DRUMMER SUMMER Pt 4: INSPIRED. Follow the drummers. 'Hard Bop' flourishes with smart, athletic, humorous, inspired, determined, creative and lucky drummers. Billy Higgins was fuel and fanfare, whether it was hard bop or avant-garde. In a recording of Monk's, '52nd Street Theme' (video) Higgins is fervent without exaggeration. HARD CHOICES Saturdays 11am-1pm KMHD 89.1FM KMHD.org -Shawn K

DRUMMER SUMMER Pt 4: INSPIRED. Follow the drummers. 'Hard Bop' flourishes with smart, athletic, humorous, inspired, determined, creative and lucky drummers. Billy Higgins was fuel and fanfare, whether it was hard bop or avant-garde. In a recording of Monk's, '52nd Street Theme' (video) Higgins is fervent without exaggeration.  HARD CHOICES Saturdays 11am-1pm KMHD 89.1FM KMHD.org http://hardchoicesblog.blogspo​t.com/ -Shawn K

Roma - 1963
Billy Higgins on Drums, Henry Grimes on Bass, Don Cherry Trumpet, Sonny Rollins Sax.

(source: allmusic.com)
BIOGRAPHY- Billy Higgins
by Jason Ankeny
As a member of the groundbreaking Ornette Coleman-led quartet that launched the free jazz renaissance, Billy Higgins remains one of the most important and controversial drummers in music history. An uncommonly versatile and intuitive player, his nimble rhythmic patterns achieved a perfect balance between function and form, inspiring the great trumpeter Lee Morgan to remark "[Higgins] never overplays, but you always know he's there." Born October 11, 1936, in Los Angeles, Higgins began his career playing R&B, supporting headliners including Bo Diddley, Amos Milburn, and Jimmy Witherspoon. In 1953 he joined high school friend and trumpeter Don Cherry in the Jazz Messiahs, a group also featuring saxophonist James Clay; three years later, he began his session career, in the months to follow appearing on recording dates led by saxophonist Lucky Thompson and bassist Red Mitchell. Around this time, Higgins and Cherry met Coleman through mutual friend Clay. A virtual unknown, the Texas-born saxophonist was supporting himself with menial jobs while working diligently to hone a musical lexicon liberated from the restraints of conventional harmonic, melodic, and rhythmic structures. Both Higgins and Cherry soon joined Coleman's rehearsal group, which spent years woodshedding before finally securing its first live gigs in 1958, opening for Paul Bley at L.A.'s Hilcrest Club. Audiences were either angered or simply baffled by Coleman's radical sensibility, which he later dubbed "harmolodics," and with the 1958 release of his debut LP, Something Else!!!! The Music of Ornette Coleman, the controversy spread throughout the jazz populace, dividing musicians, critics, and fans alike.

DRUMMER SUMMER Pt 3: HUMOROUS. Follow the drummers. 'Hard Bop' flourishes with smart, athletic, humorous, inspired, determined, creative and lucky drummers. Max Roach (D), Arthur Taylor (D), Elvin Jones (D), Lee Morgan (TR), Reggie Workman (B), Archie Shepp (TS), Sonny Stitt (AS), Mickey Roker (D), appear. HARD CHOICES Saturdays 11am-1pm KMHD 89.1FM KMHD.org -Shawn K

DRUMMER SUMMER Pt 3: HUMOROUS. Follow the drummers. 'Hard Bop' flourishes with smart, athletic, humorous, inspired, determined, creative and lucky drummers. Max Roach (D), Elvin Jones (D), Art Blakey (D), Philly Joe Jones (D), Lee Morgan (TR), Reggie Workman (B), Archie Shepp (TS), The Show Boat, Sonny Stitt (SAX), Mickey Roker (D), Cherokee (NOBLE) and Philadelphia show up in this Bill Cosby appearance on Dick Cavett with Jack Benny. HARD CHOICES Saturdays 11am-1pm KMHD 89.1FM kmhd.org. More... http://hardchoicesblog.blogspo​t.com/ -Shawn K

KMHD Jazz Radio

DRUMMER SUMMER Pt 3: HUMOROUS. Follow the drummers. 'Hard Bop' flourishes with smart, athletic, humorous, inspired, determined, creative and lucky drummers. Max Roach (D), Arthur Taylor (D), Elvin Jones (D), Lee Morgan (TR), Reggie Workman (B), Archie Shepp (TS), Sonny Stitt (AS), Mickey Roker (D), appear. HARD CHOICES Saturdays 11am-1pm KMHD 89.1FM KMHD.org. http://hardchoicesblog.blogspo​t.com/ -Shawn K

Bill Cosby & his drumming gig with Sonny Stitt

www.youtube.com

This is from THE DICK CAVETT SHOW. February 21, 1973.

... and then, here is Max Roach.



CALENDAR
Courtesy Jazz Society of Oregon

Saturday, July 23
Allison Inn, Newberg: Anandi, Vic Frates, Patrick Henry, 6:30-10:30 pm
Aloft Hotel, wxyz Lounge: Ian James "Acoustic Nights," 6:30-9:30 pm
Amalfi's Restaurant: Noah Peterson
Cascade Bar & Grill, Vancouver: Bill Rhoades & the Party Kings, 9 pm-1 am
Goodfoot Lounge: Commotion w/guests Jans Ingber, Nicole Berke, more, $8, 21+, 9 pm
Heathman Hotel: Linda Lee Michelet Trio, no cover, 8 pm-midnight
Jazz Alley, Seattle: Steve Tyrell
Jimmy Mak's: Thara Memory's Superband, $10, 8 pm; minors until 9:30 pm
Milwaukie: "Milwaukie Festival Days" - Johnny Martin, 6 pm
Naked Winery: Bre Gregg Trio (Matt Tabor, piano, Chance Hayden, guitar), 7-10 pm
Nel Centro: Mike Pardew & Friends, 9:30-11:45 pm
Pioneer Courthouse Square: "Ecopalooza Wine & Jazz"- Shannon Saunders, Patrick Lamb, Devin Phillips, Mel Brown, more $35, TicketsOregon, 2-10 pm
Portland Prime: Mel Brown/Tony Pacini/Ed Bennett, 7:30-11 pm
Shirley's Tippy Canoe: Ollie McClay/Craig Bidondo
Touche: Gaea Schell/Kelly Shannon/Tom Wakeling, 8:30 pm

DRUMMER SUMMER Pt 2: ATHLETIC. Follow the drummers. 'Hard Bop' flourishes with smart, athletic, humorous, inspired, determined, creative and lucky drummers. 'Walkin' (video 1967) and 'So What' (video 1992 at blog) manifest the ascendancy of Tony Williams' muscle across decades. HARD CHOICES Saturdays 11am-1pm KMHD 89.1FM kmhd.org. -Shawn K

DRUMMER SUMMER Pt 2: ATHLETIC. Follow the drummers. 'Hard Bop' flourishes with smart, athletic, humorous, inspired, determined, creative and lucky drummers. 'Walkin' (video 1967) and 'So What' (video 1992 at blog) manifest the ascendancy of Tony Williams muscle across decades. HARD CHOICES Saturdays 11am-1pm KMHD 89.1FM kmhd.org http://hardchoicesblog.blogspo​t.com/ -Shawn K



'So What' Herbie Hancock Piano, Wayne Shorter Saxophone, Wallace Roney Trumpet, Tony Williams DRUMS, Ron Carter Bass. A Tribute To Miles Davis. Munchen '92 below... Tony's playing matured and filled in more of the space, if that was possible.



CALENDAR
[source: Jazz Society of Oregon]

Saturday, July 16
Aloft Hotel, wxyz Lounge: Andre St. James Trio, 7-10 pm
Cathedral Park, St. Johns: "31st Cathedral Park Jazz Festival" - Mike Winkle/Marcus Harbaugh/Craig Snazelle/Marty Higgins, noon; Weber Iago/Dave Valdez: Chamber Jazz, 2 pm; Warren Rand, 4 pm; Portland Jazz Quintet, 6 pm, freeJazz Alley, Seattle: Brian Culbertson
Nel Centro: Mike Pardew & Friends, 9:30-11:45 pm
Portland Prime: Mel Brown/Tony Pacini/Ed Bennett, 7:30-11 pm
Shirley's Tippy Canoe: Ollie McClay/Craig Bidondo
Touche: Kelly Shannon/Steve Christofferson, 8:30 pm
Sunday, July 17
Augustana Church: Jazz Service, Augustana Jazz Quartet (Marilyn Keller, George Mitchell, Kevin Deitz, Ron Steen); 6-7:30 pm
Blue Monk: Trio Subtonic (Galen Clark, keys; Bill Athens, bass; Jesse Brooke, drums), 8 pm
Cathedral Park, St. Johns: "31st Cathedral Park Jazz Festival" - Barbara Lusch, noon; Art Abrams, 2 pm; Patrick Lamb, 4 pm; Tom Grant, 6 pm; freeCinetopia, Beaverton: JB Butler
Clemente's Restaurant, Astoria: Swing Cats 6-9 pm
Clyde's Prime Rib: Ron Steen Jam, Gordon Lee, piano; Dennis Caiazza, bass; no cover, 8:30-11:30 pm
Jazz Alley, Seattle: Brian Culbertson
Petite Provence: 2jazzguitars (Barry Glick/Jim Putman), 6-8:30 pm
Riverview Restaurant: Craig Bidondo/Tim Gilson Duo
Tillicum: Johnny Martin, 6-9 pm
Tommy O's Pacific Rim Bistro, Vancouver (downtown): Tom Grant Band Concert & Jam Session, 6-9 pm

Buster Williams

Nancy Wilson
and Cannonball Adderley

DRUMMER SUMMER. Pt 1: SMART. Follow the drummers. 'Hard Bop' flourishes with smart, athletic, humorous, inspired, determined, creative and lucky drummers. 'Moanin' (video 1958) is a robust, hard bop model. Solos are pure. Art Blakey never stops animating these sophisticated musicians. You'll want more... HARD CHOICES Saturdays 11am-1pm KMHD 89.1FM kmhd.org http://hardchoicesblog.blogspo​t.com/ -Shawn K

DRUMMER SUMMER. Pt 1: SMART. Follow the drummers. 'Hard Bop' flourishes with smart, athletic, humorous, inspired, determined, creative and lucky drummers. 'Moanin' (video 1958) is a robust, hard bop model. Solos are pure. Art Blakey never stops animating these sophisticated musicians. You'll want more... HARD CHOICES Saturdays 11am-1pm KMHD 89.1FM kmhd.org http://hardchoicesblog.blogspo​t.com/ -Shawn K

Live In Belgium 1958
Art Blakey Drums - Lee Morgan Trumpet - Benny Golson Sax Tenor - Bobby Timmons Piano - Jymie Merritt Bass

CALENDAR
Courtesy of the Jazz Society of Oregon
Saturday, July 9
Aloft Hotel, wxyz Lounge: Mark Allan "Acoustic Nights," 6:30-9:30 pm
Blue Monk: Klezmocracy, 8:30 pm
Cafe Delirium, Gresham: Linda Daiber/Mike Doolin, no cover, 7-9 pm
Camellia Lounge: Rich Halley Quartet (Michael Vlatkovich/Andre St James /Carson Halley), $5
Jazz Alley, Seattle: Mose Allison
Jimmy Mak's: "Jimmy Mak's 15 year Anniversary" - Soul Vaccination w/Bruce Conte, $15 adv. guaranteed/$10 adv. General; 7:30 show, all ages; 10 pm 21+
Nel Centro: Mike Pardew & Friends, 9:30-11:45 pm
Oswego Lake House: John Gilmore, 7-9 pm; Tom Grant/Shelly Rudolph, 9 pm-midnight
Portland Prime: Mel Brown/Tony Pacini/Ed Bennett, 7:30-11 pm
Shirley's Tippy Canoe: Ollie McClay/Craig Bidondo
TaborSpace: Tim Reed & Friends, $7, 7-9 pm
Touche: Kelly Shannon Trio w/Gordon Lee, 8:30 pm
West Cafe: Carol Rossio Vocal Jazz Duo
Wilf's at Union Station: Kate Davis with Tom Grant/Ron Steen, $10, 8 pm-midnight
Amalfi's: Anson Wright/Brian Casey, 6:30-9 pm, no cover.

Chuck Israels in Portland

The most interesting work is now

By Lynn Darroch

JSO

Jack Sheldon is not dead(!), birthdays (2) Ahmad Jamal (1930) performs 'Avo' (video), Reggie Houston (1948), Bud Shank describes 'Port Townsend' (11:26), post bop Carmen Lundy sings 'My Favorite Things' (11:49), Terry & Brookmeyer blow 'Battle Hymn' (12:13), Cannonball wonders 'Why Am I Treated So Bad' (12:04) & is 'Mystified' (12:16), Kenny & Regina in 'Freefall' (12:35), on HARD CHOICES Saturdays 11am-1pm

Jack Sheldon is thankfully not dead(!), birthdays (2) Ahmad Jamal (1930) performs 'Avo' (video), Reggie Houston (1948), Bud Shank describes 'Port Townsend' (11:26), post bop Carmen Lundy sings 'My Favorite Things' (11:49), Clark Terry and Bob Brookmeyer blow 'Battle Hymn' (12:13), Cannonball Adderley (this week's artist spotlight on KMHD) wonders 'Why Am I Treated So Bad' (12:04) and is 'Mystified' (12:16), Kenny and Regina in 'Freefall' (12:35), on HARD CHOICES Saturdays 11am-1pm http://hardchoicesblog.blogspot.com/ -Shawn K