Tune in to the Jazz Show with Gavin Walker every Monday night,
9pm-Midnight.
March 6
Tonight we celebrate the Birthday anniversary of Howard McGhee, a Modern Jazz pioneer and an often overlooked master of the trumpet. McGhee had a rather up and down career in music but after a down period returns in full force on this date called “Maggie’s Back in Town”. “Maggie” (Howard’s nickname) is accompanied by the amazing Phineas Newborn Jr. on piano, Leroy Vinnegar on bass and the great Shelly Manne on drums in a balanced program of standards and originals.
March 13
Two innovative alto saxophonists: Ken McIntyre and Eric Dolphy perform with a solid and swinging rhythm section with Walter Bishop Jr on piano, Sam Jones on bass and Arthur Taylor on drums. McIntyre also plays some fine flute and Dolphy is also heard on flute and bass clarinet. “Looking Ahead” reflects the past and the future of Jazz.
March 20
Bassist Gary Peacock was with pianist Keith Jarrett for many years and is a formidable musician. Here he leads Marc Copland on piano and Joey Baron on drums. The compositions are mostly by Peacock, some evocative and haunting but all fascinating. Baron wrote one and Copland contributes two. A new classic: “Now This”.
March 27
Here is wonderful little band comprising of two Chicagoites: bassist Bob Cranshaw and drummer Walter Perkins as leaders and 2 Memphis born players, pianist Harold Mabern and alto saxophone master Frank Strozier and a fine trumpeter from Florida whose name is Willie Thomas. The band was based in Chicago and was a popular Jazz attraction during it’s short life. It was called “The MJT+3” (The Modern Jazz Two Plus Three) and this album reflects their aim: “Make Everybody Happy”.