William “Red” Garland was born in Dallas, Texas, in 1923. He began his musical studies on the clarinet and alto saxophone but in 1940 switched to the piano.
After WWII Garland, already recognized as a very promising young musician, began to perform around Boston, NYC and Philadelphia with the likes of Billy Eckstine, Roy Eldridge, Coleman Hawkins, Charlie Parker and Lester Young.
But he was finally thrown into the spotlight when, in 1954, he joined the Miles Davis Quintet that included John Coltrane, Philly Joe Jones and Paul Chambers. Together the group recorded their famous The New Miles Davis Quintet (1954), Workin, Steamin’, Cookin’, and Relaxin’.
Garland also played on the first of Davis’s many Columbia recordings, ‘Round About Midnight (1957). Though he would continue playing with Miles, their relationship was beginning to deteriorate. In 1958 he was fired by Miles but he nevertheless returned to play in another classic record: Milestones. He continued recording until his death from a heart attack in April 1984 at the age of 60.
In 1958, after his separation from Davis´ band, Garland formed his own trio. From the period just prior to his break up with Miles, we have something really nice for you this Sunday.
It is none other than “Groovy”, recorded in 1957.
A wonderful recording with Garland, Paul Chambers and Art Taylor.
I hope you enjoy it.
Until next time (and have a great Sunday!)
Ignacio
©2016 by Ignacio Alperin Bruvera
There isn´t much that can be said that has not already been said about Bill Evans.
In what was described by long time friend Gene Lees as the “longest suicide in history”, Evans tragic life marked by great loses and drug abuse ended in 1980. Yet his mark was left for everyone to see and admire, and he is perceived as the main reformer of the harmonic language of jazz piano. He has influenced generations of brilliant pianists, including one of the best and most gifted of the current bunch, the great Brad Mehldau.
This is the first of my Sunday Articles dedicated to a Jazz Legend.
In 1995 Golson received the NEA Jazz Masters Award of the National Endowment for the Arts. In October 2007 Golson accepted the Mellon Living Legend Legacy Award presented by the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation at a ceremony at the Kennedy Center. Furthermore, during the same month, he won the University of Pittsburgh International Academy of Jazz Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award at the university’s 37th Annual Jazz Concert in the Carnegie Music Hall. In November 2009, Benny was inducted into the International Academy of Jazz Hall of Fame during a performance at the University of Pittsburgh’s annual jazz seminar and concert.
IGNACIO ALPERIN: THE ART OF THINKING OUT LOUD / EL ARTE DE PENSAR EN VOZ ALTA 