Author

Doug Ramsey

Music

Riffs on Roy

Oak Cliff native Roy Hargrove may not have the depth and seasoning of Wynton Marsalis, but the 26-year-old prodigy could still be one of the great jazz trumpeters of our day.

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Jazz |
May 31, 1987

Good Vibes

Vibraharpist Charlie Shoemake keeps so busy in L.A. that he seldom strays back to his home state. Fortunately, we can hear him on new recordings.

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Jazz |
December 1, 1986

Wide-open Blues

From James Clay to John Park, Texas tenor sax masters prove their mettle on new LPs.

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Jazz |
August 31, 1986

Midland’s Bebop Bash

What’s remarkable about this exclusive jazz party isn’t just that it’s in Midland. The biggest surprise comes when the music starts.

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Jazz |
May 31, 1986

Treasure from the Vault

New releases of Duke Ellington’s work give us exquisite music from small bands, a dance band having fun, and stereo recording twenty years before its time.

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Jazz |
September 30, 1985

Beyond the Standard

Those who think there’s nothing new under the sun should check out the superior jazz improvisations on three recently released albums.

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Jazz |
August 31, 1985

Swinging With Zoot

From the moment tenor saxophonist Zoot Sims sounded his first note to just before his death four decades later, he performed with irresistible spirit and intensity.

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Jazz |
May 31, 1985

Just One of Those Things

Jazz singers defy definition. They may scat, or they may not; they may be veterans or newcomers; they may decline the label of jazz singer. But their music always gives them away.

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Jazz |
April 1, 1985

Lingering Blues

John Hardee and Budd Johnson were two legendary Texas tenors who had their own ways of making peace with the rigors of the jazz life.

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Jazz |
November 1, 1984

Teagarden of Delights

Tribute to Teagarden captures the fullness and humanity of the late Texas trombonist’s art; plus a roundup of recent jazz releases.

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Jazz |
June 30, 1984

Getting Mellow

In the sixties the fee-jazz movement produced music that was defiantly experimental, and the same artists are still playing some of the most stimulating jazz around.

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Jazz |
March 1, 1984

Back in the Mood

A definitive Smithsonian Recordings collection sets a new standard for big band anthologies; other big band recordings prove that swing remains vibrantly alive.

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Jazz |
January 1, 1984

Unabridged Webster

You may not have heard saxman Ben Webster when he was around, but his recordings with Duke Ellington, Benny Carter, and Gerry Mulligan are a treasure trove not to be missed.

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Jazz |
December 1, 1983

The Proof Is in the Piano

Fabled Texas pianist Peck Kelley appears, at last, on a gold mine of an album. There’s lodes more with Red Garland, Pete Petersen, and other jazz whizzes.

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Jazz |
June 30, 1983

Jazz in Camouflage

The music of tenor saxman John Handy is rooted in Texas and the blues, and he uses his distinctive sound to lure more listeners to jazz.

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Jazz |
April 1, 1983

Down with Compromise

Freddie Hubbard’s attempts to play pop music have been disastrous. But when he tackles a pure mainstream sound, he shows what jazz trumpeting is all about.

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Jazz |
August 31, 1982

Art Pepper’s Last Chorus

The late alto saxophonist lived a life marred by heroin addiction and prison time, but his pain was only a counterpoint to the beauty of his music.

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Jazz |
June 30, 1982

The Kid Is Blowing Them Away

In the footsteps of Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, and other trumpet greats comes twenty-year-old Wynton Marsalis. Judging by their latest albums, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, and fellow veterans are doing all right too.

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Jazz |
April 1, 1982

Jazz Mastered

The greatness of Paul Desmond, the staying power of Art Blakey, the de-fusion of Stan Gertz--all these are on record, and more.

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Jazz |
November 1, 1981

Jazz Rally

Recordings from the old pros prove the virtue of virtuosity.

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Jazz |
March 1, 1981

Ambassadors of Jazz

The late Lester Young is a past president of jazz, and his music still holds sway. Albums by other musicians get votes of confidence, too.

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Jazz |
September 30, 1980

Prince Albert

Although Don Albert’s music was a mainstay of the forties, his obstinate stand against racism put him years ahead of his time.

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Jazz |
April 1, 1980

Jazz Salad

Some old greats forged ahead in 1979, but young musicians kept up.

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Jazz |
June 30, 1979

Breeden Ground

Leon Breeden’s jazz students at North Texas State University are already pros, and they have recorded two new albums to prove it.

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Performance |
March 1, 1977

Seeing Red

The only way Red Garland could make us mad would be to quite playing piano.

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Records |
April 30, 1976

The Big Beboppers

Would the renegade jazzmen who started bop recognize what’s happened to their music?

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