CiTR -- The Jazz Show

Tonight's Jazz Feature is a style known as "Mainstream Jazz". It really represents a concept where young and older musicians share a common ground. Some players are adaptable and some are not . This session called "The Jo Jones Special" represents some of the old and some of the new. It was recorded in August of 1955 with the leader Jonathan "Jo" Jones on drums. A master drummer was Jo. He assembled a fine group here with Emmett Berry on trumpet, Bennie Green on trombone and Eli "Lucky" Thompson on tenor saxophone on the front line. On piano is Nat Pierce, Basie stalwarts Freddie Green on guitar and Walter Page on bass work hand in glove with Jo Jones. An honored guest on the first and last tune of this album is Count Basie himself replacing Nat Pierce. Enjoy this fine music tonight on "The Jo Jones Special".

Tonight's Jazz Feature is different from the usual as it will present a selective groups of performances by trumpeter, band leader and Jazz icon Miles Davis over his career and his various changes throughout the years from his early days in the 1940's through the 50's.. Miles Davis was born on May 26,1926 and passed away at age 65 on September 26, 1991. These performances will reveal some of the stylistic changes that Miles Davis went through and pioneered. He is arguably one of the most important musicians in Jazz History and in many ways changed the way we perceive Jazz Music. Many of his changes alienated his fans but brought new ones to the forefront. We'll hear some of these changes tonight as out Jazz Feature. We covered the 40's and early 50's including Davis' "First Great Quintet. Next week we'll continue the Davis odyssey from the late 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's. Be sure to be here.

Tonight's Jazz Feature is a belated Birthday tribute to one of the the most unique and individual voices of the alto saxophone John Lenwood "Jackie" McLean. Jackie was born in Harlem, New York City on May 17,1931 and passed away at age 74 on March 31, 2006 after a long illness. Jackie made his first recording at age 19 with Miles Davis as a disciple of Charlie Parker and with his own sound. It wasn't long before Jackie developed his own ideas and phrasing. The Jazz Feature is a rare and previously unissued Blue Note Records date from 1966 that has Jackie exploring linear modal forms on the five tunes on the album. He also presents along with bassist Don Moore, two relatively new players on the New York scene: pianist Larry Willis who contributes the title track and and one other tune and a great young drummer from Chicago named Jack DeJohnette! Jackie's sound has been described as "sugar free saxophone" and you'll hear that in abundance tonight. Happy Birthday Anniversary Mr. McLean and to our listers: enjoy "High Frequency".

Tonight's Jazz Feature is by one of trumpet master and Jazz pioneer John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie's finest groups. It's both fun and serious and an off the wall tribute to some music from the Caribbean, hence the title: Jambo Caribe. The music is by Dizzy's long standing Quintet with James Moody on tenor saxophone and flute, Kenny Barron on piano, Christopher White on bass and vocal, Rudy Collins on drums and added on some tunes Kansas Fields on percussion and surdo drum. Dizzy of course on trumpet and some vocals. The selections include some calypso flavored tunes that are fun and serious at the same time and some straight up Jazz. This album was recorded in November of 1964 in Chicago and although it's a lesser known album from Dizzy's vast output it demonstrates Dizzy's always serious approach to music and his love of entertaining people with style and humor. Enjoy Jambo Caribe, tonight's Jazz Feature.

Tonight's Jazz Feature should need no introduction to Jazz people as it is an essential classic and arguably one of bassist/composer Charles Mingus' finest albums. It was done for Columbia Records and it was Mingus' first album for a major label which guaranteed wide distribution and a quality product. It became a best seller for Mingus and Columbia. It was critically acclaimed and literally brought Mingus out of the Jazz underground to the Jazz fore forefront.. It featured Mingus' basic Jazz Workshop quintet augmented by a few Mingus alumni from previous Workshop editions. The regulars were: John Handy on alto and tenor saxophones, Booker Ervin on tenor saxophone, Horace Parlan on piano, Mingus on bass and Dannie Richmond on drums.. The added horns were Shafi Hadi on tenor and alto in an ensemble role, Jimmy Knepper or Willie Dennis on trombone. Mingus had full control of the date and supervised the post production editing and the sequencing of the tunes on the recording. With this album Mingus widened his audience and his musical influence everywhere. Enjoy Mingus Ah Um tonight as our Jazz Feature celebrating Mingus' 103rd Birthday Anniversary tomorrow April 22.

Tonight's Jazz Feature is a true classic and an essential recording for anyone interested in Jazz music. Tenor and alto saxophonist/composer/arranger Oliver Nelson is the leader and his hand picked sideman include the innovative Eric Dolphy on alto saxophone and flute and a young Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, baritone saxophonist George Barrow anchors the horn section in a non-soloing role. The great Bill Evans is on piano with Paul Chambers on bass and "Mr. Snap Crackle", Roy Haynes on drums. The six compositions are by Oliver Nelson and arranged by him. "The Blues and The Abstract Truth" is a true classic and always worth rehearing anytime!

Tonight's Jazz Feature had one of the most widely recorded trumpeters from the 50's and 60's who eventually went into other fields after being a big part of Jazz for so many years. Donald Byrd was one of the many young trumpeters who reflected in their own way the influence of the late Clifford Brown, who died at age 25 in a car crash. Byrd along with Lee Morgan were the young heralds of the trumpet in the 50's and in the 60's Freddie Hubbard was added to that list. Byrd recorded a lot and this is from his period just before he left Jazz for other musical pursuits. This band was one he worked with frequently during the mid-60's. The Jazz Feature album is called "Blackjack" . It spotlights a sextet with Byrd leading alto saxophonist Sonny Red (aka Sylvester Kyner), tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley, pianist Cedar Walton, Walter Booker on bass and the always smiling Billy Higgins on drums. The tunes are mostly original creations by Sonny Red and Donald Byrd. Byrd wrote the title track "Blackjack", a hip funky tune. Enjoy this fine date from Blue Note Records.

Tonight's Jazz Feature is a tribute to the late vibraphonist Roy Ayers. Roy passed away recently on March 4,2025 at age 84. Although he was more famous for a style called Neo Jazz/Funk Fusion and had many hit recordings we're going to return to his more than promising debut album called "West Coast Vibes". It was done before Roy moved to that other area which he gained the most fame. Roy proved on this debut album that he was a new fresh voice of the vibraphone. It was recorded in July of 1963 in Los Angeles, Roy's home town with the fine tenor and soprano saxophonist Curtis Amy, the fine pianist Jack Wilson, Bill Plummer or Victor Gaskin on bass and Tony Bazley or Kenny Dennis on drums. The album wa produced by the great Jazz writer, Leonard Feather and gives us 10 tunes mixing standards with original compositions. "West Coast Vibes" is a fine debut for someone who went a long way in music and never lost the respect of his peers. Enjoy!

Tonight's Jazz Feature is a tribute to Canada and all things Canadian. It's been heard on The Jazz Show before but in these unsettled times I think it's time to hear it again. It's The Canadiana Suite played by and composed by the great Canadian pianist Oscar Peterson. Oscar performs the suite with his working trio of the time with Ray Brown on bass and Ed Thigpen on drums. It was recorded on Sept.9,1964 in New York. The 8 movement suite takes us across Canada from East to West in a series of musical portraits. It's time to be proud of Canada and the Canadiana Suite represents that pride.

Tonight's Jazz Feature is a brand new recording by seasoned musicians that are an important part of today's Jazz scene. This date newly issued on the Cellar/Live label is by drummer Carl Allen leading a bare bones trio with the incredible tenor and soprano saxophonist Chris Potter, who also is heard on bass clarinet. The equally accomplished Christian McBride on bass plus a cameo appearance on piano by Vancouver's John Lee. The repertoire is varied with compositions by Carl Allen, drummer Lenny White, Freddie Hubbard, ,pianist James Williams and Charlie Parker. This recording demonstrates that great solid, uncompromising Jazz is still alive and well and is like a breath of fresh air. The albums is entitled "Tippin'".

Tonight's Jazz Feature is a previously unissued concert with an early version of Miles Davis' "Second Great Quintet" . This concert was part of the Paris Jazz Festival and recorded on Oct.1,1964 at the Salle Pleyal. It features Miles Davis on trumpet, Wayne Shorter on tenor saxophone, Herbie Hancock on piano, Ron Carter on bass and the teenage genius on drums, Tony Williams. The repertoire is the same as Miles had been playing for several years but was being stretched in new ways. Eventually Miles would drop many of these tunes in favor of original compositions by himself and the band but that was in the future. Everyone here is in top form and Wayne Shorter is playing here with the same intensity as he did in his many years with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. Sit back and enjoy this never before heard music by one of the great bands in Jazz History.

Tonight's Jazz Feature is this show's usual tribute to The Season and a long standing tradition. It's known as the "Bags' Groove Session". The music is truly classic and always worth hearing. Miles Davis is the nominal leader on trumpet with Milt Jackson on vibes, Thelonious Monk on piano, Percy Heath on bass and Kenny Clarke on drums. A meeting of Jazz Masters indeed. All of this was recorded on December 24,1954 and the whole date has a Christmassy feel to it even though that certainly wasn't the intention. We'll hear the 4 master takes from this timeless date and is our Christmas Jazz Feature. Merry Christmas to all!