Customer Reviews

Piano Jazz

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Due to Clark Terry's good natured disposition and long association with the host, this installment of Piano Jazz is a particularly relaxed and cozy one. A true master of the trumpet, his gorgeous solo on "Come Sunday" gives ample evidence as to why he was so in demand and coveted by both Count Basie and Duke Ellington. He tells the story of how as a child he tried to make himself a horn out of a garden hose and a lead pipe. Apparently the sounds that this "instrument" made prompted the neighbors to chip in and buy him a real horn at the pawn shop. He also demonstrates his unusual "mumbling" style of scat singing and explains how it originated. The playing and conversation are terrific on this cd and I can definitely recommend it to fans of the series.

In the early '70's when I was in high school, our Studio Jazz Orchestra director Jack Martin hosted a concert in which Marian McPartland was guest soloist. What a magnificent musician and wonderful lady! Subsequently, I was fortunate to attend a jazz workshop with Clark Terry, a true delight and inspiration for a horn player. I still have my plunger mute with a nickel suspended between 2 quarters to give it the special rattle...a trick that Clark taught. And I vividly recall him responding to a question when asked about his preference of trumpet or flugelhorn: "My trumpet is like a wife, but my flugelhorn is like a mistress". I truly enjoyed the dialogue between these two legends almost as much as the glorious music.

One of the best of the Piano Jazz series shows Clark Terry as a delightful story teller as both he and Marian share some enjoyable conversation and memories. Clark shows both his talents as a horn player and a scat singer.

"Come Sunday" and "Memories Of You" are beautiful renderings while the closeout, "Wham", is a good swinger.

A nice one for your collection if you follow her series or are fans of Marian's or Clarks music.