[Dixielandjazz] Trumpets and evolution

[James Butler]

IF YOU WANT A GUY WHO CAN REALLY PLAY IT ALL LISTEN TO SCOTT ROBINSON WHO
CAN GO FROM THE VANGUARD ORCHESTRA TO BIX! NEVER HEARD OF ARTURO SANDOVAL? I
COULD UNDERSTAND THAT IF SOMEONE SAID THE SAME THING ABOUT RYAN KISOR OR
GLENN DREWES BUT SANDOVAL IS A WORLD CLASS PLAYER NOT THAT THE OTHERS
MENTIONED AREN'T BUT ARE LESS WELL KNOWN. I SUPPOSE IF YOU ASKED MOST
"MODERN" PLAYERS THEY WOULDN'T HAVE A CLUE ABOUT JON-ERIK KELSO OR RANDY
SANDKE. MAN IT'S ALWAYS EASY TO PUT PLAYERS DOWN JUST BECAUSE THEY DON'T FIT
INTO SOMEONE'S BOX!

Jim Butler
Jazz Lover/Music Lover
----- Original Message -----
From: <Nickdragos at cs.com>
To: <a.crouch at unsw.edu.au>; <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Sent: Sunday, June 22, 2003 10:33 AM
Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] Trumpets and evolution


> Listers,
>
> This discussion on the latest Arturo Sandoval CD is most interesting....by
> now, you are all aware some participants disdain contemporary "tribute"
CDs,
> preferring the original classics as their frame of reference......others
> appreciate such tribute performances, some because they help keep the
music "alive",
> others because they stamp OKOM & other jazz and popular music works with
the
> artists' musical personality and whatever degree of proficiency he or she
can
> imprint on it.....
>
> The debate continues.....
>
> I would like your imput as to which of today's jazz performers produce
> recordings which both show their contemporary jazz abilities and their
respect &
> knowledge of classic OKOM works.
>
> These artists come to mind, with varying degrees of ability along these
lines:
>
> DIANA KRALL.....clearly moving away from being a jazz pianist/vocalist
> towards a career as a "ballad singer", but has some chops (Her "All Of
You" tribute
> album to the great Nat Cole is my favorite)
>
> WYNTON MARSALIS......dangerous territory here: over-rated (especially as
"a
> composer") and clearly with a political agenda, but he regularly pays
tribute
> to the masters (Armstrong, Morton, Bechet, Monk, etc.) and has remarkable
> instrumental ability....but, despite being a leading spokesperson for jazz
today,
> hasn't had a musical personality of his own step forward
>
> BILL CHARLAP.......I find him a delightful, sensitive pianist with respect
> for the music and an ability to put his stamp on someone else's
composition
> without destroying its foundation....kinda like what the fabulous Boswell
Sisters
> did when they re-composed music to fit their style in the early 30's (not
a
> great analogy, but I think you know what I mean)
>
> MARCUS ROBERTS.......interesting at times (boring at other times), but has
> demonstrated a love & respect for past masters, back to Joplin &
Morton...at
> least he does bring to the table his own style (for better or for worse)
>
> HOUSTON PERSON......kind of the Gene Ammons of the 1990's-2000's...his
recent
> Highnote recordings are solid (if unspectacular) renditions of The Great
> American Songbook....romantic, some swinging, tasteful
>
>
>
> This is the start of my list......I'd be interested in your ideas, unless,
of
> course, this just bores you to tears (or the delete button)....
>
> Then again, I just might  be feelin' that ol' dementia a-comin' on.....
>
> Sincere Best Wishes,
> Nick Dragos   Sacramento, California
> NickDragos at cs.com
>
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