Gavin Walker
Apr 2, 2011, 03:34 AM
The Jazz Show kicks off the month of April with an album that is on many a Jazz fan's "desert island" records. The leader is truly one of the wonders of the world as he is still playing and sounding at age 86 like the Jazz master that he is. His playing to this day has not lost the originality, drive, energy and creativity that uniquely belongs to "Mr. Snap-Crackle" aka Roy Owen Haynes! Roy is the leader of this quartet and over the years this type of instrumental set-up with a saxophone, piano, bass and drums has been Roy's chosen musical vehicle. This edition of the Roy Haynes Quartet played a few engagements around the New York area in the spring of 1962 and entered the Rudy Van Gelder recording studio twice in May to complete this album which was originally issued on the Impulse label. Tommy Flanagan, who is known as "the poet of the piano" is on board and his sparkling clean lines shine on this date. Tommy, of course is gone but bassist Henry Grimes is still with us. Henry is one of the great bassists to emerge in the late 50's and early 60's had worked with Sonny Rollins, Gerry Mulligan, Anita O'Day and Thelonious Monk. He also studied with and played with Charles Mingus in several editions of Mingus' Jazz Workshop during the times when Mingus featured himself on piano. Henry was only 26 at the time of this date. Henry later ventured into the so-called avant guard and free Jazz movement in the mid-60's then seemed to disappear from the scene. Some historians assumed he was dead but Henry had run into some bad luck and had some mental issues as well and simply through necessity had removed himself from music and was living in abject poverty, a victim of the lack of social services in the U.S. Henry was found, a few years ago and through friends like bassist William Parker who gave Henry one of his basses, began playing again and is now an active and creative member of the Jazz world. The saxophone player that Roy chose for this band is very special.
Roland Kirk, later known a s Rahsaan Roland Kirk was no ordinary musician, as a matter of fact he was one of the most extraordinary musicians to grace the planet. Most jazz fans are aware of Roland and his history and his ability to play three horns at once, the tenor saxophone, the manzello (akin to the soprano saxophone and pitched in Bb) and the stritch (an elongated straight alto saxophone pitched in Eb) as well as the flute and other instruments strung around his neck. Kirk was literally a one-man horn section and soloed with such creativity and energy that it could leave the listener limp from exhaustion. Kirk was blind and lived in a world of sound and it's his voice that gives this Roy Haynes Quartet so much character. His bio is on the net and worth reading.
The tunes for this date are so well chosen and none have been overplayed when this date was done. "Fly Me To The Moon" and "If I Should Lose You" (put on the Jazz map by Bird) are now accepted standards called at many a jam session. The great Artie Shaw tune called "Moon Ray" kicks the record date off with a flying start and Kirk's solo is a classic on this tune. The album ends on a quiet note with the beautiful and wistful "Some Other Spring". Roy is not known as a composer but this album is the exception and three Haynes' original compositions are heard. "Raoul" (Roy's South American name), "Snap, Crackle" (his nickname and drumming style) and "Long Wharf". This album is on such a high level and that music is so compelling that when the disc ends, you ask youself, "is that it? It's over so soon". That is a good sign as great music always suspends time and leaves you wanting more. "Out of the Afternoon" is a profound musical experience.
The Roy Haynes Jazz Feature will be heard as usual, shortly after 11pm but I'll have my usual array of surprises right from the start at 9pm....see you then...................
Roland Kirk, later known a s Rahsaan Roland Kirk was no ordinary musician, as a matter of fact he was one of the most extraordinary musicians to grace the planet. Most jazz fans are aware of Roland and his history and his ability to play three horns at once, the tenor saxophone, the manzello (akin to the soprano saxophone and pitched in Bb) and the stritch (an elongated straight alto saxophone pitched in Eb) as well as the flute and other instruments strung around his neck. Kirk was literally a one-man horn section and soloed with such creativity and energy that it could leave the listener limp from exhaustion. Kirk was blind and lived in a world of sound and it's his voice that gives this Roy Haynes Quartet so much character. His bio is on the net and worth reading.
The tunes for this date are so well chosen and none have been overplayed when this date was done. "Fly Me To The Moon" and "If I Should Lose You" (put on the Jazz map by Bird) are now accepted standards called at many a jam session. The great Artie Shaw tune called "Moon Ray" kicks the record date off with a flying start and Kirk's solo is a classic on this tune. The album ends on a quiet note with the beautiful and wistful "Some Other Spring". Roy is not known as a composer but this album is the exception and three Haynes' original compositions are heard. "Raoul" (Roy's South American name), "Snap, Crackle" (his nickname and drumming style) and "Long Wharf". This album is on such a high level and that music is so compelling that when the disc ends, you ask youself, "is that it? It's over so soon". That is a good sign as great music always suspends time and leaves you wanting more. "Out of the Afternoon" is a profound musical experience.
The Roy Haynes Jazz Feature will be heard as usual, shortly after 11pm but I'll have my usual array of surprises right from the start at 9pm....see you then...................