Music
April 30, 1996
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.
36 Articles
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.
Jazz
March 1, 1987
Pardon Me, Boy, Is That Tex Beneke?
At 73, this Fort Worth jazzman still sings “Chattanooga Choo-Choo,” but he wants new songs, more gigs, and younger audiences.
Jazz
December 1, 1986
Wide-open Blues
From James Clay to John Park, Texas tenor sax masters prove their mettle on new LPs.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Jazz
January 1, 1985
Heard Any Good Live Jazz Lately?
A purist’s guide to the night spots of Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, and Austin.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Jazz
November 1, 1981
Jazz Rally
Recordings from the old pros prove the virtue of virtuosity.
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.
Jazz
December 1, 1980
Stompin’ By the Bayou
Houston’s first jazz festival turned Miller Theatre into a hothouse of sound.
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.
Jazz
April 1, 1980
Jazz Salad
Some old greats forged ahead in 1979, but young musicians kept up.
Jazz
January 1, 1980
Love For Sale
The Midland Jazz Classic wasn’t cheap, but it was worth the price.
Jazz
August 31, 1979
Requiem for a Heavyweight
Charles Mingus was a great jazz musician with a sharp mind, an impeccable sense of rhythm, and a mighty powerful fist.
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.
Jazz
January 1, 1979
Starring Rowles
Last year’s jazz records are this year’s best buys.
Jazz
August 31, 1978
Quarter Time
How to lose you not-enough-jazz-in-Texas blues.
Music
March 1, 1977
Seeing Red
The only way Red Garland could make us mad would be to quit playing piano.
Records
November 1, 1976
Saints Alive
New records, old musicians, and all that jazz.
Records
April 30, 1976
The Big Beboppers
Would the renegade jazzmen who started bop recognize what’s happened to their music?
Records
December 1, 1975
Blowing in the Winds
The saxiest men in Texas.
Music
September 30, 1975
The World‘s Best Basic Record Collection
Building a classical, rock, country, and jazz library on a budget.