Universal Music, Jazz France One of the most highly praised reissue series in jazz, Jazz In Paris, was heralded by collectors around the world when it was released over twenty-five years ago. Volkher Hofmann chronicled his passion for the series on his web site, living with music.com. Alas, the site no longer exists. His introduction […]
Continue ReadingAlbert Marx: Discovery Records – Part 1
The Phil Moore Masters Albert Marx acquired a working knowledge of all aspects of record production during his years with Brunswick and Musicraft, sufficient know-how to establish his own company. However the demise of these two major independent labels hinted at the precarious nature of the record business as the source of a stable income […]
Continue ReadingTommy Makagon
Thomas Kelly Makagon was born on April 3, 1926, in San Francisco. The family relocated to southern California in the late 1930s where he attended high school in Sun Valley at John H. Francis Polytechnic. The 1942 high school yearbook page devoted to members of the school band and orchestra shows Earle Spencer as a […]
Continue ReadingJAZZ monthly
Albert J. McCarthy launched a new magazine in March 1955, JAZZ monthly, that became one of the most respected publications covering the field. His introduction in the first issue is reproduced below. “THE PAST FEW years have seen a decline in the standard of jazz writing and criticism that is almost catastrophic. We are faced […]
Continue ReadingZARDI’S – 1957
Ella Fitzgerald’s engagement at Zardi’s Jazzland carried over from 1956 into the first week of January 1957 closing on Sunday the 6th. Slim Gaillard and his combo were booked for two weeks beginning on the 7thduring midweek with the Dave Brubeck Quartet headlining weekend billing on January 11, 12, 13 and 18, 19, and 20. Dave […]
Continue ReadingAlbert Marx: ARC & Musicraft
The music career of Albert Marx spanned six decades from the early 1930s well into the 1980s. Leonard Feather wrote a profile of Albert Marx that was published in the October 1982 issue of JazzTimes, “The Marxmanship of Albert.” Feather compared Marx with John Hammond and Norman Granz observing that he differs from the […]
Continue ReadingShelly’s Manne-Hole – Genesis
The premises at 1608 North Cahuenga in Hollywood housed a variety of tenents prior to becoming a major jazz club on the West Coast in the 1960s. In the early 1920s the address was listed as the location for sales opportunities, one product being a slenderizing cream, just send $3.50 with the ad for your […]
Continue ReadingThe Clef, 1841 Club, Duffy’s Gayety
The venue at 1841 N. Cahuenga Boulevard was known as Mary Louise of Hollywood in the 1930s when luncheon was served during noon contract bridge lectures. Noontime tea and biscuits disappeared in the mid thirties when a liquor license was issued to Carl Arnot and his White Horse Tavern featuring dining, dancing, and entertainment. The […]
Continue ReadingGerald Wilson Recording Session
One of Dick Bock’s last recording sessions as president and owner of Pacific Jazz Records took place on January 13, 1965, at Capitol Records Studio “B” as he taped the initial session for Gerald Wilson’s fourth big band album. Writer Leroy Robinson was present and documented the proceedings in detail, one of the finest evocations […]
Continue ReadingTeddy Edwards – Sunset Eyes
Teddy Edwards’ Sunset Eyes is scheduled for release in the Tone Poet Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series on April 4, 2025. Recording dates and personnel for the album have been muddled and unknown over the years. Teddy Edwards’ first album as leader for Pacific Jazz, It’s About Time, PJ/ST-6, evolved from Edwards’ sitting in with Les […]
Continue ReadingShelly Manne – Evolution of a photo
The original photograph of Shelly Manne at Radio Recorder was massaged in the darkroom developing process to process an iconic image of the drummer at work.
Continue ReadingStan Kenton – My World Is Music
Stan Kenton hosted a pilot musical variety show entitled My World Is Music. His guests included the McCann Trio, Mavis Rivers, Leonard Feather, and John Tynan. The February 1961 pilot failed to land a sponsor.
Continue ReadingHollywood Record Room – July 13, 1961
The final episode of Bobby Troup’s Hollywood Record Room featured tenor saxophonist Dexter Gordon, guitarist Herb Ellis, and vocalist Ruth Price.
Continue ReadingHollywood Record Room – June 29, 1961
Bobby Troup’s guests on the June 29, 1961, episode of Hollywood Record Room were George Duning, Connie Russell, and Calvin Jackson.
Continue ReadingHollywood Record Room – June 15, 1961
Bobby Troup’s Hollywood Record Room on June 15, 1961, featured Paul Horn, George Greeley, and Patricia Morison.
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