Quite a backlog of music to mention: Recordings by Joanne Brackeen, Dollar Brand, Anthony Braxton, Edie Brickell, Bob Brookmeyer have recently made their way to my turntable.
Joanne Brackeen is so great. She is yet another musician who I read about when I was growing up in the midwest, but had to move to Boston to hear. The first time I ever heard her music was not on record, but live at the Berklee Performance Center in the spring of 1993. She was celebrating her new gig on the piano faculty, which, as far as I was concerned, was VERY cool. Her music is intricate, dense, a whirlwind of sound, and she hires incredible musicians.
- Tring-a-Ling – with Billy Hart, Michael Brecker, and (my former teacher) Cecil McBee. The band glides through this somewhat complex music effortlessly. McBee, in particular (from my totally biased vantage point) is especially incredible.
- Prism – did I mention something about incredible musicians? This is a duo record with the great Eddie Gomez. Fantastic.
- Keyed In – augmenting the Brackeen/Gomez duo is Jack DeJohnette. A great record. In the AllMusic Guide, critic Scott Yanow (rightly) notes how strange it is that this record would be on Bob James’ label, Tappen Zee. Very odd, but I’m very happy that it happened.
Dollar Brand, aka Abdulla Ibrahim, released what has become an incredibly influential album, at least to current and past (and probably future) members of the Either/Orchestra. African Marketplace, the album, features the song of the same name, which we have played a zillion times. Excellent, excellent tune, played by a great band that stars Carlos Ward, and Cecil McBee’s amazing bass playing.
Like Joanne Brackeen (and so many others), it took a move to Boston to get my ears in front of speakers blasting Anthony Braxton. I have never seen him live, but since he is only 2 hours away in CT, I hope to. His work on Arista is incredible. In fact, I grant the status of BFF to anyone who decides to give me this collection. Ok, maybe not BFF (that has to go to the person or institution that helps me fix my bass – long story, for another post), how about BF-for-a-really-long-time?
- New York, Fall 1974 – My favorite Dave Holland period is around this time. Ok, there is this early 1980s thing, too, that I love about Holland. But in Braxton’s band, playing this music…? Amazing. Same with Kenny Wheeler (ok, ok, they both have solo albums that I adore!).
- Five Pieces (1975) – My absolute all-time favorite Anthony Braxton album.
- Creative Orchestra Music (1976) – Speechless.
- NW5-9M4: For Trio – I love this one, too. Reminds me of that great Henry Threadgill album X-75, Volume 1, although now that I say that, I wonder if it is a musical likeness or if it’s just because of the title?
- In The Tradition – A former teacher of mine (Allan Chase) asked in class one day, “Does it matter if an improviser who is associated with the jazz avant garde plays the jazz tradition?” Incredible question. I think this album, and Seven Standards, Vol. 1, show incredible courage on Braxton’s part. He sounds nothing like, I mean, well, he only sounds like Anthony Braxton. From the vantage point of a mainstream jazz musician, it’s not really going to work out. But anyone with ears who is willing to open themselves up to another approach will find that his playing on these tunes really is amazing.
- Seven Standards, Vol. 1 – speaking of this record, it’s great. Actually some of my favorite Rufus Reid is on this album.
What a strange way to end a Brackeen, Brand, Braxton string of records, that is, with Shooting Rubber Bands at the Stars, Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians debut LP. Maybe it’s the bassist’s Clevinger Electric Upright bass talking, but I love this record.
I was so, so fortunate to play one semester in a big band at New England Conservatory that Bob Brookmeyer coached. Actually, it was a jazz composers’ orchestra, so we played the music of his students (plus 2 of his), but he was there and had many insightful things to say. I realized then how many Brookmeyer albums I have. Maybe not as a bandleader, but definitely as a sideman.
- Jazz is a Kick – A great small group date, with fantastic performances by Charlie Persip and Paul Chambers (on different tunes, plus other amazing musicians). This version of “You’re My Everything” is lovely; “Air Conditioned” is burning…
- And Friends – And what friends! Stan Getz, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Gary Burton, Elvin Jones. “Jive Hoot” is killer, and “Skylark” is gorgeous.
- Small Band, Live at Sandy’s Jazz Revival – I listened to this one about 4 times before moving on. This is truly magical. Michael Moore knocks me out.
- Live at the Village Vanguard – with Mel Lewis and the Jazz Orchestra. Really great. Clark Terry takes some wonderful solos, and a great duo with Brookmeyer. Dick Oatts sounds amazing – actually, I never played with him, but I have played several gigs with his brother Jim. A great record with incredible writing.
Ok, so that does it for now. On to Clifford Brown…
Best, R.