Retro Reviews

When it was issued in 1985, The African Flower featured some of the decade’s greatest jazz talents, from its leader, flutist James Newton to the sidemen, violinist John Blake, alto saxophonist Arthur Blythe, cornetist Olu Dara, vibraphonist Jay Hoggard and drummer Pheeroan akLaff. In this Retro Review, Thomas Cunniffe notes that while few of these musicians have retained their status as jazz stars, the original album remains one of the finest tributes to Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn ever recorded.

When Ben Webster traveled from New York to London in December 1964 for an engagement at Ronnie Scott’s, he probably did not imagine that he would never return to the US. A new release by Stan Tracey’s Resteamed label captures Webster on his second night in London. Thomas Cunniffe reviews the disc and an earlier volume with music from a 1968 performance at Scott’s.

On an August night in 1962, Columbia turned its fabled 30th Street Studio into a nightclub for a live recording by vocalist Carol Sloane. In this Retro Review, Thomas Cunniffe notes that the rarely reissued, Live at 30th Street shows playful, swinging elements of Sloane’s style only hinted at on her orchestral debut LP, Out of the Blue.

When Art Pepper was released from Synanon in 1972, he was hesitant to resume his playing career. He realized that the music he loved to play was also the conduit for his substance abuse. Yet, with the encouragement of his wife Laurie, Pepper gradually started playing again. Thomas Cunniffe reviews a brilliant 1976 concert recording from the Paul Masson Winery, recently issued by Laurie’s Widow’s Taste label.

For years, Art Pepper proved that being white and a Californian were not detriments to being a great jazz musician. However, even near the end of his career, Pepper believed he had to prove himself yet again. A newly released nightclub performance from New York’s Fat Tuesday’s finds Pepper performing exciting and emotionally ripe solos in front of an explosive rhythm section with Milcho Leviev, George Mraz and Al Foster. Thomas Cunniffe reviews this important recording in this month’s Retro Review.

Under-appreciated by the jazz public, but beloved by musicians, Duke Pearson recorded seventeen albums in just under 11 years. Michael Verity singles out Pearson’s 1968 Blue Note LP The Right Touch as his crowning achievement in this month’s Retro Review.

The exclusive recording contract between Charlie Parker and Norman Granz was beneficial to both parties. Signing Parker was a coup for Granz, who did not yet have the large stable of recording artists. Under Granz, Parker recorded with a wide range of musicians, and was able to realize a long-held dream of recording with strings. A new 2-CD collection of Charlie Parker with Strings includes nearly a full disc of unissued alternate takes. Thomas Cunniffe reviews the new collection in this month’s Retro Review.

Known as the Wildman of Rhythm, Cuban singer and bandleader Beny Moré was beloved by fans and musicians. In a solo career that lasted just over a decade, Moré accumulated several hit records, 40 of which are compiled in RCA’s Lo Mejor de Lo Mejor. Jazz History Online’s Latin jazz expert Janine Santana revisits this music in this Retro Review.