10 – MODERN JAZZ

As jazz gained respectability, its importance was confirmed with the establishment of jazz festivals, magazines and books. Although it had become firmly rooted and could no longer be ignored, by the 1940's its commercial popularity in general was on the decline with the public. The demise of the big swing bands brought about by the effects of World War Two, the crippling musician's strikes of the 1940's and the public's increasing interest in pop vocals, R&B and C&W, forced jazz artists into small clubs. Also, many of the great soloists of the swing era had grown tired of the restrictions of big band arrangements and had begun forming small improvisational combos.

The live circuit had begun to dry up due to wartime conditions and many remarkable musicians were unable to find regular gigs. Several took the R&B route, seeking the new promise of commercial success in the current black music scene. Others retreated to the safety of small New York City clubs, there becoming extremely adventurous and experimental. The jam session was the rule of the day.

BEBOP

In the mid 1940's, trumpet player Dizzy Gillespie formed a succession of innovative jazz groups. One was a quintet featuring alto saxman Charlie Parker and drummer Big Sid Catlett. Later, both Parker and Gillespie were fronting outfits on 52nd Street between 5th and 6th Avenue. To the jazz community, the area was known as "Swing Street" or simply "The Street." Not unlike the New Orleans of thirty years previous, it became a mecca for the new jazz. Clubs were tiny, smoky, dingy, ratty and overcrowded - the perfect atmosphere for new avant-garde music. Usually basement affairs, the most notable of the bunch were The Famous Door, Jimmy Ryan's, The Spotlight, The Onyx, The Troc, The Three Deuces and The Downbeat. At these clubs, every imaginable jazz styles were heard. The unofficial queen of 52nd Street was the great Billie Holiday.

During 1944 and 1945, a brand new jazz style emerged out of The Onyx Club and The Three Deuces. It was pioneered by a small combo headed by Dizzy Gillespie. Originally dubbed "rebop," later "bebop" and finally "bop" by the media, it was very fast, furious, free form and technically very complicated. It had emerged out of after-hour wartime jam sessions.

Bebop was an obvious reaction to the structure and restrictions of the big bands. Emphasis was placed on freedom, creativity and improvisation. Complex rhythms and chord sequences made it accessible to a select few, too far out for the general public. A combo would take an old conventional tune and design a new swinging melody around its harmonic outline and re-title it. Basically beyond the grasp of the masses, it was generally undanceable, uncommercial and essentially responsible for the loss in jazz's popularity. Bebop and several other new jazz concoctions were appreciated strictly by the connoisseur. It was a virtuoso-dominated genre, technically brilliant but highly unmarketable. When jazz began, it was a language understood by many, later becoming a language understood by few.

Another new style was what was termed "hard bop," with its greater stress on percussion and piano elements and a virtuosity devaluation of sorts. By the early 1950's, when the "bop is dead" talk was at its peak, traditional cornetist Doc Evans held a premature mock funeral for bebop in Minneapolis. However, the style survived in numerous forms after the bebop era proper.

DIZZY GILLESPIE

• John Birks Gillespie (Oct. 21, 1917 - Jan. 6, 1993)
• Trumpeter/pianist/composer/arranger/bandleader born in Cheraw, South Carolina.
• Famous for his warped trumpet and his amazing bloated cheeks.
• 1931 - Age 14, studied trombone.
• 1932 - Age 15, studied trumpet.
• 1937 - Played with Teddy Hill.
• 1939-1940 - Played and arranged in Cab Calloway's band.
• 1941 - Left Calloway after a brawl onstage.
• 1941 - Backed Ella Fitzgerald.
• 1942 - Played with Lucky Millinder's band.
• 1943 - With Charlie Parker, joined Earl Hines' band.
• June, 1944 - He and Parker joined Billy Eckstine's band. Both the Hines and Eckstine bands originated what later would emerge as bebop.
• 1944-1945 - Gillespie formed a succession of combos, one being a quintet featuring saxman Charlie Parker and drummer Big Sid Catlett. It was during their residency at The Three Deuces that bebop was perfected.
• Jan. 9, 1945 - Recorded "I Can't Get Started," his debut recording.
• Major recordings by Gillespie and the quintet included "Hot House" and "Blue'n Boogie."
• Nov., 1945 - His recording of "Salt Peanuts" with Charlie Parker, co-written with brilliant drummer Kenny Clarke (1914 - 1985), went to #22.
• 1945 - After a crackdown by authorities worried about drugs and morality, Gillespie and Parker left New York City.
• Dec., 1945-Jan., 1946 - Played at a large venue in Los Angeles, California called Billy Berg's, enjoying little acceptance. Gillespie returned to New York leaving Parker in L.A.
• 1946 - Organized a permanent bebop big band which survived until 1950. He became the public personification of bebop.
• His eccentric dress and unique appearance, consisting of beret, spectacles and goatee was much copied by beatniks and jazz aficionados.
• Feb., 1952 - Recorded a laid back interpretation of "Our Love Is Here To Stay."
• 1951 - Gillespie won Downbeat's Best Trumpet Star of 1951.
• In the early 1950's, he formed a small unit featuring vocalist Joe Carroll. Recorded several rather commercial tracks including "The Umbrella Man" and "Oo-Sho-Be-Do-Be."
• 1956 - Organized a big band for a Middle Eastern tour.
• During the 1970's, teamed up with trumpeter John Faddis.
• His famous trumpet had gotten bent by accident at a party and he has since kept it as an identifiable trademark.
• Compositions include "Night In Tunisia"(1942), "Woody 'n You" (1942) and "Groovin' High"(1944).
• Albums include "Dizziest," "One Night At Birdland" (with Charlie Parker), "Live At Newport"(1957) and "Trumpet Kings" (with Roy Eldridge).

CHARLIE PARKER

• Charles Christopher Parker Jr. (Aug. 29, 1920 - March 12, 1955)
• Alto saxophonist/arranger born in Kansas City, Missouri.
• 1933 - His mother bought him a saxophone.
• Addicted to drugs from the age of 15 after being injured in a car crash.
• Married at 16 and a father at 17.
• Around 1936, acquired the nickname "Bird," either because he was fond of chicken or it was short for "Yardbird" after his passion for alley gambling.
• Buster Smith of The Benny Moten Orchestra was a great influence on Parker.
• In Kansas City, played with the bands of Lawrence Keyes and Harlan Leonard.
• 1940 - Joined The Jay McShann Big Band, with whom he cut his first bebop recording, "Hootie Blues"(1942).
• Exempt from the draft because of his drug addiction.
• 1943 - Joined The Earl Hines Band with Dizzy Gillespie. During this time, Gillespie and Parker jammed often combining their talents.
• June, 1944 - Joined Billy Eckstine's band, furthering the progression of bebop.
• He had a remarkable gift of improvisation, able to play up to 20 choruses without repeating himself. Parker was an attention getting device, blazing new trails in modern jazz and developing a strong cult following. His gift was playing his solos based not on the melody of the piece but over its chord structure.
• Nov. 26, 1945 - Parker fronted his own combo, finally recording under his own name for Savoy Records. One of the four sides was the influential piece titled "Coco."
• 1945 - Developed "Driving From A Riff" based on "How High The Moon." He later recorded it under the title, "Ornithology"(1946).
• 1945 - After a drug crackdown by authorities in New York City, Parker and Gillespie left for the West Coast.
• Dec., 1945-Jan., 1946 - Parker and Gillespie played at Billy Berg's in Los Angeles, California. The audiences were not receptive.
• When Gillespie returned to New York City, Parker stayed after blowing all of his money on heroin, unable to raise enough cash to return until April, 1947.
• Heavily into drugs for stimulation, Parker suffered several mental breakdowns and attempted numerous suicides.
• Dec. 15, 1949 - The popular jazz club Birdland at 1678 Broadway near 52nd St. was named in his honour. Because of his erratic behaviour, Parker was ultimately banned from the club which bore his name.
• 1952 - Parker won Downbeat's Best Alto Saxman Award of 1951.
• 1954 - Attempted suicide after the death of his daughter.
• March 12, 1955 - Died of a heart attack, cirrhosis of the liver and pneumonia. He expired at The Stanhope Hotel in the New York City apartment of jazz patron, The Baroness Pannonica "Nica" de Koenigswarter.
• The death date on his headstone, March 23, 1955 is incorrect.
• 1988 - Forest Whitaker portrayed Parker in the biopic, "Bird."
• Albums include "The Savoy Masters," "The Dial Masters" and "Yardbird In Lotusland."

EARL HINES

• See Jazz

COLEMAN HAWKINS

• See Swing

ART TATUM

• See Jazz

THELONIOUS MONK

• Thelonious Sphere Monk (Oct. 10, 1920 - Feb. 17, 1982)
• Pianist/composer/bandleader born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.
• Raised in Harlem from the age of 5.
• 1940-1942 - Played with drummer Kenny Clarke's house band at Mintons, jamming often with Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Christian. Some say that Monk and Clarke were the very first to play bebop, later being defined by Parker and Gillespie. In an age when most jazz musicians were playing more notes, Monk firmly believed in less.
• 1943-1945 - Played with Coleman Hawkins' sextet.
• 1947 - Fronted his own band.
• 1947 - Wrote "'Round Midnight" (his best-known piece), "Epistrophy" (with Kenny Clarke) and "52nd St. Theme."
• Nicknamed "The Mad Monk" and "The High Priest Of Bebop."
• His unique talent went unrecognized until the 1950's.
• 1951-1957 - Monk was refused a cabaret card by the New York authorities because of narcotics possession. Stayed reclusive, working on new compositions for 6 years.
• Began recording for Riverside. Monk as an artist refused to be involved with anything that smacked of commerciality.
• 1957 - Took up residency at New York's Five Spot Cafe, using tenor saxman John Coltrane in his quartet.
• 1962-1968 - Recorded for Columbia.
• Oct., 1964 - Recorded his his second-best-known composition, "Straight, No Chaser."
• During the 1970's, toured with The Giants Of Jazz.
• 1976 - Plagued by illness, he gave his last performance.
• A gentle, introverted and eccentric man, famous for his odd hats.
• An intense, spare pianist, he paved the way for a whole army of avant-garde artists in the 1960's.
• Monk and his wife Nellie moved in with jazz patron, The Baroness Pannonica de Koenigswarter during his last reclusive years.
• Feb. 17, 1982 - Died of a stroke in Engelwood, New Jersey. He was buried in Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, New York.
• Major contributions include "Well You Needn't," "Ruby My Dear," "Blue Monk" and "In Walked Bud."
• Albums include "Monk's Music," "Brilliant Corners" and "Full House."

BUD POWELL

• Earl Powell (Sept. 27, 1924 - Aug. 1, 1966)
• Pianist born in New York City.
• The most influential jazz pianist after Art Tatum and second most important bebop pianist after Dodo Marmarosa.
• Son of stride pianist William Powell.
• 1945 - Age 21, began suffering mental problems (thought to be the result of a police beating). He was institutionalized 5 times between 1945 and 1955.
• 1942 - Made his debut recordings with Freddie Socolow for Duke.
• 1943-1944 - Played with trumpeter Cootie Williams' group.
• Also played at The Three Deuces with trumpeter Fats Navarro.
• 1945-1951 - He was at his artistic peak.
• 1946 - Recorded with trombonist J. J. Johnson, trumpeter Fats Navarro (1923 - 1950) and drummer Kenny Clarke.
• 1947 - Recorded with Charlie Parker.
• 1950 - With Norman Leyden's Orchestra, backed Sarah Vaughan on several recordings including the classic "Thinking Of You"(Nov., 1950)#16.
• Albums include "Jazz Giant" and "Bud Powell Trio."

TADD DAMERON

• Tadley Ewing Peake (1917 - 1965)
• Pianist/arranger/composer.
• Stated that he was a composer who was forced to become an arranger in order to promote his material.
• Wrote the bebop anthems, "Good Bait" and "Hot House," both made famous by Gillespie and Parker.
• 1947 - Led his own small group featuring trumpeter Fats Navarro.
• During the late 1940's, arranged for Dizzy Gillespie's big band.
• During the late 1950's, he was arrested and sentenced for heroin use. He spent 3 years in prison.
• Hits include "Lady Bird" and "If You Could See Me Now."
• Albums include "Fontainebleau" and "Mating Call."

COOL JAZZ

At the end of the 1940's, a more relaxed dreamy type of jazz came into existence, running parallel to and as a reaction to bebop. Its roots were in big band structure and balanced form. Its major pioneers included pianist/composer Claude Thornhill, tenor saxophonist Lester Young, trumpeter/singer Chet Baker, trumpeter Miles Davis (who invented "the birth of cool") and pianist Lenny Tristano.

Basically, it originated on the West Coast and featured lighter subdued tones. The soloist in cool jazz remained within the structure of the arrangement rather than being followed like the erratic improvisers of bebop. The "cool" musician often lagged slightly behind the beat instead of being on top of it or pushing it.

CLAUDE THORNHILL

• (Aug. 10, 1908 - July 1, 1965)
• Pianist/arranger/composer/bandleader born in Terre Haute, Indiana.
• 1914 - Age 6, formed his first musical group.
• During the early 1930's, played with Paul Whiteman, Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller.
• 1935-1936 - Worked as an arranger for Ray Noble.
• 1939 - Formed his first big band which became one of the 1940's' most classically styled outfits.
• Oct., 1941 - His theme song, "Snowfall" went to #15.
• His orchestras produced several mainstream hits yet the major focus of his style was rerouted in 1946 when it featured pianist/ arranger Gil Evans who utilized experimental arrangements of Charlie Parker pieces. Some of the band members became followers of the new jazz styles through the influence of Evans and baritone saxman Gerry Mulligan.
• 1948 - Broke up his band.
• By the mid 1950's, Thornhill had become the music director for Tony Bennett.
• Commercial hits include "Harbour Lights"(Aug., 1937)#7, "Loch Lommond"(Dec., 1937)#9 (vocal by Maxine Sullivan), "A Sunday Kind Of Love"(May, 1947)#16 (vocal by Fran Warren) and "Johnson Rag"(Feb., 1950)#24.

GIL EVANS

• Ian Ernest Gilmore Green (May 13, 1913 - March 20, 1988)
• Pianist/arranger born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
• Self taught pianist.
• 1933-1941 - Played in and led various bands in California before moving to New York City.
• 1946-1948 - Pianist/arranger for Claude Thornhill's orchestra.
• 1947 - Met and experimented with Miles Davis in a nonet consisting of trombone, French horn, tuba, trumpet, piano, bass, drums and alto and baritone saxes.
• Jan., 1949-March, 1950 - Recorded 12 sides with Miles Davis.
• 1957 - Recorded the big band album, "Miles Ahead" with Davis.
• 1958 - Recorded some re-workings of Gershwin's "Porgy And Bess" with Miles Davis.
• 1960 - Collaborated with Miles Davis on the landmark recording, "Sketches Of Spain."
• Often dubbed "Svengali."
• In the 1970's, he scored an album of Jimi Hendrix material and formed bands featuring tenor saxophonist David Sanborn and trumpeter Hannibal Marvin Peterson.
• March 20, 1988 - Died in Mexico.
• Hits include "Moondreams" and "Boplicity."
• Albums include "Big Stuff"(1957) and "The British Orchestra."

GERRY MULLIGAN

• Gerald Joseph Mulligan (April 6, 1927 - Jan. 20, 1996)
• Baritone saxophonist/arranger/composer born in Long Island, New York.
• As a child in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, learned to play piano, clarinet and sax.
• 1944 - Arranged for Johnny Warrington's band.
• Arranged thereafter for numerous bands including Gene Krupa, Benny Goodman, Claude Thornhill, Stan Kenton, Miles Davis and Charlie Parker.
• Played sax with Dizzy Gillespie in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
• 1950 - Moved to the West Coast.
• 1952 - Formed a quartet in Los Angeles for The Haig nightclub's Monday night sessions. It consisted of trumpeter/singer Chet Baker (Chesney Baker) (Dec. 23, 1929 - May 13, 1988), bassist Bob Whitlock, drummer Chico Hamilton and Mulligan on baritone sax. The noticeable absence of piano gave the combo a rather unique sound. Together, they recorded several successful sessions on the Pacific Jazz label. They enjoyed a minor hit with their laid back rendition of "My Funny Valentine."
• Film appearances include "I Want To Live"(1958) and "The Subterraneans"(1960).
• Later, worked frequently with pianist Dave Brubeck.
• Winner of numerous jazz polls including 20 time winner of Down Beat Magazine's top baritone saxophonist award.
• Jan. 20, 1996 - Died of complications after a knee infection.
• Albums include "Reunion" (with Chet Baker) and "Gerry Mulligan Meets Thelonious Monk."

LENNIE TRISTANO

• Leonard Joseph Tristano (March 19, 1919 - Nov. 18, 1978)
• Pianist/composer/producer/theoretician/teacher from Chicago, Illinois.
• Blind from the age of 9, after a bout of influenza.
• 1943 - Masters degree in music at The American Conservatory in Chicago, Illinois.
• 1945 - Began tutoring gifted pupils.
• 1946 - Came to New York City, playing in several combos.
• His idol was Bud Powell.
• By 1955, he was devoting most of his time to teaching.
• Tristano was the predominant cool jazz pianist of his time. His contributions as a teacher and theorist cannot be overstressed.
• Albums include "Lennie Tristano."

LESTER YOUNG

• Lester Willis Young (Aug. 27, 1909 - March 15, 1959)
• Tenor saxophonist/clarinetist born in Woodville, Mississippi.
• Nicknamed "The Prez" by Billie Holiday.
• 1932 - Played with The Original Blue Devils in Minneapolis.
• Oct., 1936 - Made his recording debut with the Basie quintet, Jones-Smith Inc.
• 1936-1940 - Played with Count Basie's orchestra.
• Oct., 1936 - Cool jazz was supposedly first detected on Young's recording of "Oh Lady Be Good."
• 1938 - Some of his best work was done on "Countless Blues" by The Kansas City Six on Milt Gabler's Commodore label.
• Also played with Teddy Wilson, Benny Goodman and Billie Holiday. Young and Holiday's recordings, made between 1937 and 1940 were some of the most intimate pairings in jazz history. They were reunited one last time in 1957 for a TV special.
• Dec., 1940 - Left Basie, determined to form his own group.
• 1943-1944 - With his own combo, recorded for Keynote and Signature.
• 1945 - Court-martialled and imprisoned during army service for marijuana use.
• 1952 - Recorded "There'll Never Be Another You" with Oscar Peterson.
• 1956 - Recorded the "Jazz Giants" album with pianist Teddy Wilson.
• Dec. 6, 1957 - Appeared with Billie Holiday, Coleman Hawkins, Count Basie, Ben Webster and many other artists on the TV special, "The Sound Of Jazz."
• Young's clean, elegant, melancholy tones ran contrary to his contemporaries. His solos were some of the most beautiful in jazz.
• March 15, 1959 - Died in his room at the Albert Hotel in New York City just a few months before his great friend Billie Holiday.
• Recordings include "Shoe Shine Boy," "Lady Be Good" and "Lester Leaps In."
• Albums include "At His Very Best" and "Lester Young And The Oscar Peterson Trio."

MILES DAVIS

• Miles Dewey Davis (May 25, 1926 - Sept. 28, 1991)
• Trumpeter/composer/bandleader born in Alton, Illinois.
• Nicknamed "The Prince Of Darkness."
• Son of a well to do dentist and gentleman farmer.
• All time great jazz trumpeter.
• May 25, 1939 - Received a trumpet for his 13th birthday shortly after his family had moved to East St. Louis, Illinois.
• While attending Lincoln High School in East St. Louis, studied with trumpeter Elwood Buchanan who taught him how not to play with vibrato in his tone.
• Davis met Irene Birth who bore his first child Cheryl the year he graduated.
• Studied harmony and theory at Juilliard School Of Music in New York City.
• Played in both Benny Carter and Billy Eckstine's bands.
• Participated with Charlie Parker in the formation of bebop in the early 1940's.
• 1949 - Formed his own 9 piece jazz ensemble with Gil Evans, baritone saxman Gerry Mulligan and trombonist Kai Winding, recording the classic "Birth Of The Cool"(1949).
• 1949 - Went to Paris where he had a brief affair with singer Juliette Greco. After returning to America, he turned to drugs.
• 1955 - After kicking heroin, changed his style radically to the blues based hard bop of "Walkin'."
• Fall, 1955 - Assembled the first of his quartets for a residency at Cafe Bohemia in New York's Greenwich Village. The quartet consisted of Davis, John Coltrane (tenor sax), Red Garland (piano), Paul Chambers (bass) and Philly Joe Jones (drums).
• 1956 - Began collaborating with Gil Evans for some of his greatest recorded work.
• 1959 - Beaten by a New York City policeman.
• 1959 - Released the "Kind Of Blue" album featuring "So What."
• 1961 - Appeared at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
• His playing was always understated and sensitive.
• Summer, 1969 - Recorded his classic "Bitches Brew" album, a hybrid of jazz and rock which Davis called jazz-rock. This new electric genre was later dubbed fusion. The set also included the classic track, "Sanctuary."
• During much of his career, he was strongly associated with arranger Gil Evans.
• By 1971, he was making $400,000 annually.
• 1971 - Voted "Jazzman Of The Year" by Down Beat Magazine.
• 1972 - Plagued by ill health after a car crash.
• 1975-1981 - Retreated from music. He stated, "I didn't pick up my horn, I just took a lot of cocaine."
• 1989 - Released his autobiography.
• Sept. 28, 1991 - Died in Santa Monica, California.
• Albums include "Sketches Of Spain"(with Gil Evans), "Miles Smiles"(1966), "In A Silent Way" and "Decoy"(1984).

STAN GETZ

• Stanley Gayetsky (Feb. 2, 1927 - June 6, 1991)
• Tenor saxophonist born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
• Son of Russian Jewish immigrants.
• 17 time winner of the Down Beat polls as top tenor saxophonist.
• 1944-1945 - Played with Stan Kenton.
• 1945-1946 - Played with Jimmy Dorsey.
• 1946 - Recorded "How High The Moon" with Randy Brooks.
• 1947-1949 - Played with Woody Herman. He was the soloist on Herman's "Early Autumn," which later became a hit in 1952.
• His style was influenced by the smooth, cool sounds of Lester Young.
• Nicknamed him "Stanley The Steamer" by his contemporaries.
• 1958-1961 - Moved to Europe with his Danish wife, staying out of the public eye.
• Sept., 1962 - His classic recording of "Desafinado (Slightly Out Of Tune)" with guitarist Charlie Byrd went to #15, triggering the bossa nova craze of the early 1960's.
• June, 1964 - His dreamy recording of "The Girl From Ipanema" with singer Astrud Gilberto went to #5.
• June 6, 1991 - Died in Malibu, California.
• Albums include "Complete Storyville Sessions," "The Steamer" (1956) and "The Dolphin"(1981).

THE BEATNIKS

During the 1950's, there emerged a pro-jazz/anti-folk faction originating out of New York City's Greenwich Village (see Folk Music). In 1957, the term "beatnik" was supposedly coined by San Francisco journalist Herb Caen, designating the apathetic left wing group who were seemingly disenchanted with the world in general, their main interests being jazz and poetry. The stereotypical beatnik sported a goatee, wore a beret and black clothing and played bongos while reciting poetry. Their attitude could only be described as "bummed out." Overlooking these rather skewed stereotypes, the real beatniks were indeed jazz aficionados who later faded into obscurity in the 1960's.

THE BIG BAND PROGRESSIVES

While the greatest majority of jazz musicians in the late 1940's formed small experimental combos, several large progressive units managed to thrive. The masters like Ellington and Basie stuck to their swing roots while others like Stan Kenton and Woody Herman blazed trails through virgin territory. They combined the structured sound of the big band with the improvisational freedom of the small combo to varying degrees of success. Critics often labelled their style as ear shattering chaos, yet much is to be said for the sheer adventurousness involved.

STAN KENTON

• Stanley Newcomb Kenton (Feb. 19, 1912 - Aug. 25, 1979)
• Pianist/composer/arranger/bandleader born in Wichita, Kansas.
• Taught piano by his mother.
• 1941 - Formed his first band consisting of 14 pieces.
• 1945 - Arranger Pete Rugulo joined him.
• Throughout the years, his vocalists included Anita O'Day and June Christy.
• 1947 - Suffered a nervous breakdown and dissolved his band, later starting up and dissolving again in Dec. 17, 1948.
• Jan., 1950 - Kenton was back with a 38 piece outfit including strings, calling it Innovations In Modern Music.
• 1954 - 19 year old singer Ann Richards joined his band.
• 1955 - Married Richards.
• During the 1960's, formed his New Era In Modern Music Orchestra.
• His conception of good jazz was many people's idea of a nightmare plus headache - big ear-shattering Wagnerian jazz. Kenton loved being extreme and controversial. As time went by, the sounds became so complex and elaborate that he was often accused of not swinging.
• 1970 - Debuted his own Creative World label.
• One of the leaders of the progressive jazz movement, he was the third inductee into The Jazz Hall Of Fame.
• Hits include "Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me"(Feb., 1944)#10, "And Her Tears Flowed Like Wine"(Sept., 1944)#4 (vocal by Anita O'Day), "Artistry In Rhythm"(Nov., 1944)#16, "Tampico"(July, 1945)#3 (vocal by June Christy) (his first million seller), "Orange Coloured Sky"(Sept., 1950)#5 (with Nat King Cole) and "Laura"(Aug., 1951)#12.
• Other important recordings include "Peanut Vendor"(1949), "Eager Beaver" and "Intermission Riff."

WOODY HERMAN

• Woodrow Charles Herman (May 16, 1913 - Oct. 29, 1987)
• Clarinetist/saxophonist/singer/composer/bandleader born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
• 1922 - Age 9, made his stage debut as The Boy Wonder Of The Clarinet.
• 1929 - Began his professional career in music.
• 1936 - Took over Isham Jones' band after his retirement. It became a bluesy swing unit fuelled by Herman's gutsy clarinet and alto sax playing.
• Early hits include "Woodchopper's Ball"(May, 1939)#9 and his theme song, "Blue Flame"(March, 1941)#5.
• Film appearances include "What's Cooking"(1942) and "Earl Carroll Vanities"(1945).
• 1945 - Christened his band The Herd, featuring solid swing with some tricky musical equations. Notable members included guitarist Billy Bauer, bassist Chubby Jackson and drummer Dave Tough.
• 1946 - His greatest achievement was his "Summer Sequence" suite in 4 parts which he debuted at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Part four, "Early Autumn" featuring Stan Getz, became a #28 hit in Nov., 1952.
• 1947-1949 - Herman's second Herd became more famous than the first with its rollicking version of "Four Brothers"(1947), composed by clarinetist/saxophonist Jimmy Giuffre.
• During the 1950's, debuted his own Mars label.
• During the 1960's, experimented with jazz/rock.
• Recorded well into the 1980's with albums such as "My Buddy" (1983) and "World Class"(1984).
• Other hits include "Blue Evening"(June, 1939)#9, "Blues In The Night"(Dec., 1941)#1-4 wks., "Amen"(June, 1942)#5, "Laura"(April, 1945)#4, "Caldonia"(May, 1945)#2 and "Sabre Dance"(March, 1948) #3.

BEYOND AND UNCATEGORIZABLE

ERROLL GARNER

• (June 15, 1921 - Jan. 2, 1977)
• Pianist/composer born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
• Nicknamed "The Picasso Of The Piano" or "The Elf" because of his size.
• Self taught, left handed, he never learned to read or write music.
• 1932 - Age 11, he was playing in Fate Marabale's riverboat band.
• 1944 - Arrived in New York City and began recording with his trio.
• Famous for the delayed reaction beat of his right hand on single notes.
• 1954 - Wrote and recorded his instrumental composition, "Misty" (Oct., 1954)#30. It later became a classic when Johnny Burke added lyrics.
• March, 1955 - Recorded his "Afternoon Of An Elf" album.
• Sept, 19, 1955 - His "Concert By The Sea" album, recorded live at Carmel, California, became the biggest selling piano album to date. It include a version of "It's All Right With Me."
• Compositions include "Dreamy" and "Solitaire."

DAVE BRUBECK

• David Warren Brubeck (Dec. 6, 1920 – )
• Pianist/composer/theoretician born in Concord, California.
• Originally had planned to be a cattleman and veterinarian.
• 1933 - Age 13, joined his first jazz band under Arnold Schoenberg and Darius Milhaud.
• 1942 - Studied with French avant-garde composer, Darius Milhaud at Mills College in Oakland, California. Later, studied under Arnold Schoenberg.
• Summer, 1944 - Went to Europe while in the military where he led Dave Brubeck's Wolfpack Band until May 8, 1945. Returning to America, his integrated band could no longer exist.
• 1948 - Formed an octet while at college.
• 1950 - Alto saxophonist Paul Desmond (Paul Breitenfield) (Nov. 25, 1924 - May 30, 1977) joined his trio, making it The Dave Brubeck Quartet. The other 2 members were drummer Joe Morello (joined in 1956) and bassist Eugene Wright.
• 1951 - Seriously injured his neck.
• 1954 - Signed with Columbia Records.
• Nov., 1954 - Toured with Duke Ellington and appeared on the cover of Time Magazine.
• Their biggest commercial success was "Take Five"(Sept., 1961)#25, from the 1959 album, "Time Out." The composition by Desmond which was in 5/4 time had been conceived by accident. It became the first million-selling jazz single in history.
• 1961 - Voted Top Instrumental Group.
• They had wide appeal and were especially appreciated in the college campus circuit.
• 1967 - The quartet disbanded, reuniting briefly before Desmond's death in 1977.
• Brubeck worked with Gerry Mulligan in a post Brubeck Quartet outfit.
• Feb. 28, 1996 - Awarded The Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award.
• Albums include "Time Out"(1959), "Time Further Out"(1962) and "Jazz Goes To College."

CHARLES MINGUS

• (April 22, 1922 - Jan. 5, 1979)
• Bassist/composer born in Nogales, Arizona.
• Of mixed Chinese, British and Swedish descent.
• Raised in Watts, the black sector of Los Angeles, California.
• As a child, studied the trombone and the cello.
• Played briefly with vibraphonist Red Norvo.
• 1951 - Left Los Angeles and moved to New York City where he played with Charlie Parker.
• 1952 - Set up his own label, Debut and began a series of Charles Mingus Jazz Workshops.
• Experimented with atonality and complex metre changes.
• Preferred to term his music soul-jazz.
• Composed the popular "My Jelly Roll Soul" and when Lester Young died, Mingus wrote "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat"(1959).
• May, 1960 - Recorded the "Pre-Bird" album consisting of material composed before his exposure to Parker.
• 1965-1970 - Reclusive.
• Nov. 22, 1966 - Mingus was evicted from his New York City loft apartment for non-payment of rent.
• Mingus elevated bass to melody carrier.
• Jan. 5, 1979 - Died of Huntington's chorea in Cuernavaca, Mexico.
• Albums include "The Clown," "Pithecanthropus Erectus"(1956), "Blues & Roots"(1958) and "The Complete Candid Charles Mingus."

JOHN COLTRANE

• John Williams Coltrane (Sept. 26, 1926 - July 17, 1967)
• Tenor saxophonist/composer born in Hamlet, North Carolina.
• 1944 - Moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he studied music.
• 1947-1948 - He was a member of Eddie Vinson's band.
• 1949-1951 - Worked with Dizzy Gillespie, later with Johnny Hodges.
• 1951 - Enrolled at The Granoff School Of Music in Philadelphia where he studied theory, saxophone and classical music.
• 1955-1957 - Played with Miles Davis, recording 5 albums including "Tallest Trees" which featuring the classic, "Around Midnight."
• 1957 - Overcame his addictions to alcohol, heroin and tobacco and played with Thelonious Monk for 4 months.
• Began studying Eastern and African music.
• 1960 - Joined drummer Elvin Jones.
• 1961 - Formed his own quartet, having a hit with "My Favourite Things." Now Coltrane often played the soprano saxophone.
• 1961-1964 - The Coltrane Quartet played New York City clubs, The Village Vanguard and Birdland. They mesmerized audiences with their 20 to 30 minute numbers.
• 1964 - Released the best selling album, "A Love Supreme".
• Tall and shy, he liked to be called "Trane."
• Associated with what early white critics called "angry black music."
• July 17, 1967 - Died of cancer of the liver.
• Albums include "Lush Life," "Soultrane," "Traneing In," "Giant Steps," "My Favourite Things"(1961), "Coltrane Live At The Village Vanguard"(1961) (featuring the 16 minute long "Chasin' The Train") and "Expression."

ORNETTE COLEMAN

• (March 19, 1930 – )
• Alto saxophonist/trumpeter/violinist/composer born in Fort Worth, Texas.
• 1944 - Self taught, studied alto sax, later switching to tenor sax.
• Strictly played his own music.
• 1951 - Ended up in Los Angeles, California after being fired from an R&B tour.
• Annoyed other musicians by playing a white plastic saxophone.
• Destroyed the sense of regular metre by speeding up and slowing down sporadically.
• 1957 - Signed a contract with Contemporary Records.
• 1958 - Signed with Atlantic Records.
• 1959 - His revolutionary free jazz quartet included bassist Charlie Haden (Charles Edward Haden) (Aug. 6, 1937 – ) and drummer Billy Higgins. Began playing regularly at The Five Spot in New York City.
• 1961 - Became famous for his album, "Free Jazz," a 37 minute improvisational piece. The cover art was created by Jackson Pollack.
• 1965 - Toured Europe with bassist Davis Izenson and drummer Charles Moffett.
• 1966 - Released the triple album, "The Empty Foxhole" featuring his 9 year old son on drums.
• Spring, 1972 - His "Skies Of America" was premiered in London, England with The London Symphony Orchestra.
• Composer of over 100 pieces including "Song X"(1986) with guitarist Pat Metheny.
• Albums include "Change Of The Century"(1959), "The Shape Of Jazz To Come"(1959) and "This Is Our Music"(1960).

SONNY ROLLINS

• Theodore Walter Rollins (Sept. 7, 1930 – )
• Tenor saxophonist born in New York City.
• Considered by many to be one of the greatest tenor saxophonists of the century.
• The first tenor saxophonist since Lester Young to break new ground.
• Played with Miles Davis and The Max Roach/Clifford Brown Quintet.
• 1954 - Released his first important solo recording, "Moving Out."
• 1956 - Recorded the famous "Saxophone Colossus" session with its "Blue Seven" solo (considered by many to be one of the first ever perfectly constructed jazz solos).
• By the late 1950's, he was the #1 tenor saxman in jazz.
• 1959 - Took a 2 year break from playing publicly, practicing his tenor sax atop the Williamsburg Bridge in New York City.
• 1962 - Hired Ornette Coleman's trumpeter Don Cherry for a few months.
• 1962 - Released his comeback album, "The Bridge" on RCA featuring a rendition of "Without A Song."
• 1962-1964 - Released 6 albums on RCA.
• Colourful and flamboyant, he is known for his unique costumes and bizarre hairstyles.
• 1965 - Provided the soundtrack for the British film, "Alfie."
• 1967 - Temporary retirement to rethink his career.
• 1997 - RCA released the 6 CD retrospective set, "The Complete Sonny Rollins RCA Victor Recordings."
• Albums include "Worktime," "All The Things You Are," "Our Man In Jazz" and "The Solo Album."

THE MODERN JAZZ QUARTET (MJQ)

• American experimental jazz quartet formed by Milt Jackson.
• Milt Jackson (Milton Jackson) (Jan. 1, 1923 - Oct. 9, 1999)
• Vibraphonist born in Detroit, Michigan.
• Nicknamed "Bags."
• 1951 - First recorded as The Milt Jackson Quartet, consisting of Jackson (vibraphonist), John Aaron Lewis (May 3, 1920 – ) (piano), Connie Kay (Conrad Henry Kirnon) (1927 – ) (drums) and original bassist Ray Brown.
• 1955 - Percy Heath (April 30, 1923 – ) became permanent bassist.
• The formal disciplined group acquired a wide audience.
• 1954 - The most famous Lewis composition was "Django," a lament concerned with the passing of the great guitarist Django Reinhardt.
• 1957 - Performed the score for the Roger Vadim film, "No Sun In Venice."
• Spring, 1974 - Disbanded.
• 1981 - Reformed for a triumphant performance at The Newport Jazz Festival and a tour of Japan.
• They left a legacy of 34 brilliant recordings.
• Albums include "Fontessa"(1956), "No Sun In Venice"(1957) and "In Memorium"(1974).

ROLAND KIRK

• Ronald T. Kirk (Aug. 7, 1936 - Dec. 5, 1977)
• Multi-instrumentalist born in Columbus, Ohio.
• Blind since birth.
• Adopted the name Rahsaan Roland Kirk after a dream.
• 1956 - Began professionally as a tenor sax player, later taking up the strich and manzello (woodwind instruments).
• Jazz maverick able to play several instruments simultaneously.
• 1960 - Released the highly praised "We Free Kings."
• 1968 - Released "The Inflated Tear" album concerned with his childhood feelings about blindness.
• 1975 - Suffered a severe stroke which forced him to play left-handed.
• Dec. 5, 1977 - Died of a stroke in Bloomington, Indiana.
• Hits include "Bright Moments," "Let Me Shake Your Tree" and "No Tonic Pres."
• Albums include "Rip, Rig And Panic"(1965) and "Volunteered Slaver"(1969).

QUINCY JONES

• Quincy Delight Jones Jr. (March 14, 1933 – )
• Composer/arranger/producer/conductor/trumpeter born in Chicago, Illinois.
• Raised in Seattle, Washington.
• 1945 - Age 12, joined a gospel quartet.
• 1950-1953 - Jazz trumpeter/arranger with Lionel Hampton.
• Arranged for Count Basie and Dizzy Gillespie.
• In the late 1950's, studied composition in France with Nadia Boulanger.
• 1961-1968 - Music director for Mercury Records.
• 1961 - Established the Qwest label.
• 1962 - Released the "Big Band Bossa Nova" album.
• 1964 - Became vice president of Mercury Records.
• 1965-1973 - Wrote scores for numerous films.
• 1969 - Signed with A&M Records.
• 1971 - Collaborated with Ray Charles on the adventurous "Black Requiem" featuring an 80 voice choir and The Houston Symphony Orchestra.
• 1977 - Scored the Emmy Award winning TV mini-series, "Roots."
• Produced Michael Jackson's best selling albums, "Off The Wall" (1980), "Thriller"(1982) and "Bad"(1987).
• 1985 - Arranged, produced and co-wrote (with Michael Jackson) "We Are The World"(March, 1985)#1-4 wks. (see Eighties Revue), the recording for African famine relief.
• 1985 - Line producer for the film, "The Color Purple."
• Married to actress Peggy Lipton for 12 years.
• 1989 - Received The Grammy Trustee's Award.
• 1990 - Received The Grammy's Legends Award.
• 1990 - Released his biographical film, "Listen Up: The Lives Of Quincy Jones."
• 1991 - Won 6 Grammys for his "Back On The Block" album.
• 1996 - France decorated Jones as Officer Of Arts.
• The most nominated artist in Grammy history (76 nominations), Jones won 26 Grammys.
• Film scores include "The Pawnbroker"(1965), "The Italian Job" (1969) and "The Wiz"(1978).
• Albums include "Walking In Space"(1969), "Smackwater Jack"(1971) and "Body Heat"(1973).
• Hits include "Killer Joe"(May, 1970)#74, #47 R&B, "Roots Medley" (March, 1977)#57, #32 R&B, "Stuff Like That"(May, 1978)#1 R&B, (June, 1978)#21, "Just Once"(Aug., 1981)#28, #11 R&B, "One Hundred Ways"(Dec., 1981)#14, #10 R&B (with James Ingram) and "The Secret Garden (Sweet Seduction Suite)"(March, 1990)#31.

CHICK COREA

• Armando Anthony Corea (June 12, 1941 – )
• Pianist born in Chelsea, Massachusetts.
• A pioneer of jazz fusion.
• 1960 - Moved to New York City where he studied at Juilliard.
• 1962 - Joined Mongo Santamaria's Latin jazz band, later working with trumpeter Blue Mitchell and flautist Herbie Mann.
• 1967 - Recorded "Sweet Rain" with Stan Getz.
• 1968 - Collaborated with Miles Davis, switching to electric keys.
• 1973 - Formed the group Return To Forever with guitarist Al DiMeola, drummer Lenny White and bassist Stanley Clarke. Releases include "Hymn Of The Seventh Galaxy," "My Spanish Heart" and "Return To Forever: Live."
• 1976 - Disbanded Return To Forever returned to acoustic work.
• Recorded more than 30 albums since 1968.
• Albums include "Piano Improvisations"(1972), "Best Of Return To Forever"(1980), "Lyric Suite For Sextet"(1983) and "Children's Songs"(1985).

HERBIE HANCOCK

• Herbert Jeffrey Hancock (April 12, 1940 – )
• Electronic keyboardist/composer born in Chicago, Illinois.
• 1947 - Age 7, began playing piano.
• 1951 - Age 11, played the first movement of Mozart's "Piano Concerto #26" in D with The Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
• 1960 - Joined forces with Donald Byrd.
• 1963 - Composed the classic "Watermelon Man" which became a #10 hit for Mongo Santamaria in March, 1963.
• 1963 - Cut the solo album, "Takin' Off."
• 1963-1968 - Pianist in the band of Miles Davis.
• 1968 - Recorded the soundtrack for Antonioni's film, "Blowup."
• 1971-1973 - Released 3 albums with The Herbie Hancock Sextet.
• 1974 - Released his fusion album, "Headhunters."
• April 13, 1974 - Gave a concert of electronic jazz at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
• 1974 - Voted top jazz artist in several polls.
• 1978 - 2 piano concerts with Chick Corea.
• 1987 - Won the Oscar for his "'Round Midnight" score.
• 1988 - Scored the movie, "Colors."
• A pioneer in electronic jazz/rock, he also made his mark in the development of hip hop music through his experiments with voice synthesizers.
• Hits include "Chameleon"(March, 1974)#42 and "Rockit"(Sept., 1983)#71.
• Albums include "Maiden Voyage"(1964), "Crossings" and "Rockit" (1983).

KEITH JARRETT

• (May 8, 1945 – )
• Jazz pianist born in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
• Jarrett has recorded many items from the classical repertoire.
• 1948 - Age 3, began studying piano.
• 1956 - Toured with Fred Waring's Pennsylvanians.
• 1965 - Played with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers.
• 1966 - Joined The Charles Lloyd Quartet.
• 1968 - Formed a trio with bassist Charlie Haden and drummer Paul Motian. Also worked with sax players Dewey Redman and Jan Garbarek.
• Early 1970's - Played electronic keyboards with Miles Davis.
• Later in the 1970's, created best selling jazz albums such as "Facing You" and the million selling "The Koln Concert."
• 1983 - Formed a trio with drummer Jack de Johnette and bassist Gary Peacock, recording the albums "Changes"(1984) and "Standards."

GARY BURTON

• (Jan. 23, 1943 – )
• Vibraphonist/composer/bandleader born in Anderson, Indiana.
• Plays with 2 mallets and is able to bend notes.
• 1964 - Recorded with Stan Getz.
• 1964 - George Shearing recorded the "Out Of The Wood" album, a collection of Burton material.
• 1966 - Formed his own group with guitarist Larry Coryell, recording a series of experimental albums.
• 1969 - Recorded the "Paris Encounter" album with jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli.
• 1973 - Recorded "Crystal Silence" with Chick Corea.
• Recommended recording - "A General Tong Funeral."

WEATHER REPORT

• 1970 - Jazz rock ensemble formed.
• Consisting of Joe Zawinul (Josef Erich Zawinul) (July 7, 1932 – ), Wayne Shorter (Aug. 25, 1933 – ), Miroslav Vitous (Dec. 6, 1947 – ), Alphonse Mouzon (Nov. 21, 1948 – ) and Airto Moreira (Aug. 5, 1941 – ).
• Zawinul had previously spent a decade with Cannonball Adderley and had written his greatest hit, the Grammy Award winning "Mercy Mercy Mercy"(Jan., 1967)#11 recorded by Adderley.
• Zawinul and Shorter had also worked with Miles Davis.
• The group incorporated Latin and other ethnic elements into their sound.
• 1977 - They had a minor hit with "Birdland," from "Heavy Weather."
• They were later joined by legendary electric bassist Jaco Pastorius (John Francis Pastorius) (Dec. 1, 1951 – ).
• By the early 1980's, only Shorter and Zawinul remained from the original line-up.
• 1985 - Shorter left and Zawinul was forced to rename the group Weather Update.
• 1986 - Broke up after the album, "This Is This."
• Albums include "Weather Report"(1970), "I Sing The Body Electric" (1972), "Mysterious Traveller"(1974), "Tail Spinnin'"(1975), "Heavy Weather"(1977) and "Night Passage"(1980).

A SELECTED LISTING OF OTHER MODERN JAZZ ALBUMS

Stanley Clarke - "The Collection."

• Dexter Gordon - "Go."
• Branford Marsalis - "Royal Garden Blues."
• Wynton Marsalis - "Marsalis Standard Time."
• Oscar Peterson - "In Concert."
• Django Reinhardt - "1910 - 1953."

MODERN JAZZ VOCALISTS

SARAH VAUGHAN

• See Swing

ANITA O'DAY

• See Swing

MEL TORME

• Melvin Howard Torme (Sept. 13, 1925 - June 5, 1999)
• Singer/songwriter/pianist/drummer/arranger/actor born in Chicago, Illinois.
• Wrote the classic "The Christmas Song" later made famous by Nat King Cole.
• He was the voice of Joe Corntassel on the radio series, "Little Orphan Annie."
• Because of the unusual smoky timbre of his voice, Billie Holiday is said to have nicknamed him "The Velvet Fog."
• In the mid 1940's, formed his own vocal group The Mel-Tones, singing regularly with Artie Shaw. Their major hit of the period was "What Is This Thing Called Love"(1944).
• Film appearances include "Higher And Higher"(1943), "Good News" (1947) and "Words And Music"(1948).
• 1947 - Joined Capitol Records as a solo artist.
• 1954 - Recorded the excellent live album, "Mel Torme At The Crescendo."
• Torme's voice is one of phenomenal range and character. He is also one of the finest scat singers in the business.
• Aug. 8, 1996 - Suffered a stroke which left his speech slurred and weakened his left side.
• Hits include "Careless Hands"(March, 1949)#1, "Again"(April, 1949)#3, "Blue Moon"(April, 1949)#20, "The Four Winds And The Seven Seas"(July, 1949)#10, "Anywhere I Wander"(Nov., 1952)#30 and "Comin' Home Baby"(Nov., 1962)#36.

CARMEN McRAE

• (Aug. 8, 1922 - Nov. 10, 1994)
• Jazz singer/pianist/songwriter born in New York City.
• 1930 - Age 8, began classical piano lessons.
• In her teens, she won several music scholarships.
• 1939 - Age 17, met her idol Billie Holiday who she had emulated.
• 1939 - Wrote "Dream Of Life" for Billie Holiday.
• During World War Two, performed with Count Basie and Benny Carter (1944).
• 1946-1947 - Sang with Mercer Ellington's band as Carmen Clarke. She was then married to drummer Kenny Clarke.
• 1953 - Made her first records on the Stardust label, later signing with Decca Records.
• 1954 - Won the Down Beat critics' poll as Best Newcomer.
• From the 1960's on, performed with her own trio.
• Jazz critic Harvey Siders stated that McRae was "the only stylist who sings in italics .........the lyric writer's best friend."
• Nov. 10, 1994 - Died of a stroke.
• Hits include "The Next Time It Happens"(Feb., 1956)#75 and "Skyliner"(March, 1957)#92.
• Recommended album, "For Lady Day."

JUNE CHRISTY

• Shirley Luster (Nov. 20, 1925 - June 21, 1990)
• Singer born in Springfield, Illinois.
• 1938 - Age 13, sang with local bands and Chicago groups using the name Sharon Leslie.
• April, 1945 - Replaced Anita O'Day as Stan Kenton's vocalist, remaining until Dec. 17, 1948 when Kenton temporarily broke up his band.
• One month after joining Kenton, she recorded her first track as June Christy, "Tampico"(July, 1945)#3. It became Kenton's first million seller.
• 1946 - Married Kenton's tenor sax soloist Bob Cooper, her lifetime partner.
• A superb vocalist with perfect pitch, she became known as "The Misty Miss Christy."
• 1947 - Went solo with Capitol Records, later briefly reuniting with Kenton.
• In the late 1960's, went into semi-retirement.
• Hits include "My Heart Belongs To Only You"(Feb., 1953)#22, "Something Cool"(Aug., 1953), "Midnight Sun"(Dec., 1953) and "The Best Thing For You"(Jan., 1957).

LAMBERT, HENDRICKS & ROSS

• 1954 - Jazz interracial vocal trio formed in New York City.
• Dave Lambert (1917 - 1966)
• Singer from Boston, Massachusetts.
• Jon Hendricks (John Carl Hendricks) (Sept. 16, 1921 – )
• Singer/drummer from Newark, Ohio.
• Annie Ross (Annabelle Short Lynch) (July 25, 1930 – )
• Singer from Mitchum, Surrey, England.
• Previously, Hendricks had began as a drummer and Lambert had appeared and recorded with Charlie Parker. Ross had sung briefly with Lionel Hampton.
• Three part harmony and solo vocals performed with only a rhythm section. The idea was to utilize vocals in place of lead instruments. The reed and trombone parts were sung by the men while Ross interpreted the trumpet lines. Their complex style was termed "vocalese."
• They were joined regularly by The Ike Isaacs Trio consisting of Ike Isaacs (bass), Gildo Mahones (piano) and Jimmy Wormworth (drums).
• 1959-1962 - They were at their peak in popularity.
• 1962 - After Ross' departure, they were joined by Yolande Bavan.
• 1964 - Disbanded.
• 1966 - Lambert died in a car crash.
• 1985 - Ross and Hendricks reunited briefly with Bruce Scott replacing Lambert.
• Albums include "Sing A Song Of Basie," "The Hottest New Group In Jazz" and "The Real Ambassadors" (featuring Louis Armstrong & His All Stars, Dave Brubeck and Carmen McRae).
• Important tracks include "Twisted," "Jumpin' At The Woodside," "Yeah Yeah," "Bijou" and "Gimme That Wine."

THE MANHATTAN TRANSFER

• 1972 - Vocal quartet formed in New York City.
• Definitive line-up consisting of Tim Hauser (1942 – ), Janis Siegel (1953 – ), Alan Paul (1949 – ) and Laurel Masse (1954 – ).
• Named after a novel by John Dos Passos.
• The group originally assumed a campy nostalgic look at past vocal styles. However, they later managed to win numerous awards as the premier jazz vocal group of their time.
• Aside from their incredible vocal technique as a unit, one of the group's major strengths was the versatility and range of powerhouse vocalist Janis Siegel.
• 1978 - Masse was replaced by Cheryl Bentyne.
• 1982 - Siegel released her satisfying "Experiment In White" solo LP.
• 1985 - Won the Best Jazz Performance By A Duo Or Group Grammy for their "Vocalese" album.
• 1987 - Released their critically acclaimed "Brasil" album.
• Classic tracks by the group include "Candy," "Blue Champagne," "Scotch And Soda," "Trickle Trickle," "Four Brothers," "Birdland" and "Shaker Song."
• Hits include "Operator"(Sept., 1975)#22, "Twilight Zone/Twilight Tone"(April, 1980)#30, "Boy From New York City"(May, 1981)#7 and "Spice Of Life"(Sept., 1983)#40.

BOBBY McFERRIN

• (March 11, 1950 – )
• Jazz singer from Chicago, Illinois.
• Noted for his use of unconventional a capella sounds, utilizing the voice in place of instrumentation.
• Studied at Jiulliard.
• Feb., 1986 - Won the Grammy Award for The Best Jazz Vocal Performance Male for "Another Night In Tunisia" with Jon Hendricks.
• Since 1986, he has accumulated 10 Grammys to date.
• 1987 - Sang the theme song for TV's "The Cosby Show."
• July, 1988 - His catchy "Don't Worry, Be Happy" went to #1-2 wks.
• 1994 - Became the creative director/conductor of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra in St. Paul, Minnesota.
• Entirely charming, creative and immensely clever, yet sooner or later annoying to some.

HARRY CONNICK JR.

• See Eighties Revue

ALSO SEE

• Chapter 3: Jazz
• Chapter 5: The Blues
• Chapter 7: Swing

BIBLIOGRAPHY