tribute wound up perfect on every level. Rather than perform as Holiday, Kandace delivers sterling interpretations on her terms.
Kandace's new album is a glorious valentine to Holiday, Ellis and the original LP without ever compelling the listener to compare them. The two recordings are the same and yet very different. And that's where the art rests—in taste and talent. If you love Holiday's original, this one is a must own. [Photo above of Billie Holiday and arranger Ray Ellis in 1958 courtesy of Columbia/Legacy]
JazzWax note: To read my 2009 post on Billie Holiday's Lady in Satin, including my interview with two members of the original string section, go here.
JazzWax tracks: You'll find Kandace Springs' Lady in Satin (SRP) here.
Art Pepper spent much of his life in search of the love and admiration that eluded him in childhood. Throughout his career, he carried around the trauma inflicted on him by his parents. For Pepper, he entered the world in 1925 as a mistake, and his very presence quickly intruded on his mother’s alcohol-fueled good times. She had tried repeatedly to miscarry, and her serial attempts to terminate the pregnancy left Pepper with rickets and jaundice at birth.
Doctors didn’t expect him to live during his first two years. Once his health improved, his mother’s love came only when she was drunk, presumably out of guilt. As for his father, he was a violent man who, like his wife, lacked parental warmth. As Pepper said in his 1979 memoir, Straight Life, co-authored by Laurie Pepper, his third wife, no one wanted him.
By 1980, Pepper was 55 and in poor health as his body deteriorated from a lifetime of abuse. There was an inoperable ventral hernia, which forced him to wear a corset when he played; arthritis that was stiffening his hands; and teeth that needed serious work. Through it all, Laurie had kept the tour business running, despite the miseries of the road, which included multiple flight changes, unhealthy meals and candy bars and cocaine use.
In the spring of 1980, Laurie managed to lock in a two-week run starting June 16 at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London. Except for the time Pepper spent in Paris and London while in the Army, between 1944 and 1946, the booking would be Pepper’s first European tour.
While the Peppers were in London, a promoter working for Norway’s Kongsberg Jazz Festival called with hopes of booking the Art Pepper Quartet on Sunday, June 29. While Sunday was a day off for Pepper, the concert didn’t seem possible at first. Pepper’s Saturday night set at Ronnie Scott’s wouldn’t end until the early hours of Sunday morning.
So they’d have to leave early the next the morning to make the 1,000-mile flight to Oslo and then drive the hour west to Kongsberg. Laurie accepted the booking anyway, and Pepper performed at 1:30 p.m. to close the Norwegian festival. The seating capacity at the Kongsberg Cinema was about 600 and was sold out.
The above paragraphs are from my liner notes for Art Pepper - An Afternoon in Norway: The Kongsberg Concert (Elemental). The quartet includes Art Pepper (as), Milcho Leviev (p), Tony Dumas (b) and Carl Burnett (d).
The tracks:
Y.I. Blues (aka Untitled)
The Trip
Make a List, Make a Wish
Patricia
Caravan
Blues for Blanche
Straight Life
As Laurie Pepper noted during our insightful interview for my notes:
"At the festival, he was not drinking. He was cold sober. So, there may be an edge to that music just from being sober. In other words, maybe it wasn't as passionate or as far out, but at the same time, maybe it was more thoughtful and intense in that way."
JazzWax tracks: You'll find Art Pepper - An Afternoon in Norway: The Kongsberg Concert (Elemental) on vinyl CD here.
JazzWax clips: Here's one of Pepper's most powerful renditions of his ballad Patricia...
In The Wall Street Journal this week, I interview actress Lorraine Bracco for my House Call column in the Mansion section (go here). Lorraine, of course, played Tony Soprano's psychiatrist, Dr. Jennifer Melfi, on The Sopranos. She also was terrific in Goodfellas. She's now in Nonnas, a Netflix film about a guy (Vince Vaughn) who buys a restaurant and has Italian grandmothers come in and cook their favorite recipes. [Photo above of Lorraine Bracco from “My Big Italian Adventure,” courtesy of HGTV]
And here's Lorraine in the famous Copa scene from Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas. It's a through shot without a camera break. Watch carefully. Lorraine told me they had to shoot the three-minute sequence several times due to accidental mishaps along the way and Henny Youngman forgetting his lines...
What I'm watching
Watched this past week...
Words of War (theater film)
Sum of All Fears (Netflix/2002)
Worthwhile stuff that started or will start soon...
Bosch Legacy S3 (Prime)
1923 (Paramount+)
Mobland (Paramount+)
Dark Winds S3 (AMC)
Long Bright River (Peacock)
Good American Family (Hulu)
Alto Knights (film)
The Four Seasons (Netflix)
Words of War (theaters)
The Better Sister (May 22/Prime)
Deep Cover (June 12/film)
My favorite streaming series, ranked...
Babylon Berlin
Adolescence
My Brilliant Friend
The Promised Life
Killing Eve
The Crown
Mad Men
The Americans
Younger
Fleabag
Band of Brothers
The Sopranos
Enlightened
Friday Night Lights
Justified
Good American Family
Feud: Bette and Joan
The Old Man
Downton Abbey
The Blacklist
Goliath
Julia
The Gentlemen
Turn: Washington's Spies
Unbelievable
Landman
Voiceless (Bella da morire)(2020/MHz)
Black Doves
Web Therapy
Past recommended series, films and documentaries...
TV series
TheAffair—(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)
Black Doves (2024/Netflix)
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)
The Dropout (2022/Hulu)
Elizabeth 1 (2005/Max)
Emily in Paris—(2020-present/Netflix)
Enlightened—(2011-2013/Max)
Feud (S1): Bette and Joan—(2017/Hulu)
Feud: Capote Vs. The Swans—(2024/FX, with streaming on Hulu)
Fisk—(2021/Netflix)
Friday Night Lights (2006-2011/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)
Il Commissario Manara (Inspector Manara) (2009-2011/MHz)
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)
Lioness—(2023-current/Paramount+)
Loudermilk—(2017-2020/Netflix)
MI-5, the Series—(2002-2011/BritBox)
Mobland—(2025/Paramount+)
Monsieur Spade—(2024/AMC)
Murdaugh Murders: The Movie, Parts 1 and 2—(2023/Lifetime)
My Brilliant Friend—(2018-current/Max)
The Night Agent—(2023-present/Netflix)
1923—(2022-present/Paramount+)
1883—(2021-2022/Prime)
The Old Man—(2022/Hulu)
On Call—2025/Amazon Prime)
Outlander—(2014-present/Netflix)
Protection—(2024/S1/BritBox)
The Perfect Couple—(2024/Netflix)
Poldark—(2015-2019/Prime)
The Promised Life—(2018/MHz via Prime Video)
Reacher—(2016-present/Netflix)
Ripley—(2024/Netflix)
Scott & Bailey (2011-2016/Prime)
The Spy—(2019/Netflix)
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)
Web Therapy—(2011-2015/Fandango)
Wilder—(2017-current)
WPC 56—(2013-2015/Britbox)
Yellowstone—(2018-present/Paramount Network)
Younger—(2015-2021K/Netflix)
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)
TheBricklayer—(2024/Netflix)
The Commuter (2018/Netflix)
The Dig—(2021/Netflix)
Eiffel—(2021/Prime)
Enola Holmes 1 and 2—(2022/Netflix)
Enrico Piaggio - Un Sogno Italiano (An Italian Dream) (2019/MHz)
The Equalizer 1, 2 and 3—(2014-2024/Prime)
The Great Lillian Hall—(2024/Max)
The Family Man—(2000/Netflix)
Fury—(2014/Netflix)
God's Country—(2022/Hulu)
Guy Ritchie's The Covenant—(2023/Prime)
I Used to Be Funny (2023/Netflix)
Jack Reacher (the movie)—(2012/Paramount+)
Just My Luck (2006/Paramount+)
Kill Chain—(2019/Max)
Killers of the Flower Moon—(2023/Apple+)
La Palma (2024/Netflix)
Life or Something Like It—(2002/Netflix)
Knight and Day—(2010/Roku)
Last Night in Soho—(2021/Prime)
Last Seen Alive—(2020/Netflix)
The Little Things—(2021/Netflix)
Lonely Planet—(2024)/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)
99 Homes—(2014/Roku)
Nobody—(2021/Prime)
Nobody Wants This—(2024/Netflix)
Ordinary Angels—(2024/assorted platforms)
The Pledge—(2011/Peacock)
Purple Hearts—(2022/Netflix)
The Queen—(2006/Paramount+)
The Queen's Gambit—(2020/Netflix)
Queenpins—(2021/Pluto TV)
Reptile—(2023/Netflix)
Ruthless—(2023/Hulu)
The Secret: Dare to Dream—(2020/Netflix).
Sicario (2015/Netflix)
Self Reliance—(2023/Hulu)
Seraphim Falls—(2006/Netflix)
Some Girl(s)—(2013/Amazon Prime)
Somewhere in Queens—(2022/Hulu)
Spy(ies)—(2009/Prime)
The Stranger—(2022/Netflix)
Toscana—(2022/Netflix)
The Two Popes—(2019/Netflix)
Up in the Air—(2009/Max)
Woman in Gold—(2015/Max)
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 Only Girl in the Orchestra—(2023/Netflix)
Suzi Q: Suzi Quatro—(2019/Prime)
The Volcano: Rescue from Whakaari—(2022/Netflix)
'Tis Autumn: The Search for Jackie Paris—(2007/go here)
Greetings from Mexico. Last week, I heard from Raúl Romero in Guadalajara, in western Mexico [photo above of Jim Hall, courtesy of the Jim Hall Estate]:
"Hi Marc. Maybe this is par for the course for a literal jazz scholar like yourself, but I came across some recordings that I think are interesting. A person on Bandcamp has made available live recordings of American jazz artists playing in Italy in the 1980s. The names almost made my eyes pop: Lee Konitz, Jim Hall, Elvin Jones, Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett and more. The person also included scans of the tape sleeves, and some of them are signed, which adds some interest and fun. As always, thanks for all you do for us jazz fans. Go here.
Terry Gibbs and Alice Coltrane. Don Frese informed me that the two albums Terry and Alice McLeod (Alice Colltrane) recorded can be found on a Fresh Sound release here.
Curly Chalker. As most readers know, I'm into a wide range of music, including country. I've always been a fan of the pedal steel guitar. In the right hands, the instrument is like an accordion—full of wow and joy, especially when it swings. [Photo above of Curly Chalker]
Last week, Ken Deifik sent along an email praising studio player Curly Chalker, who was indeed exceptional not only on country recording but also on pop, rock and jazz-pop recording sessions:
"One night, early in my Nashville years, a friend who knew of my love of jazz took me to the Carousel Club to see Curly Chalker play steel. From the first time I heard him, I felt that he was likely the finest musician in Nashville. He always invited me to sit in and didn't call tunes that a harmonica player couldn't cut. His sets mainly included jazz tunes.He's not as famous as some other steel players, but with the possible exception of Buddy Emmons, who is considered one of the greatest steelers of all of them. Here's a documentary on Curly I just found on YouTube"...
I'll add my two cents. Curly came out of the Western Swing tradition, so his use of jazz chords and licks makes perfect sense. His recordings with country star Hank Thompson were plentiful. And when he turned his fingers to pop, watch out.
Here's Curly playing You Are the Sunshine of My Life at a gig...
And here's Curly with the Wilburn Brothers on Heart Over Mind, with an ending appearance by a young Barbara Mandrell...
New music of note.
Howard Riley—BBC Sessions, 1968-1970 (Rhythm and Blues). Pianist and composer Howard Riley, who pioneered British free jazz and avant-garde jazz, died on February 8. He was 81. This album features his performances at the BBC in front of a live studio audience and airing just after the BBC had begun broadcasting rock. Riley's trio at the time featured Riley (p), Barry Guy (b) and Jon Hiseman (d), who was replaced by Alan Jackson in 1969. Riley's approach had a feel reminiscent of America's Herbie Nichols. What I've always found brilliant about Riley is the delicate quality of his abstraction. Buy here.
Alessandroni e Il Suo Complesso: L'Ora del Cocktail (Far Out). Library or stock music is a fascinating genre of instrumental jazzy pop. The music was recorded by work-for-hire musicians hired by music-library companies that in turn licensed out the music to movies and TV shows in need of themes and incidental soundtracks. One of the Italian greats was Alessandro Alessandroni. His L'Ora del Cocktail album was originally released in 1974. It's a combination of electronic lounge and Italian pop. Far Out Recordings in Brazil has just reissued the album outside of the U.S. and it's terrific, if you also dig Euro library pop. Listen to the full album ad-free here...
Peter Smith—Smitty Straightens Out (Real Magic). Peter Smith probably wishes he could travel back in time to 1960, stay a week, publish his music and return. Except for the first track, Road Song, the rest of the tracks on his new album are originals. And they are mostly fabulous, funky hard-bop numbers. What's more, the blowing is first rate: Aaron Janik (tp), Rickey Woodard (ts), Peter Smith (p), Trevor Ware (b) and Roy McCurdy (d). Peter also plays organ, Fender Rhodes and Wurlitzer on track 7. Aaron Serfaty plays percussion on track 5. Plus, the music's fidelity is wonderful, having been recorded at Stained Glass Music Studio in Pasadena, Ca. Buy and listen here.
Gerry Mulligan All-Star Tribute Band, Thank You, Gerry! (Arkadia). Recorded in 1997, this album featured a stunning collection of fire power. The sextet included Lee Konitz (as), Randy Brecker (tp/flghrn), Bob Brookmeyer (v-tb), Ted Rosenthal (p), Dean Johnson (b) and Ron Vincent (d). The tracks are Bark for Barksdale, Theme for Jobim, Elevation, My Funny Valentine, Rocker, Walkin' Shoes, Moonlight in Vermont, Line for Lyons, Festive Minor, Bernie's Tune and Curtains. Listen and buy here.
Royce Campbell—Vagabond (Max Frank Music). Former Henry Mancini Orchestra guitarist Royce Campbell has a new album out backed by the Vosbein Magee Big Band. You'll find it on major streaming platforms.
Here's video of Royce and the band recording his composition Peepers, arranged by Carroll DeCamp...
And here's Royce'sViper, arranged by Carroll DeCamp...
Dave Thompson. Here's Dave playing Bill Evans's The Opener...
Free concerts. Kim Paris of the FM Radio Archive sent along links to free live broadcasts by artists featured at JazzWax recently. As always, thanks Kim!
The Byrds—have four broadcast recordings in the archive, ranging from 1968 to their 1978 reunion concert. Go here.
Sonny Rollins—is featured at the 1985 Bern Jazz Festival from Switzerland, broadcast on 3sat streaming. Go here.
Ahmad Jamal (above)—played with his trio in Vienna, Austria, in 1993, also broadcast on 3sat streaming. Go here.
Hampton Hawes—played at San Francisco's Great American Music Hall in 1976, which aired on KJAZ. Go here.
Stan Getz—has two broadcasts in the archive: from the 1980 Chicago Jazz Fest and at Montmartre in 1987. Go here.
Hubert Laws—is featured on four CTI jazz concerts, ranging from 1972 to 2010. Go here.
Miles Davis—played on three archived concert recordings, ranging from 1984 to 1990. Go here.
And finally,here's one of the earliest, pure disco singles that helped get the dance craze going in New York at the start of the summer of 1975—Crown Heights Affair's Dreaming a Dream, reloaded by Disco Purrfection...
By 1957, Los Angeles was Shangri-La for many jazz studio musicians. They had settled in the San Fernando Valley north of the city, married, had kids, no longer had to tour, the weather was great, the highways weren't impossible yet and the Pacific Ocean's beaches were waiting. Provided their car started, they were in business for themselves and doing well.
One of the most prolific jazz guitarists in L.A. was Barney Kessel. In the late 1950s, he was recording for Contemporary. The beauty of the label, in addition to the sterling taste and impeccable recording talents of owner Lester Koenig, were the album covers. Many provided a glossy color photo of L.A., when the city was at its West Coast jazz peak. I'm thinking of Shorty Rogers's Wherever the Five Winds Blow, Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section, Lighthouse at Laguna and Hampton Hawes's Four!, to name a few.
Another terrific album is Music to Listen to Barney Kessel By, with a cover photo by William Claxton. Recorded over three different months, largely due to how busy Kessel was as a studio sideman and the availability of everyone else he wanted on the date.
The tracks:
Cheerful Little Earful (B)
Makin' Whoopee (A)
My Reverie (B)
Blues for a Playboy (B)
Love Is for the Very Young (C)
Carioca (B)
Mountain Greenery (C)
Indian Summer (C)
Gone with the Wind (A)
Laura (C)
I Love You (A)
Fascinating Rhythm (A)
The dates and personnel:
(A) August 6, 1956. Buddy Collette (fl,alto-fl,cl), Junie Cobb (oboe,eng-hrn), George Smith (cl), Howard Terry (cl,b-cl,bassoon), Justin Gordon (cl,b-cl), Andre Previn (p), Barney Kessel (g), Buddy Clark (b) and Shelly Manne (d).
(B) October 15, 1956. Ted Nash (fl,cl), Junie Cobb (oboe,eng-hrn), George Smith (cl), Howard Terry (bassoon,cl,b-cl), Justin Gordon (cl,b-cl), Jimmy Rowles (p), Barney Kessel (g), Red Mitchell (b) and Shelly Manne (d).
(C) December 4, 1956. The only change is Claude Williamson (p) replacing Jimmy Rowles.
Here's the complete Music to Listen to Barney Kessel By without ad interruptions...
Other ad-free Backgrounders in my series:
Sammy Davis Jr. Sings and Laurindo Almeida Plays, go here.
Today, I'm serving up two tracks for this week's Perfection entry, because as anyone who bought Sonny Stitt's LP Goin' Down Slow in 1972 knows, it's impossible to listen to the first without the second.
The two featured tracks are Stitt's Miss Ann, Lisa, Sue and Sadie and Where Is Love, by Lionel Bart from Oliver! The songs were recorded by Stitt in February 1972.
Produced by Ozzie Cadena for Prestige, the first song featured Thad Jones (tp), Sonny Stitt (as), Hank Jones (p), Billy Butler and Wally Richardson (g), George Duvivier (b), Idris Muhammad (d), Buddy Caldwell (cga,bells) and strings arranged and conducted by Billy VerPlanck. The second featured Sonny Stitt (ts), Hank Jones (p), George Duvivier (b) and Idris Muhammad (d).
I love Terry Gibbs. Like Shorty Rogers, Chubby Jackson, Teddy Charles and so many other jazz players, Terry had and still has wild, enthusiastic energy. And given that it rained in New York for two days and expected to return again tomorrow and Friday, what better way to perk up than with music by Terry. [Photo above, from left Bill De Arango, Terry Gibbs and Harry Biss at New York's Three Deuces in 1947 by William P. Gottlieb]
I'm betting that many of you have never heard or seen the following clips of Terry before:
Here's one of several albums made by Terry and Alice Coltrane—El Nutto: Terry Gibbs Quartet. It was recorded in April 1963 and featured Terry Gibbs (vib), Alice McLeod (as she was known then) (p); Herman Wright (b) and John Dentz (d)...
Here'sSteve Allen Presents Terry Gibbs at the Piano, recorded in 1960, featuring Terry Gibbs (p) (upper register); Donn Trenner (p) or Steve Allen (p) (lower register); Herb Ellis (g); Buddy Clark (b) and Jack Sperling (d)...
Here'sThe Family Album, recorded in February 1963, featuring Terry Gibbs (vib), Alice McLeod (p) (as she was known then), Ernie Farrow (b) and Steve Little (d)...
Here's the Benny Goodman Sextet in 1952, on NBC's Kate Smith Evening Hour, featuring Benny Goodman (cl), Terry Gibbs (vib), Bernie Leighton (p), Mundell Lowe (g), Sid Weiss (b) and Don Lamond (d)...
Back in March, I posted on The Baron, a terrific Fender Rhodes album led by drummer John "The Baron" Von Ohlen. It was recorded for Stan Kenton's Creative World label in January 1973. The Baron featured Claude Sifferlen (Fender Rhodes), Steve Allee (keyboard bass, piano, organ), Von Ohlen (drums) and Mary Ann Moss (vocals). Prior, I posted on the Steve Allee Big Band's terrific new album, Naptown Sound. [Photo above of Steve Alee]
Recently, I asked Steve about The Baron and how it came to be:
"In late 1972, I was discharged from the Army. Fortunately, I had been blessed to remain in the States playing cymbals with the 82nd Airborne Division Band rather than be deployed to Vietnam. Immediately after my service, I led a house trio at the Frog and Nightgown club in Raleigh, N.C.
"At the club, I played with trombonist Urbie Green and heard pianists Teddy Wilson and Earl "Fatha" Hines. I heard the Bill Evans Trio five nights in a row, and my trio even opened for him on the weekend (yikes!). Those were great memories.
"One day, pianist Claude Sifferlen introduced me to a club owner in Indianapolis who offered me five nights a week fronting a trio backing out-of-town vocalists and horn players. I accepted. A dream gig for me.
"Claude had just bought a Farfisa organ to play in another club that didn't have a piano. When he wasn’t working at that club, he kept the Farfisa next to his piano at home. When I went over to his house to hang out and play, we took turns running bass lines on the Farfisa to accompany each other on the piano.
"Claude then bought a keyboard bass by Fender Rhodes to keep the sound pure. I played it a couple of months at my new job when the bass player on my gig had to leave.
"I asked Claude if he would want to play together on a gig, each of us trading off on the keyboard bass. He agreed. One night, we were playing when drummer John Von Ohlen, Claude’s good friend, came by. He was fresh off the road with Stan Kenton, followed by a tour of India and Thailand with a Hindu group with which he was studying. John also was a fine pianist.
"Later that night, John said, 'I want to form a group with this sound and add a vocalist.' We rehearsed that summer and began playing six nights a week with John's group for about two years, including an appearance with the Stan Kenton Orchestra.
"The album, The Baron, was my first recording. Carroll DeCamp arranged the song, Why Did I Choose You for Mary Ann Moss, but I arranged all but one of the other songs on the album. I was particularly happy with my Fender Rhodes piano sound on The Baron. I thought it was one of the best—warm and percussive but not thin and dry. The recording engineer Mark Hood was wonderful. I was so grateful to have had the opportunity to play and learn from Claude and John. They have been my musical mentors for life.
"You’re probably aware of Every Time We Say Goodbye, Claude’s solo piano album, here...
"Also, John Von Ohlen’s solo piano album, The Pond. Go here...
"John was the one who asked me to arrange for his quartet. When we formed the big band, he encouraged me to write for it as well. He also influenced me as a pianist. His touch and harmony were sublime.
"Carroll DeCamp was an amazing pianist, arranger and composer. He also played with Wes Montgomery. He arranged John’s composition A Walk Thru Bombay on our Downtown Blues big band album. Go here...
"The 1970s were a great time for a young kid in the Midwest to meet musicians of the stature of John and Claude, true visionaries. They introduced me to the music of Wes Montgomery, Freddie Hubbard, Slide Hampton, J.J. Johnson. Of course, they also introduced me to Bartok, Ives, Takemitsu, the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis band, Bill Holman, George Shearing, Woody Shaw and the list goes on.
"I was already a disciple of Coltrane and Miles along with James Brown and the Beatles. As a teenager, I also had the opportunity to hear Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Stan Getz, Oscar Peterson, Ella, Zoot Sims and Roy Eldridge live in a concert hall.
"Buddy Montgomery used to come over to Claude‘s house. Claude had a jam session there three or four days a week. I lived close by, so I was over there quite a bit. The tenor saxophonists David Young, Al Kiger, Pookie Johnson, Russell Webster, Jimmy Coe and Chuck Carter were frequent visitors.
"Mary Ann Moss sang at various clubs and played shows around the Midwest. I think that’s where John heard her. She sang like an angel, and when we were playing those keyboard lines on The Baron, she sang perfectly in tune with us. I believe she took day jobs to make ends meet and moved to Florida for a while. She is now in North Carolina.
"I'm so appreciative that you are giving a voice to our Naptown [Indianapolis] jazz scene and to the countless musicians who dedicated their lives to this music and did it very quietly and brilliantly, even without social media.
"I’m spreading the word about JazzWax! Thank you!!
JazzWax tracks: For all of Steve's albums, you'll find them at his Bandcamp page here.
As far as British jazz is concerned, Tubby Hayes was one of the giants. A superb saxophonist, flutist, vibraphonist, composer and band leader, Hayes played lyrically with fluid ferocity. He was a swinging tiger. [Photo above of Tubby Hayes]
If you're unfamiliar with Tubby, a new LP from Decca will give you a solid starting point. The vinyl album, Splonge! An Introduction to Tubby Hayes, was compiled by Mark Baxter, a filmmaker, author and passionate Tubby Hayes fan. Mark is best known for his many books and his Hayes documentary films, including Outside Bet (2012) and Tubby Hayes: A Man in a Hurry (2015).
Splonge is a play on what Tubby Hayes used to say when counting off a song: "One, two, three, splonge!"
This new collection culls 10 tracks originally recorded for the Fontana label between 1961 and 1969. Fontana was launched by the Dutch Philips label in 1956 in France as a variety imprint. This collection provides a solid place to start on Hayes's career.
Born in London in 1935, Hayes began playing professionally at 15 with the Kenny Baker Sextet. Dates followed with big bands led by Vic Lewis, Jack Parnell and others. In 1958, Hayes founded the Jazz Couriers, a British play on America's the Jazz Messengers. The Couriers included Ronnie Scott.
In the late '50s the Couriers opened for the touring Dave Brubeck Quartet. Hayes's first album for Blue Note, in 1958, was recorded with British-based Jamaican trumpeter Dizzy Reece.
Hayes signed to Fontana in 1961, releasing his first leadership albums Tubbs and Tubbs In New York. Another U.S.-based release, Return Visit!, featured Rahsaan Roland Kirk and was produced by Quincy Jones. Hayes and Jones would team up again in 1969 for The Italian Job soundtrack. A further seven albums followed, with Hayes leading a quartet, quintet or orchestra. He also appeared on recordings by other artists, including Harry South and the progressive-rock band Family.
The Splonge! LP's tracks:
Side A
Tubbsville (recorded in 1961, from Tubbs)
You For Me (1961, Tubbs in New York)
Lady 'E' (1962, Return Visit)
Angel Eyes (1962, Late Spot at Scott's)
Johnny One Note (1962, Down in the Village)
Side B
Pedro's Walk (1964, Tubb's Tours)
Bluesology (1966, 100% Proof)
Blues In Orbit (1967, Mexican Green)
For Members Only (Take 1) (1969, Grits, Beans & Greens)
Hey Jude (1969, The Orchestra)
Hayes died in 1973 at age 38, a result of his alcohol and drug addiction. Since then, his life and music have been celebrated in The Long Shadow of The Little Giant: The Life, Work and Legacy of Tubby Hayes, a 2015 biography by Simon Spillett, and in the 2016 documentary Tubby Hayes: A Man In A Hurry, written by Mark Baxter and directed by Lee Cogswell for Mono Media Films and narrated by actor Martin Freeman.
JazzWax tracks: You'll find Splonge! An Introduction to Tubby Hayes (Decca) on vinyl at the lowest price here.
JazzWax clip:Here's the late Dan Morgenstern on Tubby Hayes...
From the new compilation, here's You for Me (catch that opening!)...
In The Wall Street Journal this week, I interviewed model and entrepreneur Christie Brinkley for my House Call column in the Mansion section (go here). Christie has a best-selling memoir out, Uptown Girl, and it's terrific (go here). [Photo above of Christie Brinkley courtesy of HSN and TWRHLL]
Here's Christy on the Today show a few days ago...
What I'm watching
Currently or just finished...
Adolescence—(2025/Netflix series), courtesy of Julia D., now my #2 favorite series
The Bridge—(2025/Prime series)
The Lost City (2022/Netflix comedy film)
Worthwhile stuff that started or will start soon...
Bosch Legacy S3 (Prime)
1923 (Paramount+)
Mobland (Paramount+)
Dark Winds S3 (AMC)
Long Bright River (Peacock)
Good American Family (Hulu)
Alto Knights (film)
The Four Seasons (Netflix)
The Better Sister (May 22/Prime)
Deep Cover (June 12/film)
My favorite streaming series, ranked...
Babylon Berlin
Adolescence
My Brilliant Friend
The Promised Life
Killing Eve
The Crown
Mad Men
The Americans
Younger
Fleabag
Band of Brothers
The Sopranos
Enlightened
Friday Night Lights
Justified
Good American Family
Feud: Bette and Joan
The Old Man
Downton Abbey
The Blacklist
Goliath
Julia
The Gentlemen
Turn: Washington's Spies
Unbelievable
Landman
Voiceless (Bella da morire)(2020/MHz)
Black Doves
Web Therapy
Past recommended series, films and documentaries...
TV series
TheAffair—(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)
Black Doves (2024/Netflix)
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)
The Dropout (2022/Hulu)
Elizabeth 1 (2005/Max)
Emily in Paris—(2020-present/Netflix)
Enlightened—(2011-2013/Max)
Feud (S1): Bette and Joan—(2017/Hulu)
Feud: Capote Vs. The Swans—(2024/FX, with streaming on Hulu)
Fisk—(2021/Netflix)
Friday Night Lights (2006-2011/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)
Il Commissario Manara (Inspector Manara) (2009-2011/MHz)
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)
Lioness—(2023-current/Paramount+)
Loudermilk—(2017-2020/Netflix)
MI-5, the Series—(2002-2011/BritBox)
Mobland—(2025/Paramount+)
Monsieur Spade—(2024/AMC)
Murdaugh Murders: The Movie, Parts 1 and 2—(2023/Lifetime)
My Brilliant Friend—(2018-current/Max)
The Night Agent—(2023-present/Netflix)
1923—(2022-present/Paramount+)
1883—(2021-2022/Prime)
The Old Man—(2022/Hulu)
On Call—2025/Amazon Prime)
Outlander—(2014-present/Netflix)
Protection—(2024/S1/BritBox)
The Perfect Couple—(2024/Netflix)
Poldark—(2015-2019/Prime)
The Promised Life—(2018/MHz via Prime Video)
Reacher—(2016-present/Netflix)
Ripley—(2024/Netflix)
Scott & Bailey (2011-2016/Prime)
The Spy—(2019/Netflix)
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)
Web Therapy—(2011-2015/Fandango)
Wilder—(2017-current)
WPC 56—(2013-2015/Britbox)
Yellowstone—(2018-present/Paramount Network)
Younger—(2015-2021K/Netflix)
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)
TheBricklayer—(2024/Netflix)
The Commuter (2018/Netflix)
The Dig—(2021/Netflix)
Eiffel—(2021/Prime)
Enola Holmes 1 and 2—(2022/Netflix)
Enrico Piaggio - Un Sogno Italiano (An Italian Dream) (2019/MHz)
The Equalizer 1, 2 and 3—(2014-2024/Prime)
The Great Lillian Hall—(2024/Max)
The Family Man—(2000/Netflix)
Fury—(2014/Netflix)
God's Country—(2022/Hulu)
Guy Ritchie's The Covenant—(2023/Prime)
I Used to Be Funny (2023/Netflix)
Jack Reacher (the movie)—(2012/Paramount+)
Just My Luck (2006/Paramount+)
Kill Chain—(2019/Max)
Killers of the Flower Moon—(2023/Apple+)
La Palma (2024/Netflix)
Life or Something Like It—(2002/Netflix)
Knight and Day—(2010/Roku)
Last Night in Soho—(2021/Prime)
Last Seen Alive—(2020/Netflix)
The Little Things—(2021/Netflix)
Lonely Planet—(2024)/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)
99 Homes—(2014/Roku)
Nobody—(2021/Prime)
Nobody Wants This—(2024/Netflix)
Ordinary Angels—(2024/assorted platforms)
The Pledge—(2011/Peacock)
Purple Hearts—(2022/Netflix)
The Queen—(2006/Paramount+)
The Queen's Gambit—(2020/Netflix)
Queenpins—(2021/Pluto TV)
Reptile—(2023/Netflix)
Ruthless—(2023/Hulu)
The Secret: Dare to Dream—(2020/Netflix).
Sicario (2015/Netflix)
Self Reliance—(2023/Hulu)
Seraphim Falls—(2006/Netflix)
Some Girl(s)—(2013/Amazon Prime)
Somewhere in Queens—(2022/Hulu)
Spy(ies)—(2009/Prime)
The Stranger—(2022/Netflix)
Toscana—(2022/Netflix)
The Two Popes—(2019/Netflix)
Up in the Air—(2009/Max)
Woman in Gold—(2015/Max)
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 Only Girl in the Orchestra—(2023/Netflix)
Suzi Q: Suzi Quatro—(2019/Prime)
The Volcano: Rescue from Whakaari—(2022/Netflix)
'Tis Autumn: The Search for Jackie Paris—(2007/go here)
Samara Joy. On Thursday night, I was at Carnegie Hall to see Samara Joy's first appearance on stage at the famed concert space. I have known Samara since she was in college at SUNY Purchase. She's warm, gracious and relentlessly curious and soulful. Her voice is a world wonder. It's huge beyond your imagination, and coy as it wraps around songs, twisting melodies and working notes in between notes.
On stage, rather than use merely a trio, she was backed by a mini Gil Evans-y septet from her latest album, Portrait: Connor Rohrer (p), Paul Sikivie (b), Evan Sherman (d), David Mason (as,fl), Kendric McCallister (ts), Jason Charos (tp) and Donavan Austin (tb). At only 25, Samara could easily move to Broadway musicals or even operas at the Met.
Seeing her backstage after, she was resplendent, wearing the stunning gold dress she wore on stage by German designer Mellita. She's going to be one of the world's greatest vocalists, beyond what past greats have already accomplished. You just wait and see.
Here's Samara at Rudy Van Gelder's studio recording You Stepped Out of a Dream...
Georgia and Alan. Following my post last week on Georgia Mancio and Alan Broadbent's magnificent new album, I heard from Bernard McAlinden in Manchester, England:
"Hello Marc. Thank you so much for your post on Georgia Mancio and Alan Broadbent and their current U.K. tour promoting their new album, A Song Untold. The tour started last Thursday, April 24, opening at Seven Arts in Leeds.
"I was lucky enough to be present at the concert, which I can only describe as quite magnificent. As you know, all the songs were composed by Alan and lyrics by Georgia, and they were all beautifully crafted vehicles.
"Seven Arts is a very nice, intimate performance space and was perfect for this occasion. We, the audience, were treated to a truly memorable evening. It was as if we were invited by four world class musicians—Alan, Georgia, bassist Andy Cleyndert and drummer Dave Ohm—to a private recital.
"I could refer to all the songs as being highlights but I will just refer to three. From Me To You, which Georgia sung as a wonderful, heartfelt tribute dedicated to her late father-in-law; another tribute dedicated to Georgia's sister, When The Time As Come to Part, which she sang in English and Italian; and One For Bud, a tribute to Bud Powell, which required and received superb vocal gymnastics and great accompaniment.
"You are quite right, Marc, when you wrote, "Georgia and Alan have come to define jazz singing, accompaniment and songwriting at the highest level." Since the concert, I have felt that this collection of songs, just like the ones on their first two albums, Songbook and Quiet Is the Star, are very worthy successors in the traditions of the standards of the great American and British Songbooks.
"However, I also feel that without proper airplay from radio and TV, and on specialist radio programs, the public at large will not have the chance to hear them. A five-star plus rating for the concert and album. Thanks for your post."
Fender Rhodes. Following my post on 10 favorite albums that feature the Fender Rhodes electric piano, I heard from Bill Kirchner, who sent along two more tracks:
Here's Herbie Hancock's Actual Proof from Thrust (1974)...
Here's Clare Fischer's You Call It Madness from Great White Hope (1970)...
And I'll add the one Erik Kihss sent along: Chick Corea's Light as a Feather (1973). Go here...
Two by Les Brown. Les Brown always had his arrangers craft gripping hat-on-fire openings. Here'sHow About You in 1954...
Here'sYou're the Top in 1951, which Buddy Bregman borrowed for Anita O'Day in 1955...
And here's the Anita O'Day recording from This Is Anita...
Andy Bey (1939-2025), a singular jazz singer and pianist, died last week at age 85. I heard from pianist Harold Danko:
"Hi Marc. By now, I'm sure you're aware of the passing of Andy Bey. He was sadly underappreciated despite a legendary career and important recordings. It was always a treat when Andy would sit in and sing the blues with Thad Jones and Mel Lewis's band, and I'm certain that he cured a cold for me on one of his melismatic passages.
"Thad wanted Andy to tour with the band but it never came to be. In 1980, I even managed to convince Andy to portray the prophet in an off-Broadway production of A Matter of Opinion, an ill-fated musical I co-wrote that ran 11 performances at the Players Theater in the village. It was panned by the New York critics.
"A bit later, François Zalacain, founder of Sunnyside Records, asked me what artists his new label should pursue. I touted Kirk Lightsey and Andy Bey. Kirk made himself available and became a label mate but Andy had other commitments so it didn't work out.
"Andy made many recordings that I love but the clip below with Gary Bartz and the NTU Troop was the record that introduced me to Andy's voice, and it has some of that crazy mixture of ritual element and spiritual healing that made him such a special artist. Go here...
And Bill Kirchner sent along Andy Bey's Hey, Love. It features Bey (p,voc), Peter Washington (b) and Kenny Washington (d). The song was composed by Mary Rodgers and recorded at New York's Birdland in May 1997, from Bey's album Ain't Necessarily So.Go here...
Ross Tompkins. Last week, I heard from Erik Kihss on pianist Ross Tompkins, a member of Johnny Carson's Tonight Show band:
"Hi Marc. I thought JazzWax readers might like to hear Marian McPartland's interview with Ross Tompkins in 1983 on her radio show Piano Jazz. Tompkins was always one of my favorites, and he used to hang out at New York's Sanford Gold Studios on breaks from the Tonight Show when it was still based in Manhattan":
Shai Maestro—Miniatures and Tales. A solo jazz piano album that caught my ear and wouldn't let go. It's hard enough to record without accompaniment. Even more challenging when you decide to present captivating originals and standards with a twist. Buy here.
Jon Dalton—Carousel. Singer-guitarist Jon Dalton has released a compelling album that sounds new and fresh. Some of the tracks are straight-ahead jazz while others fuse a range of styles, which is what makes them interesting. One thing is for certain, the guy can play. Buy and listen here.
Azymuth—Marca Passo. Azymuth is a Brazilian jazz-funk group that formed in 1973. Marca Passo is the first full-length release since the passing of founding drummer Ivan "Mamão" Conti in 2023, following the earlier loss of keyboardist José Roberto Bertrami in 2012. Bassist Alex Malheiros is the sole remaining original member. Their new album is a journey back to the late 1970s and '80s, when Deodato and Marcos Valle pioneered a new Brazilian funk-dance style. The sound is unmistakable. Buy and listen here.
Bill Holman was one of the greats of West Coast jazz. His arrangements for Stan Kenton in the 1950s as well as his own recordings as a tenor saxophonist were top notch and set high standards for the new jazz style. [Photo above of Bill Holman by Lesley Bohm]
In 1975, he formed the Bill Holman Band, a 16-piece ensemble that rehearsed every week for 45 years, until the pandemic took rehearsals off the agenda in 2020. Until that time, the band performed in clubs, concerts and festivals throughout both the U.S. and Europe. The band recorded five albums.
Get this—the band is reuniting on May 25 in Los Angeles for one final concert and is expected to stream, paying tribute to Bill, who passed in May 2024. The evening will consist of two sets, starting at 7:30 p.m. (PT), and will feature some of his greatest compositions and arrangements, written not only for his own band over the years, but for such artists as Charlie Barnet, Count Basie, Maynard Ferguson, Terry Gibbs, Woody Herman, Stan Kenton, Gerry Mulligan, Buddy Rich and Zoot Sims.
Intermission will feature band members and others offering reminiscences of Bill, as well as clips from films he scored, such as Roger Corman's Swamp Women and Get Out of Town. There will be excerpts from Charting Jazz: The Mastery of Bill Holman, a documentary still in production.
Here are details for The Bill Holman Band: The Final Concert:
The concert will be held on Sunday, May 25, at 7:30 p.m. (PT), at Catalina Jazz Club, 6725 Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood. Tickets are $40 (plus 6.70 in fees) & $55 (plus $7.15 in fees). Dinner or a two-drink minimum is required in addition to tickets. for more information: (323) 466-2210.
Dave Thompson playing Bill Evans's Letter to Evan can be found here...
And finally,here are the Byrds in 1965 playing Turn, Turn, Turn...
No album better reflects Sonny Rollins's personality than his Alfie: Original Music From the Score, arranged by Oliver Nelson. Recorded in New York in January 1966, the original music has his energy, passion, tenderness and his melancholy in one fell swoop. It's all very mid-1960s.
To learn more about the recording, consult my two-part post on The Making of Alfie, from 2010. The first part was devoted to the popular song by Hal David and Burt Bacharach and the second part is on Sonny's original score and why there were three different Alfie music projects in the marketplace back then—Sonny's, Cilla Black's and Cher's. For part 1, go here. For part 2, go here.
The band: J.J. Johnson (tb); Jimmy Cleveland (tb-track 1) replaces J.J. Johnson; Phil Woods (as); Sonny Rollins and Bob Ashton (ts); Danny Bank (bar); Roger Kellaway (p); Kenny Burrell (g); Walter Booker (b); Frankie Dunlop (d) and Oliver Nelson (arr,cond).
Here's the entire Alfie: Original Music From the Score, a masterpiece,without ad interruptions. Dig Roger Kellaway's piano throughout!...
Marc Myers writes regularly for The Wall Street Journal and is author of "Anatomy of 55 More Songs," "Anatomy of a Song," "Rock Concert: An Oral History" and "Why Jazz Happened." Founded in 2007, JazzWax has won three Jazz Journalists Association awards.
