One for Eddie Lockjaw Davis

SatinDoll · December 26th, 2003, 12:23 PM

Though my main interest have been tenorists like Dexter, Mobley, Rollins, Trane, Joe Henderson, Wayne Shorter and Sam Rivers, I allways enjoyed listening to "Lock the Fox". He had quite a steady career, starting from the forties (especially a date with Fats Navarro from 1946) until his death in 1986. He never changed his swing-oriented style, maybe that´s why he didn´t get most attention by the critics, but I think he´s one of those artists with a very personal style, really easy to recognize from the first bar on. One of his trademarks were his short phrases with a kind of dry humour in everything he played, he didn´t play long lines like other "tough tenors", especially Johnny Griffin. From about the late seventies until his death he came to my hometown Vienna almost every year to perform at a fine local jazzclub. So, that´s where I had many occasions to hear him, one time together with his long time associate Harry Sweets Edison (tp).

clifton · January 15th, 2004, 04:36 AM

I also got to hear "Jaws" a few times, once with Sweets, once with Basie, among others. Not only could he swing, he was a moving ballad player as well.

Fran · January 15th, 2004, 05:37 AM

Some of the best roaring tenor work to be heard is Lockjaw with Basie.

SatinDoll · January 15th, 2004, 05:54 AM

About his ballad-interpretations: One of the most beautiful things he did was "I´ll never be the same" on his album "Straight Ahead".

Cali · January 16th, 2004, 01:18 AM

Been listening to TRANE WHISTLE, lately.
Jaws version of "Stolen Moments" rivals the more popular version on BLUES AND THE ABSTRACT TRUTH.

EKE BBB · January 16th, 2004, 01:26 AM

Count me in as a fan of Lockjaw Davis´ output with Basie.

And I highly recommend this hard-swinging jam session, where you can compare the style of four top-notch saxophonists:

One of my favorite versions of "Lester leaps in" (save Prez, of course), three blues and one original. Jaws´s rhythm section composed of Shirley Scott on organ, George Duvivier on bass and Arthur Edgehill on drums.

clifton · January 16th, 2004, 05:49 AM

There's some extraordinary work by Lock The Fox on the Kenny Clarke/Francy Boland album 'Fire, Heat, Soul, And Guts". He really shines on "Sax No End' and "Lockjaw Blues". Great band, too.

Mailman · January 16th, 2004, 02:31 PM

That "Very Saxy" recording is great isn't it. I've had the lp for years and always enjoy it. Check out all of the recordings Jaws made with Shirley Scott. They're wonderful.

SatinDoll · January 20th, 2004, 07:29 AM

It´s quite interesting, that during the forties Lockjaw was the man, who at Minton´s Playhouse had that kind of job of managing the bandstand, taking care that no unqualified players would frequent the bandstand. If someone hadn´t got his stuff together , Lock would ask him to stop. Even Miles Davis, not always known for praising other musicians, spoke with the deepest respect about Lockjaw. There´s even a live-recording of Miles with Lock from Birdland 1951.

December 26th, 2003, 12:23 PM	#1
SatinDoll Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Vienna Posts: 1,045	One for Eddie Lockjaw Davis Though my main interest have been tenorists like Dexter, Mobley, Rollins, Trane, Joe Henderson, Wayne Shorter and Sam Rivers, I allways enjoyed listening to "Lock the Fox". He had quite a steady career, starting from the forties (especially a date with Fats Navarro from 1946) until his death in 1986. He never changed his swing-oriented style, maybe that´s why he didn´t get most attention by the critics, but I think he´s one of those artists with a very personal style, really easy to recognize from the first bar on. One of his trademarks were his short phrases with a kind of dry humour in everything he played, he didn´t play long lines like other "tough tenors", especially Johnny Griffin. From about the late seventies until his death he came to my hometown Vienna almost every year to perform at a fine local jazzclub. So, that´s where I had many occasions to hear him, one time together with his long time associate Harry Sweets Edison (tp).

January 15th, 2004, 05:37 AM	#3
Fran Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Florida - New York Posts: 3,121	Some of the best roaring tenor work to be heard is Lockjaw with Basie. __________________ Keep the Blue Flame Burning

January 16th, 2004, 01:26 AM	#6
EKE BBB jazz seeker Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 1,816	Count me in as a fan of Lockjaw Davis´ output with Basie. And I highly recommend this hard-swinging jam session, where you can compare the style of four top-notch saxophonists: One of my favorite versions of "Lester leaps in" (save Prez, of course), three blues and one original. Jaws´s rhythm section composed of Shirley Scott on organ, George Duvivier on bass and Arthur Edgehill on drums. __________________ Mule Walk & Jazz Talk: http://www.thereisjazzbeforetrane.blogspot.com Random thoughts, casual writings and specific research on early jazz styles. If you think there is no jazz before Coltrane, you may have come to the wrong place

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January 15th, 2004, 04:36 AM	#2
clifton AAJ's Birdologist Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Clifton Hts., Pa Posts: 2,550	I also got to hear "Jaws" a few times, once with Sweets, once with Basie, among others. Not only could he swing, he was a moving ballad player as well.

January 15th, 2004, 05:54 AM	#4
SatinDoll Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Vienna Posts: 1,045	About his ballad-interpretations: One of the most beautiful things he did was "I´ll never be the same" on his album "Straight Ahead".

January 16th, 2004, 01:18 AM	#5
Cali Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: L.A. Posts: 343	Been listening to TRANE WHISTLE, lately. Jaws version of "Stolen Moments" rivals the more popular version on BLUES AND THE ABSTRACT TRUTH.

January 16th, 2004, 05:49 AM	#7
clifton AAJ's Birdologist Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Clifton Hts., Pa Posts: 2,550	There's some extraordinary work by Lock The Fox on the Kenny Clarke/Francy Boland album 'Fire, Heat, Soul, And Guts". He really shines on "Sax No End' and "Lockjaw Blues". Great band, too.

January 16th, 2004, 02:31 PM	#8
Mailman Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: New York City Posts: 72	That "Very Saxy" recording is great isn't it. I've had the lp for years and always enjoy it. Check out all of the recordings Jaws made with Shirley Scott. They're wonderful.

January 20th, 2004, 07:29 AM	#9
SatinDoll Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Vienna Posts: 1,045	It´s quite interesting, that during the forties Lockjaw was the man, who at Minton´s Playhouse had that kind of job of managing the bandstand, taking care that no unqualified players would frequent the bandstand. If someone hadn´t got his stuff together , Lock would ask him to stop. Even Miles Davis, not always known for praising other musicians, spoke with the deepest respect about Lockjaw. There´s even a live-recording of Miles with Lock from Birdland 1951.