Shark Jazz and Blues

On today’s show we will honor Bud Powell and Ahmad Jamal, but most of the show will be given over to an exploration of Jazz from South Africa.   Playlist Bud Powell – Celia Ahmad Jamal – Poinciana Tune Recreation Committee – Didimala Dollar Brand – Scullery Department Hugh Masekela with Malaika – Open the Door Abdullah Ibrahim – Star Dance Nduduzo Makhathini – Unyazi Ibrahim Maalouf – Maeva in the Wonderland Joshua Redman, Brad Mehldau, Christian McBride, Brian Blade – Ship to Shore   Notes Bud Powell – b. 27 September 1924 (Harlem, NY); d. 1966. One of the pianists of the Bebop era. Listen to Thelonious Monk’s tribute to his good friend and fellow pianist, Bud Powell, with the song “ In Walked Bud .” The Legacy of the Jazz Epistle Abdullah Ibrahim – b. 1934 (Cape Town, South Africa). Formerly performed under the name Dollar Brand, one of the leading figures in South African jazz. Founder of the influential band, the Jazz Epistles. Hugh Masekela – ...

On today’s show, we talk about Billie Holiday and John Coltrane with Gil Scott-Heron, listen to blues from today and yesterday, and end up with some jazz that makes us feel like dancing. But first up, we celebrate Cannonball Adderly’s 95th birthday. Cannonball Adderly – Stars Fell on Alabama Bob James – Angela (The theme from “Taxi”) Laufey – Everything I Know About Love Gil Scott-Heron – Lady Day and John Coltrane John Coltrane – Impressions (Take 1) Billie Holiday – Gloomy Sunday Keb’ Mo’ – Love in Vain Niuver – Enamorados Shemekia Copeland – Walk Until I Ride Robert Johnson – Ramblin’ On My Mind Quadro Nuevo – Mocca Swing   Notes: Cannonball Adderly – b. 15 September 1928 in Tampa, FL; d. 8 August 1975. Playing alto sax, he was a major figure in the hard bop era of the 1950s and 1960s. “Stars Fell on Alabama” is taken from the 1959 album he recorded with John Coltrane, but this is the only track on the album in which Coltrane does not play. Laufey –...

Today we stretch the boundaries of what we call jazz and blues in remembering three important musicians who passed in the past couple of months. First, in our ongoing tribute to Pittsburgh native Ahmad Jamal, and in honor of a little bit cooler weather, we listen to a brilliant version of “Autumn Leaves.” After that we remember Canadian Robbie Robertson and the Irish singer, poet, and musician Sinéad O’Connor. Also on the show, a 2020 release from supergroup Artemis and new music from the Scottish band, Mama Terra and a new single from Zoe Rahman.    Playlist Cedar Walton – The Rubber Man Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers – Are You Real? Ahmad Jamal – Autumn Leaves Sinéad O’Connor – Nothing Compares 2 U The Band – The Weight Zoe Rahman – For Love Artemis – The Sidewinder Mama Terra – A Mind Supreme Bob Marley and the Wailers – No Woman No Cry (Live)   Notes: “Autumn Leaves” – Song composed by Joseph Kusma (Les Feuillas mortes) in 1945. It has ...

 

Welcome to a New Year of Shark Jazz and Blues!  It has been an exceptionally sad summer for music lovers, with the passing of many talented and important artists. Shortly before the end of the spring semester, we lost one of the giants of jazz, Pittsburgh native Ahmad Jamal. While we honored him in the spring, and in the coming weeks we will once again look at the career of Jamal, including his influence on hip-hop music. Tony Bennett was a giant in terms of jazz recordings. He had a very close relationship with Lady Gaga, a person who was 50 years younger, with whom he recorded two very successful albums. His son reported that his final words were, “Thank you.” [1] A fitting response and tribute to a great life. We also will remember the great Brazilian pianist João Donato, listen to some new music from Iceland, and sample a couple of great blues songs. We end with an essential, Miles Davis to play us into the night.  Playlist  Connie Han – Grüvy Ella Fitzgerald and...