JAZZ APPRECIATION THREAD

Jazz is America's greatest (and most sorely underappreciated) artistic creation.

Here are legends to celebrate during #BlackHistoryMonth .

Start with the most spiritual of geniuses, by the name of Coltrane.

No, not John...

One of the greatest of all tenors...

The incomparable Bobby Hutcherson with one of the most beautiful jazz tunes...

Herbie Hancock — piano

Freddie Hubbard — trumpet

George Coleman — tenor saxophone

Ron Carter — bass

Tony Williams — drums

Trane, the master.

Nancy Wilson, beyond brilliant.

I had the great privilege of seeing her live before she passed.

(Check out Stanley Clarke on bass)

McCoy Tyner, one of my heroes.

Listen to what he does to Autumn Leaves, a popular standard.

Another one of my favorites, Oscar Peterson.

His 1960s trio with Ed Thigpen and Ray Brown swung with class and grace like no one else ever.

They recorded songbooks of famous composers. Every album is a gem.

Art Blakey with Cedar Walton...

The one and only Geri Allen...

And since I'm a pianist, I'm partial to my instrument.

Here's the legend, Art Tatum

George Benson is multi-talented to the point where his straight-ahead playing is overlooked. But check out this gorgeous, tasteful solo on Mimosa with Jimmy Smith, Ron Carter, Grady Tate, and Stanley Turrentine.

Harold Land and Blue Mitchell - perfection.

Since I love swinging pianists, here's the one and only Wynton Kelly, who played with Miles and Trane, among others.

This live footage is precious. Kelly's solo is pure perfection. The rhythm section of Paul Chambers and Jimmy Cobb swings hard.

Yes, I played on a remix of Miles Davis!!!!

Can I sneak in a house track on a Jazz thread?

This is me playing keys on a remix of Miles Davis's last record.

Look for my name here: https://www.discogs.com/Miles-Davis-Blow-Fantasy/release/38130

Nina Simone!

Undersung. Some deep blues from Mary Lou Williams.

One of the great jazz pianists, never got the credit he deserved: Phineas Newborn

With Paul Chambers and Roy Haynes

Kenny Garrett (sax), Kenny Kirkland (piano), Nat Reeves (bass), Jeff "Tain" Watts (drums)

Kirkland's piano style influenced so many of today's players. Gone way too soon.

Here he is crushing Giant Steps.

Deep as it gets.

Pharoah Sanders - The Creator Has A Master Plan

And we can't talk about the Coltrane family without appreciating the exceptional playing of Ravi Coltrane, whose style is brilliant in its own right.

(And imagine your parents being Alice and John Coltrane!!)

We lost Roy Hargrove too soon.

Wonderful solos all around at this outdoor NYC concert (with Twin Towers in the background at one point).

I'll conclude with something fun:

Freddie Freeloader sung by Jon Hendricks, Bobby McFerrin, George Benson, and Al Jarreau.

And I know I've left out so many more #jazz greats, just figured I'd stop here.



#BlackHistoryMonth

OK, just one more:

WATCH THIS DRUM SOLO!

Amazing Papa Jo Jones (not to be confused with the great Philly Joe Jones)