On November 12, 2024 Roy Owen Haynes died aged 99. He was musician (drums), regarded as one of best and most influential drummers in the history of jazz music. In his career lasting over 80 years he recorded and performed with the best known and most important jazz musicians, including Miles Davis, Lester Young, Kai Winding, Stan Getz, Charlie Parker, Bud Powell, Wardell Gray, Sarah Vaughan, Cal Tjader, Eddie Shu, Nat Adderley, Milt Jackson, Red Rodney, Sonny Rollins, Thelonious Monk, Art Farmer, Art Blakey, Dorothy Ashby, John Handy, George Shearing, Randy Weston, Kenny Burrell, Phineas Newborn, Jr, Sonny Stitt, Lee Konitz, Eric Dolphy, Etta Jones, Booker Little, Betty Roché, Tommy Flanagan, Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, Oliver Nelson, Sonny Stitt, Kai Winding, J. J. Johnson, Lem Winchester, Steve Lacy, Ray Charles, Jaki Byard, Ted Curson, Bob Brookmeyer, Jackie Paris, Roland Kirk, Willis Jackson, McCoy Tyner, Ted Curson, John Coltrane, Frank Wess, Andrew Hill, Jackie McLean, Jimmy Witherspoon, Gary Burton, Archie Shepp, Chick Corea, Jack DeJohnette, Leon Thomas, Clifford Jordan, Pharoah Sanders, Gato Barbieri, Dave Brubeck, Duke Jordan, Warne Marsh, Mary Lou Williams, Nick Brignola, Dizzy Reece, Johnny Griffin, Alice Coltrane, Art Pepper, Sal Nistico, Red Garland, Hank Jones, Stanley Cowell, Joe Albany, Freddie Hubbard, Toshiyuki Honda, Michel Petrucciani, Mark Isaacs, Dave Holland, Pat Metheny and Kenny Barron. Roy Haynes received big number of awards including “Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award” by the “National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences”, and the award at the “Special Merit Awards Ceremony & Nominees Reception” of the “54th Annual Grammy Awards”. In 2019, Haynes was given the “Lifetime Achievement Award” by the “Jazz Foundation of America”. As leader and co-leader, Roy Haynes released 32 albums.
Tag Archives: Leon Thomas
Archie Shepp: For Losers
In July 1970, “Impulse!” label released “For Losers”, the 17th Archie Shepp album. It was recorded in September 1968, February – August 1969, at “RCA Studios” in New York City, and was produced by Bob Thiele and Ed Michel.
Personnel:
- Archie Shepp – soprano and tenor saxophone, liner notes
- Robin Kenyatta – alto saxophone, flute
- James Spaulding- alto saxophone
- Clarence Sharpe – alto saxophone
- Cecil Payne – baritone saxophone, flute
- Charles Davis – baritone saxophone
- Martin Banks – trumpet, flugelhorn
- Jimmy Owens – trumpet
- Woody Shaw – trumpet
- Matthew Gee – trombone
- Grachan Moncur III – trombone
- Leon Thomas – vocals
- China-Lin Sharpe – vocals
- Cedar Walton – piano
- Andrew Bey – piano
- Dave Burrell – organ
- Wally Richardson – guitar
- Bert Payne – guitar
- Wilbur Ware – bass
- Albert Winston – electric bass, bass
- Bob Bushnell – electric bass
- Bernard Purdie – drums
- Beaver Harris – drums
- Joe Chambers – drums
- Tasha Thomas, Doris Troy – backing vocals
- George Whiteman – design
- Chuck Stewart – photography
- Bob Thiele, Ed Michel – supervision
Track listing:
All tracks by Archie Shepp, except where noted.
- Stick ‘Em Up
- Abstract
- I Got It Bad (And That Ain’t Good) – Duke Ellington, Paul Francis Webster
- What Would It Be Without You – Cal Massey
- Un Croque Monsieur
Pharaoh Sanders: Karma
In May 1969, “Impulse!” label released “Karma”, the third Pharaoh Sanders album. It was recorded in February 1969, at “RCA” in New York City, and was produced by ob Thiele.
Personnel:
- Pharoah Sanders — tenor saxophone
- Lonnie Liston Smith — piano
- Julius Watkins — French horn
- James Spaulding — flute
- Reggie Workman — bass
- Ron Carter — bass
- Richard Davis — bass
- Billy Hart — drums
- Freddie Waits — drums
- Leon Thomas — vocal, percussion
- Nathaniel Bettis — percussion
- Bob Simpson – engineer
- Robert & Barbara Flynn – cover design
- Joe Lebow – liner design
- Charles Stewart – photography
Track listing:
- The Creator Has a Master Plan (part one) – Pharaoh Sanders, Leon Thomas
- The Creator Has a Master Plan (part two) – Pharaoh Sanders, Leon Thomas
- Colors – Pharaoh Sanders, Leon Thomas
Rahsaan Roland Kirk And Al Hibbler: A Meeting Of The Times
In December 1972, “Atlantic” label released “A Meeting of the Times”, album by Rahsaan Roland Kirk and Al Hibbler (the 21st Rahsaan Roland Kirk album overtall). It was recorded in March 1972, at “Atlantic Studios” in New York City, and was produced by Joel Dorn.
Personnel:
- Rahsaan Roland Kirk – tenor saxophone, manzello, stritch, flute, clarinet, baritone saxophone
- Al Hibbler – vocals
- Leon Thomas – vocals
- Lonnie Liston Smith – piano
- Hank Jones – piano
- Major Holley – bass
- Ron Carter – bass
- Grady Tate – drums
- Charles Crosby – drums
- Lew Hahn – engineer
- Phil Lehle – engineer
- Bob Liftin – remix
- Bob Alcorn – cover
- Loring Eutemey – cover
- Stuart Nicholson – liner notes
Track listing:
All tracks by Rahsaan Roland Kirk, except where noted.
- Do Nothing till You Hear from Me – Duke Ellington, Bob Russell
- Daybreak – Duke Ellington, John Latouche, Billy Strayhorn
- Lover, Come Back to Me – Oscar Hammerstein II, Sigmund Romberg
- Don’t Get Around Much Anymore – Duke Ellington, Bob Russell
- This Love of Mine – Sol Parker, Henry W. Sanicola, Jr., Frank Sinatra
- Carney and Bigard Place – Rahsaan Roland Kirk
- I Didn’t Know About You – Duke Ellington, Bob Russell
- Something ‘Bout Believing – Duke Ellington
- Dream – Rahsaan Roland Kirk
Pharoah Sanders
On September 24, 2022, Farrell Sanders aka Pharoah Sanders died aged 81, He was musician (tenor saxophone), played a important role in the development of free jazz and spiritual jazz through his work as a member of John Coltrane’s groups in the mid-1960s, and later through his solo work. He recorded and performed with Leon Thomas, Alice Coltrane, Don Cherry, Kenny Garrett, Norman Connors, Tisziji Munoz, McCoy Tyner, Randy Weston, Sun Ra, Ornette Coleman, Michael Mantler, Fary Bartz, Larry Young, Ed Kelly, Hilton Ruiz, Idris Muhammad, Benny Golson, Art Davis, Sonny Sharrock, New York Unite, Franklin Kiermyer, Bheki Mseleku, Jah Wobble, Wallace Roney, Terry Callier, Alex Blake, Kahil El’Zabar, David Murray, Will Clhoun and Joey DeFrancesco. As leader Sanders released 37 albums.
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.
Iggy Pop: Free
On September 6, 2019, “Caroline International” and “Loma Vista Recordings” labels, released “Free”, the eighteenth Iggy Pop studio album. It was recorded in 2019, at “Elite Music Studios”, “Neutral Sound Studios”, “On Two Pass It Studio”, “Red Bird Studio”, “The Bunker Studio”, and was produced by Leon Thomas and Noveller.
Personnel:
- Iggy Pop – vocals
- Ari Teitel – guitar
- Grégoire Fauque – guitar
- Noveller (Sarah Lipstate) – guitar “guitarscape”
- Aaron Nevezie – guitar, bass, keyboards
- Leron Thomas – keyboards, trumpet
- Florian Pellissier – keyboards
- Robin Sherman – bass
- Kenny Ruby – bass, piano, synthesizer
- Tibo Brandalise – drums
- Chris Berry – drums
- Thomas Glass – drums
- Faith Vern – vocals
- Rafael Cadevieco, Andrew Block, Laurent De Boisgisson, Andrew Fellus, Aaron Nevezie, Kenny Ruby, Stephane Comon – engineer
- Rangeard Mickael – mixing, mastering
- Tomato – artwork, design
- NP Novak – photography (front and back cover photos from the short film “The Dawn”)
- Harmony Korine – inner sleeve photography
Track listing:
- Free – Iggy Pop, Noveller, Leon Thomas
- Loves Missing – Iggy Pop, Noveller, Leon Thomas
- Sonali – Ruby Sylvian, Noveller, Leon Thomas
- James Bond – Noveller, Leon Thomas
- Dirty Sanchez – Noveller, Leon Thomas
- Glow in the Dark – Noveller, Leon Thomas
- Page – Noveller, Leon Thomas
- We Are the People – lyrics by Lou Reed, music by Noveller, Leon Thomas
- Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night – lyrics by Dylan Thomas, music by Noveller, Leon Thomas
- The Dawn – Osterberg Jr. Noveller
Freddie Hubbard
On December 29, 2008, Frederick Dewayne “Freddie” Hubbard died aged 70. He was musician (trumpet) and composer, known primarily for playing in the bebop, hard bop and post bop styles. He has performed and recorded with many famous musicians including George Benson, Walter Benton, Art Blakey, Tina Brooks, Kenny Burrell, George Cables, Betty Carter, Ornette Coleman, John Coltrane, Richard Davis, Eric Dolphy, Kenny Drew, Charles Earland, Bill Evan, Joe Farrell, Curtis Fuller, Dizzy Gillespie, Clark Terry, Oscar Peterson, Benny Golson, Dexter Gordon, Slide Hampton, Herbie Hancock, Jimmy Heath, Joe Henderson, Andrew Hill, Bobby Hutcherson, Milt Jackson, Billy Joel, Elton John, J.J. Johnson, Quincy Jones, John Lewis, Kirk Lightsey, Ronnie Mathews, Jackie McLean, The Modern Jazz Quartet, Wes Montgomery, Hank Mobley, Alphonse Mouzon, Oliver Nelson, Duke Pearson, Sam Rivers, Max Roach, Sonny Rollins, Rufus, Poncho Sanchez, Don Sebesky, Wayne Shorter, Leon Thomas, Stanley Turrentine, McCoy Tyner, Cedar Walton and Randy Weston.
Santana: Welcome
On November 9, 1973, “Columbia” label released “Welcome”, the fifth Santana studio album. It was recorded from April to June 1973, and was produced by Tom Coster, Michael Shrieve and Carlos Santana.
Personnel:
- Carlos Santana – vocals, electric and acoustic guitars , bass, kalimba, percussion
- Douglas Rauch– guitar
- Tom Coster- organ, piano , marimba, percussion , strings arrangements
- Richard Kermode – organ, mellotron, piano, marimba, shekere, percussion
- Michael Shrieve– drums
- Tony Smith– drums
- José “Chepito” Areas– percussion, congas, timbales
- Armando Peraza– percussion, congas , bongos, cabasa
- John McLaughlin– guitar
- Douglas Rodriguez – rhythm guitar
- Leon Thomas– lead vocals, whistling
- Flora Purim– lead vocals
- Wendy Haas– vocals
- Jules Broussard – soprano saxophone
- Joe Farrell– flute
- Bob Yance – flute
- Mel Martin – flute
- Greg Adams – strings arrangements
Track listing
- Going Home – Spiritualadapted from Antonín Dvořák’s “New World Symphony”; arr. by Alice Coltrane, Santana Band
- Love, Devotion and Surrender – Carlos Santana, Richard Kermode
- Samba de Sausalito – Jose Areas
- When I Look Into Your Eyes – Michael Shrieve, Tom Coster
- Yours Is the Light – Richard Kermode
- Mother Africa – Herbie Mann
- Light of Life – Richard Kermode, Carlos Santana, Tom Coster
- Flame – Sky – John McLaughlin, Doug Rauch, Carlos Santana
- Welcome – John Coltrane
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