JazzWax

Debra, Freddie and Stevie

In The Wall Street Journal last week, I interviewed actress Debra Messing for my House Call column in the Mansion section (go here). Debra executive-produced a new documentary, October 8, and co-stars with Robert De Niro in the new mob film The Alto Knights. De Niro plays both rival mobsters. [Photo above of Debra Messing courtesy of Debra Messing at Facebook]

Here's the trailer for October 8...

And here's the trailer for The Alto Knights...

What I'm watching

My favorite streaming series, ranked...

1. Babylon Berlin
2. My Brilliant Friend
3. The Promised Life
4. Killing Eve
5. The Crown
6. Mad Men
7. The Americans
8. Younger
9. Fleabag
10. Band of Brothers
11. The Sopranos
12. Enlightened
13. Friday Night Lights
14. Justified
15. Good American Family
16. Feud: Bette and Joan
17. The Old Man
18. Downton Abbey
19. The Blacklist
20. Goliath
21. The Gentlemen
22. Turn: Washington's Spies
23. Unbelievable
24. Landman
25. Voiceless (Bella da morire (2020/MHz)
26. Black Doves
27. Web Therapy

Worthwhile stuff that has 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 Better Sister (May 22/Prime)

Past recommended series, films and documentaries...

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)
• 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)
• 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)
• 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) 
• The Bricklayer—(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)
• 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)
• 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)
• Tsunami: Race Against Time—(2024/Hulu)

Teddy Charles. Following my post on Teddy Charles, I heard from pianist Denny Zeitlin:

"Hi Marc. Thanks for your post on Teddy Charles. I remember a night in the mid-1950s when he was booked at Chicago’s Beehive club on the South Side. His bass player didn’t show up. I’d been playing a little bass in high school, so when he pleaded for anyone in the audience who could play to come up, I dared to join the group on the bandstand. It actually went OK, and he was very appreciative, but I had no further contact. His 1956 album Teddy Charles Tentet was a big influence on me. Most particularly, it introduced me to George Russell, who became a major influence, friend and supporter. I loved Teddy’s playing and writing, and he sure had his own thing. You know it’s him playing after just a few notes. It was great hearing those tracks you posted."

And from pianist Harold Danko:

"Hi Marc. Starting last week with Meredith d'Ambrosio, you are on quite a run spotlighting my jazz pals. I've got plenty of fun memories about Teddy and Teo Macero, particularly Teddy in Europe and Teddy's special wedding gift—a memorable cruise on his wonderful Mary E. We sailed from City Island with my wife Fei-Yan, her dog, and several people in the wedding party. I also recalled some projects we made for Teo's label, and a residency at the Eastman School of Music that Teo did for me in the early 2000s."

Still more Teddy Charles:

Last week, I came across a couple of videos of Teddy in action:

Here's Teddy in 2009 after releasing his first studio album in 40 years...

And here's a very brief clip from 2009 of Teddy playing in Greenport, N.Y., on the North Shore of Long Island...

Stevie Wonder break. Here's Golden Lady (1973)...

Edison Machado & Boa Nova. Following my post last weekend on the reissue of the 1978 Brazilian album Edison Machado & Boa Nova (Far Out), pianist Harold Danko had a few reflections:

"Hi Marc. Thank you so much for the link to Edison Machado & Boa Nova. The music was a wonderful surprise and had me just about weeping in joyful nostalgia. During that period, Edison introduced himself to me at the Village Vanguard during a break on a Thad Jones/Mel Lewis gig. He was shocked that I knew who he was and by my big enthusiastic hug.

"Soon I would have the privilege of playing with Edison in a trio at Birdland, at S.O.B.'s and at other New York venues. Rehearsing at my apartment was a thrill. He would bring just a snare and cymbal, as I remember, and after some strong coffee we would go over the tune formats in a rather polite manner.

"He was even gracious enough to give me Portuguese titles for a few of my Brazilian-inspired songs. Then, on the gig with his full drum set, I was treated to his incredible passion. His accompanying storm would elevate the music way beyond anything I had imagined.

"I heard this same intensity in the Boa Nova album, particularly on the baion-type rhythm on Conselacao, where he propelled Steve Sacks in the same way I remember so well to this day. He had a profound effect on the way I thought about phrasing and how to build a solo.

"Sometimes, as I'd start off a normal phrase, he'd get in, up and under the notes and make me play something I have never done before or since. I'm sure other musicians have felt the same way and have realized he pushed the music into a new realm. I treasure the time I spent with him and only wish some of our sets had been recorded.

"For a further taste of Edison's impassioned power, check out the following track from Milton Nascimento's monumental Minas record, where he's listed as a special guest on Leila. No other drummer on this or any other planet would have played the tune like this."

Go here...

Three new releases from Resonance Records:

Resonance Records is releasing a fresh batch of new vinyl produced by Zev Feldman for Record Store Day on April 12. The vinyl will only be available at your local record store. The digital version will follow on April 18. To find a record store near you, go here. Call in advance to be sure they will be carrying the following three LPs:

Freddie Hubbard: On Fire - Live From the Blue Morocco. On April 10, 1967, trumpeter Freddie Hubbard fronted a quintet at the Blue Morocco, a club at 1155 Boston Road in the Morrisania section of the Bronx, N.Y. He was joined by Bennie Maupin (ts), Kenny Barron (p), Herbie Lewis (b) and Freddie Waits (d). This previously unreleased record captures the red-hot group in exceptional form. The songs are Crisis (Cedar Walton), Up Jumped Spring (Hubbard), Echoes of Blue (Bob Cunningham) and a medley of True Colors/Breaking Point (Hubbard), Bye Bye Blackbird, Summertime and Breaking Point. All were on Hubbard's albums from the period. Hubbard—Miles Davis's chief rival at the time—was at his peak, and we get a rare listen to a young Maupin's straight-ahead blowing. All of the tracks are intense, masterful and full of energy and poetry. Three LPs. Digital: go here.

Kenny Dorham: Blue Bossa in the Bronx - Live From the Blue Morocco. In 1967, trumpeter Kenny Dorham also appeared at the Blue Morocco with a quintet—Sonny Red (as), Cedar Walton (p), Paul Chambers (b) and Denis Charles (d). The songs performed were Blue Bossa, Confirmation, Memories of You, My One and Only Love, Bags' Groove, Blue Friday and The Theme. Dorham was a pretty, fleshy player without the brittle sizzle, power or style of Miles Davis or Freddie Hubbard. Which makes him immensely listenable, without much risk-taking. Walton and Chambers are the standouts on this recording. You can hear every one of Chambers' big fat notes, and Walton's chords are gorgeous. This was one of Chambers' final recordings. He would die in 1968. Two LPs. Digital: go here.

Charles Mingus: Argentina - The Buenos Aires Concerts. In the 1960s and '70s, Charles Mingus seemed to be on an eternal tour. That's not a knock. It's the only way he could earn a living and play his music for appreciative audiences after rock and soul took over in the U.S. On June 2, 1977, he performed at the Teatro Coliseo in Buenos Aires, Argentina. His compact group featured Jack Walrath (tp), Ricky Ford (ts), Bob Neloms (p), Charles Mingus (b) and Dannie Richmond (d). The selections are intense, ranging from melancholy ballads to fireballs. The tracks: Introduction, Goodbye Pork Pie Hat, Duke Ellington's Sound of Love, Noddin' Ya Head Blues, Three or Four Shades of Blue, Koko/Cherokee, For Harry Carney, Cumbia & Jazz Fusion, Solo Piano Improvisation (played by Mingus), Sue's Changes (incomplete), Koko/Cherokee band introductions and Fables of Faubus. This one is more for seasoned Mingus fans, who will be well rewarded. Three LPs. Digital: go here.

And finally, here's Cornelius Brothers and Sister Rose performing Too Late To Turn Back Now (1972)...

Backgrounder: 'Georgie Auld Plays the Winners,' '63

Tenor saxophonist Georgie Auld led many terrific groups. Ten years ago, I posted on his 1940s and early '50s ensembles (go here). Today, a 12-inch gem: Georgie Auld Quintet Plays the Winners. Recorded for Philips in Hollywood in April 1963, Auld's quintet featured Frank Rosolino (tb), Georgie Auld (ts), Lou Levy (p). Leroy Vinnegar (b) and Mel Lewis (d). Levy is on fire throughout, and Auld swings like mad, with his Lester Young/Ben Webster approach.

The tracks (all of which tie into a casino theme):

• It's A Good Day
• You're Faded
• Taking a Chance on Love
• I'm Shooting High
• Seven Come Eleven
• You Are My Lucky Star
• Taps Miller
• What's New
• You Came Along (From Out of Nowhere)
• I Found a Million Dollar Baby in a Five and Ten Cent Store

Here's Georgie Auld Quintet Plays the Winners 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.
• Fats Navarro: Nostalgia, go here.
• Hank Mobley: Hank Mobley Quintet, go here.
• Sandy Mosse: Relaxin' With..., go here.
• Maynard Ferguson: A Message From Newport, go here.
• Jimmy Raney: Two Jims and Zoot, go here.
• Zoot Sims Plays 4 Altos, go here.
• Jimmy Forrest: Out of the Forrest, go here.
• Jazz Studio 2, From Hollywood, go here.
• Billy Taylor: My Fair Lady Loves Jazz, go here.
• Hank Mobley: Soul Station, go here.
• Sylvia Telles, Lúcio Alves and Roberto Menescal: Bossa Session, go here.
• Horace Silver: The Horace Silver Trio, go here.
• Walter Davis: Davis Cup, go here.
• Wynton Kelly: Kelly at Midnite, go here.
• Jack Sheldon: Jack's Groove, go here.
• Herbie Nichols: Complete Masters, go here.
• Hank Mobley: Hank Mobley Quartet, go here.
• Mundell Lowe: Satan in High Heels, go here.
• Hal McKursick and Art Farmer: Quintet Sessions, go here.
• Os Poligonais: Os Poligonais, go here.
• Buddy Fite: Tasty, go here.
• Al Sears: Swing's the Thing, go here.
• A.K. Salim, Savoy recordings, go here.
• Rosinha de Valença, go here.
• Remo Rau, Evening at Cafe Africana, go here.

Perfection: Teddy Charles - 'Borodin Bossa Nova' ('63)

In April and May of 1963, Teddy Charles, accompanied by an all-star group of musicians, recorded Russia Goes Jazz: Swinging Themes From the Great Russian Composers (United Artists). The point of the LP, conceived by Teddy, was to record Russian classical works that influenced American popular songs.

One of the songs on the album was Borodin Bossa Nova, recorded in April 1963, with Jerome Richardson (fl), Zoot Sims (ts), Eric Dolphy (b-cl), Pepper Adams (bar), Teddy Charles (vib), Hall Overton (p), Jimmy Raney (g), Teddy Kotick (b) and Osie Johnson (d).

Here's the song's Russian origins: Composer Alexander Borodin's Gliding Dance of the Maidens, from the Polovtsian Dances in the opera Prince Igor (1890), was adapted in 1953 by Robert Wright and George Forrest for their musical Kismet as Stranger in Paradise. Ed Bland wrote the nifty arrangement for the Teddy Charles session.

Only a monster like Teddy could bring together musicians of this caliber. Zoot Sims takes the swinging tenor saxophone solo, then Teddy on the vibes, Jimmy Raney on the guitar, Jerome Richardson on the flute and Pepper Adams on the baritone saxophone.

The concept was ingenious on Teddy's part—and cost-efficient. No royalties were owed, since all of the Russian classical works used were in the public domain.

Here's Ed Bland's terrific, albeit brief, arrangement for Borodin Bossa Nova...

Other Perfection tracks in this ongoing series...

• Paul Desmond and Jim Hall: Any Other Time, go here.
• John Coltrane: You Say You Care, go here.
• Quincy Jones: Funk Junction, go here.
• Art Farmer's Work of Art, go here.
• Miles Davis: A Gal in Calico, go here.
• Gene Krupa: Mulligan Stew, go here.
• Dave Brubeck: The Duke, go here.
• Horace Silver: The Back Beat, go here.
• Horace Parlan: Up & Down, go here.
• Dexter Gordon: Society Red, go here.
• Barney Kessel: You Go to My Head, go here.
• Count Basie: Corner Pocket, go here.
• Herbie Mann: Manteca, go here.
• Donald Byrd: Bronze Dance, go here.
• George Shearing: I'll Be Around, go here.
• Ammons & Stitt: You Talk That Talk, go here.
• Count Basie: Blues in My Heart, go here.
• Moonlight in Vermont, go here.
• Johnny Griffin / Matthew Gee, Here, go here.
• Jimmy Smith / Stanely Turrentine: When I'I Grow Too Old to Dream, go here.
• Chet Baker: Estate, go here.
• Jazz Studio 1: Tenderly, go here.
• Herb Pomeroy: Down Home Outing, go here.
• Frank Sinatra: There's a Small Hotel, go here.
• Bill Harris Herd: Blackstrap, go here.
• Gerry Mulligan: Westwood Walk, go here.
• Red Garland/Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis: We'll Be Together Again, go here.
• Bill Evans: Reflections in D, go here.
• Ted McNabb & Co.: Mountain Greenery, go here.
• Maynard Ferguson: Fox Hunt, go here.
• Serge Chaloff & the Herdsmen: The Most!, go here.
• Maynard Ferguson: Starfire, go here.
• Urbie Green, Please, go here.
• Machito, Conversation, go here.
• David Allyn, Love Is a Serious Thing, go here.
• Lennie Tristano, Wow, go here.

Jason Miles: 'Cosmopolitan' (1979)

I'm here to report that new Michael Brecker tracks have surfaced, two anyway. Back in March 1979, keyboardist, composer and record producer Jason Miles gathered leading New York musicians to record with him on his debut album. Self-produced and arranged, Jason's LP was going to be called Cosmopolitan and would feature him on the piano, a Fender Rhodes electric piano, the newly introduced Prophet-5 analog synthesizer and the ARP Odyssey analog duophonic synthesizer out since 1972.

The album never came out in the U.S., for reasons that aren't in the liner notes. I assume Jason shopped it around and all of the American labels passed, so he shelved it. The album was released as Cozmopolitan on CD in Japan and France in the early 2000s. Recorded toward the end of the fusion movement, this type of jazz had already saturated the market just as disco and funk were peaking, new wave was emerging and jazz was about to swing back to acoustic instruments. [Photo above of Jason Miles]

Now, 46 years later, Jason has pulled the reel off the shelf of his archive and remastered the album for the first time. Free from 1979's record-label producers and trend-hungry music executives, the music still sounds fresh and engaging decades later. It's a time capsule of sorts from a time when affordable and less restrictive synthesizers were emerging and were on the cusp of dominating the recording industry in the 1980s. It's also music that wasn't messed with by record labels of the period demanding this or that or constricting the artist's spirit.

Joining Jason were Michael Brecker (ts on tracks 3 and 4), Gerry Niewood (as,ss,fl), Marcus Miller (el-b); Ricardo Silveira (electric and acoustic guitar), Jeff Williams (d), Badal Roy (tabla on track 5), Clarice Taylor (voc on track 5), Armen Halburian (perc) and Henry Castellanos (conga).

Throughout, Jason sounds like a kid in a candy store, manipulating and maximizing the electric keyboards and dials as Marcus, Recordo and Jeff, along with all the rest, surround him with funk, Latin and other jazz-hybrid styles.

Does the album hold up? Remarkably well. Back then, there may have been too much of this approach in record-store bins, but now, in an age of dull, aimless albums; artists who record the same songs over and over again; and musicians who can't be bothered to go back further than five years for inspiration, Cosmopolitan sounds fresh, dynamic and exciting, not to mention sonically vivid.

Don't miss Michael's solo on Gale Warnings.

The tracks (all written by Jason Miles, except Gale Warnings, by Jeff Williams):

• Cosmopolitan
• Powder
• Gale Warnings
• The Man Who Pushes Buttons
• Kashmirian Twist
• Poetry

JazzWax tracks: You'll find Jason Miles's Cosmopolitan here and on streaming platforms.

JazzWax clips: Here's Gale Warnings...

Teddy Charles: The Prestige Jazz Quartet

You'd never know by looking at him, but Teddy Charles was a very hip guy. The vibraphonist, composer, arranger and producer was as cool as they come and a serious swinger. I was able to call him whenever I wished in the early years of this blog. When he picked up, I was guaranteed a super story or two and even a gig if he had cats over at his place in Riverhead on New York's Long Island. [Photo above of Teddy Charles]

When there was a jam scene, he'd tell me to "hang on and dig what we're doing, but split whenever you want." Then he'd put the phone down and I'd listen for a half hour or so. Eventually he'd come back on and ask what I thought. Sometimes, he'd say, "It's hard to get guys who can swing, you know? Jesus, if you can't swing, man, why bother?" I ask myself that question every day.

You can read my multi-part conversation with Teddy in November 2007, starting here, one of my early jazz-legend interviews for the blog.

In addition to being a people person, Teddy was a jazz heavyweight. Instead of recording pop stuff, he focused on the far-out modal world of jazz-classical music, having been educated at Juilliard. As I think back, there are so many great Teddy Charles albums that are both straight-ahead jazz and Third Stream, from his New Directions in 1952 to Tentet (1956) and Jazz in the Garden at MoMa (1960).

Among the coolest are a pair of modal jazz-classical chamber albums he led and produced in 1957—Teo: Teo Macero and the Prestige Jazz Quartet and The Prestige Jazz Quartet, both now available as a remastered two-fer from Fresh Sound as part of its "Rare and Obscure Jazz Albums" series. The angle was to produce a chamber-jazz quartet like the Modern Jazz Quartet, only cool in tonality and avant-garde in execution.

The first LP was Teo: Teo Macero and the Prestige Jazz Quartet, recorded in April of '57. The group featured Teo Macero (ts) with Teddy Charles (vib), Mal Waldron (p), Addison Farmer (b) and Jerry Segal (d). On this one, we hear Macero as an instrumentalist, just before he joined Columbia Records and began producing Third Stream albums and then Miles Davis for the next 20 years.

Like Teddy, Macero attended Juilliard in the late 1940s, where he earned bachelors and Masters degrees. His sound on saxophone is lyrical and dry, without vibrato. Earlier in the 1950s, Macero had formed Charles Mingus's Jazz Composers Workshop and was at the forefront of New York's avant-garde.

On this album, we hear Ghost Story (Mal Waldron), Please Don't Go Now (John Ross), Just Spring (Teo Macero), Star Eyes (Gene de Paul, Don Raye), Polody (Teddy Charles) and What's Not (Waldron). All are marvelously inventive.

The second album, The Prestige Jazz Quartet, recorded in June '57, features Take Three Parts Jazz—Route4/Lyriste/Father George (Teddy Charles), Meta-Waltz (Mal Waldron), Dear Elaine (Waldron) and Friday the 13th (Thelonious Monk). And wow, what a Friday the 13th. The symbiosis between Teddy and Waldron is extraordinary. They read each other completely and fit together perfectly. Also surprising is how good Addison Farmer was on bass. You can hear him loud and clear thanks to the sonic improvement.

Teddy looked unassuming and sounded out of character. Short of stature, sporting glasses and a 1950s cloth baseball cap, he had a strong street-smart New England accent seasoned by New York and the jazz culture of the 1950s. He could have been mistaken for a deli owner or an accountant.

Instead, Teddy was one of jazz's hippest jazz intellectuals. His music and contribution should never be forgotten. Here's to the start of many more Teddy Charles posts to come.

Teddy Charles died in 2012 at age 84.

JazzWax tracks: You'll find the two Prestige Jazz Quartet albums on a single remastered Fresh Sound CD here. Don't forget to use your JazzWax 8% discount code: JAZZWAX_DISCOUNT

PS: I don't make a dime by featuring Fresh Sound releases or from your discount. It's a discount Jordi extended as a courtesy to JazzWax readers.

JazzWax clips: Here's Star Eyes from Teo...

Star Eyes

Here's Route 4 from the Prestige Jazz Quartet...

Route 4

And here's Father George from the same album...

Father George

Sam Most: Sextets 1952-1954

The first post-war jazz flute on a 78 dates back to 1949, when Albert Socarras recorded with Babs Gonzales (and Sonny Rollins, J.J. Johnson and Wynton Kelly). The first recorded flute solo was by Jerome Richardson, with the Lionel Hampton Quintet in January 1950. Then came Sam Most in June 1952 (Herbie Mann's first was in April 1953 and Frank Wess's first came in 1954). Most's first four sides were released by Prestige on two 45s in a sleeve entitled Sam Most: Introducing a New Star.

Based in Los Angeles during the second half of his career, Most was credited by Leonard Feather as being "the first great jazz flutist." Classically trained at New York's City College and the Manhattan School of Music, he became a professional musician at 17, playing in multiple big bands of the period.

Most's jazz ensemble recording career began in June 1952 with the Sam Most Sextet. The four songs recorded included Chico O'Farrill's bebop composition Undercurrent Blues, which Herbie Mann later praised: “When I started playing jazz on flute, there was only one record out: Sam Most’s Undercurrent Blues."

Now, Most's early bop-influenced flute and clarinet recordings are captured on a remastered CD from Fresh Sound, Undercurrent Blues: Sam Most Sextettes (1952-1954). Sam Most had technique, sailing along fluidly on songs with long ribbons of improvisation and a warm tone. 

The tracks:

1. Undercurrent Blues
2. First With the Most
3. Sometimes I’m Happy
4. Takin' A Chance on Love
5. Scooby Doo
6. I Hear A Rhapsody
7. The Night We Called it a Day
8. A Cuss Called Coss
9. Eullalia
10. There Will Never Be Another You
11. Notes to You
12. Skippy
13. Blues Junction
14. Just Tutshen
15. My OId Flame
16. You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To
17. Open House
18. Give Me the Simple Live
19. Everything Happens to Me

Most was deliciously melodic and took to bop like a cat to milk. His playing was seamless on both the flute and the clarinet. This entire album is joyous listening. Sam Most died in 2013, at age 82.

JazzWax tracks: You'll find Undercurrent Blues: Sam Most Sextettes (1952-1954) here. Be sure to get the JazzWax 8% discount on all Fresh Sound purchases by adding this code: JAZZWAX_DISCOUNT

JazzWax clips: Here's Undercurrent Blues, from June 1952, with Doug Mettome (tp), Sam Most (fl), Dick Hyman (p), Chuck Wayne (g), Clyde Lombardi (b) and Jackie Moffett (d), here...

Undercurrent Blues

Here's There Will Never Be Another You, from December 1953, with Doug Mettome (tp,arr), Urbie Green (tb), Sam Most (cl), Bob Dorough (p), Percy Heath (b) and Louie Bellson (d)...

There Will Never Be Another You

Here's Notes to You (same date and personnel), with Bob Dorough's arrangement...

Notes to You

Here's Skippy, from December 1954, with Sam Most (fl), Marty Flax (bar), Bill Triglia (p), Barry Galbraith (g), Aaron Bell (b) and Bobby Donaldson (d)...

Skippy

And here's Just Tutschen (same date and personnel)...

Just Tutschen

Chelsea, Idrees and Olga

In The Wall Street Journal this week, I interviewed comedian and actress Chelsea Handler for my House Call column in the Mansion section (go here). Chelsea has a new book out (here) as well as a new Netflix comedy special, The Feeling. [Photo above of Chelsea Handler, courtesy of Netflix]

Here's a teaser...

What I'm watching

My favorite streaming series, ranked...

1. Babylon Berlin
2. My Brilliant Friend
3. The Promised Life
4. Killing Eve
5. The Crown
6. Mad Men
7. The Americans
8. Younger
9. Fleabag
10. Band of Brothers
11. The Sopranos
12. Enlightened
13. Friday Night Lights
14. Justified
15. Good American Family
16. Feud: Bette and Joan
17. The Old Man
18. Downton Abbey
19. The Blacklist
20. Goliath
21. The Gentlemen
22. Turn: Washington's Spies
23. Unbelievable
24. Landman
25. Voiceless (Bella da morire (2020/MHz)
26. Black Doves
27. Web Therapy

Worthwhile future stuff that has started or will start soon...

• Dark Winds S3 (now/AMC)
• Long Bright River (now/Peacock)
• Good American Family (now/Hulu)
• Alto Knights (now/film)
• The Better Sister (May 22/Prime)

Recommended series, films and documentaries...

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)
• 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)
• 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)
• 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) 
• The Bricklayer—(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)
• 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)
• 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)
• Tsunami: Race Against Time—(2024/Hulu)

Almost spring. Each year, I post the following clip on the first warm day of the year. For us New Yorkers, that day is on Saturday of this weekend, when the temperature will climb into the high 70s. Everyone in the city will be out on the streets and in the parks. Readers who love visiting New York and those who once lived here and now live elsewhere go nuts for this clip. Go here...

The Two Lonely People. Following my posted interview with Meredith d'Ambrosio on her new album's tracks, I heard from British jazz writer Brian Priestley, a JazzWax reader. My interview originally quoted Meredith as saying that Carol Hall wrote the lyrics to the song because Bill Evans wanted Tony Bennett to sing it on their second duet album. Brian pointed out that the lyrics were already in place and that this came up during his interview with Evans just after The Bill Evans Album (Columbia) came out in 1971. Here is my Editor's Note that now appears in the previously posted interview:

Editor's note: According to British jazz writer Brian Priestley, who interviewed Bill Evans, Carol Hall sent Evans the lyric in the form of a poem that he subsequently set to music. Brian also said that the poem was originally called The Man and the Woman, before the famous French movie, A Man and a Woman, came out in 1966. To avoid confusion, Bill and Carol changed the title phrase to The Two Lonely People. At the time, the song hadn't been recorded yet. Brian said the song came up during their interview because Evans's first Columbia album, The Bill Evans Album, was newly released in 1971 and included the first commercial release of The Two Lonely People.

Idrees Sulieman. Last week, Jim Eigo of Jazz Promo Services and owner of the store Original Vinyl Records sent along the following clip of the Idrees Sulieman Quartet live in Warsaw in 1960. Go here...

Bob Florence. Following my post on the Bob Florence Big Band last week, I heard from the great Canadian pianist, vibraphonist and bassist Don Thompson on his big band experience [photo above of Don Thompson]:

"Hi Marc. Paul Ruhland was sort of my idol on bass. He was by far the best bass player in Western Canada. When he decided to move to Los Angeles, I got a call from Dave Robbins to play bass in his Dave Robbins Big Band.

"We did that show every second week for a few years. Here's how we did it: We had an hour and a half rehearsal, took a break and then went live on the air for an hour without stopping. We'd play a tune, the announcer would introduce the next tune and we'd play it, and so on until the show was over. The engineer recorded live to full-track mono.

"Considering all of this, the tracks you posted sound amazingly good. Then again, these were the finest musicians in Canada west of Toronto. There was very little they couldn't play.

"Thanks for this and everything else you're doing for all of us. You give me hope for the future and that's something I really need these days."

More Bob Florence. If you've never heard Bob Florence play piano, here he is on the Fender Rhodes. Dig the beautiful chords here...

Known and less known. Here's Little Richard...

But before Little Richard, there was Maurice Rocco. Go here...

Maynard and Buddy. Last week, Peter Coppock sent along links to two clips recently uploaded to YouTube:

Here's Maynard Ferguson in 2004...

And here's Buddy Rich in 1980...

Imagining 1980. Once upon a time, the future was viewed optimistically, as a time of improved convenience, faster results and greater comfort. Now the future is something we dread as a society. At any rate, here's how the future of LAX (Los Angeles International Airport) looked in 1970 (thanks to Mark Rabin for sending along the video clip)...

Phil Norman Tentet. Last week, following my Bob Florence post, George Kahn reminded me of the Phil Norman Tentet, a Los Angeles-based band that recorded several albums using Florence's charts. Go here...

CDs of note...

Edison Machado—Edison Machado & Boa Nova (Far Out). Recorded in New York in 1978, Edison Machado & Boa Nova showcased the legendary Brazilian drummer's revolutionary playing. The sextet featured Paulinho Trompete (flgl horn,tp), Ion Muniz (ts), Steve Sacks (bs), Mozar Terra (p), Ricardo dos Santos (bass) and Edison Machado (drums). Finally back in print, the album is available to buy (here) or stream the entire album here...

Eli Roth—Red Light Disco (CAM Sugar/UMe). Italian disco had its own ornate sound. Instead of being infused with soul, it was more rococo in the Italian tradition. Actor and filmmaker Eli Roth assembled a terrific double-LP compilation of the 1970s genre—Eli Roth’s Red Light Disco: Dancefloor Seductions From Italian Sexploitation Cinema. You can buy (here and here) or stream at Spotify.

Here's Una vergine in famiglia ...

Lorraine Feather—The Green World. Singer-songwriter Lorraine Feather has a new album out. As she writes poetically in the recording's liner notes, "[As you] escape from the city to the ecstatic sights and scents of nature, 'the green world' is a metaphor for the journey that is love." An album that combines funk, rock and jazz and Lorraine's singular gift for originality, improvisation and beauty. You can listen and buy here or stream at Spotify and YouTube.

Here's the title track...

And finally, the majestic and marvelously theatrical Olga Guillot, queen of the Cuban bolero (a deeply romantic ballad). Here she is with Tito Rodriguez in the 1970s. Even if you don't understand Spanish, you'll instantly know that the subject matter is heavy, emotionally, and beautiful...

And here's Guillot at age 79 singing No sigas por favor, from her terrific album Faltaba yo, released in 2001. Do yourself a favor and buy her album of boleros (here)...

Backgrounder: Remo Rau - 'Evening at Cafe Africana'

Zurich's Club Africana was a stronghold of modern Swiss jazz in the early 1960s, featuring musicians such as Abdullah Ibrahim, Chris McGregor and Dudu Pukwana. The club's program director, Remo Rau, a vibraphonist, also led a house-band quartet there that consisted of Remo Rau (vib), Renato Anselmi (p), Roger Dannhauer (b) and Alex Bally (d).

In May 1960, the quartet's performance at the club was recorded by Rau. Only 150 copies of the performance were printed on his RR label. The recording—The Remo Rau Quartet: An Evening at the Club Africana—gives us a rare listen to Swiss jazz at the start of a new decade and features an artist whose jazz approach was singular.

The recording is super rare. A copy is selling for $2,000 at eBay. For non-collectors, the music can be found streaming or as a download here or here, thanks to Sonorama, the German label that issued the recording using an LP on loan from a collector. To read the album's liner notes, go here.

Here's the Remo Rau Quartet's An Evening at the Cafe Africana, 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.
• Fats Navarro: Nostalgia, go here.
• Hank Mobley: Hank Mobley Quintet, go here.
• Sandy Mosse: Relaxin' With..., go here.
• Maynard Ferguson: A Message From Newport, go here.
• Jimmy Raney: Two Jims and Zoot, go here.
• Zoot Sims Plays 4 Altos, go here.
• Jimmy Forrest: Out of the Forrest, go here.
• Jazz Studio 2, From Hollywood, go here.
• Billy Taylor: My Fair Lady Loves Jazz, go here.
• Hank Mobley: Soul Station, go here.
• Sylvia Telles, Lúcio Alves and Roberto Menescal: Bossa Session, go here.
• Horace Silver: The Horace Silver Trio, go here.
• Walter Davis: Davis Cup, go here.
• Wynton Kelly: Kelly at Midnite, go here.
• Jack Sheldon: Jack's Groove, go here.
• Herbie Nichols: Complete Masters, go here.
• Hank Mobley: Hank Mobley Quartet, go here.
• Mundell Lowe: Satan in High Heels, go here.
• Hal McKursick and Art Farmer: Quintet Sessions, go here.
• Os Poligonais: Os Poligonais, go here.
• Buddy Fite: Tasty, go here.
• Al Sears: Swing's the Thing, go here.
• A.K. Salim, Savoy recordings, go here.
• Rosinha de Valença, go here.

Interview: Meredith d'Ambrosio, Track by Track

Last week, I spoke with Meredith d'Ambrosio on her birthday, which also happened to be when I posted my review of her new album, Midnight Mood (Sunnyside). During our conversation, I asked about her art on the cover and her song choices. Here's what she told me:

JazzWax: Tell me about the cover art. When did you paint it and was it directly related to the album?
Meredith d'Ambrosio: I began painting the oil on canvas some time after after the album was recorded at my Massachusetts home in April 2024. Probably around mid-autumn of last year. So yes, it was always related to the album.

I had the idea for the painting's subject after deciding that the title of the album would be Midnight Mood, Joe Zawinul's composition with my lyrics and storyline. After sketching the tops of a few white pine trees near my farmhouse, I used one of the sketches as my guide for the oil painting. One night a nearly full moon appeared through the treetop. The light glowed perfectly around the moon.

I used the sketch to complete the oil painting, though I typically would have photographed the subject to reference details such as the time of night and tone of the pine needle clusters. The painting took some time to complete due to the shaking of my hand from Parkinson's disease. That was the difficult part. It was a fight, and I would not allow myself to give up.

JW: In general, how did you go about choosing songs? Meaning, how did you sort through many, many songs before deciding which ones would make the cut? Do you keep a notebook?
Md'A: I have hundreds of copies of sheet music at my home, so I spent time going through boxes of them. I'm sure the mice would like to get at them, since they're stored in my barn.

JW: Tell me about the decisions you made on each of your choices. Just take them one at a time and tell me what you love most about them.
Md'A: OK. Here goes:

Prelude to a Kiss. I first sang the song publicly when I was 15, on the New England Farm and Food Hour, a morning TV show on Channel 5 in Boston. When I was finished, a 12-year-old kid called to tell me how much he liked my rendition. I never forgot his determination and emotional praise. The Ellington song really moves listeners.

The Best Thing for You (Would Be Me). This one by Irving Berlin has always been a favorite. I love playful songs. As I recall, it was one of the songs pianist Roger Kellaway and I performed when we were a duo, similar to Jackie and Roy, for a short time in 1959.

I remember being on the radio for a moment with Roger as a duo. Basically, we were preparing for possible gigs at that time. Life got in the way and interrupted our goal. Roger may not remember much about that time period, I imagine. We were 18, and Roger was always busy with gigs.

Beaucoup Kisses. Frédéric Loiseau, my accompanying guitarist on the album, sent along a beautiful melody that needed lyrics. All he had jotted down was A Song for Meredith. As I listened to Frédéric's music, I wrote a poem for Robert, my romantic partner. Or rather, I wrote it for the world to know that I had finally met somebody after years and years of no passion. 

Initially, I had signed an email to Frédéric with "Beaucoup kisses." I think I was practicing my French. But Frédéric was amused and thought it would be a compelling title for my lyric rather than Song For Meredith, a title that for me would never inspire a lyric.

This Happy Madness. It's one of Antonio Carlos Jobim's most beautiful melancholy melodies. Gene Lees's lyrics are so sensitive. I love the song, but it's a hard one to sing, let me tell you. While I was recording it, I couldn't hit a specific note. So I laughed. They said, "Let's leave the laugh in." They liked that my laugh sounded so natural. Of course, I laughed because I was embarrassed by my inability to reach the high notes.

Midnight Mood. I learned Joe Zawinul's melody decades ago by listening to a live version of Bill Evans playing the song. I was enthralled. I couldn't believe how beautiful it was. For years and years and years afterward, I kept playing it on the piano. There were no words to the song; I just loved the form.

Then in 2007, I wrote lyrics and sent them to Joe. He loved them and granted me permission to publish them. A week later, he died. In his rendition, Bill Evans added a key change, which is why I did the same on mine on the new album.

A Ship Without a Sail. It has always been one of my favorite songs. Ella Fitzgerald recorded it on Sings the Rodgers And Hart Song Book in 1956. Her rendition always makes me cry. I was 17 when I discovered it. 

What's New? The composition by Bob Haggart and Johnny Burke is a very melancholy song, and it's about life.

You Keep Coming Back Like a Song. That's one of my all-time favorite tunes written by Irvin Berlin for the 1946 movie Blue Skies. I would play and sing this song nightly on solo gigs during the 1970s and '80s. I was in love—and still am—with most of Berlin's songs. He wrote the lyrics to nearly all of them.

The Two Lonely People. Carol Hall, the lyricist, was a friend of Bill Evans. The philosophy of that song is so close to home, you might say. Hall also wrote lyrics to Evans's Very Early, recorded by Mark Murphy on his album of the same name in 1993. I learned The Two Lonely People because of Tony's version. A strikingly sad song. 

[Editor's note: According to British jazz writer Brian Priestley, who interviewed Bill Evans, Carol Hall sent Evans the lyric in the form of a poem that he subsequently set to music. Brian also said that the poem was originally called The Man and the Woman, before the famous French movie, A Man and a Woman, came out in 1966. To avoid confusion, Bill and Carol changed the title phrase to The Two Lonely People. At the time, the song hadn't been recorded yet. Brian said the song came up during their interview because Evans's first Columbia album, The Bill Evans Album, was newly released in 1971 and included the first commercial release of The Two Lonely People.]

Whenever Winds Blow. This song is a lesser-known one by lyricist Douglas Cross and composer George Cory, who also wrote I Left My Heart in San Francisco among others. Mabel Mercer recorded Whenever Winds Blow on her 1958 LP Once In A Blue Moon.

JW: Wonderful! Now, tell me about Frédéric Loiseau on guitar and Paul McWilliams on piano.
Md'A: Frédéric's brilliant guitar playing is the kind that seems to go beautifully with the feeling that my singing projects. His playing is sensitive, thoughtful and hip. I discovered his playing through Claude Carrière, a former radio personality, producer, and leading Duke Ellington expert who died in 2021. 

I discovered Paul McWilliams in 1987 playing piano and singing at a steady gig near Cape Cod. I could hear the influence of Bill Evans in his playing. What also impressed me was his comedic and unforgettable routines as he played. I was very fortunate to have these two gentlemen accompanying me on this album.

JazzWax tracks: You'll find Meredith d'Ambrosio's Midnight Mood (Sunnyside) here or on streaming platforms.

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

And here's The Two Lonely People...

JazzWax note: Frédéric Loiseau put together a video clip to promote the album. Go here...

JazzWax tracks, part 2: Frédéric's most recent album is D’instant en instant (2021), with his guitar-organ-drums trio.

Here's Le duc de charonne...

JazzWax clips, part 2: Here's Paul McWilliams on piano in 2001, accompanying vocalist Rebecca Paris on Yesterday I Heard the Rain, with music by Armando Manzanero and English lyrics by Gene Lees...

Bob Florence Limited Edition: Tribute

Bob Florence was a meaningful arranger, composer and pianist whose big bands were on par with the best of them in the late 1950s and beyond. Unfortunately, he didn't have a high enough profile for household recognition. Nevertheless, Florence's charts had the kick of a mule and plenty of swing. [Photo above of Bob Florence]

On June 15, 2008, a month after he passed away, his band got together at the Catalina Bar and Grill in Hollywood to pay tribute to their late leader. Here's the band playing Florence's Carmelo's by the Freeway, with Steve Huffsteter on the trumpet solo...

And here's an hour of the Florence band at Howard Rumsey's Concerts by the Sea as part of a Los Angeles Jazz Institute event in 2015, just months before Howard's passing...

You'll find my JazzWax interview with Howard Rumsey, go here.