Jazz on the Beach 180: Joe Henderson, Bossa Soul Orchestra, Emma Smith, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Renegade Queens
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We most probably agree that jazz music is primarily a live medium, you have to be there to experience the magic before it disappears into the cosmos. So it’s a good thing that tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson’s gig at the Junk Club in Tokyo on 4th August 1971 was recorded and subsequently released as Henderson’s Habiliment: Live at the Junk (Victor Japan, 1971), as it probably features his finest playing of the day.
On this week’s radio show playlist there’s Blues Bossa, the Kenny Dorham composition Henderson recorded on his debut Page One (Blue Note, 1963). He travelled to Japan on his own to keep costs down (times were tough) and was supported by electric pianist Hideo Ichikawa, bassist Kunimitsu Inaba and drummer Motohiko Hino with amazing results. The album was later released in the US with a remix by Rudy Van Gelder, slightly altered cover art and a new running order as Joe Henderson in Japan (Milestone, 1973).
I was planning to play the Pointer Sisters wonderful vocalese take on Dizzy Gillespie’s Salt Peanuts (with Herbie Hancock on piano) from their second album That’s a Plenty, but couldn’t find my copy anywhere. So instead, there’s the Sisters’ version of Allen Toussaint’s Yes We Can, Can from their debut The Pointer Sisters (Blue Thumb, 1973). This was the song (first recorded by Lee Dorsey) that Anita, Ruth, Bonnie & June had recorded as their demo when shopping for a record deal. It was produced by David Rubinson and features guitarist Willie Fulton, bassist Ron McClure and drummer Gaylord Birch. A fantastic groove, a great performance and a positive message that we still all need to hear.
It also works really well following on from saxophonist James Carter’s explosive performance on the title track from JC on the Set that opened the show, (DIW, 1994), with pianist Craig Taborn, double bassist Jaribu Shahid and drummer Tani Tabbal. The first time I heard this was over the jazz section’s powerful system at Tower Records in Piccadilly. It was a jaw dropping moment then, and it still is.
As for new releases, there’s Renegade Queens with La Mensajera from the album Salsa de la Bahia Vol. 3: Renegade Queens - A Collection of Bay Area Salsa and Latin Jazz, (Patois, 21st March). Composed and arranged by trombonist Dr Wayne Wallace, La Mensajera features some fine soloing from violinist Sandi Poindexter, flautist Mary Fettig, tenor saxophonist Jean Fineberg, trombonist Natalie Cressman and trumpeter Marina Garza. There are more details about the Renegade Queens project and documentary film here.
There’s the debut single from Bristol based Bossa Soul Orchestra with Ivan’s Groove (Bossa Soul Records, 28th March), giving props to funk guitar icon Ivan ‘Boogaloo Joe’ Jones and performed by guitarist James Dorman, keyboardist Ruth Hammond, saxophonists Rob Leake and Atholl Ransome, trombonist Malcolm Strachan bassist Jim Barre, drummers Jon Whitfield & Paolo Adamo and percussionist Lisa Cherian.
Also, the shy and retiring (not!) singer Emma Smith’s exuberant version of I’m the Greatest Star from her upcoming album Bitter Orange, (La Reserve, 18th July), with her trio of pianist Jamie Safir, double bassist Conor Chaplin and drummer Luke Tomlinson. She’s got the voice and chutzpah to take on this Jules Styne classic from the musical Funny Girl and own it.
I’ve always loved Rahsaan Roland Kirk’s Bright Moments (Atlantic, 1974). Recorded in June 1973 at the Keystone Korner in San Francisco, it’s a free flowing, exuberant and thoroughly enjoyable masterpiece. I’ve chosen Pedal Up featuring Kirk playing tenor saxophone, manzello and stritch (especially all three together on a staggering version of Beethoven’s Für Elise), with pianist Rahn Burton, synth player (and Keystone owner) Todd Barkan, double bassist Henry Mattathias Pearson, drummer Robert Shy and percussionist Joe Habao Texidor.
And as Kirk says on the cover: ‘hoping this record will bring some Bright Moments to a gloomy day. Let the music be your light’.
Artists coming back for a second play include tenor saxophonist Boyce Justice Griffith with The Point, Pt. One, from The Point, (Outside in Music, 21st March), with trumpeter Anthony Hervey, pianist Isaiah J Thompson, double bassist Marty Jaffe and drummer John Sturino.
Trumpeter Brandon Woody has a second single Wisdom; Terrace on St. Paul St from For the Love of It All, (Blue Note, 9th May), with his band Upendo - keyboardist Troy Long, bassist Michael Saunders and drummer Quincy Phillips.
Back with another track from Go Ahead! (Cellar Music, 21st March), is tenor saxophonist Jon Bentley’s Movin’ Further Wes, with guitarist Tristan Paxton, organist Chris Gestrin and drummer Joe Poole. Bentley wrote the song over Wes Montgomery’s ‘snaky’ bassline on Movin’ Wes, and it’s terrific.
And finally, because there’s no such thing as too much Vanisha Gould, there’s her composition Tell Us of Your Beloved (based on stories from the Bible’s Song of Solomon) from double bassist Alex Tremblay’s People and Places (La Reserve, 4th April), featuring Gould, saxophonist Nick Biello, guitarist Tony Davis, pianist Chris McCarthy and drummer Evan Hyde.
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Jazz On The Beach broadcasts live every Wednesday evening from 10:00 PM to midnight (UK time), with a repeat on Monday mornings from 2:00 AM to 4:00 AM (UK time).
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