44-“Broad Way Blues” and Ornette Coleman

Standards Rating 5 Difficulty Rating 6

Ornette Coleman was a pioneering jazz figure known for breaking traditional boundaries with his radical approach to improvisation and composition. His 1959 album The Shape of Jazz to Come introduced free jazz, where he abandoned chord changes and rigid structures, allowing musicians more freedom. His work at New York's Five Spot Café with a groundbreaking quartet helped establish his status as a revolutionary in modern jazz. Coleman's 1961 album Free Jazz: A Collective Improvisation further pushed these boundaries with group improvisation, sparking praise and controversy.

One of his notable compositions, "Broadway Blues," features bluesy elements mixed with free improvisation. His 1968 album New York Is Now! blended avant-garde and post-bop, showing his continued evolution. Guitarist Pat Metheny later interpreted Coleman’s "Broadway Blues," reflecting Coleman's profound influence on later jazz artists, particularly through their 1985 collaboration Song X, which merged their experimental styles.

Ornette Coleman https://youtu.be/ue0XTgUx24o?si=v9ny2p9IU_UcE-1M

Pat Metheny https://youtu.be/eciUMTPmzm0?si=3JKlbTJfrtBqkvle

Spotify Playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5bla6DuepTMq3kdzUlXTy7?si=kjHm7muGQB6O2jIs5623hw

43- Bright Size Life and Jaco Pastorius

Standards Rating 6 Difficulty Rating 7

In this episode, we look at “Bright Size Life,” the standout title track from Pat Metheny’s 1976 debut album of the same name, and the life and career of Jaco Pastorius, the man who redefined electric bass playing in jazz. The track is a masterful blend of jazz, folk, and rock, featuring Metheny’s signature open chord voicings and a flowing, lyrical melody. But what truly sets it apart is the incredible bass work by Jaco Pastorius. His fretless bass gives the track a unique, almost singing tone, and his use of harmonics and fluid phrasing brings a new dimension to the music. Jaco’s bass line isn’t just a support; it’s a melodic force of its own, weaving in and out of Metheny’s guitar with rhythmic precision and harmonic creativity. This interplay between guitar and bass, supported by Bob Moses’ subtle drumming, creates an expansive atmosphere that defines the track. Bright Size Life showcases Metheny’s compositional genius and Jaco’s ability to push the boundaries of what a bass can do, making it a landmark in jazz fusion.

Pat Metheny (studio recording) - https://youtu.be/0Ozv_S1fuis?si=B11U_5V55NrunhlK

Pat Metheny (live) https://youtu.be/TAAilVUqwSw?si=QQz32RKMqH69Pn0d

Spotify Playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5bla6DuepTMq3kdzUlXTy7?si=jl6quMa3S16tJp3VtNAnSw

Charlie Burnham Interview

Charlie Burnham is an accomplished American violinist, singer, and composer celebrated for his imaginative and eclectic style. Burnham traverses multiple genres, including bluegrass, folk, free jazz, blues, classical, and chamber jazz. His innovative use of the wah-wah pedal on the violin adds a distinctive flair to his performances. Burnham first gained prominence through his contributions to James "Blood" Ulmer's Odyssey album, highlighting his versatility and skill. The ensemble from that project later formed Odyssey the Band. Throughout his career, Burnham has been a pivotal member of several notable groups and artists, like Living Colour, Cassandra Wilson, String Trio of New York, 52nd Street Blues Project, Hidden City, We Free Strings, the Improvising Chamber Ensemble, and the Kropotkins. He has also recently recorded new music with Eureka Shoes, showcasing his continual evolution as a musician.

Beginning as an informal gathering of friends and now blossoming into a fully-fledged collaborative band, Eureka Shoes’ Beautalina (Adhyâropa ÂR00079) soars aloft on gorgeous 3-part harmonies, delicate acoustic textures, and world-class songcraft. Eureka Shoes features award-winning songwriter Jean Rohe, acoustic music stalwart Skye Soto Steele, and omni-genre multi-instrumentalist Charlie Burnham. Rounded out here by the virtuosic bass of Rashaan Carter, Beautalina is an enduring testament to the power of music to unite, communicate, and elevate.

Eureka Shoes Beautalina https://open.spotify.com/album/1bH16X7J5KU6YNJgDbEVL2?si=t0YsU9C7RVehdGdwc6hpdg

Boplicity, Gil Evans and The Birth of The Cool

Standards Rating 6, Difficulty Rating 7

"Boplicity," from Birth of the Cool (1957), marks a key moment in jazz history; composed by Miles Davis under the pseudonym Cleo Henry and Gil Evans, Originally recorded in 1949, the track exemplifies the shift from bebop's fast-paced intensity to cool jazz's more relaxed, refined sound. Featuring a unique nine-piece ensemble, including trumpet, trombone, French horn, tuba, and saxophones, the arrangement showcases Evans' mastery of orchestration. The interplay between Davis' subtle trumpet lines and the intricate harmonies of the horns highlights the genre's focus on texture, space, and lyrical phrasing. "Boplicity" is a standout, blending bebop's phrasing with cool jazz's sophistication, offering a serene yet intricate musical experience that helped define the cool jazz movement.

Playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5bla6DuepTMq3kdzUlXTy7?si=PYjJbekGT1ujj-X1e6ZsaQ

Miles Davis Nonet https://youtu.be/HLzqjmoZZAc?si=T68XnMIQ0mmS5K_h
Ronnie Cuber https://open.spotify.com/track/4E5fdTSJd28iSg6L9uNnn6?si=57231715f1814e0f

Kurt Rosenwinkel, a Philadelphia-born jazz guitarist, is renowned for blending genres and using guitar effects innovatively in jazz. His latest release, The Next Step Band (Live at Smalls, 1996), revisits the music from his acclaimed 2001 album The Next Step and features longtime collaborators Mark Turner, Ben Street, and Jeff Ballard. In addition to his album, Rosenwinkel has published Kurt Rosenwinkel’s Ultimate Book of Compositions, which includes scores, tabs, and commentary on his extensive work. He founded his label, Heartcore, in 2016 to release Caipi and take control of his career, likening the label's creation to playing a "record company" video game. His current projects include arranging for the Jazz at Lincoln Center Big Band, collaborating with Wynton Marsalis, and recording a Brahms interpretation following the success of The Chopin Project.

42- “Body and Soul” and Coleman Hawkins

Standards Rating 8- Difficulty Rating 7

Coleman "Hawk" Hawkins was a pioneering jazz tenor saxophonist who transformed the instrument into a key vehicle for jazz improvisation. Born in Missouri in 1904, Hawkins began playing saxophone in his teens and joined Mamie Smith's Jazz Hounds in 1921. His breakthrough came in 1924 when he joined Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra, where his improvisational style evolved, influenced by Louis Armstrong. Hawkins's technical mastery, harmonic innovations, and rich tone were noted.

One of his most iconic recordings is his 1939 interpretation of "Body and Soul," where Hawkins showcased his ability to navigate complex harmonic structures with inventive phrasing, including sixteenth-note runs, rhythmic motifs, and arpeggiated figures. His approach to the song’s challenging chord changes set the standard for future bebop improvisation. The performance highlights his blend of vertical and linear improvisation, often moving far from the original melody and incorporating sophisticated rhythmic techniques. Hawkins spent much of his later career dividing his time between Europe and the U.S., collaborating with younger musicians like Thelonious Monk and Miles Davis and contributing to the bebop movement. His legacy as the first great tenor saxophonist in jazz endures, especially through landmark recordings like "Body and Soul."

Coleman Hawkins: https://youtu.be/zUFg6HvljDE?si=ML1j-MVSXVyR1yIt

Billie Holiday https://youtu.be/AXnQeb0rgpU?si=7C0ZX1Hbh0ZPWc5V

Curated Spotify Playlist

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5bla6DuepTMq3kdzUlXTy7?si=6AKq37uOQ3qR0wBhyLSLQA

Brian Bromberg, a virtuoso bassist, honors the legacy of Scott LaFaro with his latest album, LaFaro, and a series of live performances. LaFaro, who tragically died at 25, was a groundbreaking bassist with the Bill Evans Trio, inspiring Bromberg's tribute. Initially reluctant to take on the project due to the pressures of honoring a jazz legend, Bromberg eventually embraced it after realizing LaFaro's profound influence on his playing. Bromberg also shares personal connections to jazz greats like Stan Getz, with whom he played, and Bill Evans, a missed opportunity from his youth. His career spans collaborations with top artists and an eclectic solo catalog ranging from traditional jazz to contemporary styles. Known for his versatility on upright and electric bass, Bromberg defies genre boundaries, seeking to deliver heartfelt, high-quality musicianship in every project. His performances and music continue to celebrate innovation and jazz's rich history. https://njjs.org/magazine/