In Lieu Of Flowers
Dave Anderson, a former CTI staffer and NYC saxophonist, releases his album "In Lieu of Flowers" on May 20, 2025. The album honors jazz legends and personal inspirations, featuring ten original compositions with a modern jazz quartet. Themes of memory and loss resonate throughout. The formal launch party is June 4th in Brooklyn, NY
Born Day: Ron Carter – The Early Years
For Maestro Carter's birthday this year, I have an April 1964 article written by Don Heckman and published in Down Beat magazine's April 9th, 1964 issue. Heckman was a longtime Down Beat contributor and Los Angeles Times jazz critic.
Mr. Carter is more than generous with his time; he regularly holds Zoom calls that Reddit users would know as AMAs or Ask
https://www.ctproduced.com/born-day-ron-carter-the-early-years/
Farewell Roy Ayers
Roy Ayers, a pivotal figure in jazz and a key contributor to the soul/funk music scene, passed away on March 4th after a prolonged illness. In my biographical sketch into his early career included collaborations with Herbie Mann and his earliest recordings. His legacy remains influential through iconic tracks like “Everybody Loves The Sunshine.”
More Playlists and Listening
Hey there! If you loved the Christmas mix, I've got more tunes lined up. I'm digging into Jack Teagarden's work and his rare 1954 Christmas track. Plus, there's a huge 5-hour Christmas mix from Radio FREE Crocket. If you want a break from holiday jams, check out the 17-hour "Lost & Found" jazz collection by DJ Jazzcat. Happy listening!
New On The FM Radio Archive
Here are five recent live sets from the FM Radio Archive. Included are performances by Art Pepper, Stanley Turrentine, Gábor Szabó, Grant Green, and the Modern Jazz Quartet, each with broadcast history.
Benny Golson – A Life In Music
Benny Golson passed on to the great bandstand in the sky on Saturday, September 21st; he was 95. I have not attempted to write my own obituary but have provided a gift link to the New York Times obituary below. I have, though, included some observational notes, as well as two recordings of Benny Goodman from an appearance he made here in Colorado back in 2005. In the performance, Mr. G
Grover Live Vol.2
Grover Washing, Jr. 'live in 1998. This recording is released only in digital format (for now?). It really is a great set of GWJ classics. Lot's of detail and streaming links etc.
Jazz Is Dead(Not!)
The belief that "jazz is dead" has been recurring since the 1920s, with notable instances like a 1967 Down Beat magazine cover misquoting guitarist Gabor Szabo. Despite such claims, jazz has proven resilient, surviving trends and criticisms. Historian Frank Kofsky and multiple jazz figures affirm its enduring relevance and vitality. The second in a series.
Sounds: Supermarket Jazz
It's fairly well know that Creed's production techniques were not universally liked. Creed himself knew that and was often quite dismissive of critics in general. I've often quoted Creed himself on this, as early as 1963 he said:
These men[musicians], no longer concern themselves with critical limitations, imposed by journalists within the jazz frat
“Fresh Crates Daily” – Farewell Jeff Henry
I'm taking a short break in normal service to recognize a musical hero and personal friend who passed away in Houston, TX on Friday, May 10th, 2024. I encourage you to read on and, if nothing else, enjoy this mixtape just one of dozens that Jeff did.
https://www.ctproduced.com/fresh-crates-daily-farewell-jeff-henry/
New (old) Album From George Benson
Details and a look back at a new/old upcoming George Benson album, recorded in London, England with Robert Farnon. Once believed to have been abandoned.
https://www.ctproduced.com/new-old-album-from-george-benson/
Bob James at NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert
Bob James appeared on todays NPR Tiny Desk concert. It's well worth a few minutes, if you don't have time now, I( recorded it and have a download link.
https://www.ctproduced.com/bob-james-at-nprs-tiny-desk-concert/
Bob James Live!
I missed attending the Biamp Portland Jazz Festival but was updated by Kim Paris with a review, photos, and a clip of Bob James's performance. Kim also shared a 1985 live recording of a Bob James concert at Montreux, available for streaming and download.
Pop And Jazz Jocks On The Radio
Billboard Magazine's October 12th, 1963 issue explores the fusion of jazz with popular music, highlighting Creed Taylor's impact on presenting jazz artists to the pop scene. Here I have two Bill Coss authored features on this topic. Discussed is the trend of pop jockeys blending more jazz into their shows as audiences become sophisticated listeners, while jazz d
The Paul Desmond Album That Was CTI and Isn’t
With the Grammys coming up, I thought it a good time to take a first look at Paul Desmond's career and his association with CTI Records, along with a discussion about his albums and Grammy nominations. I also apparently have some work to do on Wikipedia inaccuracies but mostly this is a look at Desmond's non-CTI A&M recording an
https://www.ctproduced.com/the-paul-desmond-album-that-was-cti-and-isnt/
Black Music ’75 Live Apollo Theater Hubbard & McCann
Kim Paris from the FM Radio Archive Collection recently shared a interesting live set from 1974 featuring Freddie Hubbard and Les McCann at the Apollo's Black Music '75 show. This ambitious event aimed to showcase jazz legends to the Harlem audience. The performance, while receiving mixed reviews, provides a no
https://www.ctproduced.com/black-music-75-live-apollo-theater-hubbard-mccann/
“Follow Bob James All Around The Town”
Bob James was born on December 25th, 1939. On December 22nd, 1979, at the peak of his career, James had a the last of a series of concerts in New York City to celebrate New York City and to show off the different styles he could work in. Three different venues, three different configurations, quartet, trio and big band. This post contains three l
https://www.ctproduced.com/follow-bob-james-all-around-the-town/
Event: Ron Carter’s Golden Striker Trio Live and Online (free)
The ever excellent Maestro Ron Carter has an excellent social media and newsletter team. In today's email they announced a live performance on December 10th, at 3pm EST. In-person is sold out, but attendance via Livestream is available and free.
I was lucky enough to see Sir Ron and Russell Malone (guitar) and Donald Vega (corrected, thanks Ken!)
https://www.ctproduced.com/event-ron-carters-golden-striker-trio-live-and-online-free/
Discogs Artist Page #fail
Discogs have implemented a new web ui and backend interface that removes a large reason to use it for research. I wanted to layout my complaints graphically with images on the off chance that a product manager or someone with influence at #Discogs would see it. I posted most of the detail, without images on their community forum 23-days ago, but my feedback didn't solicit even a reply.
Yes, I
On This Day: “Bird Lives!”
The lullaby of Bird lingers lovingly on
by Greg Murphy, published in the Liverpool Daily Post, Saturday August 29th, 1970
While searching through an archive looking for some details on the Creed Taylor, CTI Rhythmstick project, I found this UK Newspaper clipping. The 1990 version of the CTI All-Stars covered Parker's "Barbados" on their album and video. Also included here is a li
https://www.ctproduced.com/on-this-day-bird-lives/
#nonCT #CharlieParker
