Coleman Hawkins By David Stone Martin

Some years ago I found this set of three Coleman Hawkins 78’s on the Asch Label, with cover art by David Stone Martin. It set me back a whopping three whole dollars. When I got home and opened it up, I noticed that the inner cover was autographed by Hawkins personally.
Another great day in the vinyl cemetery.

Roy Eldridge by David Stone Martin

Another great album cover by master illustrator David Stone Martin.
Roy Eldridge was Dizzy Gillespie’s idol. You can definitely hear it in his playing and how he took Roy’s ideas to a new level. There is a common thread in the evolution of trumpet playing from Louis Armstrong to Roy Eldridge to Dizzy Gillespie to Clifford Brown to Lee Morgan. I recommend listening to them in chronology to really get what I’m talkin’ bout.
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Jazz Impressions Of Film Noir

My latest podcast highlights Jazz Impressions & Big Band music from the Film Noir era. A MUST FOR ALL CINEPHILES & JAZZHEADS.
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Miles Davis-Elevator To The Gallows

Ascenseur pour l'échafaud is a 1958 French film directed by Louis Malle. It was released as Elevator to the Gallows in the USA and as Lift to the Scaffold in the UK. It stars Jeanne Moreau and Maurice Ronet as criminal lovers whose perfect crime begins to unravel when Ronet is trapped in an elevator. The film is often associated by critics with the film noir style.
The score by Miles Davis has been described by jazz critic Phil Johnson as "the loneliest trumpet sound you will ever hear, and the model for sad-core music ever since. Hear it and weep."
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Playboy’s Theme

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Hugh Hefner, who was generous enough to autograph my original sheet music for Playboy’s Theme (written by Cy Coleman for the Playboy After Dark television series).
Listen To Henry Mancini’s Version Of Playboy’s Theme Here

Jumpin' Jivin' Johannesburg

Authentic Selection Of South African Township Swing Classics From The '50s & '60s. Shuffling drumbeats, serene horn lines, and sweet vocal melodies all come together in the vintage sounds of township jive and South African Jazz. From traditional Kwela flute music and improvisatory Marabi, to bass-heavy Mbaqanga and very influential American Jazz recordings, both township jive and South African Jazz were born.
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History Of African Jazz
Further 50s & 60's African Jazz Suggestions

Beatnik Jazz

Gerry Mulligan as featured in the film version of Jack Kerouac's "The Subterraneans",1960.

David Stone Martin & Stan Getz

David Stone Martin was a prolific artist, most noted for his jazz album cover graphics spanning the 1940's through the early 80's. Stan Getz At The Shrine is a classic, well worth checking out.
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Roots Of Surf Music

Some years before the popularity of Dick Dale, The Ventures, and The Beach Boys, legendary surf movie director Bruce Brown was using jazz music from the west coast for his film soundtracks. Most notably, “Slippery When Wet” featuring woodwinds player Bud Shank.
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Genius Claymation Featuring Nina Simone

Gerry Mulligan 1957

I first heard this LP at the local library when I was 14 years old and it changed my life in a big way. It was my first introduction to Gerry Mulligan, Sweets Edison, Herb Ellis, and most significantly, the Dizzy Gillespie composition "Woody'n You". It also features Stan Getz, Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown, Art Farmer, and Louis Bellson. Long out of print, not reissued on CD that I’m aware of (although a couple cuts have sufaced on Verve compilations), this album is well worth seeking out on vinyl.

Jazz Trumpet Legend Freddie Hubbard-R.I.P.

Jazz trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, who played on some of the most notable records of the 1960s and '70s, died today in a Los Angeles-area hospital, where he had been since suffering a heart attack last month. The Grammy-winner was 70.
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Dave Brubeck Quartet 1954

Rare Chano Pozo

I just found this rare photo of Chano Pozo, playing his conga backstage with Dizzy Gillespie. Chano’s legacy is one of mythical proportions, and I couldn’t believe it when I found this rare, unseen photo. For decades his music was difficult to find, until 2001, when a three CD box set was finally released (Chano Pozo-El Tambor De Cuba), containing thousands of dollars worth of rare records, along with a nice thick booklet of pics, bio, etc.

Last Of the Great American Songwriters

Dave Frishberg is one of the last of the great American songwriters. His lyrics are masterful, as is his piano playing. Click Here For The Official Frishberg Website. A Conversation With Dave Frishberg.

French Gangsters In Color

One of my favorite French films-Le Samourai, starring Alan Delon. Cool jazz score as well.Click here for the trailer.

Johnny Staccato-Private Eye

Johnny Staccato is a private detective series which ran on NBC from 1959 to 1960 for 27 episodes. Johnny Staccato, played by John Cassavetes, is a jazz pianist/private detective. The setting for many episodes is a jazz club belonging to his friend Waldo (played by Eduardo Ciannelli), in New York City's Greenwich Village. The show featured many musicians, such as Barney Kessel, Shelly Manne, Red Mitchell, Red Norvo, and Johnny Williams. The theme was composed by Elmer Bernstein.

Roots Of Gumby

In 1980 I attended a Gumby & Pokey film festival at the Rialto Theater in Pasadena, hosted by Gumby creator Art Clokey. It was fantastic to see these classic claymation episodes on the big screen, but what really made an impact on me was Mr. Clokey’s prototype pre Gumby film entitled Gumbasia. This crazy pseudo-psychodelic spectacle was too cool for words, and I was psyched to find that someone has posted it on YouTube. Enjoy!

Joe Pesci Sings!

Joe Pesci is obviously well known for his movie career, most notably Goodfellas and My Cousin Vinny, but his vocal talents have been a well kept secret. Pesci’s 1968 Brunswick release under the name Little Joe Richie is a fun listen, but his more recent collaboration with organist Joey DeFrancesco (Falling In Love Again) is truly outta this world. If you listen carefully, you’ll find the obvious influence of his musical hero Little Jimmy Scott. Five Stars!

Touch Of Evil

Plas Johnson recently gave me an original copy of the Touch Of Evil Soundtrack to add to my vinyl collection. He was featured on the rock & roll tracks from this classic Orson Welles film, and shared some great memories of working closely with Henry Mancini on this, and several other projects including Peter Gunn, The Pink Panther, Charade, and The Party. If you haven’t seen Touch Of Evil, you’re in for a real treat. The opening credits are a piece of cinematic mastery and the music is outstanding , now available on CD.