Recent Links :: 30 July 2015

Cannonball Adderley: New Jazz United shares a video of the Cannonball Adderley Quintet playing "Jubilation." (The song is available on the album, Sharpshooters, which can be purchased from Amazon.com.)

Louis Armstrong: At The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong, Ricky Riccardi discusses Louis Armstrong's early recordings of "I'm a Ding Dong Daddy (from Dumas)" and "I'm in the Market for You."

Miles Davis: According to The Carlsbad Current-Argus, Don Cheadle's Miles Davis biopic, "Miles Ahead," will make its world premiere in October at the New York Film Festival.

Miles Davis: Tim Niland reviews the album, Miles Davis - At Newport 1955-1975: The Bootleg Series Vol. 4, at Music and More. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Miles Davis: Open Culture discusses Miles Davis's 2005 recording of Michael Jackson's "Human Nature." (The song is available on the album, You're Under Arrest, which can be purchased from Amazon.com.)

Duke Ellington: David Brent Johnson talks about Duke Ellington's "early Black-pride music" at Night Lights.

Duke Ellington: Ben Donnelly reviews Duke Ellington's "The Conny Plank Session" at dusted in exile. (Purchase the album from Amazon.com.)

Duke Ellington: According to The Plymouth University Website, Lecturer in Music Dr. Katherine Williams has been awarded the first ever Jazz Research Fellowship by the Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation and the Jazz Education Network to examine the differences between the live performances of Duke Ellington and his recorded work.

Erroll Garner: At JazzWax, Marc Myers talks about the Erroll Garner Quartet's tour of Paris in 1972 and shares a video of their appearance on the French television show, "Jazz Land."

Scott Joplin: According to KSLA News, Texarkana, the city has begun the restoration of a mural of Texarkana native Scott Joplin.

Charles Mingus: At All About Jazz, John Goodman provides an excerpt from his book, "Mingus Speak," where Mingus talks about avant-garde musicians and the importance of tradition in jazz. (Purchase the book from Amazon.com.)

Sonny Rollins: The Notes You Don't Play shares a 2005 interview between Joshua Redman and Sonny Rollins.

Lester Young: David Brent Johnson talks about Mosaic's upcoming Lester Young box set at Night Lights.

Robert
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RIP, Scott Joplin (1868-1917)

Scott Joplin, "The King of Ragtime," died on April 1, 1917, in New York City. He suffered from tertiary syphilis and descended into dementia. He was admitted to a mental institution in January 1917, and died there three months later at the age of 49. Joplin was buried in a pauper's grave, which remained unmarked for 57 years. In 1974, his grave at Saint Michaels Cemetery in East Elmhurst, New York, was finally given a marker.

Joplin blended European classical styles and African American harmonies and rhythm to produce ragtime, a music that, as one critic put it, "expressed the intensity and energy of a modern urban America." While some of Joplin's music (particularly "Maple Leaf Rag") was popular during his lifetime, interest in ragtime waned until its revival in the 1970s, thanks to the efforts of Joshua Rifkin and the use of Joplin's music in the film, "The Sting."

In his 101 Best Jazz Albums, Lyons recommends Scott Joplin 1916 (Biograph). Unfortunately, that album is not available in CD or MP3 format.

Jim Determan recommends the following alternatives on CD:

• Scott Joplin: The Entertainer (Shout Factory), available from Amazon.com.
  
• Scott Joplin: Elite Syncopations (Shout Factory), available from Amazon.com.
  
• Dick Hyman and James Levine: Scott Joplin's Greatest Hits (RCA), available from Amazon.com.
  
• Richard Zimmerman: Scott Joplin — His Complete Works (Delta), available from Amazon.com.
  
• Richard Zimmerman: Scott Joplin — His Greatest Hits (Legacy International), available from Amazon.com.
  
• Joshua Rifkin: Scott Joplin Piano Rags (Nonesuch), available from Amazon.com.
  

The first two albums listed above contain the six piano rolls from Scott Joplin 1916 that are actually played by Joplin. The Entertainer contains "Maple Leaf Rag," "Something Doing," and "Weeping Willow Rag," while Elite Syncopations contains "Maple Leaf Rag," "Ole Miss Rag" [by W.C. Handy], and "Magnetic Rag." Joplin plays "Maple Leaf Rag" via piano roll here:

Robert
Facebook page

Happy Birthday, Scott Joplin

Traditionally, November 24, 1868, has been given as the birthday of Scott Joplin, "The King of Ragtime." More recent research suggests that he was actually born in the second half of 1867.

In any event, Joplin blended European classical styles and African American harmonies and rhythm to produce ragtime, a music that, as one critic put it, "expressed the intensity and energy of a modern urban America." While some of Joplin's music (particularly "Maple Leaf Rag") was popular during his lifetime, interest in ragtime waned until its revival in the 1970s, thanks to the efforts of Joshua Rifkin and the use of Joplin's music in the film, "The Sting."

Joplin plays "Maple Leaf Rag" via piano roll here:

In his 101 Best Jazz Albums, Lyons recommends Scott Joplin 1916 (Biograph). Unfortunately, that album is not available in CD or MP3 format. Jim Determan recommends the following alternatives on CD:

• Scott Joplin: The Entertainer (Shout Factory), available from Amazon.com.
• Scott Joplin: Elite Syncopations (Shout Factory), available from Amazon.com.
• Dick Hyman and James Levine: Scott Joplin's Greatest Hits (RCA), available from Amazon.com.
• Richard Zimmerman: Scott Joplin — His Complete Works (Delta), available from Amazon.com.
• Richard Zimmerman: Scott Joplin — His Greatest Hits (Legacy International), available from Amazon.com.
• Joshua Rifkin: Scott Joplin Piano Rags (Nonesuch), available from Amazon.com.

The first two albums listed above contain the six piano rolls from Scott Joplin 1916 that are actually played by Joplin. The Entertainer contains "Maple Leaf Rag," "Something Doing," and "Weeping Willow Rag," while Elite Syncopations contains "Maple Leaf Rag," "Ole Miss Rag" [by W.C. Handy], and "Magnetic Rag."


Robert
Facebook page

RIP, Scott Joplin (1868-1917)

Scott Joplin, "The King of Ragtime," died on April 1, 1917, in New York City. He suffered from tertiary syphilis and descended into dementia. He was admitted to a mental institution in January 1917, and died there three months later at the age of 49. Joplin was buried in a pauper's grave, which remained unmarked for 57 years. In 1974, his grave at Saint Michaels Cemetery in East Elmhurst, New York, was finally given a marker.

Joplin blended European classical styles and African American harmonies and rhythm to produce ragtime, a music that, as one critic put it, "expressed the intensity and energy of a modern urban America." While some of Joplin's music (particularly "Maple Leaf Rag") was popular during his lifetime, interest in ragtime waned until its revival in the 1970s, thanks to the efforts of Joshua Rifkin and the use of Joplin's music in the film, "The Sting."

In his 101 Best Jazz Albums, Lyons recommends Scott Joplin 1916 (Biograph). Unfortunately, that album is not available in CD or MP3 format.

Jim Determan recommends the following alternatives on CD:

• Scott Joplin: The Entertainer (Shout Factory), available from Amazon.com.
  
• Scott Joplin: Elite Syncopations (Shout Factory), available from Amazon.com.
  
• Dick Hyman and James Levine: Scott Joplin's Greatest Hits (RCA), available from Amazon.com.
  
• Richard Zimmerman: Scott Joplin — His Complete Works (Delta), available from Amazon.com.
  
• Richard Zimmerman: Scott Joplin — His Greatest Hits (Legacy International), available from Amazon.com.
  
• Joshua Rifkin: Scott Joplin Piano Rags (Nonesuch), available from Amazon.com.
  

The first two albums listed above contain the six piano rolls from Scott Joplin 1916 that are actually played by Joplin. The Entertainer contains "Maple Leaf Rag," "Something Doing," and "Weeping Willow Rag," while Elite Syncopations contains "Maple Leaf Rag," "Ole Miss Rag" [by W.C. Handy], and "Magnetic Rag." Joplin plays "Maple Leaf Rag" via piano roll here:

Robert
Facebook page

Happy Birthday, Scott Joplin

Traditionally, November 24, 1868, has been given as the birthday of Scott Joplin, "The King of Ragtime." More recent research suggests that he was actually born in the second half of 1867.

In any event, Joplin blended European classical styles and African American harmonies and rhythm to produce ragtime, a music that, as one critic put it, "expressed the intensity and energy of a modern urban America." While some of Joplin's music (particularly "Maple Leaf Rag") was popular during his lifetime, interest in ragtime waned until its revival in the 1970s, thanks to the efforts of Joshua Rifkin and the use of Joplin's music in the film, "The Sting."

Joplin plays "Maple Leaf Rag" via piano roll here:

In his 101 Best Jazz Albums, Lyons recommends Scott Joplin 1916 (Biograph). Unfortunately, that album is not available in CD or MP3 format. Jim Determan recommends the following alternatives on CD:

• Scott Joplin: The Entertainer (Shout Factory), available from Barnes & Noble.
• Scott Joplin: Elite Syncopations (Shout Factory), available from Barnes & Noble.
• Dick Hyman and James Levine: Scott Joplin's Greatest Hits (RCA), available from Barnes & Noble.
• Richard Zimmerman: Scott Joplin — His Complete Works (Delta), available from Barnes & Noble.
• Richard Zimmerman: Scott Joplin — His Greatest Hits (Legacy International), available from Barnes & Noble.
• Joshua Rifkin: Scott Joplin Piano Rags (Nonesuch), available from Barnes & Noble.

The first two albums listed above contain the six piano rolls from Scott Joplin 1916 that are actually played by Joplin. The Entertainer contains "Maple Leaf Rag," "Something Doing," and "Weeping Willow Rag," while Elite Syncopations contains "Maple Leaf Rag," "Ole Miss Rag" [by W.C. Handy], and "Magnetic Rag."

Robert
Facebook page

RIP, Scott Joplin (1868-1917)

Scott Joplin, "The King of Ragtime," died on April 1, 1917, in New York City. He suffered from tertiary syphilis and descended into dementia. He was admitted to a mental institution in January 1917, and died there three months later at the age of 49. Joplin was buried in a pauper's grave, which remained unmarked for 57 years. In 1974, his grave at Saint Michaels Cemetery in East Elmhurst, New York, was finally given a marker.

Joplin blended European classical styles and African American harmonies and rhythm to produce ragtime, a music that, as one critic put it, "expressed the intensity and energy of a modern urban America." While some of Joplin's music (particularly "Maple Leaf Rag") was popular during his lifetime, interest in ragtime waned until its revival in the 1970s, thanks to the efforts of Joshua Rifkin and the use of Joplin's music in the film, "The Sting."

In his 101 Best Jazz Albums, Lyons recommends Scott Joplin 1916 (Biograph). Unfortunately, that album is not available in CD or MP3 format.

Jim Determan recommends the following alternatives on CD:

• Scott Joplin: The Entertainer (Shout Factory), available from Barnes & Noble.
  
• Scott Joplin: Elite Syncopations (Shout Factory), available from Barnes & Noble.
  
• Dick Hyman and James Levine: Scott Joplin's Greatest Hits (RCA), available from Barnes & Noble.
  
• Richard Zimmerman: Scott Joplin — His Complete Works (Delta), available from Barnes & Noble.
  
• Richard Zimmerman: Scott Joplin — His Greatest Hits (Legacy International), available from Barnes & Noble.
  
• Joshua Rifkin: Scott Joplin Piano Rags (Nonesuch), available from Barnes & Noble.
  

The first two albums listed above contain the six piano rolls from Scott Joplin 1916 that are actually played by Joplin. The Entertainer contains "Maple Leaf Rag," "Something Doing," and "Weeping Willow Rag," while Elite Syncopations contains "Maple Leaf Rag," "Ole Miss Rag" [by W.C. Handy], and "Magnetic Rag." Joplin plays "Maple Leaf Rag" via piano roll here:

Robert
Facebook page

Happy Birthday, Scott Joplin

Traditionally, November 24, 1868, has been given as the birthday of Scott Joplin, "The King of Ragtime." More recent research suggests that he was actually born in the second half of 1867.

In any event, Joplin blended European classical styles and African American harmonies and rhythm to produce ragtime, a music that, as one critic put it, "expressed the intensity and energy of a modern urban America." While some of Joplin's music (particularly "Maple Leaf Rag") was popular during his lifetime, interest in ragtime waned until its revival in the 1970s, thanks to the efforts of Joshua Rifkin and the use of Joplin's music in the film, "The Sting."

In his 101 Best Jazz Albums, Lyons recommends Scott Joplin 1916 (Biograph). Unfortunately, that album is not available in CD or MP3 format. Jim Determan recommends the following alternatives on CD:

• Scott Joplin: The Entertainer (Shout Factory), available from Barnes & Noble.
• Scott Joplin: Elite Syncopations (Shout Factory), available from Barnes & Noble.
• Dick Hyman and James Levine: Scott Joplin's Greatest Hits (RCA), available from Barnes & Noble.
• Richard Zimmerman: Scott Joplin — His Complete Works (Delta), available from Barnes & Noble.
• Richard Zimmerman: Scott Joplin — His Greatest Hits (Legacy International), available from Barnes & Noble.
• Joshua Rifkin: Scott Joplin Piano Rags (Nonesuch), available from Barnes & Noble.

The first two albums listed above contain the six paino rolls from Scott Joplin 1916 that are actually played by Joplin. The Entertainer contains "Maple Leaf Rag," "Something Doing," and "Weeping Willow Rag," while Elite Syncopations contains "Maple Leaf Rag," "Ole Miss Rag" [by W.C. Handy], and "Magnetic Rag."

Joplin plays "Maple Leaf Rag" via piano roll here:

Robert
Facebook page

RIP, Scott Joplin (1868-1917)

Scott Joplin, "The King of Ragtime," died on April 1, 1917, in New York City. He suffered from tertiary syphilis and descended into dementia. He was admitted to a mental institution in January 1917, and died there three months later at the age of 49. Joplin was buried in a pauper's grave, which remained unmarked for 57 years. In 1974, his grave at Saint Michaels Cemetery in East Elmhurst, New York, was finally given a marker.

Joplin blended European classical styles and African American harmonies and rhythm to produce ragtime, a music that, as one critic put it, "expressed the intensity and energy of a modern urban America." While some of Joplin's music (particularly "Maple Leaf Rag") was popular during his lifetime, interest in ragtime waned until its revival in the 1970s, thanks to the efforts of Joshua Rifkin and the use of Joplin's music in the film, "The Sting."

In his 101 Best Jazz Albums, Lyons recommends Scott Joplin 1916 (Biograph). Unfortunately, that album is not available in CD or MP3 format.

Jim Determan recommends the following alternatives on CD:

• Scott Joplin: The Entertainer (Shout Factory), available from Barnes & Noble.
  
• Scott Joplin: Elite Syncopations (Shout Factory), available from Barnes & Noble.
  
• Dick Hyman and James Levine: Scott Joplin's Greatest Hits (RCA), available from Barnes & Noble.
  
• Richard Zimmerman: Scott Joplin — His Complete Works (Delta), available from Barnes & Noble.
  
• Richard Zimmerman: Scott Joplin — His Greatest Hits (Legacy International), available from Barnes & Noble.
  
• Joshua Rifkin: Scott Joplin Piano Rags (Nonesuch), available from Barnes & Noble.
  

The first two albums listed above contain the six piano rolls from Scott Joplin 1916 that are actually played by Joplin. The Entertainer contains "Maple Leaf Rag," "Something Doing," and "Weeping Willow Rag," while Elite Syncopations contains "Maple Leaf Rag," "Ole Miss Rag" [by W.C. Handy], and "Magnetic Rag." Joplin plays "Maple Leaf Rag" via piano roll here:

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

One of the Main Purposes of This Blog

One of the main purposes of this blog is to maintain the list of jazz vinyl LPs, CDs, and MP3s that was first created by Len Lyons in his outstanding guide to jazz recordings, The 101 Best Jazz Albums (William Morrow and Company, Inc., 1980, ISBN 0-688-08720-5), and then updated by Jim Determan. Lyons listed vinyl LPs, and Determan added CDs. I have added MP3s.

The current list can be accessed via the page links in the left navigation bar.

Just how tricky it is to maintain this list can be seen by considering the very first album listed by Lyons: Scott Joplin's "Scott Joplin — 1916" (Biograph BLP-1006).

• The Biograph vinyl recommended by Lyons is available, and I have included a link to one of the versions that are available via Amazon.com. However, if you search "Scott Joplin - 1916" in Amazon's music store, you will find three or four different listings. One, for example, lists 4 used copies from $6.00. Another lists 3 used copies from $5.00. A third lists 1 used for $25.00. I have chosen to simplify matters and to list just one of the results from an Amazon search, usually the one with the most copies or the least expensive copies.
  
• As Jim Determan noted when he expanded the Lyons list to include CDs, this particular album has not been released as a CD. Instead, the cuts on the album have been spread out over 2 separate CDs. Unfortunately, Jim does not name these, and I have had to assume that he meant "The Entertainer" (Shout Factory) and "Elite Syncopations (Shout Factory). The first is available in CD and MP3 formats; the latter is available in vinyl LP, CD, and MP3 formats. I have linked these to Amazon.com.
  
• Jim Determan also recommended three alternatives to the Scott Joplin piano rolls, and even these present problems. The first, for example, is Dick Hyman's "Sixteen Classic Rags," which doesn't appear to be available in any format, and so I have listed "Scott Joplin's Greatest Hits," which includes 19 Joplin tunes, played by Hyman and James Levine.
  
• Determan's second alternative is Richard Zimmerman's "Scott Joplin - His Complete Works," which is available only on CD from Amazon resellers, and so I have listed it as well as Zimmerman's "Scott Joplin: His Greatest Hits," which includes 16 Joplin tunes and is available in CD and MP3 format.
  
• Finally, Determan suggests Joshua Rifkin's "Scott Joplin Piano Rags," which includes 17 Joplin tunes. But Determan also adds a note that he prefers the other two choices to Rifkin's "too slow and stately" interpretations.
  

Hopefully, in spite of these complexities, my efforts to update Lyons and Determan will prove helpful to folks who are interested in recorded jazz.
Robert