Episode 226: A Potpourri of Jazz

Although most of my episodes of this podcast seem to have themes, sometimes I like the flexibility of not having any theme whatsoever.

This week I’m playing a few recordings that have come into my consciousness recently. Most are new discoveries and a few aren’t. Some are cd’s, one came originally from an lp, and the rest I’ve downloaded.

To welcome Spring, I’ve included two vocal versions of Clifford Brown’s Joy Spring….and I talk a bit about the two different sets of lyrics written. And the writer of the lyrics that have been most often recorded rarely gets the credit for them. Which led me on an internet chase to find out more about the lyricist, Jezra Kaye.

I also play two older recordings of standards…one by Thelonious Monk, the other Cannonball Adderley. Both are terrific!

A black Canadian jazz singer named Eleanor Collins was recently commemorated on a Canada Post stamp. Good luck trying to find any commercial recordings by her. But I found one. Listen to her sing I’ll Never Smile Again—a tune written by another Canadian (Ruth Lowe).

I end the program with another hard to find recording—the last record put out by the late great Eugene McDaniels, where he invites an English Horn to scat along with him.

Between all that are three newer recordings. Two of them feature the great Cuban pianist, David Virelles (whose name I try to pronounce correctly), including one where he plays on a cd by Toronto’s Roberto Occhipinti. Then there’s one that will be released in May–it’s by guitarist and banjoist, Brandon Seabrook.