Does anyone like jazz? Miles and Trane baby!

For me, "Kind of Blue" is the greatest work of recorded music, ever. I'm a regular supporter of the KRTU jazz radio here in town.

I used to really be into jazz fusion or smooth jazz but have definitely moved away from that and into more straight ahead styles.

Excellent thread.

Last year I saw the Return to Forever reunion at One World Theater in Austin. It was tremendous.

Alas.... I miss Pastorius... what a waste of a great talent!

I'm also big fan of Jean-luc Ponty. And here's one for you if you are familiar with them: Brand X. I have always been more in tune with the B Bop and Fusion circles. But I can also grove on Lee Ritenour, Earl Klugh, and The Rippingtons. Originally Posted by Rakhir

Excuse me while I pick myself up from the floor! Lol! Jaco was a genius and also a great loss. I like smooth jazz like old Spyro Gyra, David Sanborn and Grover Washington but like you, I'm also a bop guy. I admire Jean Luc but just can't get my ear tuned to jazz violin, harmonica or clarinet. I'll check out Brand X.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Jaco Pastorius, I've linked to a video of Jaco with Weather Report on one of Weather Report's most famous recordings. Jaco is the shirtless bass player and considered one of the greatest bass players to ever play the instrument. The unbelievable thing about many of the these musicians on stage, Jaco included, is that they were most likely enjoying too much pharmaceutical assistance which led to the demise of many a musician - "Birdland"

http://youtu.be/i8q6sR6yZCE

and here's Jaco with tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker. Michael Brecker influenced me the most all throughout my formative years and still does. Michael died of cancer not too many years ago and it was a great loss for the jazz community. The first sax player at the intro is Michael, the first solo however is saxophonist Bob Mintzer, the second sax solo is Michael and it starts with just percussion.

http://youtu.be/V26fDGoo6i4

Next weekend is Jazz Lovers Time in the Park!!!! For details:
http://www.jazzsa.org/. Come get your groove on!!!

Next weekend is Jazz Lovers Time in the Park!!!! For details:
http://www.jazzsa.org/. Come get your groove on!!! Originally Posted by Nutting Buckeye

YES!! A very nice evening can be had at Travis Park with lots of food and lots of pretty girls! Take a blanket and enjoy because it's truly a great venue and this years line up is outstanding. Thanks to Buckeye for the reminder!

I think Jaco was the first mainstream player to be accredited with playing a fretless bass

For me, "Kind of Blue" is the greatest work of recorded music, ever. I'm a regular supporter of the KRTU jazz radio here in town.

I used to really be into jazz fusion or smooth jazz but have definitely moved away from that and into more straight ahead styles.

Excellent thread. Originally Posted by DaMan

I havent had a chance to check KRTU recently but do they still have that Latin jazz/Salsa program with Henry Brun on sundays? I loved that program.

FYI Brand X is contemporary of Weather Report and believe it or not Phil Collins was the drummer. Phenomenal group but didn't last mrs than a few years.

BTW I have a DVD of Weather Report Live featuring Jaco. He does an incredible 10min bass solo that it truly inspired. I can share copies if anyone wishes.

Also I think we have to include Winton Marsalis. Another great!

FYI Brand X is contemporary of Weather Report and believe it or not Phil Collins was the drummer. Phenomenal group but didn't last mrs than a few years.

BTW I have a DVD of Weather Report Live featuring Jaco. He does an incredible 10min bass solo that it truly inspired. I can share copies if anyone wishes.

Also I think we have to include Winton Marsalis. Another great! Originally Posted by Rakhir

Oh yeah, the Marsalis family most definitely. Jason Marsalis(Trombone I think) will be featured over at the jazz fest at Travis Park.
Phil Collins is a great drummer and you know who else is a significant jazz drummer is Steve Smith from Journey. Here is a little somethin' y'all might be amazed with, watch this:http://youtu.be/4Or2SmIDxdY

Anyone heard of the Brecker Bros.? Michael Brecker? Originally Posted by Rodram

Michael Brecker is nice. Check out John Klemmer, Pat Metheney Group and john Patitucci - just to name a few

The Steve Smith link was hip! Thanks for the link. I have a really cool dbl cd set of a tribute to Buddy Rich produced by Neil Pert that has some of the original members of the Tommy Dorsey Band along with a host of other musicians. Neil performs on some of the tracks as well. The older I get the more I appreciate the genius of Buddy and his band.

The Steve Smith link was hip! Thanks for the link. I have a really cool dbl cd set of a tribute to Buddy Rich produced by Neil Pert that has some of the original members of the Tommy Dorsey Band along with a host of other musicians. Neil performs on some of the tracks as well. The older I get the more I appreciate the genius of Buddy and his band. Originally Posted by Rakhir

Thought you'd like that. Buddy Rich, I haven't thought about him or Louis Bellson in years. I remember a Muppet Show segment where Animal does a drum battle with Buddy Rich and it is so funny. Here are 2 epic drum battles,

I don't think I have to say anything on this one
http://youtu.be/7t7G3TKdKeM

This last one here is between 3 drummers that are extremely influential to the jazz and studio drummer genre today. This video is from the 80's so the guy in the middle with the giant mullet is Dave Weckl and he's very technical, clean, and fast; the guy to his right is Steve Gadd, and he is also technical and very downbeat/groove oriented and probably every person who has ever watched a commercial or listened to music, has heard him. He is the prolific session drummer of the bunch at IMHO; and finally, the guy with glasses is Vinnie Colaiuta and he's an alien from another planet.

First is Dave, second is Vinnie and third is Steve:http://youtu.be/Ln6b_nBM-V8

Michael Brecker is nice. Check out John Klemmer, Pat Metheney Group and john Patitucci - just to name a few Originally Posted by luv2daty

Thanks and oh yes, I'm familiar with those 3 most definitely!

Rodram your link prompted me to put this one up. Just couldn't resist
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOeE0a8pK_E

Also it occurred to me one of the greats nobody seems to remember anymore is Freddy Hubbard. Like many musicians he burned himself out but in his heyday he was one hell of a trumpet player.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwY9hup3eIw

Rodram your link prompted me to put this one up. Just couldn't resist
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOeE0a8pK_E

Also it occurred to me one of the greats nobody seems to remember anymore is Freddy Hubbard. Like many musicians he burned himself out but in his heyday he was one hell of a trumpet player.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwY9hup3eIw Originally Posted by Rakhir

Robot chicken is the sick-shit! I always catch them after Family Guy. STEWIE!!

Yeah, Freddie Hubbard was the fav for all the trumpet players at UNT, but at that time, I was listening to a lot of Woody Shaw, Dizzy and Chet Baker.

Hey since you like Return to Forever, you might like Steps Ahead. When I was in school at UNT, this was the most influential band everyone was listening to at the time:

Michael Brecker: saxophone, EWI
Steve Smith: drums
Mike Stern: guitar
Daryl Jones: bass
Mike Manieri: vibes

Recorded in Tokyo, July 30 1986


After the release of the album "Magnetic" in 1985, Mike Mainieri and Michael Brecker along with the revamped rhythm section of Mike Stern, Daryl Jones and Steve Smith, embarked on a series of concert tours. One of these concerts was recorded live at Kan-i Hoken Hall in Tokyo and originally released on laserdisc. Many steps Ahead fans and musicians who caught this ensemble 'live', either at the 'Bottom Line' in New York City or at other venues, have ever since remembered the inspiration with which these great musicians played together. And to remember one of the greatest "fusion" bands ever, nothing better then seeing them perform live.

Steps Ahead Live in Tokyo

http://youtu.be/MkyTk5OmVaU