Butch Miles

Miles Davis & Thelonious Monk - Miles & Monk At Newport (1991) {Sony Music Japan SRCS 5698 rec 1958, 1963}
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© 1991 Sony Music Japan | SRCS 5698
Jazz / Modal Music / Hard Bop / Trumpet / Piano

This CD is masterful. A wonderful opportunity for those who already know Miles and Monk to hear more of the kind of sound you love. Two giants at their best in a live recording. If you are unfamiliar with the music of these two greats, this CD is a fantastic introduction to their sound. One word of caution, however, though this is a great CD recording of Miles and Monk together, it is by no means the last word, or note, on the kind of music the artists are, or were, capable of. This CD only demonstrates a tiny facet of the broad repertoires of Miles and Monk.

Count Basie and His Orchestra - I Told You So (1976) {Pablo OJCCD-824-2 rel 1994}
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© 1976, 1994 Pablo Records / Fantasy | OJCCD-824-2 / 00025218682428
Jazz / Big Band / Swing

A touch of jazz genius pairing the charts of the "Fabulous Bill Holman" with the relentlessly swinging Bill Basie's Orchestra. The lines are pure Holman, particularly the call and response counterpoint between reeds and brass and, use of unison voicings. The classic 4/4 rhythm feel underpinned by guitarist Freddie Green is pure Basie.

Bucky Pizzarelli joins his son (and fellow guitarist) John (whose trio includes brother Martin Pizzarelli on bass and pianist Ray Kennedy), plus fellow guitarist Gene Bertoncini and drummer Butch Miles for this swinging session that covers many different styles of jazz, though bossa nova is the flavor of the day. In addition to the usual standards from the genre, Latin-flavored arrangements of cool jazz (Gerry Mulligan's "Line for Lyons"), swing ("I Found a New Baby"), and standards (George and Ira Gershwin's "'S Wonderful") work every bit as well.

At the age of 71, Johnny Frigo finally had his debut as a leader on record, with the exception of an obscure effort in 1957. Although he had spent much of his career as a studio bassist, Frigo successfully switched full-time to his first love, the violin, and was immediately considered one of the top swing-based violinists. Joined by both Bucky and John Pizzarelli on guitars, either Ron Carter or Michael Moore on bass, and drummer Butch Miles, Frigo is in wonderful form on 14 standards, including "Pick Yourself Up," "Detour Ahead" (which he had co-written while with the Soft Winds in the late '40s), "Stompin' at the Savoy" and "The Song Is You." This recommended CD launched the Chesky label.