Playlist for Tom Ossana – The Thin Edge – February 14, 2018 MST 7:00 to 9:00p.m.

http://www.kzmu.org/listen.m3u ~ Use this link to access the show online.

Drummer Phil Stewart joins us for the first time with a Messenger sounding cover of Bud Powell’s “Dance of the Infidels” from “Melodious Drum” (Cellar Live 2018). Three reeds, trumpet, piano, bass and the leader’s percussion have the earmarks of the Blakey group sans trombone. We haven’t heard from the quasi-radical pianist Andrew Hill lately. He follows with his “Flea Flop” from Blue Note’s 1964 “Judgment” that includes the vibes of Bobby Hutcherson, Richard Davis’ bass and Withee favorite, Elvin Jones on the drums. Newcomer saxophonist James Hughes follows with his quintet’s coverage of his “Intersections” from “Motion” (Self-produced 2018). Jim Kelly shows up on piano with Jimmy Smith’s trumpet. Keith O’Rourke closes this half-hour with his “Drifting” from his “Sketches from the Road” (Chronograph Records 2018). The group includes the leader’s tenor, Andre Wickenheiser (trumpet), Jon Day (piano), Kodi Hutchinson (bass), and Tyler Hornby (drums).

Pianist Lennie Tristano, the iconoclastic innovator of the late forties kicks off the second half with the wonderfully melodic Warne Marsh composition, “Marionette”, originally released by Capitol on shellac in 1949. Guitarist Billy Bauer improvises followed by Lennie while Lee Konitz’s alto and Warne’s tenor trade eights. With Tristano’s influence firmly in hand, guitarist Marcos Pin follows with a cover of his “I Love You” from “Broken Artist (Code Jazz Records 2016). The group mimics the Tristano configuration without a tenor. From Spain’s Juan we’re able to present Coltrane’s “Impressions” as imagined by Wes Montgomery’s “The Definitive ORTF Recording” (Resonance Records 2018) – the recording company responsible for resurrecting lost or forgotten recordings. Famed guitarist Wes’ ensemble includes young pianist Harold Mabern and Johnny Griffin’s tenor. John Surman, Nelson Ayres, Rob Waring return from last week in a performance of Surman’s “Autumn Nocturne” from “Invisible Threads” (ECM 2018). The trio includes in this cut: bass clarinet, vibes and piano.

“The Egyptian”, one of the greatest Curtis Fuller compositions, kicks off the third half from Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers’ “Indestructible” (Blue Note 1964). The exquisite variations begin with Curtis’s trombone, Shorter’s tenor, Lee Morgan’s trumpet and the otherworldly grand Cedar Walton piano. Percussionist Andrew Bain follows with his “Hope” from “Embodied Hope” (Whirlwind Recordings 2017) featuring George Colligan’s piano and Jon Irabagon’s tenor. Our favorite Swedish pianist, Bobo Stenson, and his partners, bassist Anders Jormin and drummer Jon Falt interpret Jormin’s “Doubt Thou The Stars” from Stenson’s “Contra la Indecisión” (ECM 2018). I’m guessing the song’s title came from a Hamlet soliloquy – a logical preparation for the romance to come. 

If you are – or have been – in love, The Romantic Half-Hour has never been more convincing. Spain’s Noa Lur gets us caressing with her take on James Moody/Jimmy McHugh/Eddie Jefferson’s “Moody’s Mood for Love” from Loa’s “Badakit” (Youkli Music S.I. 2013) with pianist Pepe Rivero leading the way. A brooding Chet Baker follows with his interpretation of Frank Signorelli and Matty Malneck’s “Stairway to the Stars” from Chet’s “Plays for Lovers” (Riverside 1952/Concord 2006). Our favorite girl from KARI-ON Productions, Audrey Silver, is next with hers and Gagne’s “The Cold Wind’s Embrace” from “Very Early”. Pianist Bruce Barth and Alex Pope Norris’ trumpet hover over Audrey’s voice. Frank Mantooth enlists vocalist Karrin Allyson in a performance of Tadd Dameron’s “If You Could See Now” from Frank’s “Ladies Sing for Lovers” (jazzmcg 2003/Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild). We’ll hear Sonny Hernandez’s trombone. Revered fifties vocalist, Helen Merrill, follows with her treatment of Jerome Kern and Johnny Mercer’s “Dearly Beloved” from her stint with Bobby Jaspar’s Quintet’s “The Nearness of You” (EmArcy 1958). Soloists include pianist Dick Marx and bassist Johnny Frigo. Jane Monheit fashions Bernstein/Comden/Green’s “Some Other Time” from her “Platinum Select Set” (Starwin 2006). I asked Sassy to send us home with that loving feeling. Vaughan responded with her treatment of Cahn and Styne’s “It’s You or No One” from “Young Sassy” (Proper Box UK 2001). Sarah cut this recording in 1953 with the Richard Maltby Orchestra.

Behind every successful man is a woman, behind her is his wife. Groucho Marx

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Thanks to Music Director Serah and friends around the world for the program's content.