Pam, Lola and Tina

In The Wall Street Journal this week, I interviewed Pam Grier, queen of the African-American action films of the 1970s, for my "House Call" column in the Mansion section (go here). Pam starred in films such as Coffy (1973), Foxy Brown (1974), Sheba Baby (1975) and many more. You may be most familiar with Pam in Quentin Tarantino's Jackie Brown (1997).

Here's the trailer for Foxy Brown...

And here's the opening to Jackie Brown...

For my "Playlist" column this week in the Review section, I interviewed celebrated travel writer Paul Theroux on his favorite song—Fadhili William's Malaika (go here) and why it means so much to him. [Photo above courtesy of the Angola Field Group] Here's the song...

Lola Albright (1924-2017), a singer and actress who played Peter Gunn's girlfriend on the Peter Gunn TV detective show, died in March. Now, Fresh Sound has released her only two albums—Lola Wants You (1957) and Dreamsville (1959), a rare instance where a singer was backed by Henry Mancini and his orchestra on a non-soundtrack album. Also on the new release are eight bonus tracks of Albright's vocals in scenes on Peter Gunn plus in-depth liner notes. You'll find Lola Albright: The Jazz Singer on the 'Peter Gunn' TV Series here or here.

Tina Brooks radio. On Sunday, May 14, my main radio man Sid Gribetz will present a five-hour radio program featuring the music of tenor saxophonist Tina Brooks from 2 to 7 p.m. (EDT) on WKCR-FM's Jazz Profiles series. You can listen on you your computer or phone from anywhere in the world by going here and clicking "listen live."

Dave Pell. Following my tribute to the late tenor saxophonist and octet leader Dave Pell, Jordi Pujol of Fresh Sound Records sent along the following...

 

"Hi Marc. I loved your interview with Dave. I was with him last November, and at 91 he was still looking out for me and proposing new business and productions. I first met Dave in the summer of 1984, and during my first trips to Los Angeles he helped me a great deal. He was like a father to me (that's us above in 1985). I will never forget his help and his positive, optimistic outlook. He was full of energy, and he remained professionally active until near his end. His octet was the oldest performing jazz aggregation in Los Angeles, playing every week. It's a sad day, but Dave's mischievous smile, his Jazz for Dancing and Listening, and the sound he represented will always be with us. God bless him!”

 

For Fresh Sounds' releases of Dave Pell's albums, go here.

John Cameron, the British rock and jazz pianist-arranger who worked with Donovan and Harold McNair in the 1960s, sent along the following email...

"Good morning, Marc. I just found this image (above). It shows, from left, percussionist Tony Carr, me, Harold McNair and Danny Thompson during my Off Centre recording session in January 1969. Love that ancient tech!"

Off Centre (1969) is a tremendous album and hard to find. Here's Troublemaker...

Blossom Dearie. Following my post on vocalist Nicki Parrott's new Dear Blossom (Arbors) album, I received the following from John Putney...

"Marc, I thought you’d find this comment from Dave Frishberg regarding Blossom Dearie of interest:

During the late sixties I [Frishberg] played a couple weeks solo opposite the Bill Evans Trio at the Village Gate on Bleecker St, and had some conversations with him. I asked Bill how he came upon his piled-fourths voicing of chords, and his immediate answer was that he heard Blossom Dearie play that way and it really knocked him out. Then he did a little rave review of Blossom, naming her as one of his models of piano playing. It was such a surprising response that I never forgot it."

Marlene VerPlanck, an extraordinary singer, will be at the Blue Note on Sunday, May 14. The Blue Note is at 131 West 3rd St. in New York. Show times are 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. $35 includes music, brunch and a drink. For reservations: (212) 475-8582. She will be backed by pianist Tedd Firth, bassist Jay Leonhart and tenor saxophonist Harry Allen.

Joe Alterman, a jazz pianist with a Red Garland touch, will be performing in Hilton Head, S.C. at the Jazz Corner next Friday and Saturday, May 19th and 20th, with shows at 8PM each night. For more information and reservations, go here.

Then he'll be performing in Atlanta at the Velvet Note on Saturday, June 17th, with sets at 7:30 & 9:30PM. For more information and reservations: call (855) 583-5838 or go online here. Then he'll in New York at the Blue Note on June 25 performing two sets, at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $35, which includes brunch, music and a drink. For reservations, call (212) 475-8592 or go online here.

What the heck. Here's A Taste of Honey—singers Hazel Payne (guitar) and Janice–Marie Johnson (bass)—playing Boogie Oogie Oogie from 1978...

Oddball album cover of the week.

I guess our tipsy father is expecting a girl. Poor dad, under so much stress awaiting the news. Breathe, breathe. Bet he could use an epidural. Or some easy listening...

       

from JazzWax http://ift.tt/2puq5wA