[Dixielandjazz] Saint Louis Blues ~ Louis ~ Stan Brager

[Stan Brager]

Thanks for your thoughts, Harry. I'd forgotten about Nat Adderley - a
wonderfully lyrical player. I agree with you that Chet Baker was mostly a
Miles clone. He was also the perfect foil for Gerry Mulligan on his first
several quartet albums in the early '50s. His star diminished when Lee
Konitz joined the quartet.

 

Harry James got a bad rap for his big band sides during the forties which
were well done but lacking in jazz. Yet, remembering his work with Benny
Goodman, his late 30s small group sides as well as the sides with Teddy
Wilson's & Lionel Hampton's groups and his later big bands in the 50s and
beyond, I'd put him on the list of excellent jazz players.

 

But this is merely my opinion.

 

Stan

Stan Brager

 

From: Harry Callaghan [mailto:meetmrcallaghan at gmail.com] 
Sent: Sunday, March 14, 2010 5:21 AM
To: Stan Brager
Cc: dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com
Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] Saint Louis Blues ~ Louis ~ Stan Brager

 

How y'all are today?

 

As to listing our favorite trumpet players, I think it's something that can
go round and round because it pretty much comes down to "different strokes
for diffrent folks"

 

While the greatness of Miles Davis and what he accomplished in the jazz
world is certainly something that cannot be denied, as with Marek, he has
never really been exactly my cup of tea.

 

However, I have always had a fondness for Chet Baker, whose style was
probably more similar to Miles than the others that Stan has mentioned here.
I recently saw a documentary on Chet that I found to be quite depressing
though.  Throughout it I was constantly reminded of the TV ad where they
show a couple of sunnyside up eggs sizzling in a pan and the voiceover says,
"This is your brain on drugs"..  

 

Another trumpeter I have considered to be quite impressive through the years
was Nat Adderly, who was pretty much overshadowed by his brother Julian
"Cannonball" Adderly.  If not in the great category, certainly several
degrees above merely competent.

 

Due to the fact that he lost his life in a car accident at the tender age of
26, we will never truly know what would have eventually become of the career
of Clifford Brown and can only speculate.

 

And keep an eye, or moreso an ear out for a young lady who is definitely on
the rise.  I am speaking of Canadian trumpeter Bria Skonberg, who I believe
to be not more than 23 years old and is currently making her mark across the
USA.  I am predicting a very

bright future for her.as her work continually demonstrates her ability and a
willingness to be versatile

 

I have avoided naming such figures as Harry James and Doc Severinsen due to
the fact that I do not believe that the vast majority of their work could
really be considered jazz but being the big band lover that I will always
be, I'm sure you will agree with me that they are at least deserving of
honorable mention here. 

 

Tides,

HC.

 

On 3/14/10, Stan Brager <sbrager at verizon.net> wrote: 

Richard;

Satchmo's 1929 recording of "St. Louis Blues" is my favorite of the several
he made. In my opinion, Louis' early work remains the best Armstrong of all.
His work at that time sparkles like diamonds in the sun. I concur regarding
the later Handy LP and add both the Waller LP and the 1940 session with
Sidney Bechet to the list of outstanding Armstrong.

If you're asking about other favorite trumpet players, how about Bix
Beiderbecke, Henry "Red" Allen, Roy Eldridge, Clark Terry, Rex Stewart, Ruby
Braff and Miles Davis.

"Two to Tango" was a popular song when I was a teen. I still don't like
anyone's version.

Stan

> -----Original Message-----
> From: richard.flecknell at ntlworld.com
> [mailto:richard.flecknell at ntlworld.com]
> Sent: Saturday, March 13, 2010 9:13 AM
> To: dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com
> Cc: Dixieland Jazz Mailing List
> Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Saint Louis Blues ~ Louis ~ Stan Brager
>
> Stan, regarding Louis Armstrong many versions. The famous one of his
> was the earlier 1929 version. My preference is for the one on the 50s
> WC Handy Album. Will anyone better it.
>
> Today, there are probably thousands who play higher, faster, more
> technically  accomplished trumpet than Louis ever could.
>
> Compare their work against his of around 40 years recording ~ from
> Tears to the pop hit Hello Dolly  ~ any suggestions? No contest.
>
> Guess who's my favourite musician then (favorite for those that can't
> spell).
> He did make a few duff recordings.  Stan, I'm thinking of Two To Tango.
>
> Richard Ole
>
>
>




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