Eddie Lockjaw Davis

March 2, 2008. Posted by Joshua Jackson.

Add new comment | Filed under: andy kirk, Birthdays, cherokee, cootie williams, count basie orchestra, eddie davis, eddie lockjaw davis, hard bop, jazz genres, latin jazz, lockjaw, louis armstrong, lucky millinder, Masters, music check, presence, ray noble, sessions, soul jazz, swing, tenor saxophone

It's the birthday of tenor saxophone legend Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis. He was a pretty powerful presence in bands led by Cootie Williams, Lucky Millinder, Andy Kirk, Louis Armstrong, and Count Basie. He also led his own sessions, which included swing, bop, hard bop, Latin jazz, and soul jazz genres. Basically, Eddie Davis played a lot of music. Check out this video - Eddie plays Ray Noble's "Cherokee" with the Count Basie Orchestra.

© 2008 WBGO

Share |
IAJE Day 2 - The Gil Evans Commission

January 15, 2008. Posted by Joshua Jackson.

Add new comment | Filed under: alto flute, bass clarinet, clay jenkins, expense paid trip, foundation award, gil evans, harmonic material, herb alpert, honoree, IAJE 2008, iaje conference, interjections, jazz composer, jim white drums, johannesen, josh jackson, major thirds, maria schneider, peter sommer, tenor saxophone, time signatures

Each year, IAJE and the Herb Alpert Foundation award the esteemed Gil Evans Commission, honoring an emerging jazz composer. In addition to a modest fellowship, the honoree receives an all-expense paid trip to the IAJE conference to showcase the work. Past winners include Maria Schneider and John Hollenbeck.

This years winner is Wil Swindler, a Denver-based saxophonist and composer. Swinder brought presented his commissioned work, "Glass," featuring his Elevenet. They are - Wil Swindler (Alto Saxophone), Peter Sommer (Tenor Saxophone), Art Bouton (Alto Flute), April Johannesen (Bass Clarinet), Al Hood, Clay Jenkins (Trumpets), Jason Johnston (French Horn), Dave Stamps (Trombone), Gary Mayne (Tuba), Dana Landry (Piano), Erik Applegate (Bass), Jim White (Drums).
I asked Wil to describe the ideas behind his composition. Here's what he said:

This piece is composed on a four-note melodic cell transposed by major thirds to create a 12-note collection out of which the melodic and much of the harmonic material presents itself. It passes through a variety of time signatures and rhythmic feels, never straying from the four note cell and its derivative motives. Keep an ear out for the use of ensemble interjections during the alto solo - it is an acoustic representation of how a soloist might use a harmonization pedal to supplement some improvised lines.

Check out an audience recording of "Glass":
Wil Swindler Elevenet - Glass

-Josh Jackson

© 2008 WBGO

Share |

Bookmark & Share

RSS Feed

The easiest and most convenient way to catch up with the latest blog posts is to subscribe to WBGO's Blog RSS Feed.

Get the WBGO Blog Feed

Discover WBGO

RADAR: Terence Blanchard's MAGNETIC

Hear Terence Blanchard's MAGNETIC now - exclusively on WBGO more
Montreal Jazz Festival Trip

WBGO Travel invites you to a behind-the-scenes tour of the Montreal Jazz Festival, June 30 -... more
SportsJam with Doug Doyle

Host Doug Doyle talks to World Champion Sprinter Tyson Gay. more
Allan Wolper talks with community activist Julie Menin

Julie Menin, a candidate for the Democratic nomination for Borough President of Manhattan, is... more
Volunteer for WBGO!

Volunteers are very important to WBGO's existence. We welcome you to become involved in our... more
Newark Today with guest Mayor Cory Booker

The next Newark Today is on Thursday, May 23, at 8pm. more
Two Decades of JazzSet

See and hear highlights from WBGO’s national series, JazzSet from NPR Music more
Free WBGO Mobile app

Click here to download the free WBGO app for iPhone, iPad, iTouch and Android phones. more
WBGO HD2 - the jazz bee

WBGO's new showcase for emerging jazz artists and styles. Hear it at 88.3 HD2 and online now. more
Midday Jazz with Rhonda Hamilton Weekdays 10am - 2pm

Rhonda gives you the great music you need to get through the day, and she does it in her own... more
Morning Jazz with Gary Walker Weekdays 6 - 10am

Gary Walker helps you start your day each weekday morning. Join Gary and Morning News Anchor... more
Rhythm Revue with Felix Hernandez

Classic & contemporary soul, R&B, funk, blues, salsa/bugalu, Afro-soul and rock 'n... more
Afternoon Jazz with Michael Bourne Weekdays 2 - 6:30pm

Music host Michael Bourne bops in at 2pm, then strikes a chord with the Blues Hour each day at... more
The Checkout

An hour-long music magazine hosted by Josh Jackson features what's new on the New York jazz... more
Sunday Night Music Mix with Eulis Cathey

Each Sunday from 7-11pm, tune into WBGO to hear Sunday Night Music Mix with Eulis Cathey.... more
The WBGO Blog: Dr. Lewis Porter profiles

Visit the WBGO Blog for Dr. Lewis Porter's series "You Don't Know Jazz," to learn little known... more
Page 1 of 6
Show more