Which classic jazz performers are still in their creative prime?

[jazzypaul]

We all know that the newer crop of players (Ryan Kisor, David Berkman, Joel Frahm, Seamus Blake, Greg Tardy, Alex Sipiagin, etc etc etc) are all playing some very serious music on a regular basis, but any thoughts on any of the old cats that are still creating and not just resting on their laurels?

For me, Ahmad Jamal tops the list. 9 out of 10 cats that could be Ahmad Jamal would choose to play Poinciana night after night, set after set. But not Ahmad. Instead, he's constantly pushing boundaries, constantly evolving, even before your eyes and ears at a gig. And he plays generous sets too. I've seen other guys in his age range seem more than willing to pack it in after 45 minutes. I've never seen Ahmad play for less than an hour unless there were time constraints. (festivals, that sort of thing)

[Pharaohrock]

I agree with you on Ahmad, although I think he's got such incredible chops that he doesn't have to work up a sweat to do something quite spectacular....this is a guy who has stayed musically "fit" all his life.

I'd point to Benny Golson- listen to his playing on the new Ron Carter record "Stardust"; it's so beautiful- Golson has such a hip harmonic sensibility....he's got that classic tenor sound, but he's doing some really modern shit with it. The influence of Coltrane on some level....

Ditto Jimmy Heath, who is still AMAZING. Little man with a big sound- STILL has that big sound.

You can't forget our drummers also- they seem to retain more vitality than anybody....Max Roach. Roy Haynes. Elvin Jones. These guys don't need VIAGRA....they are still athletic. still organic, still slamming!- at the kit.

Others: Cedar Walton, Red Holloway, J-Mac, Gary Bartz! And don't forget Herbie and Wayne.

[Pharaohrock]

McCoy Tyner can still be great at times, but I thought his trio of the 80s and 90s was basically a big, showy waste of chops. Not really substantial music IMO. Certainly not creative like his Milestone or Blue Note years...

[GA Russell]

I'll go with Mark Murphy, Gary Burton, Joe Zawinul and Steve Marcus.

[andreimatorin]

Can i add Sonny Rollins and Toots Thielemans?

[omar zamora]

Cecil Taylor

[jazzypaul]

:rolleyes:

time for me to say things which will upset people...

1) Sonny is still playing. Unfortunately for us, him, and the uninitiated who will hear him play live at some point, he is past his prime. The last two times I have seen him, I have come away dissapointed. This isn't to say the man couldn't play in his day, because he could, and Sonny is one of my all time favorites. But, you gotta know when to hold 'em, and know when to fold 'em.

(just edited out cheesy poker analogy to go along with that one...)

2) Cecil is in roughly the same boat. The last time I saw him, I was hoping for celestial beams to come through the rafters as he banged away at his piano. Instead, I got up the piano...down the piano. up the piano...down the piano. For 45 straight minutes. This wasn't the Cecil Taylor of Bumpin' Punkins or Unit Structures or even Jazz Advance. This was a nappy lookin' old dude going...up the piano...down the piano.

I hope the next time both of these guys are in Chicago that they will prove me wrong. I really do. Sonny's one of the reasons I ever got into straight ahead jazz. Cecil's stuff is dear to my heart, even if I can't play it when anyone else is ever around. :p

As for Toots, Dizzy Gillespie's quote about him couldn't be more perfect..."Toots Thielemans would be my favorite musician if he'd just get rid of that damn harmonica!"

But seriously, As long as these guys are bangin' away, they're getting the message out there to somebody. And if some neophyte saw something in a recent Sonny Rollins or Cecil Taylor show that I didn't, and turns around and sees our music for what it is (epiphany, catharsis, meditation...okay, too deep for 3pm) then right on!

till next time...

[omar zamora]

I've never seen Cecil Taylor live, but I've heard three recordings made in the last year or two:

Willisau Concert (solo set)
Complicites (solo set, one cd out of three)
Taylor/Dixon/Oxley - trio set with Bill Dixon and Toney Oxley.

Based on the evidence in those recordings, Cecil Taylor is still displaying exhorbitant amounts of passion, creativity, and intelligence, and his technical ability remains very high. I've heard he's been ill lately, and I understand a recent NY performance was subpar, so maybe he has weakened within the last year. Still, for a guy his age, he's going strong.

It's interesting you mentioned a few older recordings. Have you heard anything he's done in the last 10 or even 20 years?

[hugh janus]

Max Roach...Lee Konitz...Cecil Taylor...Ornette Coleman...Wayne Shorter...Steve Lacy...So, just what is a "classic jazz performer" anyway? Is it the jazz or the performer that needs to be classic?

[champjams]

What about Jay McShann? He is about 86 now...and he sounds great! Don't forget John Hicks either. Talk about playing some beautiful piano!

[Stix]

Cast my ballot for Dave Brubeck. Saw him for the first time in the early 1950's and then again last year. The cat's in his 80's and looks like he's 100, but can still give you an hour of great stuff and come back for more

[jazzypaul]

"So, just what is a "classic jazz performer" anyway? Is it the jazz or the performer that needs to be classic?"

In my always humble opinion, I believe both. The jazz has to stand the test of time, and the player playing the jazz has to still be kickin' some butt. Under these conditions, Jeff Lorber could live to be 130, and still be playing, and will never make this list. LOL

"Don't forget John Hicks either. Talk about playing some beautiful piano!"

Yeah, far too often I forget that cats of John Hicks' generation would indeed be classic at this point. Mostly because their music STILL sounds fresh. So an amen to Hicks, Shorter, McCoy, Herbie, etc, etc, etc.

(in regards to Cecil Taylor) "It's interesting you mentioned a few older recordings. Have you heard anything he's done in the last 10 or even 20 years?"

I have. I must admit a penchant for his older stuff, (same strain of thought goes for Ornette as well) but I certainly still admire what he's done as of late. The album he cut with Dewey Redman and Elvin was astounding.

"Cast my ballot for Dave Brubeck. Saw him for the first time in the early 1950's and then again last year. The cat's in his 80's and looks like he's 100, but can still give you an hour of great stuff and come back for more"

Although I'm not a Brubeck fan by any means, I gotta agree. Saw him in January, and he packed a wallop. Hope he continues on for another 80. At which point, he'll look like Methusela.

[andreimatorin]

Maybe you're right, but nonetheless i did hear Sonny at Litchfield Jazz Festival and he was great! maybe it was just a spark.

as for toots, what is:
Originally posted by jazzypaul


As for Toots, Dizzy Gillespie's quote about him couldn't be more perfect..."Toots Thielemans would be my favorite musician if he'd just get rid of that damn harmonica!"

[/B]
supposed to mean? is he not a good musician? (granted he can't play guitar anymore but still...)

EDIT: i heard sonny august of this year

[hoochmonkey9]

Andrew Hill
Abbey Lincoln...

[jazzypaul]

Toots is a great player. Don't like the sound of the harmonica in jazz though. The harmonica (to me) sounds best when it's played dirty and nasty, which jazz (especially the jazz that Toots plays) doesn't lend itself to with amazing facility. Toots has overcome this, admittedly, but, again, as said, not the biggest jazz harmonica fan in the world. Which is why I always liked the Dizzy quote.

[champjams]

Dont forget about Frank Morgan either, I saw him this summer and he was playing great! What a beautiful sound....and he can sure swing.

[ADR]

Steve Lacy
Elvin Jones
Kenny Barron
Wayne Shorter
Jim Hall
Sonny Rollins
Andrew Hill
Sam Rivers
Fred Anderson
Joe McPhee
Paul Bley
Paul Motian

to name just a few.....

[PiousBionicus]

Oscar Peterson!! Even a stroke couldn't stop him!

[clifton]

I'm assuming "classic" to refer to an older musician, at least 65, who is still at or near the top of his game. Von Freeman is the first name that comes to mind. He's 80, has all his chops, continues to explore, particularly in his use of microtones and thematic improvising, and still swings like mad. Also James Moody, in his late 70's, as powerful as ever. And if "Footprints Live" is any indication, Wayne Shorter, at age 68, has made a very welcome return to form.

[Lazy Lew]

Originally posted by jazzypaul
Toots is a great player. Don't like the sound of the harmonica in jazz though. The harmonica (to me) sounds best when it's played dirty and nasty, which jazz (especially the jazz that Toots plays) doesn't lend itself to with amazing facility. Toots has overcome this, admittedly, but, again, as said, not the biggest jazz harmonica fan in the world. Which is why I always liked the Dizzy quote.

Check out harmonicawizard Howard Levy - he plays "bluesharp" type harmonica. Ao Béla Fleck + the Flecktones, Michael Riessler, Rabih Abou-Khalil, Ben Sidran, Paquito d'Rivera, Spyro Gyra.
He has a new live albuml out now with standards. In duo with pianist (something) Molinaro.

[Spagetts]

How about Wayne Shorter. Footprints is a very good piece of work IMHO.
Totatly agree with Dave Brubeck, what a guy and what a career!

GaryD

[bubber]

Old Man Sam Rivers. Sam Rivers is amazing - he's around 80, I think, and is still as exciting as he ever was.