Jazz In Time

Horace Silver - Piano Bill Hardman - Trumpet Bennie Maupin - Tenor John Williams - Bass Billy Cobham - Drums

Pianist and composer Horace Silver, who created a rhythmic jazz known as " hard bop " that combined R&B and gospel to go along with his eclectic style of piano playing, has died at age 85, his son confirms. --  NPR Story

                                       (photo: Brandy Kayzakian-Rowe) Janice Marie Scroggins b. July 17, 1956  d. May 27, 2014

In November 1939, in a meeting at the Palmer House in Chicago, Sinatra was asked by bandleader  Tommy Dorsey  to join his band as a replacement for Jack Leonard (the vocalist, not to be confused the comedian Jack E. Leonard), who had recently left to launch a solo career. This meeting was a turning point in Sinatra's career. By signing with Dorsey's band, one of the hottest at the time, he greatly increased his visibility with the American public. Though Sinatra was still under contract with James, James recognized the opportunity Dorsey offered and graciously released Sinatra from his contract. Sinatra recognized his debt to James throughout his life and upon hearing of James' death in 1983, stated: "he [James] is the one that made it all possible."   - Wikipedia I Think of You - Frank Sinatra and Tommy Dorsey ( link )

Piano - Oscar Petersen Bass - Ray Brown Drums - Ed Thigpen

(video credit Shawn Kirkeby /  Lincoln Lab Portland ) This is part of a performance by the Art Abrams Swing Machine at the 2013 Portland Marathon. They are a big band based in Portland, Oregon. It took place on October 6, 2013 at 121 SW Salmon Street, World Trade Center in Portland. They have been performing here since 1986, just 2 tenths mile from the finish line.

Los Angeles. Today would have been the 95th birthday of Norman Granz. For me as a jazz lover he captured a special place. He was a talented and visionary producer who demanded respect for his artists in a time America was openly practicing racism. Jim Crow laws directed black musicians to a rear entrances, but Granz would require for his artists the same access as any of the white patrons - occasionally pulling his performers when they were still denied that access by club owners. In my jazz expedition, Norman Granz has stood out - richly deserving the many accolades as a producer and social activist during a very fertile time in jazz, about 1949-1960. He died on November 22, 2001 in Geneva, Switzerland.  He was the founder of record  labels -  Clef ,  Norgran ,  Down Home,  Verve  and  Pablo . Norman Granz and Louis Armstrong