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THE JAZZ RAG
ISSUE 140 SPRING 2016
EARL HINES UK £3.25
CONTENTS
EARL HINES
A HIGHLY IMPRESSIVE NEW COLLECTION OF THE MUSIC
OF THE GREAT JAZZ PIANIST - 7 CDS AND A DVD - ON
STORYVILLE RECORDS IS REVIEWED ON PAGE 30.
4 NEWS
7 UPCOMING EVENTS
8 JAZZ RAG CHARTS
NEW! CDS AND BOOKS SALES CHARTS
10 BIRMINGHAM-SOLIHULL
JAZZ FESTIVALS LINK UP
11 BRINGING JAZZ TO THE MILLIONS
JAZZ PHOTOGRAPHS AT BIRMINGHAM'S
SUPER-STATION
12 26 AND COUNTING
SUBSCRIBE TO THE JAZZ RAG A NEW RECORDING OF AN ESTABLISHED SHOW
THE NEXT SIX EDITIONS MAILED
14 NEW BRANCH OF THE JAZZ ARCHIVE
DIRECT TO YOUR DOOR FOR ONLY NJA SOUTHEND OPENS
£17.50*
Simply send us your name. address and postcode along with your
16 THE 50 TOP JAZZ SINGERS?
payment and we’ll commence the service from the next issue. SCOTT YANOW COURTS CONTROVERSY
OTHER SUBSCRIPTION RATES:
EU £20.50 USA, CANADA, AUSTRALIA £24.50 18 JAZZ FESTIVALS
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21 REVIEW SECTION
Please send to:
LIVE AT SOUTHPORT, CDS AND FILM
JAZZ RAG SUBSCRIPTIONS
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32 BEGINNING TO CD LIGHT
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THE JAZZ RAG
PO BOX 944, Birmingham, B16 8UT, England UPFRONT
Tel: 0121454 7020
Fax: 0121 454 9996
FESTIVALS IN PERIL
In his latest Newsletter Chris Hodgkins, former head of Jazz Services, heads one item,
Email: jazzrag@bigbearmusic.com
‘Ealing Jazz Festival under Threat’. He explains that the festival previously ran for eight
Web: www.jazzrag.com days with 34 main stage concerts, then goes on:
‘Since outsourcing the management of the festival to a private contractor the
Publisher / editor: Jim Simpson sponsorships have ended, admission charges have been introduced and now it is
News / features: Ron Simpson proposed to cut the Festival to just two days. This is despite participation by top jazz
Reviews editor: Nick Hart artists and attendance levels remaining high. The outsourced company is still involved.
International editor: Yue Yang To add insult to injury the Council intends to dispense with the services of Dick
Commercial Director: Tim Jennings Esmond, the co-founder and the Artistic Director.’
Subscriptions & accounts: Nick Hart
Research: Michael Fort This seems a familiar story on two counts. While Jazz Rag has no wish to pillory local
Designed by Nerys James councils and indeed is full of respect for the way many councils support jazz festivals,
Printed by Warwick Printing there are two common blindspots in the Ealing story. Chris mentions the ‘hundreds
www.warwickprinting.co.uk and thousands of people’ who have been attracted to Ealing by the festival. Councils
often fail to realise the financial benefit to local shops, restaurants and hotels of a
© 2016 THE JAZZ RAG. All original material including advertising
artwork remains the sole copyright of the Publisher and may not be
reproduced without permission Continued on page 4
THE JAZZ RAG 3
NEWS NEWS
Tom Cawley Jeff Barnhart historic buildings, though not all Sulzmann and Nikki Iles (April Marlene VerPlanck
of them sacred. Arve will be 24) and Rossano Sportiello (May
joined by Jan Bang (samples) and 15).
Eivind Aarset (guitar), with visuals Tel.: 01908 280800
from Anastasia Isachsen, in www.stables.org
concerts at the Holywell Music
Room, Oxford (May 11), St. KING PLEASURE AT
George’s Bristol (12) and LSO St. HOME
Luke’s, London (13).
Between the Stadsschouwburg,
www.operanorth.co.uk
Bruges on March 6 and the
Riverboat Jazz Festival in
JAZZ DIVAS AT ST. Denmark on June 24-25, King
JAMES Pleasure and the Biscuit Boys are
A fine series of four concerts at on home territory, with dates
JAZZ AT SHEFFIELD STAFFORD JAZZ Band. The regular programme who is also curating a series of St. James Theatre, London, including Bristol International
Sheffield Jazz operates, mainly on The long-established Stafford Jazz features such bands as the Frog concerts by hotly-tipped young highlights top British jazz singers Jazz and Blues Festival (March
Fridays, at three different venues, Society, now some 35 years old, Island Jazz Band (February 28), musicians. Already booked are under the banner of Jazz Divas 18), Jam House, Birmingham
the most frequent being the meets every Sunday lunch-time at Matt Palmer with both his Jacob Collier and Andreya Triana. 2016. First off Joanna Eden is (April 7), Cornbow Hall,
Millennium Hall at the Polish the White Eagle Club. Special Millennium Eagle Jazz Band www.greenwichmusictime.co.uk joined by Alan Barnes and the
Catholic Centre: Jason Rebello events in the upcoming months (March 6) and his Rhythmic Chris Ingham Trio on February
(March 4), Jeff Williams Quintet include an evening session with Reeds with Christine Tyrrell ARVE HENRIKSEN 25. Clare Teal is accompanied by
(18), Tom Cawley’s Curios (April Pete Allen’s Reeds & Rhythm (April 10), and the evergreen pianist Jason Rebello on March
(with Sean Moyses and Dave Merseysippi Jazz Band (May 22). TOUR
22),Vein Trio plus Greg Osby 31 and Norma Winstone by
(May 6) and the Allison Neale Browning - April 3), an extended Tel.: 01785 226950 Norwegian jazz trumpeter Arve
Gwilym Simcock on April 28
Quintet (20). The Kofi/Barnes lunch-time session of Ragtime, www.staffordjazz.org Henriksen is to undertake a before Claire Martin,
Aggregation (March 11) and Swing, Blues & Beyond with Jeff & short tour with a difference accompanied by the Gareth
Malija (April 1) play the Crucible Anne Barnhart, Spats Langham JAMIE AT GREENWICH organised by Opera North. The Williams Trio, brings the series to
Studio and the Tim Garland and Graham Smith (May 29) and The Greenwich Music Time multi-media concerts are inspired an end on May 26.
Electric Quartet appears at the two big band concerts in the Festival (July 5-10) takes place at by his acclaimed 2013 album, www.stjamestheatre.co.uk
Foundry at Sheffield University Stafford Music Festival. Swingin’ the Old Royal Naval College with Places of Worship, which was
Students Union on April 14. Jim’s Dance Band (May 8) is a variety of headline acts derived by sacred sites and ruins. FRIENDS OF UPTON
www.sheffieldjazz.org.uk followed a week later by the including Jo Bonamassa. Starring Appropriately enough, the
The monthly sessions of the
Stafford Grammar School Big on the final night is Jamie Cullum concerts will take place in Friends of the Upton Jazz
Continued from page 2 Festival, held at Hanley Castle
High School, continue with the
successful festival. Similarly the importance of an unsung and often underpaid director who brings knowledge and experience to the task and Basin Street Brawlers (March 11)
is dedicated to quality rather than profit is often under-estimated. and the JJ Vinten Band (April 15).
American guitarist Howard Alden
All the above applies even to one of the most famous and longest established jazz festivals in the UK. Brecon survived the death of its features with a quartet on May
inspirational founder, Jed Williams, in 2003 for a few years before plunging into a downward cycle during six or years of constant change and 13 and Dutch violinist Tim
uncertainty. A missed year, the abortive take-over by Hay-on-Wye Festival, then it seemed that the Orchard Media and Entertainment Group Kliphuis brings his trio on June 3.
had brought stability. After four years running the festival, the company has realised there is not enough money in it and has walked away, with Sadly the July 29 concert with
the Brecon Jazz Festival website expressing gratitude for what Orchard achieved. There seems to be no initiative forthcoming from the county Ken Peplowski has been
council despite the festival’s boost to the economy of the town and and the Arts Council of Wales appears at first sight to be rather muddled cancelled owing to his
in its thinking. Last year ACW found £100,000 to support the festival - a mind-boggling sum to most organisers of jazz festivals - only to commitments in the United
suggest in December that it would be a good idea for Brecon to take a year off now. However, ACW's response to our request for States.
information suggests that it is well disposed to jazz and no more confused than the whole Brecon situation. ACW has committed no funding Tel.: 01684 593794
to Brecon as there is no body of the stature of Orchard to take on the administration of the festival, but is up to date with attempts by
Brecon Jazz, the Cathedral and Theatr Brycheiniog to draw up some kind of a programme and would be sympathetic to applications for minor JAZZ AT THE STABLES
funding. A comparable response came from Brecon Town Council. The Town Clerk told Jazz Rag: The Stables at Wavendon has an
‘Talks are ongoing with the stakeholder group about what is happening this year, though a festival is most certainly being planned. The Fringe outstanding jazz and jazz-related
Festival is also certain to be going ahead.’ programme for the next three
months. Evening concerts
Pleasing as it is to receive an immediate and optimistic reply from the Town Council, reading between the lines suggests that the Fringe is include, among others, the Andy
more certain than the main festival. So no doubt there will be jazz in Brecon on August 12-14, but will there be a Brecon Jazz Festival as we Panayi Trio with Tenor Madness
know it? (March 8), the Puppini Sisters
(15), the Jive Aces (25), Sax
Similar stories of funding cuts and organisers struggling to maintain standards abound - to some extent, inevitably, with the pressure on local Appeal (April 3), Back to Basie
councils to make cutbacks, but equally, unimaginatively, given that jazz festivals pay for their own grants by the money they bring into the (10), Bohem Ragtime Jazz Band
community. Fortunately many festivals have boldly decided to ignore the cuts and offer a quality product. The best programme for years at the (May 4), Roy Ayers (11) and
Wigan Jazz Festival and a Swansea Jazz Festival of undiminished scale and excellence both defy the financial situation. Birmingham, which is still Swinging at the Cotton Club (15).
supported by the City Council, goes one step further and expands to take in Solihull. Sunday mornings also have a
considerable jazz appeal with
So there is plenty of life in the British jazz festival scene, but what will happen when an ageing cadre of apparently tireless organisers decides Brian Peerless in conversation
that enough is enough? Will the local councils step in to protect a valuable resource? Not on the evidence of Geoff Matthews of Southport with Digby Fairweather (March
Jazz on a Winter’s Weekend. Two years ago he retired, but found no local interest in taking over a very successful festival, so he withdrew his 20) and Enrico Tomasso (May 25)
retirement and carried on. Now he has found an appropriate successor, Neil Hughes, both businessman and jazz enthusiast. The succession to and Live Jazz Matters sessions
the Festival Director will be key to many of our jazz festivals. Make the wrong choice or no choice at all and Brecon will not the only major
with Marlene VerPlanck and an
festival in danger.
all-star trio (March 13), Stan
4 THE JAZZ RAG THE JAZZ RAG 5
NEWS UPCOMING EVENTS
Norma Winstone Gascoyne/Sebastiaan de Krom Goodman and Miller. Another continues with the Dave Newton Orchestra on April 24 in Sunday
(6) and Spats Langham’s Hot 100 Years of Jazz and 1956 - A Trio (March 12), Keith Nichols’ lunch-time gigs at the Whalley
Fingers (20) either side of an Jazz Jubilee follow later in the Septet with Classic Jazz Revisited ex-Servicemen’s Club.
interesting bill under the name year. (April 9) and the Art Themen Tel.: 01942 243974/01925 727408
The Intimate Sinatra (13). Matt www.jazzrep.co.uk Quintet (May 7). www.wiganjazzclub.co.uk
Ford is accompanied by the Tel.: 020 8429 1260
www.pinnerjazz.org.uk Jazz and jazz-influenced acts at
Tippett String Quartet, harpist JAZZ LONDON
Hugh Webb and the Matt Skelton the Cinnamon Club in Altrincham
RADIO Durham Gala Theatre presents include Clare Teal and her Trio
Quintet, with Callum Au, Dave
Jazz London Radio has just the duo of Graham Hardy and celebrating Doris Day (March
Newton and Howard McGill.
appointed an advertising manager. Paul Edis in another of its 11), Dominic Halpin & the
April 27 is another no jazz week,
Sales Executive Jay Bennett popular lunch-time sessions on Hurricanes (17), Huw Jacob (18),
with the Concorde Festival taking
(jay@jazzlondonradio.com) can April 8. The Gala Big Band plays a the Jamie Leeming Trio featuring
over in support of Care After
give details of sponsorship and gig on home turf (April 28) and Emily Dankworth (May 1), Audrey
Combat. The traditional Jazz
advertising. Promoters wishing to James Pearson leads the Ronnie Mattis & Trio (21) and Dominic
Night on Sundays also gives way
publicise their gigs should contact Scott’s All Stars on May 12. Halpin & the Honey B’s (29).
to special events on several official@jazzlondonradio.com. Tel.: 0161926 8992
occasions, but March and April Interestingly Chris Hodgkins www.thecinnamonclub.net
Fortnightly jazz at the Epsom
features four jazz nights: the whose Jazz Then and Now slot Playhouse continues with Geoff
Sussex Jazz Kings (March 13), features Jazz Rag choices, is now Watermill Jazz at the Aviva
Cole’s Red Hot 5 (March 7) and
Brian White’s French Quarter All also presenting a programme on Sports and Social Club in
the Gresty/White Ragtimers (21).
Stars (27), Jools and the Pure Jazz Radio in New York. Tel.: 01372 742555 Dorking continues with the
Jazzaholics (April 3) and John www.jazzlondonradio.com/listen/ Maciek Pysz Quartet (March 10),
Maddocks Jazzmen (10). to hear Jazz London Radio Sunday lunch-time sessions of the Geoff Eales Quartet (17), the
Tel.: 023 80613989 Erith & Belvedere Jazz Club at Scott Hamilton Quartet (24) and
www.theconcordeclub.com Park View Social Club, Welling, Derek Nash's Sax Appeal (31).
UPCOMING feature Band of Brothers (March April begins in fine style with
JAZZ NORTH EAST EVENTS Alexander Bone 6) and Bob Dwyer’s Bix and Freddie Gavita playing the music
Halesowen (8), the Carding Shed, header on March 20: the Pieces (April 3). of Clifford Brown (7), followed by
AT 50 Newcastle’s Jazz Cafe features with the resident Mike Gordon the Corrie Dick Band of Jazz
Holmfirth (9), DW Stadium, Swingshift Big band with Pete Dick Laurie’s regular Sunday Tel.: 020 8317 3837
In its 50th anniversary year Jazz the return of Soundbone playing Trio: Ben Lowman (9), Toby (14), Alan Barnes, Gilad Atzmon
Wigan (22), Spa Centre, Long and Marlene VerPlanck and lunch-time residency with the
North East presents Greg Osby the music of Led Zeppelin (April Greenwood (16), Tina and the Lowest Common
Scarborough (23), Stephen Joseph the Chris Holmes Trio. Afternoon Elastic Band at the Half Moon, Wigan Jazz Club presents the Al
(May 4) working with Swiss trio 1). Trio Subtonic from America Featherstone (23) and Martin Denominator (21) and the Mark
Theatre, Scarborough (May 14), events follow with Andy Prior Putney, has been confirmed for Wood Quintet in Gerry Mulligan
VEIN at the Literary and visit the Tyneside venue on April Jones and Matt Smith (30). April Nightingale Big Band (28).
Longfield Suite, Manchester (20), and Emma Holcroft joining the the whole of 2016 on the meets Benny Carter on March 27
Philosophical Society in 8 followed by Partikel (28) and brings Manjula led by singer www.watermilljazz.co.uk
Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis (28) Swingtime Big Band (April 17) existing arrangement: the first and the Sandbach School Brass
Newcastle. Canadian trumpeter the John Bailey Quintet (29). The Vanessa Rani (6) and Adams,
and Greystones, Sheffield (June and Dave Tyas’ SK2 Jazz and third Sundays of every Boys and the Wigan Youth Jazz
Orchestra with the music of Stan Ingrid Jensen visits the Black former AC Milan footballer- Kemp & Gordon (20), plus two
11). month.
Tel.: 0121 454 7020 Kenton (May 15). Swan, Newcastle Arts Centre, on turned jazz guitarist Simone more sessions of the Mike
www.kingpleasureandthebiscuitboys.com Tel.: 01704 541790
www.jazzinsouthport.co.uk
May 28, followed by Sue
Richardson’s Chet Baker show
(June 24) and Tim Richards’
The weekly Tuesday Jazz and
Swing at the Wilmslow
Gubbiotti flies in on May 13 and
pianist Dominic J. Marshall
appears on June 14.
Gordon Trio, with Joel Purnell
(13) and Jon Taylor (27). The Big
MAJOR CONCERTS AT
chris BarBer Band
www.scarboroughjazz.co.uk
Hextet (28). Conservative Club features such www.jazzcafe-newcastle.co.uk
THE UNION CHAPEL BLAYDON JAZZ CLUB favourites as Rosie Harrison and
www.jazznortheast.com Bexley Jazz Club has an
Emma Fisk’s new Hot Club du Terry Brunt with the Vinnie
AGMP is promoting two The Royal Welsh College of impressive line-up of quartets
Nord quartet, with James Birkett Parker Trio (March 8), Julie
outstanding concerts at London’s
on guitar, makes its debut at the
JAZZ REP AT Music and Drama in Cardiff is the (the likes of Dave Newton and 24 March 20 May
Union Chapel during April. On Edwards and Kevin Dearden (15), venue for the Finals of the BBC
Black Bull in Blaydon on April 10. CADOGAN HALL BBQ, the Brownfield-Byrne Bobby Worth cropping up more Harrogate Theatre Middlesbrough Theatre
April 14 the legendary Sun Ra Young Jazz Musician competition than once) led by Roger 7.30pm
A varied schedule at Blaydon The Jazz Repertory Company, Quintet (29) and Bruce Adams www.middlesbroughtheatre.co.uk
Arkestra appears under the on March 12. Last year’s winner, Beaujolais (March 7), Marlene www.harrogatetheatre.co.uk
includes the Noel Dennis-Paul headed by Pete Long and Richard and Rosie Harrison with the
direction of its long-standing saxophonist Alexander Bone, will
leader Marshall Allen. This is
Edis Quartet (May 15), the Alice Pite, has a programme of five Steve Moore Trio (April 12). The be playing on the evening.
VerPlanck (14), Pete Neighbour 27 May
followed by the Grammy award-
Grace Quartet fronted by the concerts in 2016 at Cadogan Hall first Thursday of each month see (21), Ted Beament (this one a trio 1 april Lyme Regis Marine Theatre
former NYJO vocalist (June 19) near Sloane Square. March 12 the Sinatra Swingers at Cheadle - 28), Alan Barnes (April 4), Tewkesbury The Roses Theatre www.marinetheatre.com
winning Roy Hargrove Quintet Wakefield Jazz goes up to the
and the Reunion Band (July 10), and May 8 bring two established Hulme Conservative Club, with Martin Speake (11), Geoff Eales 7.30pm
on April 19. Easter break with the Geoff Eales
featuring Hong Kong-based expat and very popular programmes, guest singers Rosie Harrison (18) and Andy Panayi (25). www.rosestheatre.org
www.unionchapel.org.uk
trumpeter Colin Aitchison and
Quartet featuring Noel Langley 17 June
the Benny Goodman 1938 (March 3), Marilyn Royle (April 7) (March 4) and Lee Gibson with
Italian clarinet virtuoso Franco Folkestone Jazz Club’s excellent Beckenham
BIG BANDS AND A
Carnegie Hall Concert and 100 and Zoe Kyoti (May 5). the Chris Holmes Trio and John 19 april St Georges Parish Church
Valussi. Years of Jazz in 99 Minutes, with Tel.: 01625 528336 weekly programme at the Tower
Hallam (11). The sessions resume Bromley Churchill Theatre www.stgeorgesbeckenham.co.uk
CELEBRATION on April 8 with Gareth Williams Theatre, Shorncliffe, continues
7.30pm
Southport Melodic Jazz
celebrates its 25th birthday with
JAZZ AT THE JAZZ RAG CHARTS Trio, followed by John Law’s New with the Humphrey Lyttelton
Band (March 3), Alex and Willie
www.churchilltheatre.co.uk 27 June
CONCORDE New for this issue, Jazz Rag is publishing charts of sales of jazz CDs
Congregation (15), Noemi Nuti
Bury St Edmunds The Apex
a four-stage event on June 18. The Garnett (10), Jim Mullen Trio
Cliff Ray Ensemble plays a full-
Wednesday evenings at the and jazz books. The demise of the specialist record shop is often
Band featuring Quentin Collins
(17), Steve Waterman All Star
21 april www.theapex.co.uk
Concorde Club, Eastleigh, (22) and the Clark Tracey Wimborne Tivoli Theatre
length afternoon gig, the two- predicted, but they continue to provide an invaluable service – and Septet (24), Roger Beaujolais
continue with the Southampton Quintet (29). 7.30pm
guitar Hulme-Ormesher Trio
University Big Band (March 2),
jazz CDs still sell, as, increasingly, does vinyl, in many cases providing Tel.: 01977 680542 Quartet (31), Clark Tracey 9 July
a boost for the independents. This first chart draws on the sales of Quintet (April 7), Mick Foster www.tivoliwimborne.co.uk
accompanies the evening buffet www.wakefiledjazz.org Wigan Jazz Festival
then, after a week without jazz, four independent specialist record shops: Jazz Rag would welcome
and there’s jazz in the Lounge at resume with the Grant Stewart Sextet (14) and Jazzin’ Jolson, with www.wiganjazzclub.co.uk
the end of the evening. As for the any additions to the list – simply email admin@bigbearmusic.com. Scarborough Jazz, every such musicians as Enrico Tomasso 22 april
Quartet (16), Ray Gelato’s The book chart is derived from the sales of Waterstone’s and Jazz
main concert, that’s Alan Barnes, Wednesday at the Cask in and Julian Marc Stringle (21). Portsmouth Kings Theatre More performances to follow....
Enforcers (23) and Pete Long’s Rag is very grateful for the co-operation of both the book chain and
Gilad Atzmon and the Lowest Cambridge Terrace, hosts Seven Tel.: 01303 277175 7.30pm For information check
Echoes of Ellington Orchestra the record shops. www.chrisbarber.net
Common Denominator. Before Pieces of Silver led by Paul Baxter www.kingsportsmouth.co.uk
(30). April brings Derek See pages 8 and 9
the Birthday Bash a Big Band Nash/Dave Newton/Geoff on March 2. After that there are Pinner Jazz’s excellent monthly
Season starts with a double four weeks of featured soloists programme in the Parish Church
6 THE JAZZ RAG THE JAZZ RAG 7
THE JAZZ RAG TOP 20 THE JAZZ RAG TOP TEN BOOKS
THE JAZZ RAG TOP 20 THE JAZZ RAG TOP TEN BOOKS
UK JAZZ CD SALES CHART UK JAZZ BOOK BESTSELLER CHART
1 ERROLL GARNER COMPLETE CONCERT BY THE SEA Columbia
R.CRUMB'S HEROES JAZZ AGE FASHION:
2 KAMASI WASHINGTON THE EPIC Brainfeeder
1 OF BLUES, JAZZ 6 DRESSED TO KILL
AND COUNTRY Virginia Bates &
Robert Crumb Daisy Bates
3 METTE HENRIETTE METTE HENRIETTE ECM Records
(Harry N. Abrams) (Rizzoli International
4 TUBBY HAYES MAN IN A HURRY Mono Media Films Publications)
5 KARRIN ALLYSON MANY A NEW DAY Motema/E1
6 COUNT BASIE KURHAUS CONCERT Doctor Jazz 2 EMPIRE OF SIN: A
STORY OF SEX, JAZZ, 7 THE CHRONICLE
OF JAZZ
& HIS ORCHESTRA MURDER, AND THE Mervyn Cooke
BATTLE FOR MODERN
7 WOODY HERMAN FOUR CLASSIC ALBUMS Avid Jazz NEW ORLEANS (Abbeville Press Inc.)
Gary Krist
8 ABE LINCOLN 18 FINEST 1953/57 Retrospective
(Broadway Books)
9 JOHN COLTRANE A LOVE SUPREME - SUPER DELUXE EDITION Impulse!
10 REBECCA KILGORE TWO SONGBIRDS OF A FEATHER Arbors Records 3 JAZZ. NEW YORK IN
THE ROARING 8 THE PENGUIN
GUIDE TO JAZZ
& NICKI PAROTT TWENTIES Brian Morton and
Robert Nippoldt and Richard Cook
11 WARREN VACHE REMEMBERS BENNY CARTER Arbors Records Taschen Hans-Jurgen Schall (Penguin Books)
(Taschen)
12 BRAD MEHLDAU 10 YEARS SOLO LIVE Nonesuch
13 GERARD PRESENCER GROOVE TRAVELS Edition Records
& THE DANISH RADIO
BIG BAND
4 THE HISTORY OF JAZZ
Ted Gioia
9 R. CRUMB THE
COMPLETE RECORD
COVER COLLECTION
(Oxford University Press)
14 PEPPER ADAMS FOUR CLASSIC ALBUMS Avid Jazz Robert Crumb
(W. W. Norton & Company)
15 JAY MCSHANN HOOTIE'S BLUES 1941/55 Retrospective
16 BOB BROOKMEYER THE BLUES HOT & COLD Verve
17 TORD GUSTAVEN WHAT WAS SAID ECM Records 5 JAZZ COVERS
Joaquim Paulo
10 BUT BEAUTIFUL:
A BOOK ABOUT JAZZ
18 DUKE ELLINGTON TREASURY SHOWS VOL. 20 Storyville (Taschen) Geoff Dyer
(Picador)
19 MILES DAVIS KIND OF BLUE Colombia
20 PAT HALCOX REMEMBERING Lake Records
This chart is compiled from sales in the following record stores
CRAZY JAZZ, Northampton www.crazyjazz.co.uk 01604 315287 Mail Order - www.crazyjazz.co.uk/main/orderform.pdf
JUMBO RECORDS, Leeds www.jumborecords.co.uk 0113 245 5570 5-6 St Johns Centre, LS2 8LQ chart information supplied by Waterstones
MUSIC INN, Nottingham www.themusicinn.co.uk 0115 978 4403 28-34 Alfreton Rd, NG7 3NG
RAYS JAZZ AT FOYLES, London www.foyles.co.uk/rays-jazz-classical-music 020 7440 3205 107 Charing Cross Rd, WC2H 0EB www.waterstones.com
8 THE JAZZ RAG THE JAZZ RAG 9
BIRMINGHAM-SOLIHULL LINK-UP BRINGING JAZZ TO THE MILLIONS
BIRMINGHAM-SOLIHULL LINK-UP BRINGING JAZZ TO THE MILLIONS
Take two successful Midlands jazz and in organisation, with free no doubt of the value of the Orleans Jump Band. Newcomers In Birmingham’s spectacular New
festivals, very different in their access to open performances newly expanded festival to her to the festival include the Street Station there is a
histories, partly similar in their across the town/city. Essential town: Busquitos from Holland and Iva distinguished-looking plaque
musical policies, less than 10 differences are that Solihull ‘Hot on the heels of Solihull and the Hotsy Totsy 5, led by Iva commemorating the visit of H.M.
miles apart and programmed by operated as mainly an all-day Fashion Week which takes place Blazkova, formerly of the great The Queen to open the splendid
the same company - and apply festival with limited evening this Spring we can’t wait to young band from Velke Losiny in complex in November last year.
the logic! The result is that the events (Birmingham tends to run welcome another major event to the Czech Republic. American Between December 4 last year
32nd Birmingham Jazz & Blues for about 14 hours a day with the the town centre for the summer. bluesmen lined up for the festival and February 4 Her Majesty had
Festival will now be the first occasional pause for rest and The Birmingham festival has include the Walter Trout Band to compete for the attention of
Birmingham and Solihull Jazz and refreshment!) and Solihull relied become one of the biggest events and Joe Fournier. Surely the the 6,095,061 visitors to the
Blues Festival. on two fixed stages, notably in of its kind in Europe and it’s great festival’s first band from India, the station with an exhibition of
Mell Square, cannily sited in the that Solihull is now a major part Rajasthan Heritage Brass Band is photographs of the 31st
Birmingham’s history as one of prime shopping area of the town. of its plans with some of the this year’s most unusual inclusion Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival
the oldest-established and best most acclaimed jazz and blues in the programme. held in July 2015. (The
regarded of UK jazz festivals is However, these differences don’t musicians performing here and surprisingly exact total is the
well known, but it is only in the stop the two festivals being delighting town centre music The festival which will consist of official figure for users of the
last few years that Solihull BID compatible; in fact, Solihull’s lovers.’ a minimum of 150 concerts, most busiest UK station outside
has developed an excellent presence will enrich Birmingham of them free, will also feature London.)
weekend festival over Spring with yet greater variety of events Possibly Birmingham’s prime such UK bands and musicians as
Bank Holiday: in fact, the and audiences. The 2016 festival selling point has been the ability Alan Barnes, Art Themen, the The 52 photographs, ranging
occasional Solihull concert has will see a change of normal dates to bring in European bands, many Broombusters, Bruce Adams, the from close-ups of musicians to
long been a feature of the for both events, the Birmingham of them previously unknown in Catfish Kings, Derek Nash, Digby crowd shots to jitterbugging
Birmingham festival which has festival always avoiding major this country, which then become Fairweather, the John Patrick Trio, dance troupe, attracted much
always adopted a fairly football championships when festival favourites. Birmingham King Pleasure and the Biscuit attention from the passing
expansionist interpretation of the there is a date clash. So lovers of patrons will be looking forward Boys, Remi Harris, Roy Forbes, crowd, though it is unlikely all six
word ‘Birmingham’. jazz and football can enjoy the to the return of Italy’s Pepper Simon Spillett, Tipitina and the million stopped for a look!
European Championships and and the Jellies, the Schwings from Whiskey Brothers. Strongly represented was the
The Solihull festival has from the then support the Birmingham and Lithuania, Saxitude from festival’s official photographer,
start been programmed by Big Solihull Jazz Festival on July 15- Luxembourg, Les Zauto Check out further details on Merlin Daleman, but there were
Bear Music which runs the 24. Stompers de Paris and the Sarah facebook.com/birminghamjazzfestival also fine photographs by a wide
Birmingham festival so it is not Lenka Band from France, the range of photographers, from
surprising that there are some Melanie Palmer, Executive Budapest Ragtime Band and, from Festival Director to local
similarities, both in musical policy Director of the Solihull BID, has the Costa del Sol, the New students: Greg Gdowski, Bradley
Pearce, Jim Simpson, Charlotte
Webb and Graham Young. The
whole exhibition was arranged
and prepared by students of Debbie Jones and Justin
Birmingham City University Randall of Tipitina at
under the direction of Phil the exhibition.
Thompson and part of the
festival’s photography project
supported by Arts Council The international team of student-curators (l-r) Casey Li (Ireland), Felicity Hall
England.
(Worcester), Nora Al-Hindi (Jordan), Francisca Borzea (Romania)
Under this project
photographers of all abilities of
ages, abilities and experience
were encouraged to work to a
specific brief during the jazz
festival. Given the brief by Festival
Director Jim Simpson in advance,
they then met with the festival’s
photographer-at-large Merlin
Daleman who enlarged on this
brief and advised them on
possible approaches to jazz
photography. During the event he
monitored their work and
eventually, two weeks later, gave a
final debrief – by Skype, with
Merlin in Sicily, Charlotte Webb
in London and six other
photographers in the Blue Piano
in Birmingham! The New Street
exhibition is a tribute to the
success of the project, with
excellent images from a variety of
photographers.
10 THE JAZZ RAG THE JAZZ RAG 11
26 AND COUNTING 26 AND COUNTING
26 AND COUNTING without the need to include the
melodramatic and commercially
motivated song that gave the
Val Wiseman
RON SIMPSON discovers another Billie Holiday anniversary, rather overlooked last year: show its title. And there’s still no
shortage of fine songs to be
25 years since the UK’s favourite Lady Day tribute was first recorded. considered, giving the lie to the
old theory that in the 1930s Billie
Lady Sings the Blues 1990-style. was given all the second-rate
songs to sing, though admittedly
Eeny Meeny Miny Mo, the first
track on the original album, is not
Johnny Mercer’s most
sophisticated lyric!
No one is better placed than
Digby Fairweather to compare
the early tours of Lady Sings the
Blues with the present day or the
1990 album with the soon-to-be-
released Laughing at Life. Despite
reservations about his own
playing (reservations not shared
by other listeners) he is clearly
still immensely proud of the itself will be on a par with the the years, his reply is simple: ‘It’s Marc Stringle alongside Mr.
earlier album: original M&B Jam Session in 1987 loosened up a lot. We know the Fairweather and had a boom year
where I shared trumpet duties arrangements so thoroughly that in 2015). Lady Sings the Blues kicks
‘Many of my friends still remark with Humph. The band excelled we can just concentrate on off the Laughing at Life Tour 2016
on it as one of their favourite themselves. Julian Marc Stringle keeping it fresh.’ This is true even with March dates at the Queens
albums and Benny Green’s played wonderfully and to me when deps are required, as they Theatre, Hornchurch (12) and
comment that it might even be Roy Williams is still our greatest will be over so many years and the Borough Theatre,
better than the originals really jazz trombonist - I hear so many concerts: Digby pauses Abergavenny (16). At the time of
meant something. It’s a everything in him I always did.’ to enthuse over Alan Barnes’ going to press, dates already fixed
marvellous monument to such originality and star quality, but for May-July are: the Gatehouse
2015 was, of course, the year of remained the same - and, in show, while singing with Pete’s career took in many of the legends of the British jazz scene Digby was slightly surprised to Julian Stringle’s performance on Theatre, Stafford (May 19),
Billie Holiday’s 100th birthday - truth, all the members of that undiminished quality. best traditional bands and two as Brian Lemon and Al Gay.’ find how the choice of songs had Laughing at Life is the ultimate Waterside Arts Centre, Sale (June
and, incidentally, Frank Sinatra’s. original band stayed with the stints with Bruce Turner before changed since 1990 and pointed proof of the importance of 9), Charter Theatre, Preston (18),
Jazz Rag was not alone in finding show for many years, with the If the first edition of Lady Sings he developed a habit of founding About Laughing at Life Digby is out that the show was still quality deps. Norwich Playhouse (25), The
various ways to commemorate exception of drummer Eddie the Blues drew on the elite of or co-founding a whole variety of remarkably sanguine. All the essentially the same, with many Castle, Wellingborough (July 2),
the anniversary and Lady Sings the Taylor who found joining George British jazzers in the late 1980s, groups: Five-a-Slide, the Midnite things that he had imagined might of the original Pete Strange And now Val and the band are Guildhall Arts Centre, Grantham
Blues, the most highly rated and Melly’s ever-busy accompanists, the same is so today. Brian Dee is Follies Orchestra, the Great go wrong never materialised and arrangements. Songs come and preparing to get out on the road (15) and Hever Castle (31).
most longest lasting of Billie John Chilton’s Feetwarmers, a masterly accompanist as well as British Jazz Band. A seriously he is even modestly delighted go from the programme and, of again, one of the few small
tribute shows, took to the road committed him to a full-time job. an original soloist and the tenor underrated arranger, at the time course, the albums don’t cover swinging bands still doing so. Tel.: 0121 454 7020
with his own playing:
with renewed vigour. The now sadly deceased Al Gay sax/clarinet part, often these days of Lady Sings the Blues he was well the full repertoire of the show. (Probably the busiest of them all, www.bigbearmusic.com
and Brian Lemon contributed filled by Alan Barnes, was taken into a 21-year sojourn in the ‘It’s my best performance on a Asked how he feels Lady Sings the incidentally, is Digby’s Half
In July Val Wiseman and her gloriously to Lady Sings the Blues superbly at Birmingham by Julian Humphrey Lyttelton Band that live album, I think, and the album Blues on stage has changed over Dozen, which includes Julian
musicians found themselves until they retired from active Marc Stringle. The most recent ended with his death in 2004.
performing in the Birmingham recruit on the recording,
music-making and Jim Douglas
Jazz and Blues Festival at the
Studio Theatre of Birmingham
Library where Big Bear Records
was so closely identified with the
guitar chair that, soon after he
following in a distinguished line of
drummers, most recently Bobby
Worth, is Eric Ford who began as
The repertoire on the original
album leant decisively, though not MINGUS BIG BAND IN LEEDS
became unavailable for touring, exclusively, towards songs of the
made a live recording of the a pupil of acclaimed Birmingham
the instrumental septet became a 1930s, with a bias towards the Immediately before a week's residency at Ronnie Scott's the Mingus Big Band played a
concert. Now, with the CD to be drummer and teacher Malcolm
sextet, with a three-piece rhythm more cheerful songs, very stunning concert at the Howard Assembly Room in Leeds on January 23rd.Tom Arber was
released shortly under the title Garrett. Eric went on to play
section. welcome in view of the
Laughing at Life, it seemed a good with MYJO and, since leaving
perceptions of gloom and on the spot to photograph the band in full cry.
time to re-visit the previous Lady Birmingham University, has
But half of the eight musicians heartbreak that can surround
Sings the Blues recording, also on embarked on a varied musical
who assembled at Black Barn Billie’s memory. It’s interesting to
Big Bear. Was it, we hoped, some journey that has included four
were still there at Birmingham compare the repertoire of Lady
kind of an anniversary? Well, sort years in Paris and playing on
of.Val and the band (billed in Library 25 years later. Digby cruise ships. Now he is a member Sings the Blues 1990-style and
those days as the LSTB Fairweather has led the band of the highly rated London-based 2015-style. Lover Man,What Shall I
Orchestra) went into the Black indefatigably through the years trio, Partikel. Say? and Miss Brown to You are
Barn Studio in February 1990 so and two of the most acclaimed of scheduled to reappear on the
last year’s live recording could be British jazzmen of the 1990s, Roy Looking back at the original new live album, the latter two in
seen as celebrating both Billie’s Williams and Len Skeat, are still credits for the 1990 recording, Pete Strange’s original
100th and the previous album’s among the best, as their it’s good (though sad) to be arrangements. Much of the rest
25th. consistently high placings in the reminded of another enormously has changed, from Laughing at Life,
British Jazz Awards indicate. As talented stalwart of the period, the opening title track of the
What is most remarkable about for Val Wiseman herself, in the trombonist/arranger Pete album to My Man, for years now
the near-30 year existence of years since 1990 she has become Strange. He was responsible for the show’s dramatic finale. Over
Lady Sings the Blues is that so more ambitious, launching out most of the arrangements and the years the concept of Lady
many of the core personnel have into writing her own Bronte transcriptions of Billie’s songs. Sings the Blues has evolved, always
12 THE JAZZ RAG THE JAZZ RAG 13
NEW BRANCH OF JAZZ ARCHIVE NEW BRANCH OF JAZZ ARCHIVE
NEW BRANCH OF JAZZ ARCHIVE
DIGBY FAIRWEATHER, founder of the National Jazz Archive, talks to Jazz Rag about the
latest exciting developments.
from a local library which sadly
had had to close its doors. That
was a great start! But then the
luck really started to happen! A
big medical centre had just closed
down too nearby, and its
Director, Richard Campbell-Carr
- who I've known since our
schooldays- offered a complete
suite of furniture including office
chairs and desks, state-of-the-art
PCs with full internet
connections, tables - everything!
Other people - including my dear
friend Paul Richards who was
Chairman of Governors at
Southend High School when I
was on the Board - came up with
generous financial support too.
So, Digby, there's a new places to set up our centre. rocked me on my heels a bit! But And really - with them and a
department of the National of course I had to say no fantastic team of fifteen
volunteers - we set up the whole
Humphrey Lyttelton's desk
Jazz Archive? OK - but why the need for afterwards. The NJA has been at
extra space? Loughton for twenty eight years department in less than three jazz culture and that we should for years by my great friend Dan wrote for Melody Maker in its too. There literally wasn't a seat
Yes; in the Beecroft Art Gallery in now and not only has fantastic months. go on collecting them in the Morgenstern. At Rutgers they golden years and later edited to be had and I thought, ‘This
Victoria Avenue, Southend-on- Well, that's another story. Round collections but a high visibility on future. So we finally had to agree have the horns of Lester Young, Kerrang magazine too. Currently could be the start of something
Sea. about three years ago the the national jazz scene as we So what's in it? Jack Teagarden, Eddie Condon's Chris writes for Jazzwise and he's very big indeed!’
to differ on that one! Of course
National Jazz Archive (which I set know. So to have uprooted it to it's important to remember, I guitar - dozens and dozens of the always been one of my
An Art Gallery? That doesn't up in l988 in Loughton Central anywhere else, including A pretty formidable research So will the Archive be open
think, that Loughton is currently instruments of now-legendary journalistic heroes! We had
sound like a home for a jazz Library, East London) was told by Southend, would have been facility! Of course we have an regularly?
completely out of space - and performers. They have Ella record and book sales, jazz on
archive? its controlling authority Essex absolutely traitorous - and luckily, enormous collection of books,
that must, by definition, put tight Fitzgerald's on-stage dresses! film all day in our 100-seater
County Council that any further as it turns out unnecessary too! periodicals and also a lot of rare Yes once a week every Saturday -
rules on their collections policy. They have everything from cinema/lecture theatre and Simon
No I agree, but there's a story. space for our collections was film. But we also have a lot of although I hope the hours will be
And their broad terms of cylinders and 78s to vinyl and Spillett came down - for free by
The Beecroft collections have now absolutely impossible. Essex So after that? marvellous museum items too; the way - to show the marvellous extended soon. It's a great place
reference have always been CDs. They have jazz on film. And
been recently re-housed in what County have always been everything from the 'Louis of course they have one of the new documentary on Tubby to research - or actually just to
Armstrong Special' trumpet to 'anything you can read or study
was once the Central Library in marvellous to us ever since we It occurred to me that the NJA biggest research collections in Hayes produced by Mark Baxter hang out, listen to great jazz and
the complete Archives of on the subject of jazz' - which
Southend; a four-storey building opened, but of course they've not only had a huge amount of the world too. So that would be (who was there too!) called A have a coffee. And I've had lots
Humphrey Lyttelton - his roll- really implies books, journals,
opened in l974. I actually suffered drastically from duplicate stocks housed at Brunel my dream for a National Jazz Man in a Hurry. Simon played too and lots of support from
top desk where he worked for all letters, posters, photographs and
completed my librarian's career government cuts in recent years University (which they were Centre in the UK too. at the end of the day with a great everyone from the BBC and local
in there before going off on the going to start charging us storage his life, his instruments and eight so on. And they take their remit
as all local authorities have. And - band including Mick Foster, radio to enquiries from the Arts
road in l977! Anyhow when our fees for) but that there were also decades of his scrapbooks, extremely seriously. So I hope
much against their will, I'm sure - Do you think that's possible? Dominic Ashworth, Len Skeat, Council of England. So I suppose
brand-new library called 'The they've been forced to cut our smaller collections which we'd private correspondence, scripts, that Southend may be able to
Alan Clarke - and I had a blow the word is, ‘Watch this space.’
Forum' opened up two or three book fund from 3K to nil; to set up around the country for interviews, cartoons, recordings - open up more space for them to
Well, wouldn't that be wonderful?
years ago the old library building serve notice on two of our research purposes but which had everything. That was given to the carry on with their specialisms -
You never know...
was left empty of course and the
Beecroft collections were moved
working areas, and also place
one or two small question-marks
never really taken off. So I
thought, ‘Well, if we could get
Archive on permanent loan by his
son Stephen and collected by our
but also give us the chance to
extend our own terms of So when did you open?
THE AGE OF THE MELODICA?
in leaving quite a lot of spare over our permanent tenure at them all together at Southend Southend friends in very short reference in terms of what we After our recent coverage of the melodica it was good to read in
space unused. So - thanks to my Loughton which could - at least we'd certainly have a very fine order before Stephen moved collect. We had our Grand Opening Day that wise, if eccentric, jazz magazine, Allegedly Hot News, of Stan
good friend, the CEO at in theory - be terminated within second research centre in the house. We even have Sir John on Saturday February 6th - and it Robinson’s response when impressed by a young Brazilian
Southend Borough Council, Rob a year. Of course that hasn't making.’ So several of the Dankworth's first-ever piano! How about recorded sound - was unbelievable. The Beecroft melodican (if that’s the right word). Having asked the price, Stan
Tinlin and his team - we were happened and Loughton is still Loughton Trustees - including CDs, vinyl and so on? Art Gallery isn't - shall we say - opined, ‘If you miss going to Sainsbury’s once, you can afford one.’
able to take advantage of that. doing extremely well. In fact their Chairman Paul Kaufman and So a museum facility too? 'over-populated' on a daily basis
Nick Clarke amongst them - Well that's another thing.You see, but on our day we had more Sadly, as with any jazz publication these days, the recently deceased
they've just won a new HLF grant
But why Southend and the packed up the books; brought Yes definitely - which caused a bit when the NJA was set up and than three hundred people figure fairly prominently in the Winter 2015 issue of Allegedly Hot
for £83,000.00 which is
need for extra space? them down to Southend and we of a temporary rumpus with the opened in l988, we agreed not to through the doors and the place News. Mike Pointon contributes memories of Micky Ashman and
marvellous! But personally (a bit
were away! NJA Trustees at Loughton. When collect jazz on record as that was was packed from the moment we there are photos of the Rextravaganza celebrating the life of
like Lester Young) I 'felt a draft'
Well, Southend is my home-town I acquired Humph's collections - officially covered by the National opened our doors! Our Lord drummer Rex Bennett who died last year aged 93.
when the cuts began!
of course - which helps. But it's How about the space at and the Dankworth piano - I was Sound Archive, a department of Mayor, Andrew Moring, cut the
close to London (two rail-lines Southend? told: 'that's out of order - and the British Library at Kings ribbon to open the department The usual collection of reviews includes John Latham of the Sandy
So what did you do?
no more than an hour away from completely outside our Cross. But my view has always and everyone wanted to look at Brown Society writing appreciatively about David Binns’ new book,
the City) and we also have a First of all I went to see Rob Well, Rob Tinlin and his arts team collections policy too!'. So I had a been that a National Jazz Archive the collections - and even play Sir Homes of the Hits, about Sandy’s sound recording studios. The
marvellous new airport opened Tinlin. Rob is a marvellous man - Nick Harris and Rosemary bit of a public telling-off! But I felt should cover everything to do John's piano! Our local MP Sir customary mix of entertainment and instruction, the most recent
up again for anyone who might and first of all said, 'Well, we'll be Pennington - started by giving us then - as I quite definitely feel with the culture - a bit like the David Amess came in full of edition does seem a little low on banjo jokes!
want to fly in in the future! So I happy to accommodate the NJA a very big office space in the now - that such artefacts are Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies enthusiasm, and so did the great
Beecroft and lots of shelving Email alasdick@waitrose.com
think there could be a lot worse right here in Southend'. Which absolutely central to our British in Newark which was directed jazz journalist Chris Welch, who
14 THE JAZZ RAG THE JAZZ RAG 15
THE 50 TOP JAZZ SINGERS? THE 50 TOP JAZZ SINGERS?
THE 50 TOP JAZZ SINGERS? 23) Irene Kral – Could anyone
sing ballads with the
heartbreaking sincerity and quiet
35) Eddie Jefferson – Similar to
Hendricks, Jefferson on his
vocalese lyrics could bring back
Oscar Brown Jr.
by Scott Yanow passion of Irene Kral? the spirit and personality of many
top horn players.
The powers that be at the Jazz 2) Ella Fitzgerald – In addition 24) Peggy Lee – Lee showed
Rag suggested that, in answer to to being arguably the finest scat- Anita O’Day that one could sing with intensity 36) Diana Krall – The most
the BBC’s listing of their choices singer, after the early 1940s and sensual passion at a low famous living jazz singer, her
for the top 50 jazz musicians, I do nearly every one of Ella’s volume. vocalizing (inspired by Shirley
the same. After quickly deciding interpretations of standards Horn and Peggy Lee) helped
that this was impractical if not became definitive. Singers have 25) Shirley Horn – Her revive many swing standards.
impossible (how does Chick learned how to sing hundreds of phrasing, expertise at slow
Corea’s rank compare to James P. songs by listening to Ella’s ballads, and consistent warmth 37) Jimmy Witherspoon – In
Johnson’s?), I offered a version. are still very influential. the 1950s and ‘60s, ‘Spoon’s light-
compromise that is still a bit of a toned blues singing was a
fool’s errand. Instead of ranking 3) Sarah Vaughan – She 26) Cab Calloway – Can’s scat- contrast to the rougher sounding
every jazz performer, I would possessed one of the most singing, over-the-top Big Joe Turner. He could sing jazz 45) Ann Hampton Callaway – Cole, Harry Connick, Jr., Chris
restrict myself to jazz singers, still wondrous voices of the 20th performances and constant and blues with equal credibility. Her vocal talents have grown Connor, Ida Cox, Jamie Cullum,
a near-impossible task. century and for over 40 years swinging made him a sensation steadily through the years and Meredith D’Ambrosio, Barbara
never seemed to have an off ever since he hit it big in 1930. 38) Dianne Reeves – While today Callaway is capable of truly Dane, Blossom Dearie, Dena
What is a jazz singer? I always night. her choice of material and styles dazzling vocalizing. DeRose, Bob Dorough, Urszula
thought of it as being someone 27) Kay Starr – Influenced by has remained erratic, when Dudziak, Dominique Eade, Billy
who improvises through notes, 4 ) Billie Holiday – Although Dinah Washington but having her Reeves chooses to sing swinging 46) Cecile McLorin Salvant – Eckstine, Cliff Edwards, Ruth
words, sounds and/or phrasing. her voice was small and her own Oklahoma twang, Starr was jazz, she approaches the level of The brightest new voice on the Etting, Nnenna Freelon, Dave
Scat-singing is not a must but improvising was pretty subtle by at her best on swing standards. Vaughan and Ella. scene, Salvant is always creative, Frishberg, Slim Gaillard, Giacomo
9) Jimmy Rushing – The top 16) Abbey Lincoln – A supper
consistent spontaneity is her later years, Lady Day’s even when tackling unlikely Gates, Sara Gazarek, Harry ‘The
male band singer of the swing club singer who became a
essential. Frank Sinatra, Tony behind-the-beat phrasing has led 28) Sheila Jordan – A master at 39) Karrin Allyson – A material from 1910. Hipster’ Gibson, Astrud Gilberto,
era, Jimmy Rushing never protest singer with Max Roach,
Bennett and Rosemary Clooney the way ever since the 1930s. improvising words and making up masterful bop singer who has Dizzy Gillespie, Babs Gonzales,
recorded a bad record whether Lincoln in her later years was a 47) Maxine Sullivan – Her
(each beloved by many jazz stories on-the-spot while branched out over the years, Teddy Grace, Marty Grosz,
it was blues, standards or ballads. superb interpreter of a wide light and gentle but always
singers) rarely improvised so they 5) Bessie Smith – The Empress championing bebop, Jordan has Allyson has always had her own Adelaide Hall, Marion Harris,
variety of songs including many of swinging style made Sullivan a
are off the list. The qualities that I of the Blues had the most been in her own special category sound and a very appealing style. Nancy Harrow, Johnny Hartman,
10) Dinah Washington – She her own. strong influence on Peggy Lee,
looked for in compiling this list powerful voice of the 1920s and ever since her first recording. Clancy Hayes, Lena Horne,
was proud of her ability to sing Rebecca Kilgore and all of the
include the originality of the her passion still communicates to 17) Nat King Cole – Everyone 40) Annette Hanshaw – In the Alberta Hunter, Al Jarreau (if
today’s listeners. pretty much anything, from blues 29) Helen Merrill – Always cool jazz singers.
singer’s sound, their ability to loved Nat King Cole’s very warm late 1920s/early ‘30s, she was one only he had chosen jazz!), Etta
and r& b to bop-oriented jazz underrated, Merrill’s recordings of the very best at infusing pop
improvise, the quality of their and country-flavoured music. and friendly voice, even when he Jones, Louis Jordan, Beverly
6) Anita O’Day – 100% with Clifford Brown, Gil Evans, songs with jazz singing. 48) Rebecca Kilgore – No
work, and the influence that they de-emphasized swinging for Kenny, Stacey Kent, King Pleasure,
dedicated to swinging jazz, Anita Dick Katz and Thad Jones are matter what swing standards she
have had on others. 11) Joe Williams – Although he ballads in the 1950s. Nancy King, Cleo Laine, Dave
O’Day constantly took chances in cool jazz classics. 41) Banu Gibson – The chooses to sing, Kilgore uplifts
her improvising and scatting, had few equals in singing blues, the material with her gentle, Lambert, Jeanne Lee, Julia Lee,
Knowing that there is no possible 18) Oscar Brown Jr – While definitive classic jazz/swing singer
always succeeding in the 1950s, Williams actually loved 30) Jack Teagarden – Ranging infectious and subtle creativity. Julie London, Carmen Lundy,
way that a list such as this can his singing was somewhat of the past 30 years, Banu and
her prime years. performing ballads the most. from vintage blues and Dixieland Gloria Lynne, Kevin Mahogany,
avoid being controversial, I am overshadowed by his songwriting her New Orleans Hot Jazz have
standards to the ballad 100 Years 49) Chet Baker – He never had Janis Mann, Claire Martin, Tina
taking the plunge anyway. Many of abilities, Brown’s dramatic starred at scores of festivals and
7) Carmen McRae – Her 12) Mark Murphy – One of the From Today Mr. T. was as mighty a the best voice but Baker’s May, Mary Ann McCall, Barbara
these artists (17 males and 33 delivery and solid sense of swing shown that there is plenty of life
warm voice, distinctive phrasing most innovative jazz singers of singer as he was a trombonist. laidback phrasing, melancholy Morrison,Lee Morse, Stephanie
females) need no introduction as made his live performances a to be found in songs of the 1920s
and full understanding of bop the past 50 years, Murphy’s moods and honest singing has Nakasian, Lauren Newton, Alex
far as their significance goes so I memorable and joyful and ‘30s.
made her the perfect singer to scatting, phrasing and use of 31) Ernestine Anderson – In a had a strong effect. Pangman, Gretchen Parlato,
will just mention why they are experience.
interpret Thelonious Monk songs. words was quite unique. career that now dates back to 42) Nancy Wilson – Before she Rebecca Parris, Ottilie Patterson,
ranked at this level.
the late 1940s, Ernestine 50) Annie Ross – During her Louis Prima, Flora Purim, Barbara
19) Dee Dee Bridgewater – largely turned towards pop and
8) Mel Torme – Virtually the 13) Ethel Waters – She came Anderson has reinvented herself prime years of the 1950s and Rosene,Vanessa Rubin, Jackie
1 ) Louis Armstrong – One of the top jazz singers of the away from jazz in the late 1960s,
only singer to improve while he out of the classic blues world to a few times but is at her best ‘60s, Ross’ singing (whether with Ryan, Diane Schuur, Daryl
Although he was not the first jazz past 25 years, the always-exciting Wilson was a delightful, subtle
was in his sixties, Torme could become a superior interpreter of when she is bluesy and soulful. Lambert, Hendricks and Ross or Sherman, Janis Siegel, Nina
singer (being preceded by Cliff Dee Dee has performed shows and swinging jazz singer.
scat on Ella’s level, hold endless popular songs in the 1930s and her solo records) was irresistible. Simone, Carole Sloane, Luciana
Edwards, Marion Harris and a few dedicated to Ella, Horace Silver
others) or the first scat-singer, long notes on ballads, and always ‘40s. 32) Roberta Gambarini – Her 43) Bobby McFerrin – If it Souza, Esperanza Spalding, Mary
and the music of Kurt Weill. Of course there have been many
Armstrong’s horn-like phrasing manage to sound like himself. beautiful voice and ease with were not for his long periods Stallings, Dakota Staton, Clark
14) Bing Crosby – The ultimate more than 50 great jazz singers. Terry, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Leon
influenced virtually every jazz 20) Helen Humes – Whether creative bebop and ballads make away from jazz, McFerrin would
crooner, Bing learned from Louis Most painful for me was leaving Thomas, Kate-Hammett Vaughan,
vocalist who followed. He performing blues, early r&b, swing the under recorded Gambarini rank much higher. His
Armstrong and Jack Teagarden, June Christy (who would be #51) Marlene VerPlanck, Eddie
permanently changed jazz and or ballads, Humes always sang one of today’s greats. unaccompanied solo concerts
always loved New Orleans jazz, out of the top 50. Here are 102 ‘Cleanhead’ Vinson, Fats Waller,
popular music. with a smile in her voice. and ability to sound like two or
and could scat and swing with 33) Susannah McCorkle – In other vocalists who deserve
three voices at once (making a Leo Watson, Lee Wiley,
Louis Armstrong the best whenever he wanted. He honourable mention for their
21) Big Joe Turner – He never the 1970s and ‘80s, she was sound when he inhales) are Cassandra Wilson, and Norma
often-remarkable careers: Lorez
was the #1 influence on pop really changed his style from the among the first young singers to unprecedented. Winstone.
Alexandria, Mose Allison, Ernie
singers prior to Sinatra. 1930s to the ‘80s, and never come up with fresh
Andrews, Susie Arioli, Fred
needed to. Big Joe’s blues are interpretations of swing 44) Mildred Bailey – While her Scott Yanow has written 11
15) Betty Carter – Starting in Astaire, Claire Austin, Patti
timeless. standards and obscurities. influence has declined through books on jazz including The
Austin, Alice Babs, Patricia Barber,
bebop, by the 1970s Betty Carter the years, the high-toned Bailey Jazz Singers. He can be
George Benson, Big Miller, Janice
was avant-garde in the 22) Kurt Elling – The top male 34) Jon Hendricks – The genius was a major force in the 1930s contacted at
Borla, Connie Boswell, Ruth
unpredictable ways that she jazz singer since the deaths of of vocalese, Hendricks may not and ‘40s. scottyanowjazz@yahoo.com.
Brown, Katie Bull, Blanche
treated standards, never being Torme and Williams, Elling have had the strongest voice but
Calloway, Thelma Carpenter, Eva
content to merely state a melody. combined Mark Murphy’s it was one of the most adaptable, Let Jazz Rag know your list of
Cassidy, Ray Charles, Jeannie
innovations with his own often singing his lyrics at the top singers: email
Cheatham, Jay Clayton, Freddy
personality and inventive ideas. remarkable tempos. admin@bigbearmusic.com.
16 THE JAZZ RAG THE JAZZ RAG 17
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