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Greetings from Amazon.com Delivers JazzMay 6, 1999 [Archive]
Editor, S. Duda
FEATURED IN THIS E-MAIL:
* Get Started in Jazz: Gerry Mulligan and Chet Baker's Cool Jazz
* Jazz Month: April
* The Duke Ellington Centennial
* Advance Orders: Future Jazz!
* Jazz Charts
GET STARTED IN JAZZ
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As an answer to the frenetic bustle of bebop, West Coast jazz musicians began to play in the "cool" style--a laid- back, seductive sound perfect for late nights and romantic encounters. Along with Miles Davis, baritone saxophonist Gerry Mulligan and trumpeter Chet Baker were at the forefront of this movement. Mulligan and Baker's short- lived quartet produced some exquisitely beautiful sounds and also put a popular face on this emerging style--a style that's still able to capture the spirit of mellow hipster sophistication almost 50 years hence.
Read more of Amazon.com's commentary and take an audio tour of a superb collection of classic Gerry Mulligan Quartet recordings in our new Recommendation Center at http://www.amazon.com/mulligan-baker-cool-jazz
JAZZ MONTH: APRIL
*****************
"Traveling Miles"
Cassandra Wilson
Wilson's ambitious tribute to the great Miles Davis is faithful to the spirit of the trumpeter in that it both takes chances with the original material yet still operates from a recognizable palate of melodies and songs. And, of course, Wilson's deep and soulful voice is as gorgeous as ever.
"Requiem"
Branford Marsalis
"Requiem," with pianist Kenny Kirkland, bassist Eric Revis, and drummer Jeff Watts, is contemporary jazz at its best, at once challenging, creative, and accessible by virtue of Marsalis's immensely melodic playing. It's also, tragically, the last recorded glimpse of Kirkland, who died soon after the album was completed. "Requiem" is enough to make listeners miss the pianist even more, as his playing, from some lightning-fast exploratory soloing on "Lykief" to funky rhythmic comping on "Bullworth," is always deliciously thick and instantly recognizable. Marsalis is in top form throughout, his tenor playing on "Doctone" and his gorgeous soprano work on "Trieste" serving as reminders that he's still one of the top saxophonists around.
"Live in Swing City--Swingin' with Duke"
Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis
Powerfully rendered and enthusiastically received by the crowd at New York's Supper Club, this collection of Duke Ellington favorites is worthwhile for its buoyant spirit and execution. It's a session where, like most of Ellington's, multiple soloists get to sound off in a three-minute span, creating an atmosphere where economy in individual expression is a must. So on "C Jam Blues," long associated with Ellington's favorite alto saxophonist, Johnny Hodges, Wynton Marsalis yields the floor to fellow trumpeter Marcus Printup, who in turn yields to tenor saxophonist Walter Blanding, and so on. The group is content to shuffle through the song in its own manner, sounding frequently more like a bluesy Basie band than an Ellington outfit. No matter, though, since this is ultimately a fun recording, packed with solid band workouts.
"Duo"
Charlie Hunter and Leon Parker
This pairing of two of jazz music's most promising young guns is, thankfully, worthy of all its hype. Hunter, who plays an eight-string guitar, coaxes sounds ranging from bass to Hammond B3 organ from his axe with something close to liquid melodicism. For his part, Parker is all over his kit, transforming the drums into a melodic counterpoint to Hunter's guitar, rather than simply allowing them to keep time. How expressive can a duo be? You'll be consistently surprised and delighted by this energetic and thoroughly enjoyable recording.
"Payne's Window"
Cecil Payne
Saxophonist Cecil Payne is one of the thousands of unsung jazz heroes. While his first recording session was in 1946 and is now unavailable, his latest project, "Payne's Window," is in ready abundance. Good thing, too. On "Window," Payne's baritone is nothing short of gorgeous. Bobbing and weaving like a veteran heavyweight, Payne is both graceful and powerful, injecting into these tunes the love and wisdom only a true master can conjure.
THE DUKE ELLINGTON CENTENNIAL
*****************************
The great Duke Ellington looms as perhaps the most influential figure in 20th-century popular music. In honor of the maestro's centennial, Amazon.com has produced a special package of features that thoroughly examines Ellington's music, his diverse range of talents, and his overall impact on the jazz world. We also review a number of the recently released Ellington tributes and reissues. http://www.amazon.com/duke-ellington-centennial
ADVANCE ORDERS: FUTURE JAZZ!
****************************
"Not Two, Not One"
Paul Bley, Gary Peacock, and Paul Motian
"What It Is"
Jacky Terrason
"DNA"
Matthew Shipp and William Parker
JAZZ CHARTS
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Amazon.com's jazz charts are updated weekly. Find out what's hot in the land of Miles, Monk, and Dizzy. http://www.amazon.com/jazz-charts
******
Win a Cool Grand (Piano)
Amazon.com Giveaway: Win a Steinway & Sons Baby Grand Piano! Enter by May 31, 1999, and you could be the winner of one of the finest musical instruments in the world--a hand-crafted Steinway baby grand piano, valued at over $30,000! To enter, just visit http://www.amazon.com/steinway
******
You'll find more great music, articles, and interviews in Amazon.com's Jazz Music section at http://www.amazon.com/jazz-music
******
To become a new Amazon.com Delivers subscriber, or to sign up for additional categories, visit http://www.amazon.com/delivers
Copyright 1999 Amazon.com, Inc. All rights reserved.
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This page last modified: Thursday, 24-Apr-2008 15:34:01 PDT