Jazz on the Beach 162
Larry Young, Yazz Ahmed, Avishai Cohen, Gino Vannelli, Heavy Hitters
It’s turned decidedly wintry on the South East Kent coast, so this week’s Jazz on the Beach radio playlist includes a large measure of comforting and warming music.
Among these is Hammond organist Larry Young’s Majestic Soul from his album Contrasts (Blue Note, 1968), with its bubbling, soulful groove and fierce soloing from Young, Hank White’s flugelhorn, tenor saxophonists Herbert Morgan and Tyrone Washington, guitarist Eddie Wright, drummer Eddie Gladden and conguero Stacey Edwards.
I was lucky enough to see Young play with The Tony Williams Lifetime at London’s Royal Court Theatre in November 1970. The interplay between Young, Williams, bassist/vocalist Jack Bruce and guitarist John McLaughlin was intense and thrilling, although I have to admit much of what went down sailed over my young and inexperienced jazz head. My friend, the drummer Henry Lascelles certainly got it, and one thing we both agree on is how incredibly loud it was.
I’ve mentioned a number of times that I’m always happy to play something from Gene Russell’s pioneering Black Jazz label. This week it’s bassist-in-chief Henry Franklin’s Outbreak, the storming opening track from The Skipper (Black Jazz Records, 1972).
Like all of the label’s releases it’s full of positive spiritual energy with sensational performances from pianist Bill Henderson, trumpeter Oscar Brasheer, tenor saxophonist Charles Owens and drummer Mike Carvin with The Skipper holding everything together.
Here’s Henry Franklin half a century later with a promo for Jazz Is Dead 014.
I’m really enjoying trumpeter Yazz Ahmed’s just released A Paradise in the Hold, the title track from her album that’s coming in February on the Night Time Stories label. It’s inspired by the dangerous voyages of Bahraini pearl divers, and features a lineup of bass clarinettist George Crowley, vibraphonist Ralph Wyld, guitarist Samuel Hällkvist, electric pianist Naadia Sheriff, bassist Dudley Phillips and drummer Martin France, as well as Corrina Silvester playing darbuka (goblet drum) and Yazz’s partner Noel Langley playing flugelhorn.
Yazz is a wonderful player and happens to be the granddaughter of Terry Brown, a terrific British trumpeter (Tubby Hayes, John Dankworth) and later a record producer. He was a lovely man and would be so proud of what Yazz has already achieved.
The Heavy Hitters are exactly that - pianist Mike LeDonne, tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander, trumpeter Jeremy Pelt, alto saxophonist Vincent Herring, double bassist Alexander Claffy and drummer Kenny Washington. They revisit LeDonne’s composition You’ll Never Know What You Mean to Me for That’s What’s Up! (Cellar Music, November 22nd), a tremendous live album recorded at Frankie’s Jazz Club in Vancouver at the end of a two week tour last December.
Another new release I’m loving is double bassist Avishai Cohen’s Roni’s Swing from the album Brightlight (Naïve Records, October 25th), featuring the exciting 24 year old drummer Roni Kaspi and pianist Guy Moskovich. The trio played at the Red Sea Jazz Festival in Eilat a few days ago, which was a lot warmer than Deal is right now.
Here’s a video of Roni’s Swing from Japan earlier this year.
And finally, the hirsute Canadian singer Gino Vannelli’s title track from Brother to Brother (A&M, 1978). I’ve always considered it one of the best produced rock records of the late ‘70s, along with things like Steely Dan’s Aja, Little Feat’s Time Loves a Hero (both 1977) and Rickie Lee Jones’ debut (1979).
It’s a high speed jazz rock fusion workout featuring brother Joe Vannelli’s stacks of keyboards, Leon Gaer’s synthesised bass, guitarist Carlos Rios and drummer Mark Craney playing straight through all the stops. Electric bassist Jimmy Haslip trades fours in a breathtaking section with Craney and guitarist Rios lets rip with a sensational solo that’s as thrilling as Larry Carlton’s one on Point It Up. There’s nothing subtle about it, but it certainly warmed me up in a chilly studio on Wednesday night.
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Jazz On The Beach is broadcast live every Wednesday evening from 10.00pm - midnight and repeated the following Monday from 2.00am - 4.00am
Blues Beach is broadcast live every other Thursday from 6.00pm - 7.00pm
I look forward to your email on Friday! You always play such a a cool mix of great jazz. And turn me on to music I don't know. Blessings from across the pond and south of the border.