This Week in Jazz History – Notable Birthdays and Departures

Birthdays

04/25/1917 - Ella Fitzgerald, Newport News VA, jazz singer (A-Tisket, A-Tasket)

04/25/1923 - Albert King, Mississippi, blues singer/guitarist (Born Under a Bad Sign)

04/25/1946 - Digby Fairweather, British jazz cornetist

04/26/1904 - William "Count" Basie, jazz pianist (Policy Man, Blazing Saddles)

04/27/1927 - Connie Kay, jazz drummer

04/28/1947 - Steve Khan, jazz musician (Christmas Waltz)

04/29/1899 - Duke Ellington, Wash DC, [Edward Kennedy], bandleader (Take "A" Train)

04/29/1908 - Philippe Brun, jazz trumpeter

04/29/1922 - Toots [Jean] Thielemans, Belgian/US jazz musician/composer

Other Notable Birthdays/Deathdays

04/25/1952 - Cory Daye, Bronx NY, rock vocalist - Featured above in this terrific video. Here is Cory performing as the lead singer of Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band. You gotta love this!

04/26/1991 - Carmine Coppola, composer/father of Francis Ford Coppola, dies

04/27/1932 - Casey Kasem, Detroit Mich, radio personality (American Top 40)

04/30/1933 - Willie Nelson, Abbott Texas, country singer (On the Road Again)

Deaths in Music

04/25/1990 - Dexter Gordon, Jazz saxophonist, dies of kidney failure at 67

04/26/1984 - William "Count" Basie, jazz piano great, dies on 80th birthday

04/30/1984 - Muddy Waters, blues singer/guitarist (Hoochie Coochie Man), dies at 68

The Heart of My Guitar

Part 1 - Julia

It all started when I was about twelve years old.  I don’t think there was any specific thing that drew me to the guitar.  There was no sudden epiphany. There was no specific artist that I wanted to emulate, not at that time anyway.  But I do recall having an almost clandestine desire to play an instrument of some sort.  The guitar just seemed like something that my parents might have been able to afford, and no one else in my family played that instrument.  For me, that was important. My older brothers and sisters had all taken piano lessons and could play with varying degrees of proficiency, although none of them were what you’d call “good” at it. You see, growing up in the sixties, many parents still required that someone in the family take piano lessons, whether they wanted to or not.  I remember thinking that if I was ever given that chance, I would play it, and be good at it, too.  However, when I came of age, that tradition had come to an end in our house.  I never did learn to play the piano.  

I was just a kid when I realized I was in love with music.  I was about six when I began to feel a connection to songs that touched my soul.  By the time I was ten, someone had bought a 45 rpm record by Ramsey Lewis. I remember that the “B” side had a song called “Julia.”  I instantly fell in love with this song.  I also fell in love with Julia, whoever she was. I imagined how beautiful she must have been, and longed to meet her some day.  I played that record until it warped.  That’s how much I loved music. But I was terribly shy and I decided to drop the idea of piano lessons.  My first wrong note would have brought on heckling from my siblings that could have lasted weeks, months - or a lifetime.  Being born smack in the middle of seven wasn’t exactly the best ranking to have in a family where making fun of each other was the daily pastime.  Eventually, I grew into my role as middle-child. We were one, big, almost-poor, struggling family, but we were in it together, and I came to accept that having fun with each other was our way of getting through the rough times.  Still, I had made up my mind that there was no way I was going to ever let them hear me stumble my way through “Chopsticks.” No way.
 

So one day, I said to my father, “Dad, I want to play the guitar.” 

A week later, my father took me for a ride in the Ford Country Squire station wagon.  And when we parked the car and headed into the music store inside the Towson Mall, I had thought I was merely tagging along with him on another one of his grown-up errands.  There, guitars of all shapes and sizes dangled from the ceiling, suspended like ornaments in a life-size mobile.  My father politely introduced me to Lester Hess, a very nice man with a friendly, non-threatening moustache, whom I was surprised and delighted to know would become my very first guitar teacher.

G.

(This is the first installment of a continuing story).

Earl Klugh’s Weekend of Jazz 2011 – Bringing a Different Kind of Cool to Colorado

If you’ve ever vacationed in Colorado Springs and witnessed the natural beauty of Pike’s Peak, Colorado's most noted mountain, nestled in the heart of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, and then taken in the scenic wonder of the awesome sandstone formations at the Garden of the Gods, you would surely consider that experience to be one of the highlights of your trip.  If you happened to stay at The Broadmoor Resort while on that vacation, your  experience just got twice as good. If while staying at The Broadmoor, you also got to see live music performances by such jazz greats as Earl Klugh and David Sanborn, your vacation just became priceless.

Such was the case at The Broadmoor’s Weekend of Jazz that took place over this past weekend. Earl Klugh began hosting this elaborate production in 2004 after teaming up with the late cofounder and former Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Mike Dimond.  The two of them put their heads and hearts together to create what is now an annual event that not only features the finest jazz artists in the world, but also displays them on a stage located in one of the most fabulous settings that performers and music fans could possibly ask for. The Broadmoor pulls no punches when it comes to satisfying its guests and living up to its five-star rating.  It is impeccable in its presence and stature, boasting world-class everything; championship golfing, exquisite dining, and spa amenities that are the standard by which other hotels rate themselves.

Over the years, Earl has brought some heavy-hitters into the Broadmoor spotlight, such as Chuck Mangione,  Al Jarreau, Fourplay, Roberta Flack, Ramsey Lewis, Bob James,  Boney James, and Patti Austin, just to name a few.  Last weekend, he showed that his own musicianship only gets better with time as he delivered a stellar performance, even while tackling all of the responsibilities of organizing and hosting the production.   He continues to elevate and expand the listening audience with each event.  This year’s concert was kicked off on Thursday night with a performance by the sultry Nnenna Freelon, who performed at one of the resort’s more intimate venues where fans could really get a good feel for just how special this savvy lady truly is.  Friday night, the incomparable David Sanborn took the stage, accompanied by Joey DeFransceco on keyboards. Do I really need to say anything more about these two? Okay, Sanborn is legendary.  I could be here all night talking him up.  But if you haven’t heard of Joey DeFrancesco, trust me when I tell you this – you will.  His Hammond B-3 chops left me mesmerized, and his honest passion for the music sets him miles beyond any other Jimmy Smith wannabes out there today.  This cat is the real deal.  Rounding out the evening, Brian Culbertson brought his energetic, contemporary style of smooth jazz to the stage, leaving the crowd pumped up and anxious to hit the resort's after parties to keep the good times rolling.

. 

Saturday night, Earl Klugh led off the night and wowed the audience with a masterful performance of the theme to the James Bond movie classic, “Goldfinger.” It was a wonderful surprise to see Gene Dunlap at the drums, sounding as crisp and clean as ever. For me, it brought back memories of so many wonderful selections that he had played drums on during the early days, such as my personal favorite, Magic in Your Eyes.  Klugh was then followed by the soulful stylings of veteran crooner Peabo Bryson, who provided a powerful finale, and was accompanied by an outstanding female vocalist, Kim Price. 

Okay, let's face it. Staying at a joint like this is going to set you back a few bucks.  This ain’t no Motel 6, you know.  But each year, the Weekend of Jazz offers packages that includes choices of either two-night, or three-night accommodations.  These packages also include tickets to the performances, along with a variety of free activities that often feature up-close and personal interaction with the artists, discounts on other resort amenities, and occasionally, there are other little unspoken perks that are quietly thrown in just for staying at a schmoozy joint like this. All things considered, the cost is not as extravagant as it might appear to be at first glance.  Besides, we’re not talking about doing this every other weekend, right? So you’ve got a whole year to start rolling your pennies for next year’s show.  Do yourself a favor.  Treat yourself to the treat of a lifetime and visit www.weekendofjazz.com.

By the way, if you just can’t wait until next year to get your jazzy weekend started, Klugh will be hosting his second annual Weekend of Jazz at the Kiawah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina this fall.  Last year’s event was held at The Sanctuary, an equally luxurious resort. Just don’t wait too long to book your stay.  The first event was nothing short of fabulous. The second one is sure to sell out fast.

G. 

This Week in Jazz History – Notable Birthdays and Departures

Birthdays

04/10/1950 - Eddie Hazel, US pop guitarist (Funkadelic-Uncle Jam Wants You)

04/13/1906 - Budd [Lawrence] Freeman, US jazz saxophonist (Eel)

1942 - Bill Conti, Providence RI, composer (For Your Eyes Only, Rocky IV)

1946 - Al Green, Forest City Arkansas, singer (Lets Stay Together)

1951 - Max Weinberg, rock drummer (E Street Band, Conan O'Brien Show)

1951 - Peabo Bryson, Greenville SC, RandB vocalist (I'm So into You)

1955 - Louis Johnson, LA Calif, rock bassist/vocalist (Brothers Johnson)

04/16/1924 - Henry Mancini, Cleveland, composer/conductor (Pink Panther)

1930 - Herbie Mann, Brooklyn NY, jazz flute/sax (Just Wallin')

1935 - Haskell "Cool Papa" Sadler, blues singer/guitarist

Other Notable Birthdays

04/16/1935 - Bobby Vinton, Pitts Pa, singer (Roses are Red, Blue on Blue)

04/16/1947 - Gerry Rafferty, Paisley Scotland, guitarist/vocalist (Baker Street)

04/16/1971 - Selena [Quintanilla], tejano vocalist

Special Events

04/12/1989 - 3rd Soul Train Music Awards: Anita Baker

04/12/1990 - James Brown moves to a work-release center after serving 15 months

Deaths in Music

04/10/1958 - W C Handy, composer/musician, dies at 84 in NY

1994 - James L Lyons, jazz promoter, dies at 77

1962 - Stuart Sutcliffe, bassist (Beatles), dies of brain hemorrhage at 21

14/14/1996 - Gaylord Birch, drummer (Pointer Sisters, Herbie Hancock), dies at 50

04/16/1992 - Andy Russell, drummer/vocalist (Your Hit Parade), dies of stroke at 72

1996 - Raymond Earl Hill, saxophonist, dies at 62

This Week in Jazz History - Notable Birthdays & Departures

04/01/1895 - Alberta Hunter, blues singer/composer (Downhearted Blues)

04/01/1954 - Jeff Porcaro, LA Calif, drummer/percussionist (Toto-Roxanne, Africa)

04/02/1943 - Larry Coryell, Galveston Tx, jazz guitarist (11th House)

04/02/1939 - Marvin P Gaye Jr, Wash DC, singer (Sexual Healing)

04/04/1915 - Muddy Waters, [McKinley Morganfield], guitarist (Hoochie Coochie Man)

04/04/1939 - Hugh Masekela, Wilbank South Africa, trumpeter (I Am Not Afraid)

04/05/1934 - Stanley Turrentine, jazz saxophonist (Wonderland)

04/06/1927 - Gerry Mulligan, British saxophonist/orch leader (Jazz on a Summer Day)

04/04/1938 - Freddie Hubbard, Indianapolis, jazz trumpeter (Art Blakey)

04/08/1920 - Carmen McRae (Clark), US jazz singer/pianist (Dream of Life)

Other Notable Birthdays

04/01/1939 - Rudolph Isley, Cincinnati Ohio, rocker (Isley Brothers-Shout)

04/02/1941 - Leon Russell, Lawton KS, pianist/singer (Carny)

04/03/1961 - Melissa Etheridge, rock guitarist/vocalist (Come to My Window)

04/03/1944 - Tony Orlando, NYC, singer (and Dawn-Tie a Yellow Ribbon)

04/03/1938 - Philippe Wynne, US soul singer (Detroit Spinners, Ghetto Child)

04/03/1942 - Wayne Newton, Roanoke Virginia, singer (Danke Sch”n)

Deaths in Music

04/01/1917 - Scott Joplin, ragtime composer (Sting), dies at 48

04/02/1987 - Buddy Rich, drummer/orch leader (Away We Go), dies at 69

04/03/1990 - Sarah Vaughn, jazz singer, dies of lung cancer at 66

04/02/1995 - Julius Arthur Hemphill, saxophonist, dies at 57

04/06/1971 - Igor F Stravinsky, Russ composer (Le Sacre du Printemps), dies at 88