The Jazz Culture Feature
TEXALLEN SEXTET with Joe Ford, a, Patience Higgins, t, Ronnie Burrage, d, Ugonna Okegwo, b, Lafayette Harris, p at Birdland. Below, Mr. Harris and actress Phylicia Rashad.
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TEX ALLEN SEXTET by L. Hamanaka
Caught the Tex Allen Sextet at Birdland in New York on Thursday, August 22, with Tex Allen, trumpet, Joe Ford (a) and Patience Higgins (t), saxophones, Lafayette Harris, piano, Ugonna Okegwo, bass, Ronnie Burrage, drums. There was a warmly supportive audience. “Easy Living” was a pretty choice at about 68=quarter note, Mr. Allen displaying his softer side, with a tender tone, with lyric obbligato, followed by a filigree solo by Lafayette Harris, a silken contrast to Mr. Allen, the rhythm section doubled the tempo during their solos, and Mr. Allen took the tune out at the bridge, performing an arcing cadenza at the end with a long tone. Mr. Allen explained a situation when he was in a car driving and his attention was caught by a passing lady, whom he called an “eye” magnet. The result was a song, “What Was That?” that the played at about a groovy 125=quarter note. Mr. Ford performed a solo with a lot of spiral shapes with a wailing quality in it; Mr. Higgins built a well constructed solo with scalar lines leading to a high note then breaking in three or four note phrases, with authoritative rendition of the original by Mr. Allen, commenting with succinct melodic phrases and fine articulation. Mr. Harris broke into a stride feel with lovely lines around pivot notes, “strolling” for a chorus till the bass and drums picked up the beat again. It was a nicely voiced arrangement. The horns took it out with heavy backbeat and booming accents from the drummer ending with a deafening crescendo. “Dig” at about 300=quarter note was last, Miles Davis’ song based on “Sweet Georgia Brown” changes. Mr. Allen started on a long tone and broke into scalar runs. Mr. Higgins was succinct and clipped, sharply phrased swinging lines. Ugonna Okegwo played with beauty of tone and rhythmic assurance. 2
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Mr. Higgins above, Tex Allen, below, the band & family guests, right. The Jazz Culture, V.II:4
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Obituaries CEDAR WALTON:
Pianist, composer, arranger, was born in Texas. According to his son Carl, his mother Ruth was a pianist and school teacher who liked jazz and took him to hear jazz. Mr. Walton played glockenspiel and clarinet in school. Cedar Walton went to the University of Denver in Seattle, where he sat in at an after hours club named “Lil’s.” Mr.Walton was drafted, and got into the army Special Services. He came to New York after serving in the military and with Paul West and Rudy Lawless he formed trio. He also played with Kenny Dorham, Gigi Gryce and JJ Johnson. Then he worked for Art Blakey as pianist arranger for three years, in the same lineup as Freddie Hubbard and Wayne Shorter. Known for his wit and sense of humor, his son Carl related an anecdote when Cedar Walton worked at a club for one week with a Quartet, and the next with a trio. A musician asked, “Are we going to get more money for this?” Mr. Walton replied, “We?” A composer with a distinct sound, Mr. Walton contributed “Bolivia,” “Cedar’s Blues,” 4
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“Ugetsu,” and other jazz standards. Friday, August 23, at a memorial services held for “The Maestro,” a song with music and lyrics by Mr. Walton and recorded with the wonderful Abbey Lincoln, was played before the eulogy began. Other songs included “Bolivia.” Vincent Herring was on alto, David Williams on bass, Willie Jones III on drums and David Hazeltine on piano. In 2010 Mr. Walton received the Jazz Master Award from the NEA. Mr. Walton made over 100 recordings, many as a leader. Mr. Walton is survived by a daughter, Cedra, two sons, Carl and Rodney, and another daughter, Naisha. There are also grandchildren and several branches of relatives in different regions of the U.S. MARIAN MCPARTLAND:
Pianist, composer, arranger, radio host, was born in Moore, England in 1918 She married trumpeter Jimmy McPartland and moved to the US. From 1978 to 2011, she hosted Piano Jazz that was heard on 200 radio stations around the world. She founded her own record company in 1969, Halycon Records, when she got sick of the record industry and collected royalties in person at stores like Sam Goody’s. In 2000 she got a Jazz Masters Award from the NEA, and a lifetime achievement Grammy in 2004, as well as membership in the Radio Hall of Fame in 2007 and the Order of the British Empire in 2010. As a child she studied violin as well and attended the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Her family was mortified when she left to join a group of vaudeville musicians, Bill Mayerls group, and developed a passion for Duke Ellington, Fats Waller and Teddy Wilson. She assumed a stage name, Marian Page, and toured Europe with the Mayerls group entertaining Allied troops during World War II. After marrying Jimmy McPartland, she moved to Chicago and then New York where she worked at the Embers and the Hickory House. She was a notable for her songs and communication efforts, and her playing The Jazz Culture, V.II:4
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covered several genres of jazz. Marian McPartland is seen in the famous jazz family photograph standing next to an idol of her youth, Mary Lou Williams. GEORGE DUKE:
Pianist, composer and arranger,was born in San Rafael, California in 1946. He earned a George Duke, degree in composition from San Francisco pianist, arranger, Conservatory and a Masters from San Francisco composer State University. Mr. Duke made a lot of cross over and fusion albums and about 30 cd’s as a leader, and his work was sampled by other groups. He also made 5 cd’s with Diana Reeves, 4 with Flora Purim, worked with Nasciamento, and artists ranging from Miles to Michael Jackson, Eddie Henderson and Billy Cobham. He was known as a beautiful person. He died from chronic leukemia and is survived by his sons Rashid and John. ALBERT MURRAY:
Critic, born in Alabama, went to Tuskegee Institute and got his MA at NYU. Mr. Murray was a noted intellectual who helped found Jazz at Lincoln Center and was lauded for his writing. A World War II veteran, he left the Air Force as a major. By the time of his death at age 97, with the virtue of longevity, Mr. Murray was able to experience almost every era of jazz firsthand. Friends with Ralph Ellison, Romare Bearden, and Stanley Crouch, and mentor and colleague to Wynton Marsalis, he also co-authored Count Basie’s autobiography “Good Morning Blues.” Mr. Murray’s 11 published works include a novel, poetry, and essays. JANE HARVEY:
Vocalist, born in Jersey City, was 88 when she passed in LA from stomach cancer. She recorded with Duke Ellington, Desi Arnaz and Benny Goodman, and was in and out of the scene due to family obligations. She worked since the 40’s on and off, and was liked by John Hammond and Barney Josephson. 6
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August Listings August: Joe Magnarelli: Italy tour August 1: Jim Malloy, Swing 46, 9:30 p.m. August 2: Ray Blue at S.O.B.'s in NYC. August 3: Kenney Gates, pianist. Philadelphia, every Tuesday, Sunday and some Saturdays at the High Note Cafe on Tasker & 13th, 5-9 p.m. August 4: Ray Blue-Cross-Cultural Connections in Peekskill Kenney Gates, pianist. Philadelphia,at the High Note Cafe on Tasker & 13th, 5-9 p.m. August 5: John Mosca & Michael Weiss with the Vanguard Orchestra at Village Vanguard August 6: Kenney Gates, pianist. Philadelphia, at the High Note Cafe on Tasker & 13th, 5-9 p.m. George Gee Orchestra at Swing 46, (346 W. 46 Street bet. 8th/9th Ave.) Tuesday 9:30-free dance lesson beforehand. August 8: Ray Blue, Division Street Grill, Peekskill Lafayette Harris, Waterford, CT, Harkness Park, 6 p.m. Jim Malloy, Swing 46, 9:30 p.m. (see address below) August 9: George Gee Orchestra at Swing 46, (46 Street between 8th and 9th Avenues) every Tuesday and some Fridays at 9:30-free dance lesson beforehand. August 9: Ray Blue The Division Street Grill in Peekskill, N.Y..7 p.m. August 10: Kenney Gates, pianist. Philadelphia, some Saturdays at the High Note Cafe on Tasker & 13th, 5-9 p.m. Lafayette Harris, Woodstock, Kleinhart Art Gallery 8 p.m. August 11: Lafayette Harris, Mt. Vernon Community Church, 10 a.m. August 12: John Mosca & Michael Weiss with the Vanguard Orchestra at Village Vanguard August 13: Kenney Gates, pianist. Philadelphia, at the High Note Cafe on Tasker & 13th, 5-9 p.m. August 15: Jim Malloy, Swing 46, 9:30 p.m. The Jazz Culture, V. II:4
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August 16: George Gee Orchestra at Swing 46, (46 Street between 8th and 9th Avenues) every Tuesday and some Fridays at 9:30-free dance lesson beforehand. August 17: Ray Blue’s Birthday party at Showman’s, 125th Street August 18: Kenney Gates, pianist. Philadelphia, at the High Note Cafe on Tasker & 13th, 5-9 p.m. Rick Stone, Cleveland, Nighttown, August 19: John Mosca & Michael Weiss with the Vanguard Orchestra at Village Vanguard August 20: Kenney Gates, pianist. Philadelphia, at the High Note Cafe on Tasker & 13th, 5-9 p.m August 20 Rick Stone Bettalona, NYC 8-11 August 22: Lafayette Harris, Birdland, NYC 6 p.m. Jim Malloy, Swing 46, 9:30 p.m. (See address below) August 23: George Gee Orchestra at Swing 46, (46 Street between 8th and 9th Avenues) every Tuesday and some Fridays at 9:30-free dance lesson beforehand. August 24: Kenney Gates, pianist. Philadelphia, some Saturdays at the High Note Cafe on Tasker & 13th, 5-9 p.m. August 25: Kenney Gates, pianist. Philadelphia, every Tuesday, Sunday and some Saturdays at the High Note Cafe on Tasker & 13th, 5-9 p.m. Lafayette Harris, Smalls, NYC, 7:30 p.m. August 26: John Mosca & Michael Weiss with the Vanguard Orchestra at Village Vanguard August 27: Kenney Gates, pianist. Philadelphia, every Tuesday, Sunday and some Saturdays at the High Note Cafe on Tasker & 13th, 5-9 p.m August 27 Rick Stone Bettalona, NYC 8-11 August 29: Jim Malloy, Swing 46, 9:30 p.m. (address below) August 30: George Gee Orchestra at Swing 46, (346 St. 8th & 9th Ave)(212) 262-9554 check-some Fridays at 9:30-free dance lesson beforehand. August 31: Michael Weiss Quintet Detroit Jazz Festival Kenney Gates, pianist. Philadelphia, some Saturdays at the High Note Cafe on Tasker & 13th, 5-9 p.m. 8
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ENGLAND: John Watson Trio at the Palm Court, the Langham
Hotel, London, 1c Portland, Regent Street 207-636-1000 every weekend
ROME: Luciano Fabris, pianist Saturday August 17 at Tien Kin,
Rome, Via Cassia 927 at 10:00 pm. Agostino de Giorgio Quartet, g, Nicola Borrelli b, Lucio Turco, d. Luciano Fabris, pianist August 31, Tien Kin, Rome, Via Cassia 927 at 10:)) with Tom Kirkpatrick Quartet, t, Nicoletta Manzini Alto, and Nicola Borrelli, b.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY some August Babies: JON ROCHE, bass OKARU LOVELACE, DIANE GITESHA HERNANDEZ & MAKI MOTOTSU, vocalists
FRANK LEVANTINO, drummer DANNY MIXON, pianist
The Jazz Culture Newsletter Private Jazz Tours in NYC are available; also music teachers in various countries for students & jazz lovers. Further Info email: info@thejazzculture.com. Aas are available in the pages of The Jazz Culture Newsletter The Jazz Culture Newsletter has been read in the following 48 countries in the past year: USA, UK, Canada, Argentina, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Czech Republic, Chile, Colombia, China, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Holland, Hong Kong, Germany, India, Lionelle Hamanaka, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Publisher/Singer Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Moldova, Netherlands, Poland, Republic of Serbia, Romania, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia,
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Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, Vietnam
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BARRY HARRIS JAZZ WORKSHOP IN ROME Mon 23 to Fri 27 September 2013 Felt Music Club & School via degli Ausoni 84, Rome BARRY HARRIS (www.barryharris.com) BARRY HARRIS IS ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST RESPECTED JAZZ PIANO PLAYERS AND TEACHERS, CONSIDERED BY MANY TO BE THE FOREMOST INTERPRETER OF THE MUSIC OF BUD POWELL, TADD DAMERON AND THELONIOUS MONK. FOR MORE THAN HALF A CENTURY, HARRIS HAS PLAYED WITH THE GIANTS OF JAZZ INCLUDING DIZZY GILLESPIE, MILES DAVIS, DEXTER GORDON, CANNONBAL ADDERLEY AND COLEMAN HAWKINS, TRAVELLING THE WORLD OVER AS AN AMBASSADOR OF JAZZ INFO AND REGISTRATION:
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ASS. CULT. ROMA JAZZ WORKSHOP: annapantuso@hotmail.com +39 339 3383139; lucianofabris@hotmail.com +39 328 6748724
FIVE DAYS MASTERCLASS FOR MUSICIANS & SINGERS Schedule: Piano and guitars 11:00 – 13:00 Singers 14:30 – 16:30 Horns & General Workshop 16:30 – 18:30 On Friday 27 classes last 1 hour and a half Fees: 160 € for the entire week /40 € for daily seminar Accomodation: b and b and private apartments for rent, from 15 € per night per person BARRY HARRIS TRIO CONCERT FRIDAY 27 SEPTEMBER 9:30 pm Felt club Admission: 15 € Mon‐Thurs nightly JAM SESSION