On October 19, 2025, Anthony Claiborne Jackson died aged 73. He was musician (electric bass, contrabass, guitar), bassist, regarded as “one of the masters of the instrument”. He performed live in more than 30 countries and recorded in more than 3000 sessions on more than 500 albums, with Al Di Meola, Billy Paul, Carlos Garnett, Roberta Flack, Patti Austin, Alex Bugnon, Michel Camilo, Jorge Dalto, Mandoki Soulmates, Will Downing, Carlos Franzetti, Jun Fukamachi, Eric Gale, Terumasa Hino, Garland Jeffreys, Chaka Khan, Steve Khan, Tania Maria, Harvey Mason, Michel Petrucciani, Buddy Rich, Lee Ritenour, Mike Stern, Hiromi Uehara, Grover Washington Jr., Monty Alexander, Peter Allen, Gabriela Anders, Ashford & Simpson, Fahir Atakoglu, Anita Baker, Bob Baldwin, Gato Barbieri, Thereza Bazar, Jim Beard, Bee Gees, George Benson, Warren Bernhardt, Randy Bernsen, Rory Block, Perry Botkin Jr., Ralph Bowen, Till Brönner, Peabo Bryson, Jimmy Buffett, Dina Carroll, Dennis Chambers, Sandeep Chowta, John Clark, Norman Connors, Chick Corea, Hank Crawford, Randy Crawford, Lou Courtney, Eddie Daniels, Michael Davis, Rainy Davis, Eumir Deodato, Devonsquare, Paul Dresher, Ned Rothenberg, Gene Dunlap, Eliane Elias, Pee Wee Ellis, Jon Faddis, Donald Fagen, Joe Farrell, Rachelle Ferrell, Barry Finnerty, Sonny Fortune, Hiroshi Fukumura, Four Tops, Henry Gaffney, Carlos Garnett, Stephane Grappelli, Urbie Green, Michael Gregory, Dave Grusin, Kit Hain, Delores Hall, Lionel Hampton, Gene Harris, Takehiro Honda, Lena Horne, Miki Howard, Bobbi Humphrey, Phyllis Hyman, Masaru Imada, Freddie Jackson, Joe Jackson, Rebbie Jackson, Al Jarreau, Quincy Jones, Ryo Kawasaki, Earl Klugh, Kahoru Kohiruimaki, Wayne Krantz, Bireli Lagrene, Yusef Lateef, Webster Lewis, Dave Liebman, Reggie Lucas, Ralph MacDonald, Teo Macero, Madonna, Teena Marie, Sleepy Matsumoto, Maureen McGovern, Sergio Mendes, Pat Metheny, Bette Midler, Barry Miles, Russell Morris, Gerry Mulligan, Milton Nascimento, David “Fathead” Newman, Maxine Nightingale, Claude Nougaro, The O’Jays, Jeffrey Osborne, Phil Perry, Peter, Paul & Mary, Esther Phillips, Simon Phillips, Noel Pointer, Jesse Rae, Ernest Ranglin, Lou Rawls, Jess Roden, Diana Ross, Ray Russell, Sam & Dave, David Sanborn, Arturo Sandoval, Alejandro Sanz, Lalo Schifrin, Helen Schneider, John Scofield, John Sebastian, Doc Severinsen, Carly Simon, Edward Simon, Paul Simon, Simon & Garfunkel, Kathy Sledge, Lonnie Liston Smith, Steve Smith, Phoebe Snow, Bert Sommer, David Spinozza, Steely Dan, Jeremy Steig, Charles Sullivan, Ximo Tebar, Nino Tempo, John Tropea, Michal Urbaniak, Dave Valentin, Luther Vandross, Harold Vick, Roch Voisine, Martha Wash, Kazumi Watanabe, Sadao Watanabe, Frank Weber, Dave Weckl, James D-Train Williams, Vanessa Williams, Nancy Wilson, Bernie Worrell and Akiko Yano. As co – leader Jackson released three albums.
Tag Archives: Hank Crawford
Hank Crawford: We Got A Good Thing Going
In November 1972, “Kudu” label released “We Got a Good Thing Going”, the thirteenth Hank Crawford album. It was recorded September – October 1972, at “Van Gelder Studios” in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, and was produced by Creed Taylor.
Personnel:
- Hank Crawford – alto saxophone
- Richard Tee – piano, electric piano, organ
- George Benson, Cornell Dupree – electric guitar
- Ron Carter, Gordon Edwards – double bass, electric bass
- Bernard Purdie – drums
- Phil Kraus – vibraphone, orchestra bells
- Art Jenkins – congas, tambourine
- Max Ellen, Paul Gershman, Emanuel Green, Harold Kohon, Harry Lookofsky, Joe Malin, David Nadien, Elliot Rosoff, Irving Spice – violin
- Al Brown, Harold Coletta, Ted Israel – viola
- Charles McCracken, George Ricci – cello
- Margaret Ross – harp
- Bob James, Don Sebesky – arrangements, conductor
- Rudy Van Gelder – engineer
Track listing:
- We Got a Good Thing Going – The Corporation
- I Don’t Know – Bill Withers
- Down to Earth – Ron Miller, Avery Vandenberg
- I’m Just a Lucky So-and-So – Duke Ellington, Mack David
- Imagination – Jimmy Van Heusen, Johnny Burke
- Little Tear – Don Sebesky
- The Christmas Song – Mel Tormé, Robert Wells
- Winter Wonderland – Felix Bernard, Richard B. Smith
- Alone Again (Naturally) – Gilbert O’Sullivan
- Dirt Dobbler – Alfred Ellis
- Betcha by Golly, Wow – Thom Bell, Linda Creed
- This Is All I Ask – Gordon Jenkins
- Jazz Bridge – Don Sebesky
Ray Charles And Betty Carter: Ray Charles And Betty Carter
In August 1961, “ABC” label released “Ray Charles and Betty Carter”, album by Ray Charles and Betty Carter. It was recorded August 1960 – June 1961, at “Radio Recorders” in Hollywood, and was produced by Sid Feller.
Personnel:
- Betty Carter – vocals
- Ray Charles – vocals, keyboards
- Hank Crawford – alto saxophone
- David Fathead Newman – tenor saxophone
- Leroy Cooper – baritone saxophone
- Bill Pitman – guitar
- Edgar Willis – bass guitar
- Mel Lewis, Bruno Carr – drums
- The Jack Halloran Singers – backing vocals
- Marty Paich – arrangements, conductor
- Sid Feller – liner notes
Track listing:
- Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye – Cole Porter
- You and I – Meredith Willson
- Intro: Goodbye / We’ll Be Together Again – Gordon Jenkins / Carl T. Fischer, Frankie Laine
- People Will Say We’re in Love – Oscar Hammerstein II, Richard Rodgers
- Cocktails for Two – Sam Coslow, Arthur Johnston
- Side by Side – Harry M. Woods, Gus Kahn
- Baby, It’s Cold Outside – Frank Loesser
- Together – Lew Brown, Buddy De Sylva, Ray Henderson
- For All We Know – J. Fred Coots, Sam M. Lewis
- Takes Two to Tango – Al Hoffman, Dick Manning
- Alone Together – Howard Dietz, Arthur Schwartz
- Just You, Just Me – Jesse Greer, Raymond Klages
Pee Wee Ellis
On September 24, 2021, Alfred James Ellis aka Pee Wee Ellis died aged 80. He was musician (soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophone, flute, keyboards), arranger and composer, worked as musical director and arranger with George Benson, Hank Crawford and Esther Phillips. Ellis recorded and performed with David Liebman, Jack McDuff, Rebirth Brass Band, Shirley Scott, Sonny Stitt, Leon Thomas, Van Morrison, Ginger Baker’s jazz Confusion, The JB Horns, Maceo Parker, Brass Fever, Ali Farka Touré and The Dapps, but was best known as longtime collaborator of James Brown. He co-wrote and recorded some of Brown’s best-known songs like “Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud” and “Cold Sweat”. As leader Ellis released 13 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.
B. B. King: Let the Good Times Roll:The Music of Louis Jordan
On October 5, 1999, “MCA” label released “Let the Good Times Roll: The Music of Louis Jordan”, the thirty seventh B. B. King studio album. It was recorded in 1999, at “Cello Recording” in Los Angeles, and was produced by Stewart Levine.
Personnel:
- B.B. King – lead vocals, lead guitar
- Russell Malone – rhythm guitar
- Dr. John – piano, additional vocals
- Neil Larsen – Hammond organ, piano
- John Heard – bass guitar
- Earl Palmer – drums
- Lenny Castro – percussion
- Hank Crawford – alto saxophone
- David “Fathead” Newman – tenor saxophone
- Marcus Belgrave – trumpet
Track listing:
- Ain’t Nobody Here But Us Chickens – Joan Whitney Kramer, Alex Kramer
- Is You Is or Is You Ain’t My Baby – Billy Austin, Louis Jordan
- Beware, Brother, Beware – Dick Adams, Morry Lasco, Fleecie Moore
- Somebody Done Changed the Lock on My Door – Casey Bill Weldon , Will Weldon
- Ain’t That Just Like a Woman (They’ll Do It Every Time) – Claude Demetrius, Fleecie Moore
- Choo Choo Ch’Boogie – Vaughn Horton, Denver Darling, Milt Gabler
- Buzz Me – Danny Baxter, Fleecie Moore
- Early in the Mornin’ – Joe Josea, B.B. King, traditional
- I’m Gonna Move to the Outskirts of Town – Andy Razaf, Will Weldon
- Jack, You’re Dead
- Knock Me a Kiss
- Let the Good Times Roll
- Caldonia
- It’s a Great, Great Pleasure
- Rusty Dusty Blues
- Sure Had a Wonderful Time Last Night
- Saturday Night Fish Fry
- Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out
Jane Monheit: Never Never Land
On May 9, 2000, “N-Coded” label released “Never Never Land”, the debut Jane Monheit album. It was recorded in January 2000, and was produced by Joel Dorn and Carl Griffin.
Personnel:
- Jane Monheit– vocals, vocal arrangements
- Kenny Barron– piano
- Bucky Pizzarelli– guitar
- Ron Carter– bass
- Lewis Nash– drums
- Hank Crawford– alto saxophone
- David “Fathead” Newman– flute, tenor saxophone
- David Berkman– arrangements
- Peter Eldridge – arrangements
- Tom Shick – engineer, mixing
- Todd Parker – engineer assistant
- Gene Paul – mixing, mastering
- Carl Griffin – executive producer
Track listing:
- Please Be Kind – Saul Chapin, Sammy Cahn
- Detour Ahead – Herb Ellis, Johnny Frigo, Lou Carter
- More Than You Know – Vincent Youmans, Billy Rose, Edward Eliscu
- Dindi – Antonio Carlos Jobim, Aloisio de Oliveira, Ray Gilbert
- Save Your Love for Me – Buddy Johnson
- Never Let Me Go – Ray Evans, Jay Livingston
- My Foolish Heart – Victor Young, Ned Washington
- I Got It Bad (and That Ain’t Good) – Duke Ellington, Paul Francis Webster
- Twisted – Wardell Gray, Annie Ross
- Never Never Land – Betty Comden, Adolph Green, Jule Styne
Richie Cole
On May 2, 2020, Richie Cole died aged 72. He was composer, arranger and musician (saxophone), began to play alto saxophone when he was ten years old, encouraged by his father, who owned a jazz club in New Jersey. In the 70’ he created his own “alto madness” bebop style. In the 90’s he formed The Alto Madness Orchestra. Cole recorded and performed with many musicians such as Buddy Rich, Lionel Hampton, Doc Severinsen, Eddie Jefferson, Nancy Wilson, Tom Waits, The Manhattan Transfer, Hank Crawford, Freddie Hubbard, Eric Kloss, Bobby Enriquez, Phil Woods, Sonny Stitt, Art Pepper, Greg Abate, Les DeMerle, Allan Harris, Jim Holman, Vic Juris, Peter Lauffer, Oliver Nelson, Anita O’Day, Red Rodney, Janine Santana, Mark Murphy, Sonny Stitt and Boots Randolph. In 2005, Cole was awarded the “State of California Congressional Certificate of Lifetime Achievement in Jazz” on behalf of the “Temecula Jazz Society”.
Dr. John
On June 6, 2019, Malcolm John Rebennack aka Dr. John, died aged 77. He was singer – songwriter and musician (piano, keyboards and guitar), regarded as one of the greatest New Orleans music icons. He had successful solo career and performed and recorded with many famous musicians and bands, including Art Blakey, Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band, Van Morrison, Dan Auerbach, Eric Clapton, Bob Seger, Joe Walsh, Canned Heat, The Rolling Stones, Mike Bloomfield, Spiritualized, David Newman, Ray Anderson, Levon Helm, John Hammond, Gregg Allman, Papa John Creach, Bennie Wallace, Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Harry Connick Jr., Hank Crawford, Jimmy Smith, Jools Holland, Steve Tyrell, B. B. King and Marcus Miller. Dr. John won six “Grammy Awards”, and was inducted into the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame” in 2011. In May 2013, he received honorary doctorate of fine arts from “Tulane University.”
Ray Charles: Modern Sounds In Country And Western Music
In April 1962, “ABC-Paramount” label released “Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music”, the 19th Ray Charles album. It was recorded in February 1962, at “Capitol Studios” in New York City and “United Recording Studios” in Hollywood, and was produced by Sid Feller, Ray Charles and Joe Adams. In 1999, the album was inducted into the “Grammy Hall of Fame”. In 2001, the album track “I Can’t Stop Loving You” was inducted into the “Grammy Hall of Fame”. in 2001, the album was cited by “The Recording Academy” as a recording of “historical significance. “I Can’t Stop Loving You” was ranked number 49 on “Country Music Television’s” list of the “100 Greatest Songs of Country Music” In 2001, “VH1” channel listed the album in its list of “The 100 Greatest Albums of R ‘N’ R”. In 2003, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked the album at number 104 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”.
Personnel:
- Ray Charles– vocals, piano
- Hank Crawford– alto saxophone
- Gil Fuller, Gerald Wilson– big band arrangements
- Marty Paich– string arrangements
- Bill Putnam, Gene Thompson, Johnny Cue.Bob Arnold, Frank Abbey – engineer
- Bill Inglot, Ken Perry – remastering
- Michael Ochs Archives, Hugh Bell – photography
- Todd Everett – liner notes
Track listing:
- Bye Bye Love – Boudleaux Bryant, Felice Bryant
- You Don’t Know Me – Eddy Arnold, Cindy Walker
- Half As Much – Curley Williams
- I Love You So Much It Hurts – Floyd Tillman
- Just a Little Lovin’ (Will Go a Long Way) – Eddy Arnold, Zeke Clements
- Born To Lose – Frankie Brown, (Ted Daffan)
- Worried Mind – Ted Daffan, Jimmie Davis
- It Makes No Difference Now – Floyd Tillman, Jimmie Davis
- You Win Again – Hank Williams
- Careless Love – traditional, arranged by Ray Charles
- I Can’t Stop Loving You – Don Gibson
- Hey, Good Lookin’ – Hank Williams
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