Once the needle is dropped, it doesn't
take long to recognize the Buddy Rich Big
Band, regardless of the style. His bands
were always a vehicle for his drumming.
This is not to say that there weren't any
other musicians of note as there were many
who worked through Buddy's finishing school
and went on to achieve artistic excellence.
But in Buddy's band, it was always clear
who was the star. In the 1960s and 1970s,
many a high school and college student would
play the charts from Buddy Rich, Count Basic,
Stan Kenton, and Maynard Ferguson. While
always a brash and rollicking time, mastering
one of his charts was always a proud moment
in the student's life.
In contrast, The Ballad of Chet Kincaid,
a mellow interpretation of Hikky Burr, is
a study in restraint, where the implicit
is louder than the explicit. Bill Holman's
Jazz in D Minor is a three part suite and
we hear the contemplative, introspective
mind at work. Two masters of cool, even
when burning hot, are Wynton Kelly and Wes
Montgomery. Their classic recording is a
playful, yet mindful, consideration; full
of spunk, but with control and incredible
delivery.
Three piano/keyboard players that have
had tremendous impact on music, both jazz,
and popular music are Horace Silver, Herbie
Hancock, and Stevie Wonder. Jungle Juice
examines the energy within and As reflects
on life and the never ending passing of
time. Horace's ability to build texture
and driving force from voicings and rhythmic
combinations is truly unique. The interplay
of Herbie's and Stevie's keyboards build
a different texture, yet their interplay
define so much of As, beyond the lyrics,
which are a masterful statement of the myriad
ways to express love from beginning until
we are at our life's end.
We close out with classic sounds from
those who charted the musical path from
which so many developed along with a retrospective
look at another swing classic. In finality
we are reminded of a celebration of what
this hour has lead us through. Musical creativity
can seem very serious, but in reality, it
is one giant party.
Life is the summation of experiences.
The creative arts express those experiences
at an intellectual, and emotional level.
Support the arts, and you support life.
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