Happy Birthday, Betty Carter

Jazz singer Betty Carter (1929-1998) was born in Flint, Michigan, on May 16, 1929. Carter was especially known for her ability to capture the instrumental timbres in her voice. In fact, she insisted that the voice was as legitimate an instrument in jazz as any other. She was also fiercely independent and had her own Bet-Car label in the 1970s.

Jazz critic Steve Huey said that Carter was "Arguably the most adventurous female jazz singer of all time," and fellow vocalist Carmen McRae once claimed that "there's really only one jazz singer - only one: Betty Carter."

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends the album Betty Carter (Bet-Car MK 1002). Jim Determan, who updated the Lyons list, also recommends The Audience with Betty Carter, which was not available when Lyons wrote his book.

• Purchase Betty Carter from Amazon.com.
• Purchase The Audience with Better Carter from Amazon.com.

Carter sings "How High the Moon" here:

Robert
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Recent Links :: 30 April 2015

Count Basie: At Jazz Wax, Marc Myers writes about several albums on the German MPS label, including Count Basie's Basic Basie. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Betty Carter, Carmen McRae, Sarah Vaughan: As part of its "Building a Jazz Library" series, All About Jazz's Matthew Bahl lists the best jazz vocal albums from 1969 to 2001. These include:

• Betty Carter, The Audience With Betty Carter. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Carmen McRae, Any Old Time. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Sarah Vaughan, Crazy and Mixed Up. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Miles Davis: St. Louis Jazz Notes has a number of links to stories about Miles Davis, including drummer Lenny White's thoughts about playing on the album, Bitches Brew.

Duke Ellington: On his birthday, April 29, Duke Ellington was the Jazz Musician of the Day at All About Jazz.

Duke Ellington: At Take the "A" Train, Ehsan Khoshbakht shares photos of Duke Ellington.

Bill Evans: Marc Myers writes about the collaboration between Bill Evans and Tony Bennett at JazzWax. In particular, he looks at the Concord album, The Complete Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Recordings. (Purchase the 4-LP box set from Amazon.com.)

Dizzy Gillespie: At JazzWax, Marc Myers discusses the Dizzy Gillespie Quintet's two-week gig at Ronnie Scott's jazz club in London in August 1973, which has been issued on four separate CDs as Dizzy Gillespie Live at Ronnie Scott's Vols. 1 — 4. (Purchase the albums from Amazon.com: Volume 1; Volume 2; Volume 3; and Volume 4.)

Max Roach: New Jazz United shares a clip of the Max Roach Quintet playing Deeds, Not Words in 1958. (The song is available on the album, Deeds, Not Words, which can be purchased from Amazon.com.)

Bessie Smith: NPR's Jazz Night in America discusses Bessie Smith's influence on jazz.

Robert
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Recent Links :: 31 January 2015

Betty Carter: According to JazzTimes, Jazz at Lincoln Center will host a tribute to the late vocalist Betty Carter in March.

Miles Davis: The Daily Beast shares an excerpt from Carlos Santana's autobiography, The Universal Tone, which describes how het met Miles Davis and their ensuing friendship.

Bill Evans: At JazzWax, Marc Myers shares a clip from the DVD, The Bill Evans Trio, Live in Iowa. (Purchase the DVD from Fresh Sound Records.)

Lionel Hampton: At Jazz Wax, Marc Myers shares a clip of Lionel Hampton on "The Patti Page Show" in 1957.

Keith Jarrett: At The Free Jazz Collective, Martin Schray reviews the Keith Jarrett album, Hamburg '72. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Thelonious Monk: Tim Niland reviews the Thelonious Monk album, Thelonious Monk Trio, at Music and More. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Wes Montgomery: JazzTimes reports that Resonance Records will release a 1959 live recording of Wes Montgomery, One Night in Indy, on vinyl in April.

Horace Silver: Mark Sullivan reviews the Horace Silver album, Horace Silver Quintet: June 1977 (Livelove Series Volume 2), at All About Jazz. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

McCoy Tyner: At All About Jazz, Harry S. Pariser reviews a January 2015 concert by McCoy Tyner, Geri Allen, and Kenny Barron in San Francisco.

Robert
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RIP, Betty Carter (1929-1998)

Jazz singer Betty Carter died on September 26, 1998, of pancreatic cancer at the age of 69.  Carter was cremated, and the location of her ashes is unknown.

Fellow vocalist Carmen McRae once claimed that "there's really only one jazz singer - only one: Betty Carter."

Carter was especially known for her ability to capture the instrumental timbres in her voice. In fact, she insisted that the voice was as legitimate an instrument in jazz as any other. She was also fiercely independent and had her own Bet-Car label in the 1970s.

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends the album Betty Carter (Bet-Car MK 1002). Jim Determan, who updated the Lyons list, also recommends The Audience with Betty Carter, which was not available when Lyons wrote his book.

• Betty Carter (Purchase from Amazon.com.)
  
• The Audience with Better Carter (Purchase from Amazon.com.)
  

Carter sings "How High the Moon" here:

Robert
Facebook page

Happy Birthday, Betty Carter

Jazz singer Betty Carter (1929-1998) was born in Flint, Michigan, on May 16, 1929. Carter was especially known for her ability to capture the instrumental timbres in her voice. In fact, she insisted that the voice was as legitimate an instrument in jazz as any other. She was also fiercely independent and had her own Bet-Car label in the 1970s.

Jazz critic Steve Huey said that Carter was "Arguably the most adventurous female jazz singer of all time," and fellow vocalist Carmen McRae once claimed that "there's really only one jazz singer - only one: Betty Carter."

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends the album Betty Carter (Bet-Car MK 1002). Jim Determan, who updated the Lyons list, also recommends The Audience with Betty Carter, which was not available when Lyons wrote his book.

• Purchase Betty Carter from Amazon.com.
• Purchase The Audience with Better Carter from Amazon.com.

Carter sings "How High the Moon" here:

Robert
Facebook

Recent Links :: 23 February 2014

Clifford Brown: New Jazz United shared a clip of Clifford Brown and Max Roach playing "Joy Spring." (The song is available on the album, Clifford Brown & Max Roach, which can be purchased from Amazon.com.)

Betty Carter: Talk About Jazz shares a clip of Betty Carter singing "The Sun Died." (The song is available on the album, Finally, which can be purchased from Amazon.com.)

John Coltrane: New Jazz United shares a clip of John Coltrane's "Ascension." (The song is available on the album, Ascension, which can be purchased from Amazon.com.)

Keith Jarrett: At JazzTimes, Michael J. West reviews the Keith Jarrett album, No End. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Jaco Pastorius: According to Jeff Tamarking at JazzTimes, in April, Omnivore Records will release Modern American Music ... Period! The Criteria Sessions, a set of demo recordings made by Jaco Pastorius.

Sonny Rollins: According to JazzTimes, Sonny Rollins will release Road Shows, Volume 3 in May.

Robert
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Recent Links :: 17 February 2014

Louis Armstrong: At The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong, Ricky Riccardi continues his series of stories from readers who spent time with Armstrong with a story from Yoshio Toyama, the "Satchmo of Japan."

Betty Carter, Fletcher Henderson, Wes Montgomery: According to Jeff Tamarkin at JazzTimes, Jazz at Lincoln Center has announced the newest inductees into the Ertegun Jazz Hall of Fame: Betty Carter, Fletcher Henderson, Elvin Jones, and Wes Montgomery.

Miles Davis: New Jazz United shares a clip of the Miles Davis Quintet playing "When I Fall in Love." (The song is available on the album, Steamin’ with the Miles Davis Quintet, which can be purchased from Amazon.com.)

Duke Ellington: Jeff Tamarkin reports on the death of Alice Babs, a Swedish vocalist who sang with the Duke Ellington Orchestra during the 1960s, at JazzTimes.

Bill Evans: New Jazz United shares a clip of Bill Evans and Jim Hall playing "My Funny Valentine." (The song is available on the album, Undercurrent, which can be purchased from Amazon.com.)

Bill Evans: New Jazz United shares a clip of the Bill Evans Trio playing "I Love You." (The song is available on the album, The Way to Play, which can be purchased from Amazon.com.)

Herbie Hancock: At In the Groove, Jazz and Beyond, Ken Laster looks at Herbie Hancock's fusion music with the Fender Rhodes keyboard.

Robert
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Recent Links :: 1 February 2014

Dave Brubeck: New Jazz United shared the Dave Brubeck song, "Unsquare Dance." (The song is available on the album, Dave Brubeck — Greatest Hits, which can be purchased from Amazon.com.)

Bill Evans: New Jazz United shared the Bill Evans song, "You Must Believe in Spring." (The song is available on the album, You Must Believe in Spring, which can be purchased from Amazon.com.)

King Oliver: According to All About Jazz, Riverwalk Jazz broadcast an encore presentation featuring theater legend William Warfield, who brought King Oliver's correspondence to life in a 1992 performance.

McCoy Tyner: Talk About Jazz shared a clip of McCoy Tyner's "A Prayer for My Family." (The song is available on the album, Sahara, which can be purchased from Amazon.com.)

Betty Carter, Erroll Garner, Fletcher Henderson, James P. Johnson, Wes Montgomery: JazzTimes announced that Jazz at Lincoln Center is soliciting votes from fans in its annual Jazz Hall of Fame induction. Nominees include:

• Betty Carter
• Erroll Garner
• Fletcher Henderson
• James P. Johnson
• Wes Montgomery

Robert
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RIP, Betty Carter (1929-1998)

Jazz singer Betty Carter died on September 26, 1998, of pancreatic cancer at the age of 69.  Carter was cremated, and the location of her ashes is unknown.

Fellow vocalist Carmen McRae once claimed that "there's really only one jazz singer - only one: Betty Carter."

Carter was especially known for her ability to capture the instrumental timbres in her voice. In fact, she insisted that the voice was as legitimate an instrument in jazz as any other. She was also fiercely independent and had her own Bet-Car label in the 1970s.

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends the album Betty Carter (Bet-Car MK 1002). Jim Determan, who updated the Lyons list, also recommends The Audience with Betty Carter, which was not available when Lyons wrote his book.

• Purchase Betty Carter from Amazon.com.
  
• Purchase The Audience with Better Carter from Amazon.com.
  

She sings "How High the Moon" here:

Robert
http://www.facebook.com/corejazz?sk=wall

Happy Birthday, Betty Carter

Jazz singer Betty Carter (1929-1998) was born in Flint, Michigan, on May 16, 1929. Carter was especially known for her ability to capture the instrumental timbres in her voice. In fact, she insisted that the voice was as legitimate an instrument in jazz as any other. She was also fiercely independent and had her own Bet-Car label in the 1970s.

Jazz critic Steve Huey said that Carter was "Arguably the most adventurous female jazz singer of all time," and fellow vocalist Carmen McRae once claimed that "there's really only one jazz singer - only one: Betty Carter."

Carter sings "How High the Moon" here:

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends the album Betty Carter (Bet-Car MK 1002). Jim Determan, who updated the Lyons list, also recommends The Audience with Betty Carter, which was not available when Lyons wrote his book.

• Purchase Betty Carter from Amazon.com.
• Purchase The Audience with Better Carter from Amazon.com.

Robert
http://www.facebook.com/corejazz?sk=wall

Recent Links :: 1 April 2013

• Betty Carter: Larry Appelbaum shares his 1982 interview with Betty Carter at Let's Cool One.
• John Coltrane: At All About Jazz, Christopher Mote has a long piece on the John Coltrane house in Philadelphia and efforts to restore it.
• Chick Corea: Chick Corea has been nominated for Musician of the Year and Pianist of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association.
• Bud Powell: Peter Pullman's biography of Bud Powell, Wail: The Life of Bud Powell, has been nominated for Best Book About Jazz of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association.
• Sonny Rollins: Tim Niland reviews the Sonny Rollins album, Now's the Time, at Music and More. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)
• Sonny Rollins: Sonny Rollins has been nominated for Tenor Saxophonist of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association.
• Sonny Rollins: Larry Appelbaum concludes his series of interviews with Sonny Rollins at Let's Cool One.
• Wayne Shorter: Wayne Shorter has been nominated for a Lifetime Achievement in Jazz award and for Soprano Saxophonist of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association. The Wayne Shorter Quartet has also been nominated for Best Small Ensemble of the Year.
• McCoy Tyner: McCoy Tyner has been nominated for a Lifetime Achievement in Jazz award by the Jazz Journalists Association.
• Sarah Vaughan: On March 27, her birthday, Sarah Vaughan was the Jazz Musician of the Day at All About Jazz.

Robert
Facebook page

RIP, Betty Carter (1929-1998)

Jazz singer Betty Carter died on September 26, 1998, of pancreatic cancer at the age of 69.  Carter was cremated, and the location of her ashes is unknown.

Fellow vocalist Carmen McRae once claimed that "there's really only one jazz singer - only one: Betty Carter."

Carter was especially known for her ability to capture the instrumental timbres in her voice. In fact, she insisted that the voice was as legitimate an instrument in jazz as any other. She was also fiercely independent and had her own Bet-Car label in the 1970s.

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends the album Betty Carter (Bet-Car MK 1002). Jim Determan, who updated the Lyons list, also recommends The Audience with Betty Carter, which was not available when Lyons wrote his book.

• Purchase Betty Carter from Amazon.com.
  
• Purchase The Audience with Better Carter from Amazon.com.
  

She sings "That Sunday, That Summer" here:

Robert
http://www.facebook.com/corejazz?sk=wall

Happy Birthday, Betty Carter

Jazz singer Betty Carter (1929-1998) was born in Flint, Michigan, on May 16, 1929. Carter was especially known for her ability to capture the instrumental timbres in her voice. In fact, she insisted that the voice was as legitimate an instrument in jazz as any other. She was also fiercely independent and had her own Bet-Car label in the 1970s.

Jazz critic Steve Huey said that Carter was "Arguably the most adventurous female jazz singer of all time," and fellow vocalist Carmen McRae once claimed that "there's really only one jazz singer - only one: Betty Carter."

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends the album Betty Carter (Bet-Car MK 1002). Jim Determan, who updated the Lyons list, also recommends The Audience with Betty Carter, which was not available when Lyons wrote his book.

• Purchase Betty Carter from Amazon.com.
• Purchase The Audience with Better Carter from Amazon.com.

Carter sings "How High the Moon" here:

Robert
http://www.facebook.com/corejazz?sk=wall

RIP, Betty Carter (1929-1998)

Jazz singer Betty Carter died on September 26, 1998, of pancreatic cancer at the age of 69. Fellow vocalist Carmen McRae once claimed that "there's really only one jazz singer - only one: Betty Carter."

Carter was especially known for her ability to capture the instrumental timbres in her voice. In fact, she insisted that the voice was as legitimate an instrument in jazz as any other. She was also fiercely independent and had her own Bet-Car label in the 1970s.

She sings "That Sunday, That Summer" here:

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends the album Betty Carter (Bet-Car MK 1002). Jim Determan, who updated the Lyons list, also recommends The Audience with Betty Carter, which was not available when Lyons wrote his book.

• Purchase Betty Carter from Amazon.com.
  
• Purchase The Audience with Better Carter from Amazon.com.
  

Robert