Which jazz players deserve wider recognition?

[xricci]

Be sure to read AAJ's archived discussion topic: "What jazz performer, past or present, do you feel has been most overlooked and is most worthy of attention?" at http://www.allaboutjazz.com/threads/underrated.htm.

[Coypu]

I'm not sure how much praise Sean Malone gets in the jazz community but I'm sure that it isn't enough. He is easily the most diverse bassplayer I have run across and his own composing and playing skills are top notch.

[clifton]

I just discovered this thread and I thought it well worth reviving. To begin with, in today's America, corporate media have effectively marginalized jazz, so it is fair to say all jazz players deserve wider recognition. This includes Diana Krall, who has been demonized by the "jazz police" (purists, often from the Marsalis/Crouch camp, or self-styled avant-gardists) for her commercial success. But within the jazz community, there are very many underrated players. Among the living, the list would have to include Von Freeman, Sam Rivers, Dewey Redman, Illinois Jacquet, George Coleman, and Javon Jackson. And that's just among tenor players. You could add James Williams, Billy Harper, Bill Hardman, and Brian Lynch. And that's just a few Blakey alumni. Among those no longer with us, the most underrated are Sonny Criss, Lucky Thompson, Rex Stewart, Howard McGhee, Vic Dickenson, and Wardell Gray. In fact, it's criminal how many pre-bop and first generation bop musicians are ignored these days. Let's get this discussion rolling.

[GA Russell]

I believe that Lucky Thompson is living in Seattle.

In terms of underappreciated, I vote for the late-60s early-70's work of Larry Coryell and Steve Marcus.

For band leader, I would say Herbie Mann in the 60s. He was always the least talented in the group! Many great records on Atlantic, most re-released for the first time on CD in the past two years.

For 40s big band, I will nominate Claude Thornhill, who used arrangements by Gil Evans and Gerry Mulligan.

On bass, Walter Booker, Jr.
For guitar, Joe Puma.

For jazz-rock, Manfred Mann Chapter III.
For bossa nova album, Cannonball's Bossa Nova by Cannonball Adderley and Sergio Mendes

Finally, the genre of movie soundtracks. A great number of movies and TV shows of the 60s and 70s were backed by jazz orchestras. I suggest for that reason that most Americans have heard far more jazz than they realize! With the exception of a few famous guys like Lalo Schifrin, all big band jazz arrangers are under-appreciated.

[clifton]

True, last I heard Lucky Thompson is still alive. My bad. He's supposed to be homeless. America's bad. More underrated: Don Byas, Charlie Shavers, Boots Mussulli, Bobby Bradford, Herb Geller, Jack Sheldon, Karrin Allyson, Conte Candoli, Houston Person, Benny Bailey, Jessica Williams.

[ppjazz]

From years past I would suggest Vido Musso, Carl Fontana, Paul Gonsalves (Ellington at the Newport Jazz Festival, 1956 and that incredible 27-chorus tenor saxophone interlude between "Dimenuendo" and "Crescendo In Blue"). Bill Russo (Stan Kenton trombonist and arranger), Neal Hefti and in particular, alto great Art Pepper (my preference over C. Parker, if you can believe that!).

From the past twenty-thirty years I would suggest Yellowjacket tenor and EWI-man, Bob Mintzer, keyboardist/composer Russell Ferrante, drummer Will Kennedy and vibe/marimba great Dave Samuels. I believe that Milton Nascimento is worthy of wider recognition ("Native Dancer," "Milton").

[ma³goœka]

I'm here to promote polish music, so I would recommend Motion Trio. These three men playing the accordions are increadible - just see their performance with Bobby McFerrin They've just made a new record - 'Live in Vienna Sacrum & Profanum' and it's really worth listening.

[groovinhigher]

There is a saxophone player in Seattle / Tacoma, who I am fortunate enough to have in my band, Cliff Colon. If you have not heard of this guy yet, you will. Unbelievable player, this guy is for real.

[ryanoceros]

although most people who study jazz know his name (or have attended a master class of his, etc.) I believe Dave Liebman deserves more credit, especially for the incredibly diverse contexts in which he has played over the years. The more marketable of his recent albums would probably be

The Unknown Jobim

Monk's Mood (with Eddie Gomez playing better than he ever did with Bill Evans and Adam Nussbaum. It's really cool to hear Monk's compositions without a chordal instrument)


and then there's Paul Bley.

[powderfinger]

In my eyes David Binney deserves more recognition. His 2oo2-CD "Balance" I forgot in my poll. His 2nd solo-album, as far as I know and a real cool one. Much influence of the seventies but a lot of own creative style in his saxophone-playing. He played 2 months ago in front of a small crowd in Munich. I hope he is more famous across the Atlantic, especially in his home town N.Y..

[Old Pa]

Rabih Abou-Khalil

Trilok Gurtu

[markvi]

soprano sax-jane ira bloom, alto-jon gordon,antonio hart, steve slagle, dick oatts , tenor -charles owens, chris speed, bari sax. ronnie cuber, trumpet-bryan lynch, ron horton, randy sandke, graham haynes, ingrid jensen, nils petter molvaer, trombone-josh roseman, bass-steve laspina, martin wind, drums-nasheet waits, piano-esborn svensson (est), john coates, jr., and a whole bunch of other musicians playing incredible music in obscurity in the clubs around the world. these are just ones that come immediately to mind. let me add scott robinson who is turning up on a surprising number of releases.he may be the best bass and contrabass sax player around as well as an excellent tenor, bari, sop and clarinet player. you can also hear him playing the theremin on randy sandke' s "inside out". i understand he shows up at recording sessions with a truck load of instruments.

[Pharaohrock]

James Hurt. One of the more visionary young musicians out there and Blue Note completely screws him over....I personally think Hurt has more to say than Jason Moran, whom Bruce Lundvall is infatuated with...

[ureshii19]

Umm..Jane Monheit rocks...thats really all I have to say about that. We should all love Jane, she is amazing. And why is it that Andy Bey doesn't get talked up enough? He is amazing and rocks too. They were both at the Blue Note in December and their performances were amazing...and the atmosphere was great...I love jazz, and the Blue Note rocks.

[jazzypaul]

Well, the Blue Note rocks if your name is Rockafeller or Carnegie. Otherwise, it's a wee overpriced for its own good. Andy Bey is indeed worthy of wider recognition. He's got a great voice, he picks great tunes, and he's a great interpreter. Jane Monheit, I'm not so sure of. She started out strong, and the last two albums have seemed more pop in nature. I'll put up odds on the bet that her next album will include a Sheryl Crow tune on it.

I think one guy that everyone needs to hear is a vibraphonist by the name of Matthias Lupri. The guy writes incredible tunes, has a really unique approach to the instrument, and then gets great musicians to help flesh them out. He's blown me away with every record.

Another band that has turned my head around is a group called Happy Apple. You could feasibly call what they do fusion in the early Larry Coryell/Gary Burton sense of the word. Hands down, great music.


If music like this is the future of jazz, I am sure looking forward to what the future may hold.

[clifton]

I agree with the names mentioned so far. I'll just add a few: John Stubblefield, Rob Brown, Javon Jackson, Dewey Redman, James Genus, Ben Perowski, Brad Shepik, Dena DeRose. And Von Freeman, who is one of the greatest, ever, IMHO.

[jazzypaul]

"And Von Freeman, who is one of the greatest, ever, IMHO"

Clifton, you are a wise and gifted man, indeed...

[GA Russell]

Dena DeRose, yes! And let me add Monica Mancini's work on Concord!

[lazy bird]

Two years ago I saw Chris Dahlgren perform for an 25 persons audience. The show was really great!!!

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/reviews/r0400_015.htm

[Pharaohrock]

People need to check out Steve Nelson's shit outside of what he's done with Dave Holland. While Stefon is coming up fast, Nelson is still the next in line to carry the torch of Bobby H.

[Finger Poppin']

George Coleman comes to mind. Lou Donldson I believe should be elevated to the level of the elite. I don't think he gets the reconnection he deserves. I've seen him 5 times and he always gave 110 %.

[LeMo]

Anthony Braxton.

[Edward]

Clifton provides a pretty comprehensive list to which I would like to add the names of Buddy Collette and Buddy de Franco.

[jazzypaul]

Me. I am dying for some more gigs out here!!!

Okay...just kidding...kinda...

Anyway, Ron Blake, who is a mutha of a tenor player, who nobody knows about. Seamus Blake, who people know about, but nobody can buy his CD's because he's on Criss Cross. All my guys in Chicago...Anthony Wonsey, Bobby Broom, Neal Alger, Frank Catalano, etc, etc, etc. There are always tons of guys who play like monsters that nobody's heard of...

[Mnytime]

Joe McPhee
Anthony Braxton
Alexander Schlippenbach
Paul Rogers
Mats Gustafsson
Steve Lacy
Paul Dunmall
Evan Parker
John Butcher
Tim Berne
Barry Guy
John Law
Jon Lloyd
Gerry Hemingway
Ellery Eskelin
Dennis Gonzalez
Per Henrik Wallin
Jemeel Moondoc
Sonny Simmons
Brandon Evans
Keith Rowe
John Tilbury
Eddie Prevost
Fred Anderson
Raphe Malik
Vinny Golia
Misha Mengelberg
Simon H. Fell
John Lindberg
Urs Leimgruber
Paul Bley
Marilyn Crispell
Irene Schweizer
Keith Tippett
Roscoe Mitchell
Fred Van Hove
Marty Ehrlich
Abdullah Ibrahim
Ivo Perelman
Ran Blake
Frank Gratkowski
Georg Graewe
Tony Oxley
Han Bennink
Howard Riley
Tomasz Stanko
Nels Cline
Alex Cline
Louis Sclavis
Paul Lytton
Paul Lovens
Trevor Watts
Charles Gayle
Borah Bergman
Hamid Drake
Hamiet Bluiett
Daniel Humair
John Edwards
Cor Fuhler
Bill Dixon
Henry Threadgill
Willem Breuker
Larry Ochs
Michael Moore
Alan Wilkinson
Gianluigi Trovesi
Giorgio Gaslini
Jim Sangrey :) :)


One person that is no longer with us, Thomas Chapin. :( :( :(


Groups:

Rova
Italian Instabile Orchestra
World Saxophone Quartet
London Jazz Composers Orchestra
Vienna Art Orchestra
Globe Unity Orchestra
Berlin Contemporary Orchestra
Micro East Collective


etc...........

[J Larsen]

In addition to the names posted above:

AKA Moon (modern group from Belgium, two albums so far)

8 Bold Souls (not my *favorite* group, but worthy of more attention than they seem to get)

Sacha Perry (he plays in NYC, I believe he's been on a couple of independently distributed albums - look out for the name - he is rooted in "classic" bebop but he is doing some really cool things with it)

Prince Lasha

[J Larsen]

Mnytime, I only know about half the names on your list. As I think we have fairly similar taste, is it okay if I PM you with some questions about a few of these players sometime this week?

[Mnytime]

Send any and all PM.


I edited in some extra musicians and groups.

[Kerry]

George Colligan (http://www.georgecolligan.com)

His release on Fresh Sound "Como La Vida Puede Ser" is truly amazing, a mix of flamenco and jazz. On it he plays piano, trumpet and synths.

[ADR]

Off hand I'd say:

Gary Bartz - alto sax.
Bill Carrothers - piano
Scott Colley - bass
Ted Curson - trumpet
Marty Ehrlich - alto sax.
Booker Ervin - tenor sax.
Ellery Eskelin - tenor sax.
Don Grolnick - piano
Mark Helias - bass
Steve Kuhn - piano
Harold Land - tenor sax.
Myra Melford - piano
Mulgrew Miller - piano
J.R. Monterose - tenor sax.
Jemeel Moondoc - alto sax.
James Spaulding - alto sax.
Horace Tapscott - piano
Charles Tolliver - trumpet
Bobby Watson - alto sax.

ADR

[Mnytime]

One more I would like to add Joëlle Léandre.

[kh1958]

Bobby Previte.

[JazzKitten]

I second ADR's mention of Bill Carrothers. What a great pianist!

JK :)

[Paul Secor]

I hope I don't repeat names that have already been mentioned.

Those who are no longer with us:
Hilton Jefferson
Lorraine Geller
A quartet of percussionists: Denis Charles, Charles Moffett, Phillip Wilson, and Steve McCall.

Some who are here:
Claude Williams
Roswell Rudd
Walt Dickerson
Masahiko Togashi
Nat Su