On July 3, 2023, Michael Ralph “Mo” Foster died aged 79. He was multi-instrumentalist, composer, record producer, author, and public speaker. In his career spanning over half a century, Foster recorded and performed with dozens of artists, including Jeff Beck, Gil Evans, Phil Collins, Ringo Starr, Joan Armatrading, Gerry Rafferty, Brian May, Scott Walker, Frida (of ABBA), Cliff Richard, Van Morrison, Dr John, Hank Marvin, Heaven 17, the London Symphony Orchestra, Peter Green, Micheal Schenker, Gary Moore, Sting, Cher, Olivia Newton John, Elkie Brroks, Neil Innes, Judie Tzuke, Sheena Easton, Meat Loaf, Trevor Rabin, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Luka Bloom, Tim Rice, Nigel Kennedy, Affinity, Mike d’Abo, Roger Glover, Jimmy Helms. Fancy, Veronique Sanson, Mike Smith, Cerrone, Ray Russell, Andy Bown, The Walker Brothers, Chris Rainbow, Dollar, Dennis Waterman, Eric Clapton, RMS, Bob Geldof, Joe Walsh, Tony Banks, Leo Sayer, Russ Ballard, Claudio Baglioni, Kenny Rogers, Howard Jones, Tanita Tikaram, Georger Martin, Nancy Griffith and Maggie Bell. As leader, Foster released several albums, and authored a humorous book on the history of British rock guitar. In 2014, he was awarded with the “BASCA Gold Badge Award”.
Tag Archives: Gil Evans
Wayne Shorter
On March 2, 2023, Wayne Shorter died aged 89. He was musician (saxophone) and composer. He was member of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and Miles Davis’s Second Great Quintet, and then co-founded the band Weather Report. Many of the Shorter’s compositions have become jazz standards and his work earned critical praise worldwide. In 1970, he won “Down Beat’s” annual poll-winner, winning the critics’ poll for 10 consecutive years and the readers’ poll for 18 consecutive years. Shorter recorded and performed with Donald Byrd, Billy Childs, Pino Daniele, Lou Donaldson, Benny Golson, Gil Evans, Toninho Horta, Norah Jones, J. J. Johnson, Don Henley, Wynton Kelly, Michael Landau, Lionel Loueke, Grachan Moncur III, Milton Nascimento, Michel Petrucciani, The Rolling Stones, Masahiko Satoh, John Scofield, Esperanza Spalding, Steely Dan, Bobby Timmons, Kazumi Watanabe, Buster Williams, Herbie Hacock, Tony Williams, Joe Zawinul, Freddie Hubbard, Joni Mitchell, Lee Morgan, Jaco Pastorius, Carlos Santana and McCoy Tyner. In 2008, “The New York Times” described Shorter as “probably jazz’s greatest living small-group composer and a contender for greatest living improviser”. In 2017, he was awarded the “Polar Music Prize”. As leader, Shorter released 28 albums.
Howard Johnson
On January 11, 2021, Howard Lewis Johnson died aged 79. He was musician (tuba, baritone saxophone, bass clarinet, trumpet), member and leader of the tuba ensembles Tuba Libre, Substructure, and Gravity. He recorded and performed with some of the world best known musicians and bands, including George Gruntz, Hank Crawford, Gil Evans, Charles Mingus, Hank Crawford, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Archie Shepp, Hank Mobley, Levon Helm, Tomasz Stanko, Gary Burton, Gábor Szabó, Bob Thiele, Charlie Haden, Jazz Composers, Andrew Hill, Leon Thomas, Johnny Coles, Taj Mahal, Charles Tolliver, The Band, Carla Bley, John Lennon, Sam Rivers, Gato Barbieri, Jaco Pastorius, Muddy Waters, Dexter Gordon, Clifford Jordan, David “Fathead” Newman, James Taylor, Jack De Johnette, Jimmy Heath, Franco Ambrosetti, George Gruntz, Miles Davis, Quincy Jones, NDR Big Band, Ray Anderson, Barbara Dennerlein, John Scofield, T. S. Monk, Mario Pavone, and Chet Baker. As leader he released four albums.
Miles Davis: Quiet Nights
On December 16, 1963, “Columbia” label released “Quiet Nights”, the 36th Miles Davis album, and his fourth and final album collaboration with Gil Evans. It was recorded July – November 1962, April 1963, at “Columbia’s 30th Street Studios” in Manhattan, and was produced by Teo Macero and Irving Townsend.
Personnel:
- Miles Davis – trumpet
- Gil Evans – arranger, conductor
- Shorty Baker, Bernie Glow, Louis Mucci, Ernie Royal – trumpets
- J.J. Johnson, Frank Rehak – trombones
- Ray Alonge, Don Corrado, Julius Watkins – french horns
- Bill Barber – tuba
- Steve Lacy – soprano saxophone
- George Coleman – tenor saxophone
- Albert Block – flute
- Ray Beckenstein, Jerome Richardson – woodwinds
- Garvin Bushell, Bob Tricarico – bassoons
- Janet Putnam – harp
- Victor Feldman – piano
- Ron Carter – bass
- Paul Chambers – bass
- Jimmy Cobb – drums
- Frank Butler – drums
- Willie Bobo – bongos
- Elvin Jones – percussion
- Fred Plaut – engineer
- Dan Hunstein – photography
Track listing:
- Song No. 2 (a.k.a. Prenda Minha, Brazilian folk song) – Gil Evans, Miles Davis
- Once Upon a Summertime – Johnny Mercer, Michel Legrand
- Aos Pés da Cruz – Marino Pinto, José Gonçalves
- Song No. 1 (a.k.a. Adelita by Francisco Tárrega) – Gil Evans, Miles Davis
- Wait Till You See Her – Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart
- Corcovado – Antônio Carlos Jobim
- Summer Night – Harry Warren, Al Dubin
Mike Gibbs: Mike Gibbs + Twelve Play Gil Evans
On August 12, 2013, “Whirlwind Recordings” label released “Mike Gibbs + Twelve play Gil Evans”, the twelve Mike Gibbs album. It was recorded in 2013 and was produced by Mike Gibbs, Hans Koller, Michael Janisch, and Alex Bonney.
Personnel:
- Mike Gibbs – arranger, conductor
- Finn Peters – alto saxophone, flutes
- Julian Siegel – soprano and tenor saxophone, bass clarinet
- Lluis Mather – tenor saxophone, clarinets
- Percy Pursglove, Robbie Robson, Joe Aukland – trumpet
- Jim Rattigan – French horn
- Mark Nightingale – trombone
- Sarah Williams – bass trombone, tuba
- Hans Koller – piano
- Michael Janisch- double bass
- Jeff Williams– drums
- Alex Bonney – engineer, editing
- Tyler McDiarmid – mixing, mastering
- Michael Janisch – executive producer
Track listing:
- Bilbao Song – Kurt Weill(arranged by Gil Evans)
- Las Vegas Tango – Gil Evans
- Ida Lupino – Carla Bley
- Feelings & Things – Michael Gibbs
- Sister Sadie – Horace Silver(arranged by Gil Evans)
- Spring is Here – Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart(arranged by Gil Evans)
- Ramblin’ – Ornette Coleman
- Louis Blues – W.C. Handy (arranged by Gil Evans)
- Tennis, Anyone? – Michael Gibbs
- Wait till You See Her – Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart (arranged by Gil Evans)
Wilbur Cobb
On May 24, 2020, Wilbur James Cobb died aged 91. He was musician (drums), one of the most influential and respected drummers in Jazz music. He has recorded and performed with many musicians including Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, Dinah Washington, Pearl Bailey, Clark Terry, Cannonball Adderley, Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, Wynton Kelly, Stan Getz, Wes Montgomery, Art Pepper, Gil Evans, Paul Chambers, Kenny Burrell, J. J. Johnson, Sonny Stitt, Nat Adderley, Phil Upchurch, Benny Golson, Hank Jones, Ron Carter, George Coleman, Fathead Newman, Geri Allen, Earl Bostic, Leo Parker, Charlie Rouse, Ernie Royal, Philly Joe Jones, Bobby Timmons, Walter Booker, Jerome Richardson, Joey DeFrancesco, Keter Betts, Jimmy Cleveland, Sam Jones, Red Garland, Joe Henderson, Eddie Gómez, Bill Evans, Jeremy Steig, Richard Wyands, Peter Bernstein, Walter Bishop, Jr., Richie Cole, Nancy Wilson, Ricky Ford, David Amram, Donald Byrd, Kenny Barron and Toshiko Akiyoshi. Cobb recorded 17 albums as a leader.
Lee Konitz
On April 15, 2020, Lee Konitz died aged 92. He was composer and musician (alto saxophone), performing in a wide range of jazz styles, including bebop, cool jazz, and avant-garde jazz, noted for improvising long, melodic lines with the rhythmic interest coming from odd accents, Konitz has recorded and performed with many famous musicians including Miles Davis, Ornette Coleman, Elvin Jones, Charlie Haden, Dave Holland, Lennie Tristano, Stan Kenton, Chick Corea, Gerry Mulligan, Claude Thornhill, Ralph Burns, Gil Evans, Warne Marsh, Dave Pike, Attila Zoller, Charles Mingus, Dave Brubeck, Warne Marsh, Hal Galper, Bill Evans, Martial Solal, Max Roach, Don Friedman, Kenny Wheeler, Kenny Werner, Brian Dickenson, Paul Motian, Bill Frisell, Gary Peacock, and Joey Baron.
Miles Davis: Sketches of Spain
On July 18, 1960, “Columbia” label released “Sketches of Spain”, the 34th Miles Davis album. It was recorded November 15 and 20, 1959 and March 10, 1960, at “Columbia 30th Street Studio” in New York City, and was produced by Teo Macero and Irving Townsend. Miles Davis and Gil Evans won the 1961 “Grammy Award for Best Original Jazz Composition”. In 2003, the album was ranked at number 358 on Rolling Stone’s list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”.
Personnel:
- Miles Davis– trumpet, flugelhorn
- Gil Evans– arranger, conductor
- Paul Chambers– bass
- Danny Bank– bass clarinet
- Bill Barber– tuba
- John Barrows– French horn
- Albert Block– flute
- James Buffington– French horn
- Eddie Caine– flute
- Earl Chapin– French horn
- Jimmy Cobb– drums
- Johnny Coles– trumpet
- Harold Feldman– clarinet, flute, oboe
- Bernie Glow– trumpet
- Dick Hixon– trombone
- Elvin Jones– percussion
- Taft Jordan– trumpet
- Jack Knitzer– bassoon
- Jose Mangual– percussion
- Jimmy McAllister– tuba
- Tony Miranda– French horn
- Louis Mucci– trumpet
- Romeo Penque– oboe
- Janet Putnam– harp
- Frank Rehak– trombone
- Ernie Royal– trumpet
- Joe Singer– French horn
Track listing:
- Concierto de Aranjuez(Adagio) – Joaquín Rodrigo
- Will o’ the Wisp – Manuel de Falla
- The Pan Piper (Alborada de Vigo) – traditional
- Saeta – Gil Evans
- Solea – Gil Evans
Jaco Pastorius: Invitation
In December 1983, “Warner Bros” label released “Invitation” the third Jaco Pastorius album. It was recorded at various venues during a tour of Japan, featuring his “Word of Mouth” big band, and was produced by Jaco Pastorius.
Personnel:
- Jaco Pastorius— electric bass
- Peter Erskine– drums
- Othello Molineaux– steel drum
- Don Alias– percussion
- Jean “Toots” Thielemans– harmonica
- Bobby Mintzer– soprano and tenor saxophone
- Mario Cruz– soprano and tenor saxophone, clarinet, alto flute
- Randy Emerick – baritone saxophone, clarinet
- Alex Foster– alto, soprano and tenor saxophone, clarinet, piccolo
- Paul McCandless– tenor saxophone, oboe, English horn
- Randy Brecker– trumpet
- Elmer Brown, Forrest Buchtel, Ron Tooley – trumpet
- Jon Faddis– trumpet
- Wayne Andre– trombone
- Dave Bargeron– trombone, tuba
- Peter Graves – bass trombone, co–conductor
- Bill Reichenbach– bass trombone
- Peter Gordon, Brad Warnaar – French horn
Track listing:
- Invitation – Bronisław Kaper
- Amerika – traditional
- Soul Intro/The Chicken – Jaco Pastorius, Pee Wee Ellis
- Continuum – Jaco Pastorius
- Liberty City – Jaco Pastorius
- Sophisticated Lady – Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, Mitchell Parish
- Reza/Giant Steps/Reza (reprise) – Jaco Pastorius, John Coltrane
- Fannie Mae – Buster Brown, Clarence Lewis, Morgan Robinson
- Eleven – Miles Davis, Gil Evans
Miles Davis: Miles Ahead
On October 21, 1957, “Columbia” label released “Miles Ahead”, the second Miles Davis album for this label. It was recorded May 6, 10, 23, 27 – August 22, 1957, at “Columbia 30th Street Studio” in New York City, and was produced by George Avakian and Cal Lampley.
Personnel:
- Miles Davis – flugelhorn
- Gil Evans– arrangements, conductor
- Bernie Glow– lead trumpet
- Ernie Royal, Louis Mucci, Taft Jordan, John Carisi– trumpet
- Frank Rehak, Jimmy Cleveland, Joe Bennett – trombone
- Tom Mitchell – bass trombone
- Willie Ruff, Tony Miranda, Jim Buffington – French horn
- Bill Barber– tuba
- Lee Konitz– alto sax
- Danny Bank– bass clarinet
- Romeo Penque, Sid Cooper – flute, clarinet
- Wynton Kelly- piano
- Paul Chambers– double bass
- Art Taylor– drums
Track listing:
- Springsville – John Carisi
- The Maids of Cadiz – Léo Delibes
- The Duke – Dave Brubeck
- My Ship – Kurt Weill
- Miles Ahead – Miles Davis, Gil Evans
- Blues for Pablo – Gil Evans
- New Rhumba – Ahmad Jamal
- Medley Pt. 1: The Meaning of the Blues – Bobby Troup, Leah Worth
- Medley Pt. 2: Lament – J. Johnson
- I Don’t Wanna Be Kissed (By Anyone but You) – Jack Elliot, Harold Spina
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