CiTR -- The Jazz Show CiTR & Discorder Magazine

Tonight's Jazz Feature honors the Birthday Anniversary of one of America's most important artists. Edward Kennedy Ellington was born on April 29, 1899 in Washington D.C.and he passed away in New York on May 24, 1974 at age 75 from cancer. Tonight The Jazz Show presents one of Ellington's latter day masterpieces, "The Far East Suite". It commemorates a US State Department tour the band took in late 1963 to the Middle east, India and Japan. The music was written by Ellington and his partner Billy Strayhorn and recorded in late 1966. The band is at it's best and the prominent soloists are alto saxophonist Johnny Hodges, tenor saxophonist Paul Gonsalves, clarinetist Jimmy Hamilton, Ellington himself on piano and baritone saxophonist Harry Carney and trumpeters Cootie Williams and Cat Anderson. The bassist is John Lamb and the drummer is the great Rufus Jones. Enjoy this classic and marvel at how contemporary this music sounds today.

Tomorrow is vibraphonist Walt Dickerson's Birthday Anniversary on April 16. Dickerson was born in Philadelphia on April 16. 1928 and passed away ay age 80 on May 15, 2008. He made his first album in March of 1961 and it is one of the finest debut recordings ever. He did 4 albums for Prestige/New Jazz that are all classics. He was recommended to the label by his friend Eric Dolphy. His debut album was called "This is Walt Dickerson" and was a Jazz Feature years ago on this show. Tonight's album in honor of his Birthday Anniversary is called "A Sense of Direction" and it's his second for Prestige/New Jazz. It is on the same level as his first with slightly different personnel. Dickerson is on vibes with Austin Crowe on piano, Eustis Guillemet Jr. on bass and Edgar Bateman on drums. Dickerson was really the first modern Jazz vibist NOT influenced by Milt Jackson . Walt's style is very original with busy metallic lines governed by his amazing technique yet Dickerson has a warm bell-like sound on his instrument. This album has 8 tunes and 5 by Dickerson and 3 well chosen standards."Sense of Direction"...tonight's Jazz Feature.

Tonight's Jazz Feature is a latter day classic and one of the finest outings by pianist/composer Chick Corea. It consists of three extended compositions hence the title "Three Quartets" The late Mr. Corea needs no introduction to the Jazz listening public of course but the band he has chosen for this date done in early 1981 is exceptional. On tenor saxophone is the late, great Michael Brecker and on bass is the accomplished Eddie Gomez and on drums is the phenomenal Steve Gadd. Fortunately Gadd and Gomez are still alive and active. This album was produced by Chick Corea for his own label and is a valuable music document of four wonderful artists. "Three Quartets" is tonight's Jazz Feature.

This classic album is tonight's Jazz Feature recorded 64 years ago on April 1, 1960 at Rudy Van Gelder's Studio for Prestige/New Jazz Records. It was Eric's first album under his name and leadership. Dolphy, who was from Los Angeles had moved to New York and after working in L.A. for many years came to New York as a member of drummer Chico Hamilton's Quintet. After leaving Hamilton and settling in the big city, Eric began working with Charles Mingus in early 1960 and recorded this album with his room mate, trumpeter Freddie Hubbard. Eric wisely selected veteran drummer Roy Haynes and a strong bassist named George Tucker plus piano giant Jaki Byard who he met in the Mingus band. They formed a very cohesive band for this date and it sounds like a working band. The date is a classic and marked the real beginning of Eric's short but eventful career. His unique compositions are heard here as well as his alto saxophone, bass clarinet and flute. Eric sadly died at age 36 in Germany from undiagnosed diabetes. "Outward Bound" stands as a great early milestone to Eric's life and music. It's tonight's Jazz Feature.

The Jazz feature tonight is an album that this writer deems an essential Jazz album. "Out of the Afternoon" presents drum master Roy Haynes leading a very special quartet. Mr. Haynes just celebrated his 99th Birthday recently. Roy presents a young up and coming phenomena called Roland Kirk on tenor saxophone, manzello (an elongated alto saxophone) and the stritch (a soprano saxophone variant) and the flute and various whistles. Roland is a creative force here and a one-man band sometimes blowing all 3 horns at once! On piano is Tommy Flanagan and on bass is the great Henry Grimes. This album issued first on Impulse Records is a true classic and one for the ages. Tonight's Jazz feature "Out of the Afternoon".

Alto saxophonist Frank Strozier remains one of the great underrated masters of his horn. He was born in Memphis and came up with his friends, George Coleman, Harold Mabern, and the great Booker Little. After Memphis he moved to Chicago and attained several university degrees and began building his reputation as a prime voice on the alto. He later moved to New York and played with many important people like Miles Davis and drummer Roy Haynes. Later moving to Los Angeles he worked in the studios and performed Jazz with Oliver Nelson's Band and Shelly Manne's groups among others. He returned to New York in 1973 and continued to record under his name and appear as a sideman until the mid-80's when he stopped playing the saxophone and flute and did some gigs playing piano, . He also taught ischool until he retired. Strozier is still alive. He was born in Memphis on June 13,1937 and as of now he's be 86. We'll hear him in 4 extended pieces recorded in January 1976 in concert at the Ramada Inn inn Schenectedy, New York than have never been heard on any commercial recordings. This is Frank at his unfettered best with Frank Stagnitta on piano, Frank Tate on bass and Larry Jackson on drums. Look out! Frank Strozier our Jazz Feature artist tonight!