Miscellanea

Tailgate Ramblings, 1971-1981

April 3, 2020 By Michael Fitzgerald

Dick Smith of the Potomac River Jazz Club has digitized (PDF) the first decade or so of the club newsletter. These provide a good deal of information on the Washington, DC traditional jazz scene.

Tailgate Ramblings, 1971-1981

The PRJC still exists, but later issues of Tailgate Ramblings are not yet available online.

Unicorn Times, 1973-1985

February 23, 2020 By Michael Fitzgerald

While not exclusively a jazz publication, Unicorn Times published some very informative articles on Washington, DC jazz. The publication has been digitized (PDF) by the DC Public Library.

Unicorn Times, 1973-1985

Jazz For Moderns – 1956 tour program

January 2, 2020 By From the Archives

Whitney Balliett

February 1, 2007 By Michael Fitzgerald

Whitney Balliett
(April 17, 1926-February 1, 2007)

The Sound Of Surprise (1959)
Part One: 1954-1956

Pandemonium Pays Off (Norman Granz)
Artistry In Limbo (Stan Kenton)
The Bibulous Aunt (jazz writing)

Part Two: 1957

Progress and Prudence (Cecil Taylor)
The Duke At Play (Duke Ellington, Johnny Richards)
Pastoral (Jimmy Giuffre)
Hot (Roy Eldridge, Jimmy Rushing)
Avaunt (Teddy Charles)
Colossus
Djinni (Art Tatum, George Russell, Dave Brubeck)
Mammoth (Newport Jazz Festival 1957)
The M.J.Q.

Pianist Keith Jarrett is now well-known over the world as a musician of supreme talent and creativity. Back in 1966 he was playing in drummer Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers (alongside trumpeter Chuck Mangione, incidentally) and was just being recognized as a force to be reckoned with in straight-ahead jazz, although he was playing “inside” the piano (on the strings), even at that time.

James Carter Discography

July 22, 1998 By Michael Fitzgerald

by Michael Fitzgerald
March 1996-July 22, 1998 [NO LONGER BEING UPDATED]

James Carter biographical sketch

James Carter was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. His musical education consisted of private studies with local bop scene veteran Donald Washington as well as tenures at the prestigious Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp.