Jamaica Swing book excerpt #1

"There's a great trumpeter over in England: a guy who's got soul and originality and, above all, who's not afraid to blow with fire."

- Miles Davis

Coming from one who was himself universally acknowledged as one of the most important musicians of the 20th Century, Miles Davis' endorsement of Jamaican trumpeter Dizzy Reece can hardly be faint praise.

Indeed, the Kingston native is widely celebrated in his own right and not just for his brilliance on the trumpet. He has additionally functioned as a journalist, prose writer, (having written abstractions, poems, short stories, and screenplays) and even as a filmmaker and painter. His educational publications on the jazz idiom include Contemporary Jazz Drum Suite (1966), Basic Jazz Bass Rhythm And Blues; Swinging the Scales and other method books. (1997); Encyclopedia of Black Brass/Black Reeds- 1860-1999. His paintings have been exhibited with his music. Reece's overriding philosophy is "without art civilisation becomes a spiritually bankrupt wasteland ."

Now Mosaic Records, a specialist in the music re-issue and compilation field, is celebrating the legendary musician further with the release of his recordings on the equally renowned Blue Note label(the recording home of current jazz-pop star Norah Jones). Entiltled simply Mosaic Select: Dizzy Reece, the disc aggregates the hornman's association with the label dating back to the late 1950s with Blues in Trinity . This was followed by Star Bright (Featuring another great Jamaican musician, Wynton Kelly, on piano) and Soundin' Off. Two more stellar sessions followed in 1960, but these were not released until almost 40 years later (1999) as Comin' On..

The son of a silent films pianist, Reece made his professional debut at age 14, after switching to the trumpet from the baritone sax. Since then, he has shared the stage and the recording studio with some of the greatest names in the jazz pantheon including Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, Kenny Clarke, Don Byas, Dexter Gordon, Johnny Griffin, John Coltrane, Philly Joe Jones, Elvin Jones, Red Garland, Machito, and Billy Taylor.

He made his debut as a leader in 1953 as leader with the recording, A New Star. A prolific composer, arranger-orchestrator, Reece is truly respected as one of the very few great trumpet players in the world today, says Mike Longo, who previously played with the maestro. "His recordings show the mastery of the instrument as it truly communicates the unique message of the trumpet, profiling a musical language that has been in transition since jazz trumpet playing had its inception."

Like a number of creative Jamaicans of his time, Reece moved to London in 1948 and that city remained his base of operations for more than a decade, though he made frequent trips across the continent and North Africa. For a while he had his own ten-piece band, which played the arrangements of his namesake, be-bop founding father, Dizzy Gillespie.

Of his UK experience Reece states, "There are quite a few good musicians over there and many of them American . . . Kenny Clarke, Don Byas, Bud Powell . . . I always had trouble with the rhythm sections over there, though. Rhythm sections are supposed to accompany and I don't think they were always aware of that."

The Jamaican master has been a host and guest on many radio programs in the U S and internationally. His compositions include dramatic film and theatre music to bedtime music. In the1950s, Reece appeared on three soundtracks for British films. In 958 his improvised film score for the MGM movie Nowhere To Go (George Nader- Maggie Smith) was an innovative performance for modern jazz in films in England. Since its release in 1958 the film has been continuously shown internationally with its performance as a "Hollywood Classic" on TNT in 1993.

At home, Dizzy Reece was the 1999/2000 recipient of the Prime Minister's Award for Excellence and performed on the Prime Minister's Independence Gala in that year. He has also been featured artist at the Ocho Rios Jamaica jazz festival and is an inductee to the Jamaica Jazz Hall of Fame. Subsequently, he performed a well-received benefit concert for the National AIDS Committee.

Equipped with a virtuoso technique, he is not timid about making complete use of that either, but his virtuosity is never employed for its own sake, only as a means to express the full gamut of his emotions, or in his own words, "the emotional must never outweigh the cerebral. They must strike that sacred balance that is contested in art."

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Dizzy [Reece] Gets Overdue Ovation

Jamaican trumpeter Dizzy reece (who these days makes his home in New York City, id featured in the latest issue of jazz Times magazine. Dizzy is the subject of JT's Overdue Ovation section and the piece is written by JT editor Chris Porter, who previously interviewed jamaican jazz giants Monty Alexander and Ernie Ranglin for the magazine

Dizzy is als othe subject of a three-disc retrospective of his Blue Note sesions in the late 50s and early 60s by Mosaic records(mosaicrecords.com). Its issued underthe Mosaic Select series and features the trumpet great's collaborations withthe likes of Stnaley Turrentine. Art Blakey, Art Taylor, Jymie Merrit and another great Jamaican, pianist Wynton Kelly

Pine 'Stays Fresh'

British saxophonist Courtney Pine, who is of Jamaican parentage, recently completed a world toour in support of his current album Devotion. The saxman capped the tour in London.

Pine is laos at work on material for his next album, schedulked for Summer '05 release.

see www.courtney-pine.com for more

guitarist

guitarist
Originally uploaded by mylakent.

Not a local shot obviously, but it'll do till I upload my own stuff.

COrrection- Jazz in the Gardens

Earlier post gave September 30 date for renewal of Jazz in the Gardens concert series.

As you all can see that was plain wrong - Jazz in the Gardens, on the grounds of th Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, happens Sun October 30 beginnign around 6:30 featured performers include singers Karen Smitrh, Keisha Patterson and Angel

Jazzofonik Radio

Coming Soon! the Jazzofonik X-pereince on the Deck will soon be simulcast on radio. Watsh this space for details.

Also: next week: first excerpt from my forthcoming book, Jamaiaca Swing, will be available

"Nawlinz Night @ the Hilton Kingston continues withthe 3-D Band;

3-Ds Swing nawlinz Night at the Hilton

It took more than persistent rain to dmapen the spirits of the four young men who play under the banner 3Ds Scheduled to jam atthe Hilton Kingston poolside on Saturday night, the quartet simply moved their set under the sehleter of the pool bar for a real up-cloe-and-personal jam.

In addition to getting their thirst quenched, the appreciative audience was treated to gems like "So What" "Mercy Mercy" Girl from Ipanema" and "Summertime" as well as smooth readings of JA Rule/Ahanti's "Always on Time" and two different songs named Angel: Shaggy's remake of the 70s classic and athe unrelated R&B hit by Monica

3-Ds is: Donald waugh -guitar; Sean DePasse -drums, Stephen Depasse - bass; and Phillip grant keyboard.

Jazz 'n' Blues on The Deck

The Deck Bistro on the corner of Trafalgar and Musgrave presents jazz and blues every Wednesday Night, from 7:00 p.m. until. hear recorded jazz, from the greatest to the latestLinks

Bent In Shape

guitarist Rupert Bent Sr. continues his outings at a couple of Kingston venues.On Wednesdays, he takes his smooth jazz/pop/ reggae mix to Up On The Roof on Knutsford Strip. On Thursday nights, he goes round the corner to Christopher's jazz bar in the Quad complex (Trinidad Terrace) for "Not Just Jazz..." both gigs have 7:00 start schedule.Links

Jazz in the Gardens

keyboardist extraordinnaire and daytime biz advisor Harold Davis led a swingin' combo on the upper lawns of the Pegasus hotel last wee. Alex Martin-Blamken on keys, Richie Cunningham on percussion, Dale Brown on electric bass, Junior "Bird" Bailey on drums and Ian Hurd on saxophone.

latter did great readings of "How High the Moon" "Misty" and COltrane's take on "M Favouriter Things" groupa lso did reggae classic "aSatta Amassa Gana"

Special vocal guests were young Jhanelle Graham, performing for 1sttiem at jazz in the Gardens series, and Maria Myrie, no stranger to jazz/cabaret audiences. Mark Pritchett, head of the jamaica Observer newspapaer (jamaicaobserver.com) kicked in with some mean blues/rock guitar, on tracks like "Gimme Some lovin'" and "Black magic Woman"

Monthly series continues Sep 30 with Karen Smith and Friends
Links

Jazz in the Gardens

The upper lawn of the Jamaica Pegasus hotel wasalive with swinging sounds last week as keyboardist harold Davis led a six-man combo through a delightful jazz-reggae jaunt.

Joining Davis on the stand were fellow keyboardist Alex Martin-Blanken, bassist(electric) Dale Brown, drummer Junior "Bird" Bailey, Richie Cunningham on oongas and feaured player Ian Hurd on saxophone and flute.

the Jazz in the Gardens audience also welcomed newcomer jhanell Graham singing jazz standards like "Teach Me Tonight" and "Besame" and the thrilling Maria Myrie doing her customary range of jazz-pop vocals, with numbers like "Hey Mr. melody" and 'Mas Que Nada"

Jazz in the Gardens is a monthly engagement presented by the Pegasus, the next instalment, which is actually in October (31) will feature jazz vocal diva Karen Smith and Friends

Jazz @ Ingleside

beginning Sunday September 5, and continuing monthly every first Sunday, the Ingleside pub in the cool hills of Mandeville (mid-jamaica) offers live jazz, brunch and family-based activities. for more info, contact paul Thompson at estech@infochan.com

Red Bones SIzzles

Kingston nightspot Red Bones the Blues Cafe continues to serve up quality musical offerings both in terms of live perfomances and recorded music for listening pleasure. On August 19, the Cafe hosted contemporary jazz combo Llama, comprising Gerd Bayens on guitar, Fitzroy Bennet on acoustic, Dougal Clarke on bass and Dervan Williams on percussion.

The Cafe also features live blues on Fridays i nan event dubed "B & B Fridays" as in blues and barbecue, and on Thursday nights patrons can hear range of world beat and jazz courtesy of matthew Jordan-Smith and Diana Thorburn, alternate hosts of Radio Mona's "Okumbosi"

UpcomingEvents

The Air jamaica jazz and Blues Festival returns to the Cinnamon Hill golf course in Montego Bay form january 24 through 29, 2005. fIn wake of last year's success, Festival organizers have extended the event from four to seven days and have added Ocho Rios as a venue.
line up will be released when finalized.

JazzHIP....coming soon

The jazz heritage Institute of Preservation (Jazz HIP) jamaica will get underway within a matter of weeks. check this blog for info re memebership fees and benefits, scheduled activities and loads more info

Our Mission: to celebrate and preserve the best of jamaican jazz past and present and to encourage ongoing excellence for the future;

Structure: not-for-profit membership society dedicated to all things jazz with particualr emphasis on Jmaaican artists, whether locall or overseas based

Open to: all jazz aficionados, we particularly welcome young Jamaicans (40 and under) whether you're at home or overseas, whether you're new to jazz or have been tuned in for years.

Jazz Review

jazzreview.com is the comprehensive guide to perfromance and CD reviews of jazz artists on the web

A Jazzy Treat in Jamaica for NBA Star Rip Hamilton

jazz singer Nicole Henry delivered a quietly engaging set last weekend atthe luxurious Roysl Plantation Spa and Golf resort in OCho RIos on the island's North Coast. In front of an audience that included star guard of the NBA champion Detroit Pistons, Richard "Rip" Hamilton, Henry and her three-piece band - Brian Murphy, piano, Paul Shewchuk, electric bass and Danny Burger, drums - breezed through the jazz and pop statndards on her current debut album, The Nearness of You, including "Summertime" "Fly Me To The Moon" "Get Here" and the title track. She also tackled Bob marley's 'Three Little Birds" and John Lennon's "Imagine"

Henry will be featured performer at the Virgin Records Megastore in New York's Times Square on Aug. 18.

For more on Nicole Henry and to hear the album, go to nicolehenry.com

Honouring Jamaican jazzers

jamaican musicians Marjorie Whylie and peter Ashbourne were among six artists to recive the Prime minister's Independence citation atthe recent annual Gala concert in honour of jamaica's Independence (42nd year).

Whylie, who also performed on the night, responded on behalf of all the awardees, speaking to the uniqueness of J'can culture and the multi-faceted achievements of Jamaicans.

A classically trained musician who has mastered drums as well as piano/keyboards, Whylie is a founding member of the Jamaica Big band and also fronts her own combo, Whylie Wrhythm, and is Musical Director for the National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica.

A former child prodigy on violin, Peter Ashbourne has also mastered piano/keyboards and is one of jamaica's leading composers, both in the artistic realm as well as in the commercial realm for advertisement jingles. He previously fronted his own jazz ensemble, Ashes, and has contributed to numerous national and international music projects in several genres.



Also.... Jmaaican jazz giants Ernest Ranglin and Sonny Bradshaw are among several musical figures who will receive national honours later this year during the country's National Heroes Day observances.

Ranglin, one of the world's premier jazz guitarists, has been integral figure on the jamaican music scene since the 1940s. He has played on virtually every notable or historic record in Jmaaican pop music, including the country's first million-seller, Millie Small's My Boy Lollipop.

musician, music journalist, broadcaster, promoter, and founding organizer of the Ocho Rios Jamaica jazz festival, Sonny Bradshaw is also founder of the Jamaica Big Band, through which a host of Jamaica's leading musicians have passed. He has shared the stage with many of the greats in the jazz world, past and present and is the recipient of numerous awards for his contributions to Jmaaican music in general and jazz in particular

Upcoming Projects

Jazz Selektaz Spinoff
Form swing to bebop to smooth to funk and all stops in between. Who's gotthe best collection? The best skills on the wheels of steel? Who can create that unbeatable vibe? Look out for this gathering of the best jazz Djs coming in October 04.

Jamaica Swing Vol I
Jamaica may be more known for pioneering reggae, but long before marley we had another range of musical heroes. Look for the first in this three volume series coming also in October