Bobby Hutcherson Quartet Plays "Little B's Poem":
I once mentioned the greatness of the jazz vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson on this site, and now there's a clip on YouTube that does Hutcherson justice: Hutcherson leading a terrific quartet playing his classic tune "Little B's Poem." I believe the performance was recorded in Japan at the 1989 Mount Fuji Jazz Festival.
In this recording, Hutcherson is joined by three very familiar players that Miles Davis had first brought together in 1963: Herbie Hancock on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and the late-great Tony Williams on drums. Hutcherson had played with each of them many times before, including on a number of '60s era Blue Notes. The tune is one of Hutcherson's best known compositions; it was named after his son Barry ("Little B"). Hutcherson explains in the liner notes to his 1965 Components album that the melodic line reminded him of how Barry had played as a toddler.
Here's the clip:
In this recording, Hutcherson is joined by three very familiar players that Miles Davis had first brought together in 1963: Herbie Hancock on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and the late-great Tony Williams on drums. Hutcherson had played with each of them many times before, including on a number of '60s era Blue Notes. The tune is one of Hutcherson's best known compositions; it was named after his son Barry ("Little B"). Hutcherson explains in the liner notes to his 1965 Components album that the melodic line reminded him of how Barry had played as a toddler.
Here's the clip:
Any chance we can hear your thoughts on the new, new day?
Says the "Dog"
Says the "Dog"
Give me CT Meets Monk or give me death.
(As for the Metallica comment, check out Apocalyptica if you haven't already.)
_R_
Dialogue (considered one of the best jazz albums by many)
Patterns (wonderful compositions)
Color Schemes (perhaps the only outstanding jazz marimba recording other than Chick Corea's work on Wayner Shorter's Motto Grosso Feio)
I have all 40 or so of Hutch's albums as a leader, as well as another 50 or so with him as a sideman. The only things I don't have are 6 or 7 records on minor labels that are long out of print and hard to find on ebay. That list is getting smaller as more and more OOP LPs get a new run on CD, fortunately.
My own favorites are probably Happenings, In the Vanguard, and Live at Montreaux. But it's hard to choose.
Just sayin'.
Bee Bop has always been my favorite jazz style.
Says the "Dog"
Follow up: Are you into other vibists? Or is your addiction Hutch specific? If so, who else to you dig other than Hutch and Milt Jackson?
In terms of other players beyond Hutch (and obviously Bags, the best blues player ever), I think Stefon Harris is a wonderful player. His recent efforts haven't necessarily been successful, but maybe 3 years ago I spent a night at the Iridium (all three sets) watching Harris and Hutch together in a quintet. Harris blew Hutch away, although I think Hutch was just having a bad night. I also like Steve Nelson, although I don't follow him closely.
Bonus round: what would you recommend are the best places to hear jazz in DC? I will be in town on the first weekend in Nov.
Fabio
E-mail me at my law.gwu.edu address -- I would be happy to share my thoughts on that.