16 APR 2024 · Tomorrow is vibraphonist Walt Dickerson's Birthday Anniversary on April 16. Dickerson was born in Philadelphia on April 16. 1928 and passed away ay age 80 on May 15, 2008. He made his first album in March of 1961 and it is one of the finest debut recordings ever. He did 4 albums for Prestige/New Jazz that are all classics. He was recommended to the label by his friend Eric Dolphy. His debut album was called "This is Walt Dickerson" and was a Jazz Feature years ago on this show. Tonight's album in honor of his Birthday Anniversary is called "A Sense of Direction" and it's his second for Prestige/New Jazz. It is on the same level as his first with slightly different personnel. Dickerson is on vibes with Austin Crowe on piano, Eustis Guillemet Jr. on bass and Edgar Bateman on drums. Dickerson was really the first modern Jazz vibist NOT influenced by Milt Jackson . Walt's style is very original with busy metallic lines governed by his amazing technique yet Dickerson has a warm bell-like sound on his instrument. This album has 8 tunes and 5 by Dickerson and 3 well chosen standards."Sense of Direction"...tonight's Jazz Feature.

9 APR 2024 · Tonight's Jazz Feature is a latter day classic and one of the finest outings by pianist/composer Chick Corea. It consists of three extended compositions hence the title "Three Quartets" The late Mr. Corea needs no introduction to the Jazz listening public of course but the band he has chosen for this date done in early 1981 is exceptional. On tenor saxophone is the late, great Michael Brecker and on bass is the accomplished Eddie Gomez and on drums is the phenomenal Steve Gadd. Fortunately Gadd and Gomez are still alive and active. This album was produced by Chick Corea for his own label and is a valuable music document of four wonderful artists. "Three Quartets" is tonight's Jazz Feature.

2 APR 2024 · This classic album is tonight's Jazz Feature recorded 64 years ago on April 1, 1960 at Rudy Van Gelder's Studio for Prestige/New Jazz Records. It was Eric's first album under his name and leadership. Dolphy, who was from Los Angeles had moved to New York and after working in L.A. for many years came to New York as a member of drummer Chico Hamilton's Quintet. After leaving Hamilton and settling in the big city, Eric began working with Charles Mingus in early 1960 and recorded this album with his room mate, trumpeter Freddie Hubbard. Eric wisely selected veteran drummer Roy Haynes and a strong bassist named George Tucker plus piano giant Jaki Byard who he met in the Mingus band. They formed a very cohesive band for this date and it sounds like a working band. The date is a classic and marked the real beginning of Eric's short but eventful career. His unique compositions are heard here as well as his alto saxophone, bass clarinet and flute. Eric sadly died at age 36 in Germany from undiagnosed diabetes. "Outward Bound" stands as a great early milestone to Eric's life and music. It's tonight's Jazz Feature.

26 MAR 2024 · The Jazz feature tonight is an album that this writer deems an essential Jazz album. "Out of the Afternoon" presents drum master Roy Haynes leading a very special quartet. Mr. Haynes just celebrated his 99th Birthday recently. Roy presents a young up and coming phenomena called Roland Kirk on tenor saxophone, manzello (an elongated alto saxophone) and the stritch (a soprano saxophone variant) and the flute and various whistles. Roland is a creative force here and a one-man band sometimes blowing all 3 horns at once! On piano is Tommy Flanagan and on bass is the great Henry Grimes. This album issued first on Impulse Records is a true classic and one for the ages. Tonight's Jazz feature "Out of the Afternoon".

19 MAR 2024 · Alto saxophonist Frank Strozier remains one of the great underrated masters of his horn. He was born in Memphis and came up with his friends, George Coleman, Harold Mabern, and the great Booker Little. After Memphis he moved to Chicago and attained several university degrees and began building his reputation as a prime voice on the alto. He later moved to New York and played with many important people like Miles Davis and drummer Roy Haynes. Later moving to Los Angeles he worked in the studios and performed Jazz with Oliver Nelson's Band and Shelly Manne's groups among others. He returned to New York in 1973 and continued to record under his name and appear as a sideman until the mid-80's when he stopped playing the saxophone and flute and did some gigs playing piano, . He also taught ischool until he retired. Strozier is still alive. He was born in Memphis on June 13,1937 and as of now he's be 86. We'll hear him in 4 extended pieces recorded in January 1976 in concert at the Ramada Inn inn Schenectedy, New York than have never been heard on any commercial recordings. This is Frank at his unfettered best with Frank Stagnitta on piano, Frank Tate on bass and Larry Jackson on drums. Look out! Frank Strozier our Jazz Feature artist tonight!

12 MAR 2024 · Tonight's Jazz Feature focuses on the obscure but fine trumpeter and flugelhornist named Wilbur Harden. Little is known about Harden other than he was born in Birmingham, Alabama on Dec. 31,1924 and after working in some major R&B bands moved to Detroit in 1957 and began working with Yusef Lateef.. He became part of the talented Detroit Jazz scene then ventured to New York to record as he signed with Savoy Records. His 4 albums for Savoy were done in 1958 and he also recorded with John Coltrane as well in 1958 and later with trombonist Curtis Fuller. After 1960 nothing more was heard from Wilbur and ill health and a nervous breakdown forced him to stop playing. He died in obscurity in New York on June 10,1969 at age 44. This fine recording called "Mainstream 1958" is an excellent one and features Wilbur and his compositions. It is a solid date with Harden and John Coltrane, at an early peak, Tommy Flanagan on piano, Doug Watkins on bass and Louis Hayes on drums. If there is a masterpiece in Harden's short discography this album may qualify. Enjoy the sounds of Wilbur Harden, John Coltrane and company on tonight's Jazz Feature.

5 MAR 2024 · Tonight's Jazz Feature is one of the most intense and incendiary recordings by Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. It was done in February 1964. The fire and intensity was perhaps driven by the fact that several of the members of this long standing edition of the Messengers were hinting at leaving to move on to other bands or forming their own groups. The personnel of this band had been together since the end of 1961 and consisted of Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Curtis Fuller on trombone, Wayne Shorter on tenor saxophone and was also the band's musical director, Cedar Walton on piano, Reginald Workman on bass (the only living member) and of course the master fire stoker Art Blakey on drums. "Free For All" is the apt album title and the album was issued on Blue Note Records and is tonight's Jazz Feature. Listen here!!!

27 FEB 2024 · Tonight is a special Jazz Feature as we present and interview by the author of the newest and indeed one one the finest documents on the Vancouver Jazz scene. The book is a series of 30 biographies that cover the spectrum of the Jazz scene from the mid 1950's up to the present. It's called "Journeys To The Bandstand" by Chris Wong. Mr.Wong is my guest then we return with a Jazz Show debut recording done at Vancouver's original Cellar with alto and tenor saxophone master Art Pepper playing with three of Vancouver's finest players: pianist Chris Gage, bassist Stan "Cuddles" Johnson and drummer Jimmy Wightman all from an evening on July 23.1959. This wonderful recording was made by the ex-manager of the club, Dave Quarin and it's with his kind permission that you can listen to it on The Jazz Show tonight.

20 FEB 2024 · In Vancouver B.C. where we broadcast today is a statutory holiday called Family Day. In honor of Family Day we will present tonight a wide variety of famous Jazz families, We'll hear selections by The Montgomery Brothers, The Adderley Brothers, The Heath Brothers, The Mangione Brothers, The Turrentine Brothers, The Shorter Brothers, The Ayler Brothers, The Newborn Brothers (Phineas and Calvin), The Jones Brothers, A wide variety of music by all of them. Relax and enjoy The Jazz Show's tribute to Family Day.

13 FEB 2024 · Tonight's Jazz Feature will be heard a bit later than usual as a guest was expected. The Jazz Feature will be pianist Andrew Hill's Blue Note debut album "Black Fire". Andrew Hill was somewhat unfairly lumped into the "free form Jazz" category as his music was different from the norm and innovative and Hill did emerge in the 1960;s, a time of change for Jazz. However Hill's music while different and fresh was structured and defined by chord progressions. His compositions were unique and took odd turns and twists much like Thelonious Monk's tunes. Producer Alfred Lion new Hill's music wasn't for everyone but he believed in Hill's genius and talent much like he did of Monk a decade earlier. Lion was the first to record Monk and his music. Hill on piano is supported by some great musicians such as Joe Henderson on tenor saxophone delivering some of his most creative work here. Richard Davis on bass and the great Roy Haynes on drums who was a last minute replacement for Philly Joe Jones who was unable to make the date. I can't imagine any other drummer than Roy Haynes for this music. "Black Fire" is the beginning of a long list of important recordings by Andrew Hill for Blue Note. We must thank Blue Note's Alfred Lion for believing in Andrew Hill's talent. "black Fire": tonight's Jazz Feature.