Author name: Thomas Cunniffe

Is That All There Is?: The Strange Life of Peggy Lee (by James Gavin)

Book Reviews /

From the beginning of her 6-decade career, Peggy Lee was the personification of understatement. Her subtle vocal delivery said more with one note that most singers did with several, and on film, she could entice the entire audience with only a raised eyebrow. James Gavin’s new biography, Is That All There Is examines Lee’s life and music. In his Book Review, Thomas Cunniffe argues that because the book’s primary focus is on Lee’s personal life, it might discourage new fans from exploring her music.

Is That All There Is?: The Strange Life of Peggy Lee (by James Gavin) Read More »

Peter Appleyard & The Jazz Giants: “The Lost 1974 Sessions” (Linus 270135)

Retro Reviews /

It’s hard to go wrong with an all-star recording featuring Bobby Hackett, Urbie Green, Zoot Sims, Hank Jones, Slam Stewart, Mel Lewis and leader Peter Appleyard. While reviewer Thomas Cunniffe praises the music on the newly-released The Lost 1974 Sessions, there are severe problems with the production of the disc which call for a new edition.

Peter Appleyard & The Jazz Giants: “The Lost 1974 Sessions” (Linus 270135) Read More »

Phil Woods: “I Remember…” (Gryphon 788)

Retro Reviews /

In 1978, Phil Woods composed and arranged I Remember…, an album-long suite which memorialized eight jazz masters: Cannonball Adderley, Paul Desmond, Oscar Pettiford, Oliver Nelson, Charlie Parker, Willie Rodriguez, Willie Dennis and Gary McFarland. In this Retro Review, Thomas Cunniffe notes that the album is also a memorial for Dr. Herb Wong, whose liner notes graced the original LP.

Phil Woods: “I Remember…” (Gryphon 788) Read More »

Piano Artistry

CD Reviews /

The piano is capable of a wide range of expression, and the piano CD reviewed this month display three different approaches to the instrument. Yelena Eckemoff leads a quartet of Norwegian jazz musicians through an original program of meditative pieces on Everblue, Benny Green and his trio enliven their audience with joyous swing on Live in Santa Cruz and Fred Hersch plays a concert of romantic ballads and energetic originals on Solo. Thomas Cunniffe offers his thoughts in this month’s CD Reviews.

Piano Artistry Read More »

Piano Tributes

CD Reviews /

Because jazz is learned through listening to recordings of established masters and/or in-person mentoring from great musicians, the debt to our forebearers is quite significant. This month, Thomas Cunniffe reviews three new tributes from pianists Alex Conde, Jean-Michel Pilc and Justin Kauflin.

Piano Tributes Read More »

Piano-centric

CD Reviews /

The five instrumental albums reviewed this month are all led by pianists, but the groups they front range in size from duet to big band. Amy Duncan, a talented pianist in her own right, gives the rundowns on these noteworthy recordings by Cecilia Coleman, Satoko Fujii, Fred Hersch and Donald Vega.

Piano-centric Read More »

Playboy Swings (by Patty Farmer and Will Friedwald)

Book Reviews /

As Hugh Hefner conceived it, the Playboy lifestyle had jazz as its soundtrack. Hefner promoted the music through his magazine, festivals, television shows and the Playboy clubs. A new book by Patty Farmer and Will Friedwald, Playboy Swings recounts the history of Playboy’s forays into the entertainment world. In his book review, Thomas Cunniffe writes that the book offers a unique perspective on its subject, but could have used better editing and a general rewrite.

Playboy Swings (by Patty Farmer and Will Friedwald) Read More »

Pressed for all Time: Producing the Great Jazz Albums (by Michael Jarrett)

Book Reviews /

The role of the jazz producer has evolved considerably in the past 80 years. As recording technology transformed from shellac to vinyl, and then from analog to digital (and back again!), producers accepted increasing responsibilities from editing master tapes to sequencing LPs and CDs. Michael Jarrett’s new book Pressed for all Time is an oral history of jazz production, and as Thomas Cunniffe notes in his Book Review, the narrative includes several fascinating historical tidbits about iconic jazz albums, but leaves out discussions of several key players.

Pressed for all Time: Producing the Great Jazz Albums (by Michael Jarrett) Read More »

Ella Fitzgerald & Ellis Larkins: “Pure Ella” (Decca/GRP CD 636)

Retro Reviews /

In 1950, Ella Fitzgerald had the good sense to partner with pianist Ellis Larkins for the LP Ella Sings Gershwin. That classic album and its followup Songs in a Mellow Mood were reissued on CD several years ago on a disc appropriately titled Pure Ella. In this Retro Review, Thomas Cunniffe details why these recordings are among Fitzgerald’s greatest.

Ella Fitzgerald & Ellis Larkins: “Pure Ella” (Decca/GRP CD 636) Read More »

Quincy Jones: “This Is How I Feel About Jazz” (ABC-Paramount 149)

Retro Reviews /

In September 1956, 23-year old Quncy Jones assembled a truly all-star band for his first LP as a leader, This Is How I Feel About Jazz. In ensembles ranging from nine to fifteen pieces, Jones provided brilliant showcases for Art Farmer, Jimmy Cleveland, Phil Woods, Lucky Thompson, Milt Jackson, Billy Taylor and Charles Mingus. Thomas Cunniffe reviews this landmark recording in this month’s Retro Review.

Quincy Jones: “This Is How I Feel About Jazz” (ABC-Paramount 149) Read More »

Red Garland: “Swingin’ on the Korner” (Elemental 5990426)

Retro Reviews /

When Red Garland left the Miles Davis Sextet in 1958, his career continued on with recordings for Prestige and a busy schedule of sideman appearances. But in 1962, Garland moved to Dallas to care for his ailing mother, and he didn’t return to active playing for nearly a decade. Elemental’s new 2-CD set. Swingin’ on the Korner finds Garland in exceptional form, leading a trio with Leroy Vinnegar and Philly Joe Jones in live sets recorded in 1977 at San Francisco’s Keystone Korner.

Red Garland: “Swingin’ on the Korner” (Elemental 5990426) Read More »

Scroll to Top