We probably all have our favourite saxophonists, but but what did the jazz world think of the musicians on the scene in 1959? Luckily, there’s a good way to find out… The annual DownBeat Readers Poll has been a fascinating snapshot of the jazz scene since it first appeared in 1936, offering insights into the …
Sonny Rollins’ rendition of There’s No Business Like Show Business is a lively, virtuosic interpretation of the Irving Berlin classic, showcasing the saxophonist’s signature blend of wit, spontaneity, and technical mastery. The track appears on his 1956 album Work Time, recorded on December 2, 1955, and released on the Prestige label. The album features Rollins …
Aside from being one of the most inventive musicians of all time, Charlie Parker was known for his quick sense of humour. In one of only two pieces of video footage known to exist of Bird, he’s seen laughing as Coleman Hawkins attempts to mime to a pre-recorded solo. As the clip comes to an …
At first glance, the story of Art Pepper, who passed away at the age of 56, might echo the familiar narrative of a ‘victim of the jazz life’. Yet, a closer look reveals a tale of resilience and remarkable talent, overshadowing the tribulations with a legacy of incredible music. In this article, we dive beyond …
John Coltrane is one of the most revered and influential jazz saxophone players in history. Known for his both technical virtuosity and deeply spiritual musical journey, he smashed the boundaries of jazz more than once in his all-too-short 40 years on the planet. In this article we take a look at 12 of the most …
Despite passing away in 1955 before reaching his 35th birthday, alto saxophonist Charlie ‘Yardbird’ Parker is largely credited with shaping the sound of jazz as we know it today. Almost as well known for his troubled life as innovative saxophone playing, we’ve picked 10 of the best Charlie Parker songs which sum up the genius …
As part of our deep dive into the different styles of jazz, we take a look at a recording – Getz/Gilberto – which was instrumental in establishing bossa nova worldwide. With hindsight, it seems remarkable that such a quiet and delicate album from 1964 would become such a big-seller, producing a smash hit with the …
Perhaps one of the more underrated tenor saxophone giants of the 20th Century, Joe Henderson nonetheless recorded some iconic jazz albums, in particular with Blue Note Records. In this article we take a closer look at his 1993 album So Near So Far (musings for Miles) which showcases a veteran of the scene paying tribute …
For better or worse, for many Charlie Parker epitomises the jazz life. The wayward genius whose life was marred and ultimately cut short by his addiction to narcotics. The truth as always is a little different, and with a character as strong as Parker the truth also depends on who you talk to. There have …
