Well, I missed a couple of weeks but I am back. Lisa and I joined our friend Michael Koch on a camping trip to Show Low AZ over the 4th weekend. Got out of the 115 degree heat in Scottsdale and enjoyed some kayaking and hiking in 90 degree temps. Hung out at Fools Hollow Lake campgrounds.
It’s worth a trip. They have some great fishing there as well and the lake is awesome!
So, this week I will go into some of my favorite Big Band/Jazz songs, artists and groups. I have posted a few of these before so bear with me. Here we go…
Big Band:
Major M.O.M hanging with my Dad on a Sunday morning. He was a musician since the age of 5. He had a degree in Music from Oklahoma U - Sooners. He played in and lead a Navy Band in Japan during the Korean war in Yokosuka. He formed a Big Band in Tulsa after he returned from the war and played all around NE Oklahoma. Don’t get me started about his Dad and everything he did in music!! Maybe a later time.
Woody Herman - One of the 1st bands Dad got me hooked on. I got to see them in Reno in the Cabaret when I lived there in the 1980’s. So cool.
Corazon - Written by Carol King in 1973. Such a great version with Woody wailing on the soprano sax.
Four Brothers - This was written in 1947 for the "Four Brothers" saxophone section of Woody Herman's second band, and has since been covered by many groups. It features the "Four Brothers" saxophone section of Zoot Sims, Serge Chaloff, Herbie Steward, and Stan Getz, playing in that order.[6] All four played in the light, almost vibrato-less, style of their idol, Lester Young.[7] The song so typifies the sound of Woody Herman's second Herd that the band is also known as the Four Brothers Band. (From Wikipedia) Such a cool sound!!
Artie Shaw - Clarinet player Extraordinaire! I started on clarinet in 5th grade. The following song has Artie leading his band and killing it on clarinet! Just amazing what he could do.
St. James Infirmary Blues - Louis Armstrong made it famous in 1928 and is originally an American folk song with an unknown writer. This version by Artie Shaw was released in 1942.
Jazz:
As I grew I learned to love newer jazz with more complexities. I played it in high school and at Oklahoma State University Jazz Band. I learned to appreciate new artists more aligned with my tastes with a reflection of rock and blues thrown in. So, here are a few tunes for you.
Gonna Fly Now - Maynard Ferguson. Released in 1977 off of the Conquistador album. This was the theme song from the movie Rocky.
The Power of Suggestion - Richard Elliot. This is the title song from the album released in 1988. Early in his career he was a member of the group Tower of Power.
Tell Me I’m Your Man - Robben Ford. Released in 1992 on the album Robben Ford and the Blue Line. Very smooth jazz guitarist. Probably more of a blues jazz record but still cool. Robben also does the vocals on this song.
There you go for the basic first list of my jazz favorites.
Thanks for being there!!!
Keenan
SOMETHING NEW: Here is a QR code I created to take you to my Instagram page. Try it and let me know what you think.