albumfred:

Dave Brubeck Quartet

mfs:

nina simone

i12bent:

Erroll Garner (June 15, 1921 – January 2, 1977) was an American jazz pianist and composer known for his swing playing and ballads. His best-known composition, the ballad Misty became a jazz standard with singers, and was featured prominently in Clint Eastwoods film from 1971, Play Misty for Me.

Above: Garner and Eastwood, early70s

Below: Erroll Garner, piano/Eddie Calhoun, bass/Kelly Martin, drums: ‘Spring is here’ (Lyrics: Lorenz Hart); ‘It might as well be Spring’ (Lyrics: Oscar Hammerstein); and ‘Lover’ (Lyrics: Lorenz Hart) - all music by Richard Rogers…

“Garner would often play behind or ahead of the beat with his right hand while his springy left had rocked steady, creating insouciance and tension in the music, which he would resolve by bringing the timing back into sync. The independence of his hands also was evidenced by his masterful use of three against four figures and more complicated cross rhythms between the hands. He also would play introductions to pieces that sometimes utilized cacophonous or just weird sounds unrelated to the number, but which produced a sense of excitement in the audience not knowing what he was up to. Whether in ultra slow ballads or rollicking up-tempo improvisation, this never failed to convey a humorous and titillating attitude to both the material at hand and the audience.” (Wiki)

Note Garner’s tell-tale grunting along to the melody - making him the Glenn Gould of jazz, I guess…

kathleenlovesmusic:

Charlie Haden & Hank Jones > Hymn Medley
Composed by Anonymous

Both Charlie and Hank made their reps as ensemble players, but, unusual for a bassist, Charlie fell in love with duet recordings in the 70s. To my ears this one of his is right at the peak.

Charlie Haden Duets Week #1
Legends of the Bass #2
Legends of the Piano #6 
Ballad #20 
Duet #2

kathleenlovesmusic:

Carole King > You’ve Got A Friend
Composed by Carole King

I always loved the pop songs Carole King wrote with her then husband Gerry Goffin, and while I liked her mega super smash hit album Tapestry, it’s ubiquity caused me to not really pay attention.

Then, reading her biography last year I found myself admiring her all the more, and listening with a completely new ear. Instead of You’ve Got A Friend being merely a confection, I heard a completely personal, truthful, authentic song, telling a story with a voice that actually brought me to tears. It didn’t seem possible that a melody this infectious could be so moving, but there you have it, a wonder of modern pop.

Carole King Week #1 
Legends of Singer/Songwriters #3

kathleenlovesmusic:

NRBQ > Little Rootie Tootie
Composed by Thelonious Monk

There are so many great versions of Monk’s tunes that it’s hard to limit myself, and I didn’t really want to have two from the same album. But I couldn’t resist posting the most unlikely cover (if you don’t know Terry Adams) in my collection. (Written for Monk Junior, by the way.)

Thelonious Week #4 
Legends of Rock #6 
Covers #31

kathleenlovesmusic:

Hank Jones > Monk’s Mood
Composed by Thelonious Monk

A story behind the song: As we were preparing this track for a comeback album, Hank Jones told me how he’d heard this composition before Monk recorded it. Monk composed, but he didn’t read or write music. He asked Hank over to his Upper West Side apartment to transcribe the musical notation for Monk’s publisher.

To my ears, Hank brought out everything that was sweet in Monk’s music, not a quality we usually hear in Thelonious.

Thelonious Week #3 
Legends of the Piano #6 
Covers #30

kathleenlovesmusic:

Thelonious Monk > Ruby My Dear
Composed by Thelonious Monk

In honor of next week’s Jazz at Lincoln Center program, Kathleen Loves Music is rocking the house with a week of Monk compositions. First up, maybe his most romantic ballad, in its first recording by the man himself. It’s got all his usual twists and turns, but you can’t help but sing along with the gorgeous melody.

Thelonious Week #1 
Legends of the Piano #5 
Ballads #8
Standards #6

kathleenlovesmusic:

The Ramsey Lewis Trio > The In Crowd
Composed by Billy Page

This hit was the biggest hit of this week of jazz hits. (#5 on the Billboard charts, same as “Girl from Ipanema”, but for four weeks longer.) At the time I knew the Dobie Gray song so, not knowing anything about cover versions, I was completely confused. Today no one’s ever heard of Dobie’s. Just goes to show you, hits ain’t always hits.

Jazz Hits Week #5 
Covers #26 
Legends of Soul Jazz #3

kathleenlovesmusic:

Herbie Hancock > Chameleon
Composed by Herbie Hancock,
Bennie Maupin, Paul Jackson and Harvey Mason

It’s a funny thing about “jazz hits.” Sure, there are records that make the top of the jazz charts. But whenever a jazz recording makes even the far reaches of the Hot 100, jazzbos cry “sell out” and proclaim the track a pop “hit.” A case in point is today’s feature, which peaked at #52 and will be forever thought of as Herbie Hancock’s popular music breakthrough.

Herbie’s had a completely unparalleled career, even by his larger than life mentor. At least five of his compositions are jazz and pop “standards” (think about Watermelon Man or Rockit or the Fat Albert LP). Through it all he’s been hailed constantly as an exemplary pianist, composer, and innovative bandleader. And today, at 68 years old, Herbie’s still making hit albums.

Oh, and doesn’t Chameleon completely groove?

Jazz Hits Week #2 
Legends of Soul Jazz #2
Legends of the Piano #4