For more great Jazz videos from Bret: http://syncopatedjustice.com Jimmy Heath, Paul Jeffrey and Sonny Rollins discuss the unique relationship between two tenor saxophone titans. From 2007, a Bret Primack film. #sonnyrollins #johncoltrane #jimmy heath #jazzvideoguy #johncoltrane
In 1970, Miles Davis knew he had to remodel or be sidelined by fast changing events and his new electric band, who’d recently played the hippie shrines, San Francisco’s Fillmore Auditorium and New York’s Fillmore East,stood tall both musically and visually. In the 12 months since recording Bitches Brew and turning the jazz world on its head, Milea foot had barely been off the pedal. Not content with forging a whole new direction with this iconic recording, he’d also cut the tracks that later became Big Fun, as well as recording Jack Johnson, tracking three live albums, Live-Evil, Black Beauty and At Fillmore, (all released in 1971), and playing numerous concerts in the USA and Europe. Adding a 2nd keyboardist, Keith Jarrett and percussionist Airto Moriera, the Miles Davis Group was creating some of the most exciting music of his remarkable career. After the Isle of Wight gig, the personnel changed as Chick Corea and Dave Holland left the band to form Circle, with Anthony Braxton, and Steve Grossman and Airto formed their own groups. Jarrett stayed, and saxophonist Gary Bartz joined the band, along with a bassist who would ground the music in more funky groove, Michael Henderson, who had gained a very solid reputation from his work with Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin. In addition, for a fall, early winter European tour, Miles added two percussionists, Don Alias and M’Tume. Drummer Jack DeJohnette left to pursue his own music, and drummer Leon "Ndugu" Chancler joined the group. Most of videos on this playlist are taken from European television broadcasts during that tour. The next year, Miles changed direction again, keeping the two percussion format, and adding two guitarists as well, with Bartz replaced by Sonny Fortune and later Dave Liebman on saxophones.
Michael Leonard Brecker (born March 29, 1949, Philadelphia, Pa., U.S.—died Jan. 13, 2007, New York, N.Y.), was an American tenor saxophonist, whose stark, jagged, yet driving jazz style influenced many tenor saxophonists in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. If you are a Jazz Video Guy channel viewer, you know that Michael Brecker is one of my favorite musicians and people. I first heard Mike on the Horace Silver recording, In Pursuit of the 27th Man, in the early 70s. His solo on "Gregory is Here" jumped out of the speakers. I became an instant Michael Brecker fan. Of course I knew his brother trumpeter Randy from Blood Sweat and Tears' debut recording, "Child is Father to the Man." I got to know Mike in the 90s when I did several interviews with him and produced the infamous Saxophone Summit gig at Birdland in '99 that you can find here in my channel. As a musician, Mike was nothing short of remarkable. And as I learned, Michael Brecker was a very special person, as well. So when I found out that Bill Milkowski, whose book, "Jaco - The Extraodinary and Tragic Life of Jaco Pastorious" is a must read, was writing a biography of Mike, I was enthusiastic. I received an advance copy of the book shortly before it was published last month and found it fascinating, full of details about Mike's life and some things I never knew about him I did an interview with Bill a couple of weeks ago and afterwards, decided to create The MIchael Brecker Podcast. The Podcast features excerpts from the interview I did with Bill, video and audio of Mike, photos, and interviews with other musicians who played with Michael Brecker, as well as interview excerpts with Mike himself.f I hope you dig it! Biography by Scott Yanow A remarkable technician and a highly influential tenor saxophonist (the biggest influence on other tenors since Wayne Shorter), Michael Brecker took a long time before getting around to recording his first solo album. He spent much of his career as a top-notch studio player who often appeared backing pop singers, leading some jazz listeners to overlook his very strong improvising skills. Brecker originally started on clarinet and alto before switching to tenor in high school. Early on, he played with rock- and R&B-oriented bands. In 1969, he moved to New York and soon joined Dreams, an early fusion group. Brecker was with Horace Silver during 1973-1974, gigged with Billy Cobham, and then co-led the Brecker Brothers (a commercially successful funk group) with his brother, trumpeter Randy Brecker, for most of the 1970s. He was with Steps (later Steps Ahead) in the early '80s, doubled on an EWI (electronic wind instrument), and made a countless number of studio sessions during the 1970s and '80s, popping up practically everywhere (including with James Taylor, Yoko Ono, and Paul Simon). With the release of his first album as a leader in 1987 (when he was already 38), Brecker started appearing more often in challenging jazz settings. He recorded additional sets as a leader (in 1988 and 1990), teamed up with McCoy Tyner on one of 1995's most rewarding jazz recordings, and toured with a reunited Brecker Brothers band. Two Blocks from the Edge followed in 1998, and a year later Brecker returned with Time Is of the Essence. The early 2000s saw the release of Nearness of You: The Ballad Book and Wide Angles in 2001 and 2003, respectively. However, after experiencing some mysterious back pain during a concert in 2005, Brecker was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a cancer of the blood marrow. A failed search for a matching bone marrow donor eventually led to an experimental partially matching blood stem cell transplant via his daughter in late 2005. He passed away on January 13, 2007. Brecker's final album, Pilgrimage, featuring pianists Herbie Hancock and Brad Mehldau, guitarist Pat Metheny, bassist John Patitucci, and drummer Jack DeJohnette, was, ironically, his first of all-original material. It was released a few months after his passing. Scott Yanow - All Music Guide
Wayne Shorter is widely considered one of the most important and influential jazz musicians and composers of the 20th and early 21st centuries. He was born on August 25, 1933, in Newark, New Jersey, and his career spans decades of innovation and collaboration with other jazz legends. Here's why he is significant: Technical Skill Shorter is an exceptional saxophonist who is highly skilled in both tenor and soprano saxophone. His technical mastery is often cited as groundbreaking, and it has been inspirational to many younger musicians. Versatility and Innovation Wayne Shorter has been an innovator in various styles of jazz including hard bop, post-bop, fusion, and avant-garde jazz. He is known for his ability to cross genres and for his adventurous approach to composition and improvisation. Contributions to Iconic Groups Shorter was a key member of some of the most iconic groups in jazz history. He was a part of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, where he came into prominence. He then joined the second great quintet of Miles Davis, a group that also included Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, and Tony Williams, and was crucial in pushing the boundaries of acoustic jazz. Later, he co-founded the fusion band Weather Report with Joe Zawinul. Composition Shorter is also highly regarded for his compositions, many of which have become jazz standards. Songs like "Footprints," "Speak No Evil," and "Infant Eyes" are considered classics of the jazz repertoire. Longevity and Continued Relevance Even into the 21st century, Shorter has remained active and relevant. He has received numerous awards, including multiple Grammy Awards, and has been a mentor to younger generations of musicians. His modern recordings have been well received, demonstrating an artistic vitality that has spanned decades. Educational Impact Shorter's work is studied in music schools around the world, not just for its technical virtuosity but also for its depth and emotive power. His approach to improvisation and composition has shaped educational curricula and inspired countless musicians to explore the boundaries of jazz and other musical genres. In summary, Wayne Shorter’s impact on jazz and modern music is broad and deep, affecting not just the musicians who have played with him but also the broader understanding and appreciation of jazz as an art form. Wayne Shorter died on March 2, 2023
The Mount Fuji Jazz Festival is an annual jazz festival held in August in the Lake Yamanaka area, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. The three-day festival features musicians from Blue Note Records and other, performing on different stages, 1986–96. Alfred Lion came to this festival for the first time in 1986. Notable artists at the MountFuji Jazz Festival include Andrew Hill, Herbie Hancock, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Ron Carter, James Newton, Albert Collins, Jimmy Smith, Bobby Hutcherson, Michael Brecker, Jackie McLean, Jazz Messengers, George Kawaguchi, McCoy Tyner, Stanley Jordan, Dianne Reeves, Tony Williams, Chaka Khan, Don Pullen, Sadao Watanabe, Chick Corea, Wynton Marsalis, Terumasa Hino, Bob Belden, John Scofield, Lee Ritenour, Hiromi Uehara, Junko Onishi, US3, Joe Henderson, Murakami PONTA Shuichi and Pat Metheny. Live under the sky (established in 1977), Newport Jazz Festival in Madarao (established in 1982) and Mount Fuji Jazz Festival (established in 1986) are the big 3 jazz festivals in the history of jazz in Japan.

Sonny Rollins - Someone to Watch Over Me

Jazz Video Guy
22K views8 years ago

Denny Zeitlin - Quiet Now

Jazz Video Guy
18K views7 years ago

Hendrik Meurkens - Body and Soul

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1.3K views7 years ago

Hendrik Meurkens - In A Sentimental Mood

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Marvin Stamm - Ballad Master

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24K views18 years ago
Harold "Hal" Galper (born April 18, 1938) is a jazz pianist, composer, arranger, bandleader, educator, and writer. He studied classical piano as a boy, but switched to jazz which he studied at the Berklee College of Music from 1955 to 1958. He hung out at Herb Pomeroy's club, the Stable, hearing local Boston musicians such as Jaki Byard, Alan Dawson and Sam Rivers. Galper started sitting in and became the house pianist at the Stable and later on, at Connelly's and Lenny's on the Turnpike. He went on to work in Pomeroy's band. Later on he worked with Chet Baker and Stan Getz and accompanied vocalists Joe Williams, Anita O'Day, and Chris Connor. Between 1973-1975, Galper played in the Cannonball Adderley Quintet replacing George Duke. He performed in New York and Chicago jazz clubs in the late 1970s. Around this time, Galper recorded several times with guitarist John Scofield for the Enja label. For 10 years (1980–1990) he was a member of Phil Woods's quintet. Galper left the Woods group in August 1990 to start touring and recording with his new trio with Steve Ellington on drums and Jeff Johnson on bass. From 1990-1999, Hal's group was on the road six months a year. Galper is internationally known as an educator. His theoretical and practical articles have appeared in six of Down Beat editions. His scholarly article on the psychology of stage fright, originally published in the Jazz Educators Journal, has subsequently been reprinted in four other publications. Hal is on the faculty of Purchase College and the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music. For more lessons and more Hal, please visit http://www.halgalper.com
Sad to report the passing of a great Bartitone Saxist and very idiosyncratic guy, Ronnie Cuber. I first encountered Ronnie when he was playing with Maynard Ferguson's Big Band in the mid-60s on Manyard's Cameo-Parkway recording, "The New Sounds of Maynard Ferguson." He was ferocious. I caught the band live in '65 at Lake Compounce in Bristol, Connecticut and his playing totally blew my mind. After I moved to NYC and eventually the Upper West Side, I met Ronnie and his wife at the time, Roberta Arnold, who was his greatest supporter. And I heard him play live a number of times. He never failed to play amazingly. Ronald Edward Cuber was a jazz saxophonist. He played in Latin, pop, rock and blues sessions. In addition to his primary instrument, baritone sax, he also played tenor sax, soprano sax, clarinet and flute, the latter on an album by Eddie Palmieri as well as his own recordings. As a leader, Cuber was known for hard bop and Latin jazz. As a side man, he played with numerous musicians, such as B. B. King, Paul Simon, and Eric Clapton.Furthermore, Cuber can be heard on Freeze Frame by the J. Geils Band, and one of his most spirited performances is on Dr. Lonnie Smith's 1970 Blue Note album Drives. He was also a member in Saturday Night Live Band. Cuber was in Marshall Brown's Newport Youth Band in 1959, where he switched from tenor to baritone sax. His first notable work was with Slide Hampton (1962) and Maynard Ferguson (1963–1965). Then from 1966 to 1967, Cuber worked with George Benson. He was also a member of the Lee Konitz nonet from 1977 to 1979.[2] He can be heard playing in Frank Zappa's group in the mid-1970s, including the album Zappa in New York. He has been a member of the Mingus Big Band since its inception in the early 1990s. He was an off-screen musician for the movie Across the Universe. He is missed, big time.