Jazz Focus

Trumpeter Welsh led one of the most musical yet exciting trad bands of the 1950's and 60's - with Roy Crimmins on trombone, Archie Semple on clarinet, Fred Hunt on piano and Lennie Hastings on drums (and several guitars and bassists), the band mined a wide range of jazz repertoire from ragtime to New Orleans and swing, all within a Chicago Jazz/Eddie Condon perspective. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-clark49/support

Great Roulette recordings by the New Testament Basie Band reinterpreting the tunes from his 1930's and 40's band. Featuring great work by Billy Mitchell, Henry Coker, Thad Jones, Joe Newman, Jimmy Nottingham, Seldon Powell, Frank Foster, Frank Wess, Marshall Royal, Benny Powell and Basie himself! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-clark49/support

Almost forgotten big band that played at the Savoy in NYC at the same time as Chick Webb. Hopkins was among the best stride pianists of the day and a very good arranger as well - his band included Sylvester Lewis and Ovie Alston on trumpets, Fred Norman and Fernando Arbello on trombones, Gene Johnson and Bobby Sands on saxes and most notably Edmond Hall on clarinet and baritone sax. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-clark49/support

Alex Welsh was known as a traditional/dixieland trumpet player in the 1950's and mid 1960's. By the late 1960's the band had evolved from a Chicago styled group to a mainstream unit featuring trombonist Roy Williams, reed player Johnny Barnes, pianist Fred Hunt, guitar/banjo player Jim Douglas and drummer Lennie Hastings. Ranging from New Orleans numbers through swing and Gerry Mulligan tunes, this group had a good ten year run. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-clark49/support

Emerging tenor sax player Ben Webster discussed in the podcast along with renowned musician Benny Carter and Harlem figure Willie Bryant. They delve into Webster's significant contributions to the lively and energetic music of the big bands from 1934-40, his unique playing style, and collaborations with well-known bandleaders. The podcast also explores the impact of shuffle rhythm and Webster's improvisational skills.

This podcast explores the recordings and live performances of Dizzy Gillespie in the early 1950s, including collaborations with violinist Stuff Smith and a live date in France. It also discusses the significance of a repetitive musical phrase in jazz music and explores its creative variations and interpretations.

Earl Hines' very few solo recordings during this period - Blue Note, Victor and Bluebird as well as a trio with Al Casey and Oscar Pettiford and a Keynote session led by Charlie Shavers with Tab Smith. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-clark49/support

The early recordings by the Charlie Barnet Orchestra (and Glen Island Casino Orchestra and California Ramblers) . . before he hit it big, good records featuring the leader, Kermit Simmons, Chris Griffin (trumpet), Don Morres (clarinet), Bill Miller and Red Norvo (piano) and others . . transitional swing! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-clark49/support

Great early bop sessions led by the innovative drummer including Fats Navarro, Kenny Dorham, Benny Bailey and Howard McGhee on trumpets, Julius Watkins on french horn, Sonny Stitt, John Brown, Jimmy Heath and Hubert Fol on altos, Jimmy Powell, Billy Mitchell and Ray Abrams on tenors, Eddie De Verteuil and Cecil Payne on baris, John Lewis and Bud Powell on piano, John Collins on guitar and Al Hall, Curly Russell and Al McKibbon on basses . . 1946-49 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-clark49/support

Great small groups using Woody Herman's musicians (Conte Candoli, Bill Harris, Flip Phillips, Billy Bauer, Tony Aless, Arnold Fishkind, Dave Tough, Shelly Manne, Mel Zelnick, Frank Socolow and Emmett Carls) and some guests including Howard McGhee and Denzil Best. These sides are on the cusp of Bebop, done for Keynote, Prestige and Esquire in 1945, 47, 48 and 49. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-clark49/support