An epic 100 CD chronological documentation of the history of jazz music from 1898 to 1959, housed in four boxed sets. Each box contains 25 slipcase CDs, a booklet (up to 186 pages) and an index. The booklets contain extensive notes (Eng/Fr) with recording dates and line-ups. 31 hours of music in each box, totalling 1677 tracks Each track has been restored and mastered from original sources.
The jazz world was immersed in controversy in 1965 when the bands of John Coltrane and Archie Shepp appeared at the Newport Jazz Festival. Coltrane's own style was undergoing constant evolution, his lines more convoluted and explosive, his sound increasingly ranging to vocal cries and metallic abrasions. He had also become a figurehead of the "avant-garde" or "New Thing," an established star who provided a public forum for younger musicians and the creative ferment largely taking place out of public hearing.
The classic John Coltrane Quartet made one of its final appearances at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1965. The tension among bandmembers is evident on the advanced versions of "One Down, One Up" and "My Favorite Things." Coltrane's performance is moving…yet weary. It's apparent the saxophonist wasn't getting the sound he wanted and by the end of the year he would take a different direction, hiring Pharoah Sanders and wife Alice Coltrane for the band. Tenor saxophonist Archie Shepp's earlier afternoon New Thing performance includes engaging versions of "Call Me by My Rightful Name" and "Gingerbread, Gingerbread Boy" (included as a bonus track on this package) with Bobby Hutcherson on vibes.
Stunning early work from trumpeter Ted Curson - a record that's got as much soul and rock-solid power as you'd guess from the image on the cover! Ted's working here in the company of his frequent partner from the early days - tenorist Bill Barron - and together, they come up with a riveting sound that rivals the genius of early 60s work from Charles Mingus or Booker Ervin - with a similar blend of sharp edges, tight rhythms, and in the pocket soul! The rest of the group features Georges Arvanitas on piano - making a rare American appearance - plus Herb Bushler on bass and Dick Berk on drums.
Stunning early work from trumpeter Ted Curson - a record that's got as much soul and rock-solid power as you'd guess from the image on the cover! Ted's working here in the company of his frequent partner from the early days - tenorist Bill Barron - and together, they come up with a riveting sound that rivals the genius of early 60s work from Charles Mingus or Booker Ervin - with a similar blend of sharp edges, tight rhythms, and in the pocket soul! The rest of the group features Georges Arvanitas on piano - making a rare American appearance - plus Herb Bushler on bass and Dick Berk on drums.
Departing from the sound of Inside Straight and the Christian McBride Trio, bass giant McBride fronts New Jawn (derived from Philadelphia slang), a quartet with no chordal instrument. The album has the spark and loose feeling of a live set, its spacious harmonic language articulated with equal parts rigor and abandon by tenor saxophonist Marcus Strickland and trumpeter Josh Evans. Each player writes two tunes, beginning with McBride’s lopsided scene-setter “Walkin’ Funny” and later his modern waltz “John Day” (with Strickland doubling on bass clarinet). Drummer Nasheet Waits, with his unique facility and expression in every context, from free-form to hard swing, contributes “Ke-Kelli Sketch” and the affecting ballad “Kush” (another bass clarinet piece). Evans’ entries range from the darkly hued “Ballad of Ernie Washington” to the Caribbean-tinged “Pier One Import,” while Strickland’s “The Middle Man” and “Seek the Source” bring the heat and light of surging uptempo post-bop and idiosyncratic blues in turn.
This early effort by Ken McIntyre (who doubles here on alto and flute) grows in interest with each listen. On a couple of his six originals (including a song called "Cornballs"), McIntyre slide humorously between notes but other selections are much more serious. McIntyre's sidemen are now somewhat obscure (trombonist John Mancebo Lewis, pianist Dizzy Sal, bassist Paul Morrison and drummer Bobby Ward) but they fit well into his conception which at this early stage was essentially advanced bop slightly influenced by the "new thing" music of Ornette Coleman. This interesting set has been reissued on CD.