Another nice interview today, this time with guitarist Pat Martino.
One of the most original of the jazz-based guitarists to emerge in the 1960s, Pat Martino made a remarkable comeback after brain surgery in 1980 to correct an aneurysm caused him to lose his memory and completely forget how to play. It took years, but he regained his ability, partly by listening to his older records.
Martino began playing professionally when he was 15. He worked early on with groups led by Willis Jackson, Red Holloway, and a series of organists, including Don Patterson, Jimmy Smith, Jack McDuff, Richard “Groove” Holmes, and Jimmy McGriff. After playing with John Handy (1966), he started leading his own bands and heading sessions for Prestige, Muse, and Warner Bros. that found him welcoming the influences of avant-garde jazz, rock, pop, and world music into his advanced hard bop style. After the operation, Martino did not resume playing until 1984, making his recording comeback with 1987’s The Return. Although not as active as earlier, Pat Martino has regained his earlier form, recording again for Muse and Evidence; he later signed with Blue Note, issuing All Sides Now in 1996, followed two years later by Stone Blue and in 1999 by Mission Accomplished.
His new album Remember: A Tribute to Wes Montgomery, was also inspired by his relationship with Wes, who was his hero and mentor for a period of time early on. Wes never played a note that didn’t come from a desire for expression of something deep in the jazz lexicon. And that is an inspiration that goes well beyond the “how to” of Wes’ innovative chord changes and sound on the guitar.
Listen here: Part 1, Part 2
Here’s a great audio interview with Drummer Paul Motian.
Motian has spent more than 50 years in music, working with jazz luminaries like Lee Konitz and Thelonious Monk. At 75, he has a new CD of bebop jazz: Garden of Eden, featuring his own band.
The rare drummer who dislikes drum solos, some of Motian’s most memorable work has been with the Bill Evans trio, with bassist Scott LaFaro. Their recordings include the classics Sunday at the Village Vanguard and Portrait of Jazz. In addition to playing with Monk and Konitz, Motian’s resume includes work with Paul Bley and a long collaboration with Keith Jarrett.
Listen here npr.org
Wow! Where did the last week go?
Inside Out Trio featuring Lorne Lofsky is in tonight for the first of two at the The Red Guitar, and followed up Saturday by the David Buchbinder Q-tet.
The Montreal Bistro hosts it’s Annual Duke Ellington Birthday Bash once again with the Gene DiNovi and Dave Young Duo. This goes Thursday through Saturday.
The Mike Murley Septet is in Thursday and Friday at The Rex followed up Saturday by the Laura Hubert Trio and from new york, Stevens & Reynolds.
Cheers! – and remember, if you’ve got a show you want to spread the word about post it in the Show Listings thread in the forum.
In 1938 William P. Gottlieb began working for the Washington Post, where he wrote and illustrated a weekly jazz column–perhaps the first in a major newspaper. After World War II he was employed as a writer-photographer for Down Beat magazine, and his work also appeared frequently in Record Changer, the Saturday Review, and Collier’s. During the course of his career, Gottlieb took portraits of prominent jazz musicians and personalities defining what jazz looked like in a time when both early legends and bebop artists ruled the bandstands and airwaves. Artists photographed include Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Billie Holiday, Dizzy Gillespie, Earl Hines, Thelonious Monk, Stan Kenton, Ray McKinley, Benny Goodman, Coleman Hawkins, Ella Fitzgerald, and Benny Carter.
Gottlieb died on Sunday at his home in Great NEck, N.Y. He was 89.
View a huge online collection of his work here.
The Toronto Jazz Festval lineup for this year has been announced. McCoy Tyner, Charlie Hunter, Pharoah Sanders and Kenny Garrett, John Pizzarelli and Dave Brubeck are on there way.
Get the full list at tojazz.com
Tomorrow night, April 26, composer/drummer Gregg Brennan will bring his quintet Aiseiri to the Rex Hotel in Toronto, Ontario Canada. Show starts about 9:30, $5 @ the door.
Formed in autumn 2004, the Aiseiri is a modern jazz exploration. With a mixture of composed and free sections, the group bases its sound on the aesthetics of European Jazz and free improvisation. Drawing heavily on influences from Middle Eastern ‘Baladi’ to traditional Eastern European and Nordic Folk Song and the Avant Garde, the quintet brings a colorful blend of styles and personality with each member. The joy of playing, embedded in a particular group chemistry makes certain the music always sounds fresh and exciting. Trumpeter Patrice Barbanchon, multi-reed player Jonathan Kay, guitarist Avi Granite, double bassist Neal Davis and drummer/percussionist Gregg Brennan are the Aiseiri Quintet. Along with Granite, Davis and Brennan, alto saxophonist Mike Anklewicz and pianist Tim Minthorn appeared on the latest release from the then quartet, ‘Bird on Triangle’ available from Standback Records.
Check out greggbrennan.com