John Coltrane: A Force For Good

John Coltrane as interviewed by KPFK radio's Frank Kofsky in November 1966. 

Watch the video or stream it via Soundcloud.

Shot by: Chuck Stewart

This gorgeous photograph is just one of several previously unseen shots by Chuck Stewart that were taken during the recording session for Coltrane's landmark, A Love Supreme. If you own an album on the Impulse label, chances are good that the photography used in the artwork is by Stewart. To see more of these pictures, and to read a little about them, visit the Smithsonian magazine website.

Shot by: Jean-Pierre Leloir. Happy birthday Duke Ellington!

Duke Ellington by Jean-Pierre Leloir.

And here is one of my favorite recordings, a 1962 collaboration between Duke and John Coltrane, "In A Sentimental Mood."

Sylvie Vartan digs vinyl (jazz in particular)

Source

Movie of the Week: Coltrane 60/61/65

Johnny Hartman: The Book!

Just like the Ruts, as I posted yesterday, one other record thats never far from the tip of my tongue when it comes to all time favorites is John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman. Simply put, that album changed my life. Not only was it my ticket into a deeper appreciation & love for jazz, but it introduced me to one of the great cult heroes of any sort of music - the only vocalist John Coltrane ever thought enough of to make an album with, Mr. Johnny Hartman.

For whatever reason, I was recently Googling around, as you do, and looked up Johnny Hartman. And much to my surprise & delight I found out that the book pictured to the left will be published this summer. Not only is it incredible as its a new book on Hartman, the amazing thing is that, as far as I know, its the only book specifically about him. He gets lots of mentions in various histories and bios of related musicians, especially Coltrane, but no one has ever dedicated an entire tome to his story. My money would have been on Will Friedwald, being the first, but that would have made me a loser.

Anyway, if you're not familiar with Johnny Hartman, but like good vocalists, and possibly like jazz, start with John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman - you cannot go wrong. Its one of those perfect albums. From the artwork, to the production, to the songs, to the running order, everything about it screams classic. Not to mention, it contains the best version of "Lush Life" ever committed to tape - not an easy song to do really well. Hartman nails it. The general story about the album goes that Hartman, Coltrane and his quartet, were so on their game that day in the studio, that every song on the session was done in one take - except for one where Hartman was so entranced by Coltrane's playing, he didn't come back in with the vocal where he was supposed to.

If the Coltrane album knocks you out, I highly suggest The Johnny Hartman Collection 1947-1972, compiled lovingly by the aforementioned Will Friedwald. And if you're anything like I was when I first got bitten by the Hartman bug, you'll soon be running all over trying to get your hands on everything Hartman recorded. Luckily, its much easier these days than it was twenty years ago.

Sweet Jesus, I hope this book is good.

Pre-order The Last Balladeer: The Johnny Hartman Story here.
Visit the book's official website here.
Buy Johnny Hartman music here.
Study the Hartman discography here.

New Jazz Icon Series: Coltrane, Monk, Griffin, Kirk, Blakey, Hubbard

Wow! Does this stuff sound good! Six new DVDs in one boxset of Stunning Performances & Historical Significance! Mosaic Records proudly presents these rare performances beautifully transferred from the original masters. 

Features the Classic John Coltrane Quartet at the peak of their powers, including the only public performance of Ascension and of A Love Supreme. The set also includes Thelonious Monk Live In France 1969. Just Monk, a grand piano and two cameras -- no audience, no sidemen, no emcee, no clock-watching stage manager, no set list, no distractions. The result was an astonishingly intimate and revealing portrait of a man and his music. An extraordinary document of one of the most original composers of the 20th century. 

Additonal artsist in this historic collection includes Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers, Freddie Hubbard, Rahsaan Roland Kirk and Johnny Griffin. Note that DVD's are not available individually, and are 0 region. View & hear more, and order the set from Mosaic Records now!

A Love Supreme & Ascension Live! 

John Coltrane- Live In France 1965
Features the Classic John Coltrane Quartet at the peak of their powers. Includes the only public performance of Ascension and of A Love Supreme which they’d recorded eight months earlier and had become an instant and influential hit in the jazz world. Every night this band played was a major event and spiritual experience for those who witnessed it.

Monk Alone: A Private Recital

 
Thelonious Monk- Live In France 1969
Just Monk, a grand piano and two cameras – no audience, no sidemen, no emcee, no clock-watching stage manager, no set list, no distractions. The result was an astonishingly intimate and revealing portrait of a man and his music. The viewer can virtually see this usually impenetrable artist thinking in real time. An extraordinary document of one of the most original composers of the 20th century.

Wayne Shorter’s Baptism By Fire

 
Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers- Live In France 1959
In the fall of 1959, Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers introduced newcomer Wayne Shorter whose sound and conception would forever change the sonic landscape of the Jazz Messengers. He, Lee Morgan and Walter Davis, Jr. are on fire throughout. This is inspired jazz with a volcanic swing. 

Virtuoso At Work

Johnny Griffin- Live In France 1971
Johnny Griffin was a tenor saxophone virtuoso. He possessed a magnificent, even tone throughout the range of the tenor saxophone and the ability to navigate the fastest tunes and the most sophisticated chord changes with seemingly effortless precision. Toss in his soulfulness and inventiveness and you have a recipe for genius.  Art Taylor’s drumming here drive Griff and guest Dizzy Gillespie to incredible heights.

An Incendiary Hard Bop Master

 
Freddie Hubbard- Live In France 1973
On this 1973 concert, he and his quintet with Junior Cook and George Cables stretch out on three of his greatest compositions of the period: Straight Life, The Intrepid Fox and First Light. Hubbard and Junior Cook share a common ground and deep empathy and the rhythm section led by Cables give the hormen all the push they crave. These performances are incendiary! 

A Jazz Supernova: Prepare Thyself For A Miracle

 
Rahsaan Roland Kirk- Live In France 1972
Seeing Rahsaan Roland Kirk live was a completely different experience from listening to his music on record. It was an overwhelming and joyous event; music just poured out of him like a gusher. He was an ever-thinking force of energy who swept the audience up into his orbit. This 1972 concert with an excellent band is a perfect example. 

 

Before and After: My Favorite Things

Before - Mary Martin (in The Sound Of Music):


After - John Coltrane (My Favorite Things):

Before and After: Like Someone In Love

Before - Dinah Shore:

Dinah Shore on Amazon

During - Ella Fitzgerald:

Ella Fitzgerald on Amazon

After -
John Coltrane:

John Coltrane on Amazon

Chet Baker:

Chet Baker on Amazon

Bonus - Bjork:

Bjork on Amazon