My Favorite Things » Videos

Blues For Dave McKenna

Russ — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:03:44 +0000

Dave McKenna’s son Steve sent along a link to this video and I thought it worthy of wider distribution. The performer is French stride pianist Louis Mazetier. The venue was a piano summit in Switzerland. Great music!

Blues For Dave McKenna

Billy Taylor & Cannonball Adderley

Russ — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 18:43:53 +0000

Here’s a 1958 video from the TV Series “The Subject Is Jazz” wherein Cannonball Adderley is showcased in an exploration of Bop. Dr. Billy Taylor sets up the half hour video & also plays piano on the date.

Freddie Hubbard

Russ — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 13:51:03 +0000

Jazz lost another giant yesterday with the death of trumpet great Freddie Hubbard. Here is a You Tube video of Hubbard in 1984 with the Art Blakey All-Stars.

Happy Thanksgiving

Russ — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 21:40:00 +0000

Blues Guitar

Russ — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 14:44:00 +0000

Found this clip while browsing online. Great guitar and also notice Memphis Slim on the piano.

Matt Guitar Murphy – Murphy’s Boogie
Uploaded by bluespunt

Record Making WIth Duke Ellington

Russ — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 17:00:00 +0000

Found this 1937 promotional film online. Ellington & the orchestra are used to describe the record making process. We hear a bit of one of Duke’s many train compositions as well as a brief vocal by Ivie Anderson.

So Long Little Giant

Russ — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:39:00 +0000

Johnny Griffin played several gigs here in Central PA during the early years of the local jazz society, the Friends of Jazz. Sadly, I remember little about those performances which happened over 20 years ago. I do recall Griffin’s muscular approach to the sax and his blazing speed all belied by his diminutive presence.

To refresh my memory I located a pair of videos of what must have been typical performances.

The first video is a blistering run through “Just Friends” with an unnamed quartet.

Just Friends – Johnny Griffin
Uploaded by boberwig

The second clip is from a live gig at the Village Vanguard and features Griffin with Ronnie Mathews, Ray Drummond and Kenny Washington.

Gerald Wiggins

Russ — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 15:53:00 +0000

It is particularly telling that an online video search for Gerald Wiggins turns up no videos wherein he is the leader. As we see below, there are a pair of fine videos where he accompanies saxophone greats Benny Carter and Scott Hamilton. Each video gives a nice snapshot of Gerry’s astute handling of the accompanist’ s role. In the Hamilton video note the obvious glee in Scott’s reaction to the piano solo.

In a stroke of programming genius, the Central PA Friends of Jazz presented Gerry Wiggins and his bassist son, Hassan Shakur in a Father’s Day performance a few years ago. It was an afternoon of musical comfort food, filling and satisfying.

It is a real shame that Concord has removed Wiggins’ Maybeck recital from the catalog. There is an entire generation of music fans who could benefit from and enjoy making the acquaintance of Gerald Wiggins.

Benny Carter – Rosetta 1983
Uploaded by boberwig

Happy Birthday Pops

Russ — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 13:10:00 +0000

Even though recent research indicates that Louis Armstrong was not born on July 4, 1900, the legend is so strong that many in jazz still celebrate his birthday on Independence Day. What could be more American that celebrating the birth of the central figure in the development of this uniquely American music on the Fourth of July?

Here’s a link to the museum that is being established at the Armstrong House in New York.

Here’s a look at two Armstrong videos.

Louis Armstrong 1933
Uploaded by sirarnold

One of my favorite Armstrong recordings is his collaboration with Duke Ellington. Talk about a meeting of giants!

Finally, on a completely different note, here’s something to add a taste of history to your celebration. Enjoy!

Steve Rudolph

Russ — Sun, 25 May 2008 14:42:00 +0000

Steve Rudolph has been a mainstay of the South Central Pennsylvania musical fabric for more years than either of us care to remember. The Indiana native brought his pianistic prowess to Harrisburg while touring with the Tommy Dorsey ghost band more than two decades ago.

In my earlier days as a Public Radio Jazz Producer Steve was a frequent contributor to my programs both as a performer and commentator. Through him I was introduced to countless members of the Jazz Community. He and I formed one half of the Founding Four of the Central PA Friends of Jazz
.
While his career has taken him to such far-flung locales as Russia, Germany and India; Steve always returns home to Central PA. I think that because he is usually here Steve is sometimes taken for granted by the local fans. Too bad because those fans are missing out on partaking of a prodigious talent who also happens to be a nice guy.

In 2007 Steve recorded a television show for WVIA Public Television in Scranton, PA. He used the opportunity to not only showcase himself but also some of his musical friends.
Here are two clips from that program. The first is a trio session and for the second the group expands to a quartet to feature saxophonist Tom Strohman. Enjoy!