Here is a nice performance of the soft jazz number Waltz for Debbie from Bill Evans. Check out the chops on bassist Chuck Israels as he matches Bill on some of the runs, and lays down a pretty smooth solo. Good music to wash down some caffeine and get the day started.
Here’s a later version of the trio with Napolean Dynamite on bass…Bill is sort of sporting his Unibomber look…beard and mirror shades.
Check out this rather bitchin’ acoustic bass solo by Stanley. He really beats the pulp out of the old gal and makes her sing. The funny thing about this video in particular is how far full circle Jazz has come, it’s no secret of course…I mean Newport…could it get any more wealthy fat America? Check out the swinger on the lawn chair with the umbrella as he air guitars along to the bass solo (guitar hero Stanley Clack version). Anyway, I really don’t want to take the view away from Stanley’s solo at all, it’s great, just the dynamic is rather amusing is all. Jazz is one of those musical genres with a wide, wide range. It can be so damn great, and so damn horrible and just about everything in between…unlike say, New Age.
90 years old, and his music is still fresh as morning dew. If you haven’t seen it the 1988 documentary “Straight No Chaser”, which was produced by Clint Eastwood, is quite good. Monk was born in NC but moved when he was 5 years old and basically was raised in NYC. No need for me to give you Monk’s history, watch the documentary…he was a genius, and his music is genius.
Thelonious Monk “Straight No Chaser” Part 1-
I must say I had no idea Stevie was such a bad motherfucker on the drums! It’s not really a huge stretch given his natural talent, but hot damn, check him out here as he goes off the hook…after being led up to the kit.
I’ll put the famous old Buddy Rich drum solo in here for all you Tommy Lee fans-
What a cool late night find this is, check out these two master jazz trumpet players as they perform Umbrella Man together. The trumpet is an instrument that really can do interesting things to someones head…watch as Dizzy, with his trademark angled trumpet, puffs up like some kind of blowfish, just amazing. There is no date on this, but it must be pretty old as they look young.
God damn Tom Jenkins is amazing. Granted maybe I’m biased as I have been a bass player for almost 20 years now, and he is certainly a monster of a bass player. check out this video of a recent performance in support of his new album. He combines this bass virtuosity with a solid use of supporting electronics to create a really stunning musical vehicle. Also check out the interview.
Squarepusher: BBC interview with the elusive Tom Jenkins
Squarepusher: Itunes
Squarepusher: Official site
This is one of the more interesting collaborations of recent times in the experimental end of the spectrum. Jazz drummer Steve Reid’s list of “people i’ve played with” is enviable to say the least, and it’s great to see him hook up with one of the more creative electronic musicians of our day. Together they have released an album “Tongues” and are currently touring. The music is still evolving and tends to collide here and there but is pretty amazing overall if only for it’s melding of generations. Kieran (best known as Four Tet) is playing a bank of Dr. Sample units, which are inexpensive yet versitile (see first video below) phrase samplers from boss (no longer produced…try ebay).
Me And My Instrument: Kieran Hebden
Kieran Hebden and Steve Reid - ‘Brain’ video
