He was a master stride pianist, world class composer responsible for such classics as “Honeysuckle Rose,” “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” and “Jitterbug Waltz,” to name but a few, and a larger than life comedic performer whose jivey way with a song sometimes overshadowed his sheer artistry. He recorded hundreds of records for Victor and was so in […]
Song Of The Day by Eric Berman – “St. James Infirmary” by King Oliver and his Orchestra
All of the greats in Jazz have someone to look up to and Louis Armstrong’s mentor was Joe “King” Oliver. Oliver was born in New Orleans and formed a band with trombonist Kid Ory who dubbed young Joe “King.” Oliver became known for his muted coronet playing and rose to fame in New Orleans before […]
Song Of The Day by Eric Berman – “Fungii Mama” by Blue Mitchell
Although he’s worked with the likes of Chick Corea, Cannonball Adderly, Horace Silver, Ray Charles, John Mayall, Tony Bennett and Lena Horne, Blue Mitchell is kind of unknown to most Jazz fans. It’s indeed a crime when you consider tunes like this that live on stellar albums like “The Thing To Do” from 1964. Personnel […]
Song Of The Day by Eric Berman – “Syeeda’s Song Flute” by John Coltrane
Two weeks after participating in the recording of Miles Davis’ watershed album “Kind Of Blue,” John Coltrane began sessions for his fifth album and first for a new record label. The record was “Giant Steps” released 52 years ago this month and featuring Tommy Flanagan on piano, Paul Chambers on bass and Art Taylor on […]
Song Of The Day by Eric Berman – "Groove's Groove" by Richard "Groove" Holmes
Song Of The Day – “Groove’s Groove” by Richard “Groove” Holmes Like fellow Jazz organ giants Jimmy Smith, Brother Jack McDuff and Jimmy McGriff, Holmes released countless organ-drenched Soul Jazz sides during the 1960s paving the way for Acid Jazz and Hip-Hop. Here is the edited 7″ version of this song […]
Song Of The Day by Eric Berman – "Swingin' Dem Jingle Bells" by Fats Waller
Song Of The Day by Eric Berman – “Swingin’ Dem Jingle Bells” by Fats Waller What more could you ask for on Christmas than this rambunctious reading of “Jingle Bells” from 1936 by the larger than life pianist extraordinaire Fats Waller. Meld that with a fine holiday Betty Boop video […]
Song Of The Day by Eric Berman – "Freeway" by Gerry Mulligan Quartet
Song Of The Day – “Freeway” by Gerry Mulligan Quartet Some of the greatest Jazz the West Coast had to offer from the very first release by Pacific Jazz Records. I’ve got this one on a 10″ heavy vinyl microgroove record from 1952: catalog number PJLP-1! What a line up: Gerry Mulligan on the tenor […]
Song Of The Day by Eric Berman – “Reincarnation Of A Lovebird” by Charles Mingus
Song Of The Day by Eric Berman – “Reincarnation Of A Lovebird” by Charles Mingus You can almost see the flight of the bird in question during the introduction of this masterwork by bassist Charles Mingus. However, this bird is actually Charlie Parker, with whom Mingus performed on many occasions and to whom this song […]
Song Of The Day by Eric Berman – “Freeway Jam” by Jeff Beck
Nothing prepared rock fans for the transformation that took place in the mid-70s when Jeff Beck joined forces with producer George Martin on his albums Blow By Blow and Wired. Beck, of course, was well known as the blues-based British rocker from the Yardbirds and The Jeff Beck Group who dabbled in jazz, but cut […]
Song of the Day by Eric Berman – “Footprints” by Miles Davis Quintet
Song of the Day by Eric Berman – “Footprints” by Miles Davis Quintet They were known as Miles Davis’ second great quintet featuring Herbie Hancock on piano, Ron Carter on bass, Wayne Shorter on sax and Tony Williams on drums, but to some, they were his most important lineup. It was here that Miles was […]
