"Jazzin' Around" - #040526b

This hour = Marks birthdays of Freddie Hubbard, Mongo Santamaria & Carmen McRae. Selected update on Spring-Summer Jazz Festivals. Plus, survey & sampling of JazzWeek Top-50 album chart. 

Transcript

SPEAKER_10 0:03

Hi, this is Herb Albert. Did you know that April is Jazz Appreciation Month? I've been inspired by great jazz musicians such as Louis Armstrong, Clifford Brown, and Miles Davis. Let jazz inspire you. Check out a jazz club. Read a book. Buy a CD. Take a child to hear a live jazz concert. Jazz, born in America, enjoyed worldwide. For further information, visit SmithsonianJazz.org.

SPEAKER_13 0:40

We're all part of your community.

SPEAKER_14 0:43

We all play a role in keeping our community safe. So protect their everyday.

SPEAKER_13 0:48

If you see something suspicious, say something to local authorities.

SPEAKER_14 0:53

Let's continue building a better future for our children by keeping our house and car free of cigarette smoke.

SPEAKER_00 0:59

This message was brought to you by the Department of Health and Human Services. For more information, call 1-800-CDC Info.

SPEAKER_09 1:11

And starting out our number two with some very strong trumpet from Freddie Hubbard. Celebrating the birthday of one of the great sons of Indianapolis. Yeah, really strong trumpeters over the years. Again, we mentioned one of the many, many great jazzers from Indianapolis. Freddie Hubbard. David J. Jazz around with you here, celebrating a few more birthdays before we take a look at the Jazz Week chart for you. One of our long time favorites ever since our certainly our high school days. The great Mungo Santa Maria. From his actually from nineteen sixty-eight album, Soul Bagy, what you want me to do? One of the essential blues tunes in the book, Jimmy Reed's classic, baby, what you want me to do? By the way, that scorching tenor sax work there by Hubert Lawz, believe it or not. That's right. Hubert Laws uh was for years both a you know a tenor player. I don't know that he played alto or soprano that I've ever heard on a recording, but uh a number of sessions in big bands as a tenor saxist, uh, as well as his flute and piccolo work. Anyway, that's uh Hubert Laws with the Mongol Celtia band from 1968. One of the great godfathers of Afro Cuban jazz. Mongol Celtia. His birthday. Well, again, what have been this week? So uh in 119, I believe here this week. Oh, here's a wonderful birthday to celebrate. You're looking to do something for jazz appreciation month, an element of the catalogue of the albums and the recordings of the great immortal Carmen McCrae. This, one of my favorites of hers, from 1973, with zoo sims behind her.

SPEAKER_07 5:02

That's why I'll always be around. You are the fool of my eye. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Forever you stay in my heart. I feel like this is the beginning. Though I've loved you a million years. And if I thought our love was ending, I'd find myself drowning in mountains.

SPEAKER_09 6:12

No question, one of my all-time favorite versions of the Stevie Wonder classic, Carmen McCray's rendition from a 1973 recording with Zoot Sims backing her up. What a what a kind of an uncommon session that you might not expect, but uh really a classic recording of that. And worth checking out uh more so for your Jazz Appreciation Month uh enjoyment and enlightenment for that matter. Carmen McRae, her birthday would have been this coming Thursday, celebrating that. And speaking of jazz vocalists who are totally essential to this music, how about the birthday of Billy Holliday?

SPEAKER_08 7:04

My man don't love me, treats me all so me. My man, he don't love me, treats me all for me. He's the lowest man that I've ever seen.

SPEAKER_09 7:36

From nineteen fifty-seven, very, very late in her career, clearly, along with the great wow, what a great session this Lester Young. Ann Webster, Roy Eldridge. Wow, yeah, what a session. Fine and mellow, what a Billy Holliday's signature. Recordings and renditions. Uh, her birthday would have been this coming Wednesday. Philadelphia born. Uh Baltimore raised there. And speaking of we're born and raised, how about oh, an Englishman? That's true, the rate Victor Feldman. Truly an underappreciated contributor to this wonderful music. This from his 1977 album. Once again, we get a chance to hear Hubert Law's. From the Rio Knights album, this is Victor Feldman's composition, Rio. The multi-instrumentalist here playing a little extra piano. Good, good, strong compositions. Again, I think really overall uh easily overlooked, unfortunately. Victor Feldman, somebody else to look forward deeply into this Jazz Appreciation Month. And one last birthday before we take a look at some jazz here on the Jazz Week chart this week this week. Our old buddy Joey Di Francesco from his 2004 album, The Champ. Lalo Shiffer's two and the cat. This Saturday would have been Joey's birthday for nineteen seventy-one. So sad of CM Gone. So, so early. Yeah, the heir apparent to Jimmy Smith, clearly. The boss, boss, B3 player. Happy birthday to the memory of Joey and uh best wishes to all his family, Papa John, Lorraine, his mom, brother Johnny, uh, the whole family. Uh got a chance to know them, get to know them pretty well, and uh what a wonderful, generous, kind, uh loving uh for real family. Uh the whole family. Just really a bunch of class folks. Joining Francesco, happy birthday to his memory. This is coming Saturday. David J from Jazz around with it here. It's time for us to take a look at the Jazz Week chart, of course. As we keep reminding you, remember, nobody anywhere that we're aware of actually gives you a look at the Jazz Week Top 50 each and every week. We do right here. Coming in at number 50 this week, it's first week on the chart. Vocalist April Varner. Her album titled Ella.

SPEAKER_11 11:21

A disk it, a task, brown and yellow basket. I sent a letter to my mommy. On the way I dropped it, I dropped it, I dropped it. Yes, on the way I dropped it. A little girly picked it up and put it in her pocket. She went trunkin' on down the avenue. Not a single thing to do. She went pecking, peck, peckin'. All around. Then she spied it on the ground. She took it, she took it. My little yellow basket. And if she doesn't bring it back, I think that I will die.

SPEAKER_09 11:52

Hey, I'm really impressed. This is this is pretty hip. April Varner. Actually, one of the winners of the Elephants Chill and Vocal Competition sometime back. Emmett Cohen on piano, backing her up and kind of her musical director on this recording. It is simply called Ella, coming in at number 50, its first week on the Jazz Week chart this week. I'm sure that's got a good future. Coming in at album 47, a former number one album previously. JD Allen's first all ballads album, and it's maybe his finest ever. The Love Letters album. Here, you are too beautiful. Really, congratulations to JD this time out. Coming in album number 45 this week, it's Sean Mason, his breath of fresh air album. This is Secrets. Freshly aired album. Really nice. Coming in at album number 45. Top four album earlier. Coming in album 43 this week it's Steven, Philip Harvey, and his multiverse band from the album Multiversal, live at the Bob Stop. Sneaky, huh? Stephen Philip Harvey in his multiverse. Orchestra, the multiversal album at 43 this week. Another newcomer to the charts, only three weeks out, saxophonist Scott Silbert. From his album Dream Dancing, a centennial tribute to Zoot Sims. Kind of vibe there, really. That is a Harry Warren tune called Shadow Waltz. Scott Silbert, his dream dancing album, a centennial tribute to Zoot Sims at album 42 this week. Coming out at album 40, one of the more successful albums this year. 22 weeks in the charts so far. Spent two or three months in the top ten. For guitarist Tom Rotella, this is his funky version of Will Owe for me. Yeah. I do not think I would have figured Willow Week for me to be a kind of a groove, too. But Tom Rodello did, and I dig it. From the right, left, right, time left. Album Right Time Left, still strong at number 40 this week, after 22 weeks on the chart. Here's more guitar with Julian Laj, album 39 this week. His latest album is Scenes from Above. That's the Talking Drum from the album Scenes from Above, Album 39. Coming at Album 37, a really, really successful album for Legacy, as he's tributing Dinah Washington.

SPEAKER_06 20:12

Can be so cold. Today you're young too soon you're old, but while a voice within me cries, I'm sure someone may answer my call. And this bitter may not be bitter at all.

SPEAKER_09 21:02

A truly high quality tribute to the late Dinah Washington. Let us see from her four Dinah album, peaked at number two earlier and spent 15 weeks in the top 10 for. Really well done. Coming at album 34 this week, the Dave Slonaker, big band, from his Shifty Paradigms album. Pretty new on the charts, three weeks out. Not sure about you, but I kind of get a little bit of a Jerry Mulligan, Bob Brookmeyer, Cy Oliver kind of vibe there, huh? Dave Slonaker and his big band. From the album Shifty Paradigms. That's fairly new. Moving up quickly here to number 34, a rendition of Bye Bye Blues, a very different Bye Bye Blues. Coming at album 33, proving you're never, never too old to have fun. Betty Bryant from her Nothing Better To Do album. This on the winter warm.

SPEAKER_03 22:56

It's a snowy kind of blowy day. But your kisses make December seem just like May. Here in your arms I'm winter warm. All the birds are flying south in pairs. It may go to ten below outside, but who cares? Here in your arms I'm winter warm.

SPEAKER_09 24:00

That's right, Bert Backrack Hal David tune. Fairly obscure as far as I can see. Winter warm, Benny Bryant, non-enginnarian, who's playing piano and doing vocals on Nothing Better to Do, album 33. Brand new on the chart here, first week out, moving up to 31. This is the Galleria, Rio Miami, from the album Belleza Puta maneira emutum, você é o cheiro bom da madeira do meu violão Você é a festa da Pinha, feira de São Cristóvão é a pedra do sal Você entrepe da trupa, a luna de Guadalupe você é o lê meu pantalho, você é a canção que consigo escrever a final Você é o buraco quem a casa da mãe Joana é a Filisabel O sol tudo está de cobra de copa, cabana tudo que o rio me deu Hey Made you samba The Gafria Rio Miami The Beleza Pura album First Week on the Chart, very infectious melody at number 31. Got a tie here at album 29 this week, another centennial celebration, a little more Afro-Cuban jazz here for you, Steve O'Qendo and his Latin jazz orchestra. Celebrating Tito and Tito, Tito Puente and Tito Rodriguez.

SPEAKER_17 26:24

Oi, poi los ne pueden. Hoy yo me puedo.

SPEAKER_09 26:51

Okay, se fue. Steve O'Quiento and his Latin jazz orchestra with the centennial celebration of Tito and Tito, album 29. The other album number 29 is the collaborative sistering album. Premiered that foy here two weeks ago, I think. Jumped up on the charts. It's first week out at album 29, the Sister Ring.

SPEAKER_12 27:30

It had to be you.

SPEAKER_15 27:35

I wandered around and finally found the somebody who could make me be true and make me feel blue and even be glad just to be sad thinking of you.

SPEAKER_12 28:06

Some others I've seen might never be me.

SPEAKER_09 28:15

Taking turns there on It Had to Be You Four veteran female singers with the wisdom and the sage advice. It had to be you. That is Nina Freeland, Lois Delat, Lenora Zanzali Helm, and Kate McGary, all four of them together, in collaboration in different combinations and solos on the sister ring album, the other eight album 29. Coming in album number 27, it's the trombone power of Spartan Power, led by Michael Deese and the Spartan Power Trombone Ensemble. Overseeing the Michigan State Spartan Power Trombone Ensemble. Coming out album number 25 this week, moving up on its third week on the chart. And his super quintet there, Freedom of Art. The album? That's called Flat Bush. Third week on the chart. Yeah. Coming at album 24. This week it is Brian Charrette meeting up with the Vancouver Jazz Orchestra. This is a little bit of honeymoon phase. Brian Charrette. David J here with you, jazz and round in April, Jazz Appreciation Month, and certainly never not appreciating jazz all year round, but certainly uh focusing, even more so this month, of course, for good reason. Got one more before taking a quick step aside to check on our Jazz Festival watch for you. Former number one album for six weeks running. Nat Adderley Jr. and took so long as the album. Almost a mysterious mystique to it. The invitation of uh Nat Adelie Jr. His took so long album six weeks in the number one earlier, eleven weeks in the top three. Really done well for him, even though it did take so long. David J, you and I together, we got uh the top twenty on the Jazz Week chart coming back in a moment. But first it's time for us to take a quick look over here at the Jazz Festival calendar. See what we can put on your to-do bucket list, maybe, in these next few few months. Looking to go overseas, maybe? How about the 2026 Cheldenham Jazz Festival? It's the 30th anniversary year, April 29th through May 4. Grammy-winning singer Corinne Bailey Ray, this year's artistic director. Artists confirmed so far include Bill Frizzell, Courtney Pine, Joshua Redman, Roberto De Fonseca, Makaiah McCraven, Kim Cypher, they'll have a Miles Davis Centennial salute, led by Guy Barker and the BBC Concert Jazz Orchestra, and more. For what else is more? Go to Cheltenham, Cheltenham Festival.org. The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, April 23 through May 3rd. Some Jazz Giants, of course, a lot of non-jazz folks on there too. But Jazz Giants, Herbie Hancock, Diane Reeves, John Batiste, T-Bone Shorty, Robbie Coltrane, the new breed bass band, Kermit Ruffins, and a Lewis Armstrong and Miles Davis tribute as well. Lots more. For info there, go to Nojazzfest.org. Florida's Seabreeze Jazz Festival, all outdoors at Panama Beach, Panama City Beach, April 22 through 26. Contemporary artists Rick Braun, Richard Elliott, Peter White, Marion Meadows, Kirk Whalem, Brian Bromberg, and more. For details there, go to Seabreeze Jazzfestival.com. And once again heading over to the UK, the Manchester Jazz Festival, May 15th through 24. Now accepting, or now at Manchester's longest running music festival. How do you do? How about that? Anyway, part of this year's event, the unique piano trail competition, running from March 29th, World Piano Day, by the way. Did you miss that? Through May 31st, performers from Brazil, Cuba, France, Italy, Poland, and Spain. Specific shows including the Yellow Jackets. Andy Shepard, a Canonball Adelaide, and Coltrane tribute, three or four shades of Mingus, the alligator gumbo band, and more. Go to ManchesterJazz.com for more info there. It's the summer festival season in Canada. Coming up soon. The Medicine Hatton Jazz Fest in Alberta, June 16 through 21. The Winnipeg Jazz Festival, June 16 through 22. Jazz Fest Regina, June 18 through 22. The Ottawa Jazz Fest, June 19 through 28th. All right. The Edmonton Jazz Festival, June 19 through 28. The Big Toronto Jazz Festival, June 18th through 28. The Victoria Jazz Fest in BC, June 19th through 28. The huge 46th Annual International Festival du Jazz, Montreal and Quebec, June 25th through July 4. The big Vancouver Jazz Festival. June 6th. June 26th through July 5th. And the 35th Saskatchewan Jazz Festival. Take your picture and have yourself a jazz experience of a lifetime, my friend. By all means. Please feel free to take another walk past the fate table and help yourself, of course. Coming back with the rest of the top 20 on the Jazz Week chart, all the way up to number one, in just a moment.

SPEAKER_07 38:36

I need more time to file my taxes. Help!

SPEAKER_01 38:40

On IRS.gov, you can use IRS FreeFile to get six more months. Or you can submit IRS Form 4868 by the April deadline. If you owe taxes, you can make an electronic payment and get a filing extension with no need to submit Form 4868. Go to IRS.gov for details. But remember, an extension of time to file is not an extension of time to pay what you owe.

SPEAKER_13 39:07

At some point in your life, you or a loved one will need disability services. And Easter Seals will be there. Because at Easter Seals, our national network of caregivers and experts make a lasting difference in the lives of people with disabilities by providing care and support at every stage of life. In thousands of communities across America, like yours. We're helping your neighbors, kids, grandparents, and friends with disabilities lead full, independent lives. We're Easter Seals.

SPEAKER_09 39:39

Still in the top twenty, Lafayette Harris's latest album, all in good time. Mighty swinging. Lafayette Harris. From all in good time with his trio there. Again, an album that we've been so proud to have worked on with him. And he's looking forward to another one coming up very shortly, too, so we'll let you know about that later. That is a Max Roach piece called It's Time, dedicated to Lafayette's former employer, none other than the great drummer, Max Roach. Can we get an album 19 this week? Can we get album 17? It's the new one from Melissa Aldana. Feeling the album title. Original music backed up by the Cuban master of piano, Gonzalo Rubikaba, from the album Feel In Album 17. Coming at album 16, it's Sean Jones leading the Baltimore jazz collective for the self-titled album. This is a piece called Minor Swing. Sean Jones with Todd Marcus on Bass Claret. Interesting combination. On Minor Swing from the Baltimore Jazz Collective album at number 16. Coming at album 15, former number two album earlier. I'll make it a number three album that peaked at number three. The lasting impression for drummer Brandon Sanders. With his quartet featuring special guest Warren Wolf here on the Vibes. Drummer Brandon Sanders Tales of Mississippi with Warren Wolf. Stacey Dillard packing them up. Album 15 this week. Moving into album number 11 falling out of the top 10 here. Very close still. Saxophonist Noah Bruminger from his Dark Days album. Austin-based Noah Freminger. Something called FTSC. FTSC from the Dark Days album at number 11. Coming at album number nine this week, Joe Magnarelli with his decidedly so album. Original music here called Good Health. In good health. The album Decidedly So. Coming in there at number nine. Slipped from the top five. It was peaked at number four there a couple of weeks back. Coming in in Lucky Seven this week, it's the Dave Wilson Quartet from Dave's new album When Even Goes East. Jerry Garcia music, Eyes of the World. Dave Wilson. When Even Goes East. Saxophonist Gregory Groover on his old new album. That is the new, as in KNEW, old new. Gregory Groover, still strong, album number five. Coming in album four this week, another album that's really been strong the last month or two. Dave Stryker's Trio, the Blue Fire Album. One of the busiest, most serious cats on scene these days. Album four, Blue Fire. Make it awake is album number three again this week. It's third week at number three. LA pianist Lisa Hilton from her extended daydream album. Original music from Lisa Hilton. That's called Momentary Mystery. From her extended daydream album Done Well for Herman, that is the third week in a row at number three. Moving strongly up into the number two spot this week, however, trumpeter Jeremy Pelt. From his Our Community Will Not Be Erased album. Album Two, Runner Up This Week. From Jeremy Phelps, Brothers on the Corner, with Orin Evans and the great Lenny White backing him up. The album itself quite a statement. What is number one this week? Still number one this week. Six weeks in a row for Alexa Tarantino. From her album The Roar and the Whisper. One of the latest additions to Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. Saxophonist is a composer. The roar and the whisper. Her album is six weeks. Six weeks in number one. David Jane, you jazzing around here together, and this is Jazz Appreciation Month, starting out the very first week of the month, and doing our best. Thanks for being here with us this week, sir. Hope you've enjoyed this program as much as we have made it. Enjoyed it making it for you. Should say that. Thanks to the folks over at our partner radio stations, WNJR, W S P R, KWLC, Boston Free Radio, and WWFM, Jazz On Too. And thanks to our podcast listeners for hanging in with us as long as you can. It's been 20 well just over 20 years being podcast worldwide. Have yourself a good week. Do yourself a favor and uh read a jazz biography. Uh jazz-related film or play or stage play. Sure, why not? And bring a friend or two along and have them enjoy jazz as much as you do. Have yourself a good week, and we'll see you again soon. We go jazz around