|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Bebop Lives! The James Moody Quartet at the Iridium |
|
|
|
Written by Ronaldo Oregano
|
|
Thursday, 03 August 2006 |
 James Moody © Howard A. Gitelson
This year marks Jazz legend, James Moody’s 81st birthday and six
decades in the music industry. Since the 1940's, saxophone master
James Moody has serenaded lovers with his signature song Moody's Mood
for Love an improvisation on the chord progressions of I'm in the Mood
for Love. He brings his stellar quartet to the Iridium in New York for
four nights of bebop magic, August 10th through the 13th. He will then
travel to Chicago for six evenings at the Jazz Showcase August 15th
through the 20th. The James Moody Quartet includes Moody on reeds, Renee
Rosnes on piano, Tod Coolman on bass, and Adam
Nussbaum on drums.
Born in Savannah, Georgia, on March 26th, 1925, and raised in Newark,
New Jersey, James Moody took
up the alto sax, a gift from his uncle, at the age of 16. A few years
later, impressed by saxmen Buddy Tate and Don Byas of the Count Basie
Orchestra, he switched to the full bodied tenor saxophone. Following
his discharge from the US Air Force in 1946, Moody joined the
influential BeBop big band of Dizzy Gillespie. During that time, he
recorded with trumpeter Howard McGhee and vibist Milt Jackson for Dial
Records. A year later he made his recording debut as a leader (James
Moody and His BeBop Men), using players from the Gillespie band. His
now legendary 16-bar solo on Gillespie's
Emanon alerted jazz fans to an emerging world-class soloist.
 Renee Rosness
A cool man on Bass, Todd Coolman
graduated from the Indiana University School of Music with a Bachelor
of Music degree in Doublebass Performance in 1975. Since moving to New
York, Coolman as performed, toured world-wide and/or recorded
with a virtual "who's who" of jazz artists including Horace Silver,
Gerry Mulligan, Al Haig, Stan Getz, Benny Golson, Art Farmer, Tommy
Flanagan, Lionel Hampton, Benny Goodman, Hal Galper, and numerous
others. He has performed with The James Moody Quartet for 18
years as well as free lance work in New York City, Europe, and Japan.
Also a jazz educator, Coolman is the Director of Jazz Studies at
Purchase College (SUNY) and for over twenty years has remained active
as a clinician and lecturer at universities throughout the world.
Todd Coolman won the 1998 Grammy Award for "Best Album Notes" for my
lengthy contribution to the Miles Davis boxed set entitled "Miles Davis
Quintet 1965-1968." Today, He actively performs with an impressive
array of artists in
addition to Moody, including: Ahmad Jamal, Slide Hampton, Jimmy Heath,
Frank Wess, and was the last bassist to perform with The Carnegie Hall
Jazz Band.
 Adam Nussbaum
Hear the James Moody Quartet at the Irridium in New York on August 10th
through the 13th, and in Chicago for six evenings at the Jazz
Showcase on August 15th
through the 20th.
|
|
 Tuesday, 07 October 2008
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
Home | CD Reviews | Interviews | SF Bay Area | Chicago | Los Angeles | New York | Twin Cities, MN | More Cities | Festivals | FAQ | News | Contact | Video of the Week | 
