A member of Art Blakey’s sextet in the 1960s, Walton was a leading voice in the development of hard-bop piano, possessed of a style that welded meticulous technical execution to an exuberant sense of swing.
Song of the Day
Ahmad Jamal – “But Not For Me”
‘At the Pershing: But Not For Me’ was a breakout album for Ahmad Jamal, introducing the world at large to a pianist with a refreshingly minimalist style and an exceptional feel for dynamics.
Gerry Mulligan – “What Is There To Say?”
The album featured Art Farmer on trumpet, Bill Crow on bass and Dave Bailey on drums, and was praised for its intimate yet incendiary energy.
Grady Tate – “Sack Full of Dreams”
“Sack Full of Dreams” comes from Tate’s leader debut Windmills of Your Mind, from 1968.
Abigail Rockwell – “So In Love”
“This album was born from beauty and friction,” said Rockwell. “It is my love letter to the East and West coasts: the craggy edges of the East, the vast expanses of the West, and all the dark alleyways in between.”
Max Roach – “Freedom Day”
Legendary drummer Max Roach was born on this day — January 1 — in North…
Betty Carter – “You’re Mine You”
Vocalist Betty Carter was among the most respected mentor-performers of her day, famous for bringing young, up-and-coming musicians on tour and honing their talent on the road.
Chano Pozo – “Manteca”
“Manteca,” by percussionist Chano Pozo and the Dizzy Gillespie Jazz Orchestra, served as a prototype for the genre of music that would come to be known as Latin jazz.
Andy Milne – “Three-Way Mirror”
The concept for Andy Milne’s new album grew out of the pianist’s battle with prostate cancer and subsequent experience with homeopathic healing.
Herbie Nichols – “The Lady Sings The Blues”
Pianist Herbie Nichols was born on this day (January 3) in New York City in 1919. An overlooked genius, Nichols was a virtuosic piano player whose original compositions revealed an immense talent for rhythmic ingenuity, harmonic adventurousness and indomitable swing.
Trombone Shorty – “Where Y’At”
“Where Y’At,” today’s Song of the Day, comes from Trombone Shorty’s 2010 album ‘Backatown,’ which reached the No. 1 position on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz for nine consecutive weeks.
Bobby Timmons – “Auld Lang Syne”
Welcome to 2019, jazz fans. Swing in the new year with this version of pianist…
Julian Gerstin Sextet – “Jugo de Mambo”
The Julian Gerstin Sextet, “Jugo de Mambo,” from The Old City Percussionist Julian Gerstin has been…
Lester Young – “Sometimes I’m Happy”
The Lester Young Quartet, “Sometimes I’m Happy,” from The Essential Keynote Collection 1: The Complete Lester…
Ken Wiley – “Boléro”
Ken Wiley, “Boléro,” from Cuerno Exotica Ken Wiley is a French horn player, composer and producer…
John Scofield – “Chank”
John Scofield, “Chank,” from A Go Go (Verve) John Scofield (born December 26, 1951) has been a…
Charlie Parker – “White Christmas”
Merry Christmas, jazz fans. Our gift to you: this rare recording of Charlie Parker performing “White Christmas” during a live broadcast at the Royal Roost in New York City in 1948.
Louis Armstrong – “Zat You, Santa Claus?”
A lesser-known holiday tune from the legendary Louis Armstrong, “‘Zat You, Santa Claus?” is a swinging homage to Ol’ Saint Nick.
Frank Zappa – “Peaches en Regalia”
Today’s Song of the Day, “Peaches en Regalia,” comes from the multi-instrumentalist’s second solo album, Hot Rats, recorded in 1969.
Danny Bacher – “Lucky To Be Me”
Danny Bacher is a singer, saxophonist and songwriter who has been called “a prodigiously talented…
