WORDS Tom Jean PHOTO Jon Kohn
2013 has seen the sad passing of two Alabama jazz giants: legendary be-bop guitarist Johnny Smith (June 25, 1922 – June 11, 2013) and modern jazz drummer Steve Ellington (1942 - March 22, 2013). In memorial, we recommend listening to the following releases as testament to their respective mastery.
Johnny Smith - Moonlight In Vermont (Roost, 1952)
Although perhaps not as well remembered as jazz guitar comrades Barney Kessel and Herb Ellis, for a brief period of time in the 1950’s Birmingham native Johnny Smith (above right) was indeed a household name. This is the release that put him in the spotlight, and has had a lasting influence for generations of guitarists.
Largely self-taught as a teenager, he became skilled at tearing off literate but tasteful, fast and swinging solos of the Charlie Christian “horn-style” variety. But where Smith really cooked was in his perfection of the “chord melody” style, whereby the simultaneous playing of multiple notes carries the musical themes and improvisations (as opposed to single notes, like a horn player). Smith’s virtuosity is in full-effect on this critically-acclaimed early 50’s quartet outing (also featuring future tenor saxophone star Stan Getz as added bonus) which finds Smith virtually re-inventing a set of mostly familiar standards (the title track, Stars Fell On Alabama, Tenderly, etc.), all while displaying an appealing buttery-smooth electric guitar tone. A great make-out record.
Available for download on iTunes and Amazon.com
Dave Holland Quintet - Jumpin’ In (ECM, 1984)
Atlanta-born journeyman drummer Steve Ellington (see above) emigrated to the Montgomery-area in the 90’s, and frequently brought his percussive fire to the Sunday night jam-sessions at 1048 Jazz and Blues in Old Cloverdale. He spent decades building his well-deserved reputation as a reliably consistent and professional sideman both live and in the studio for jazz greats such as Sam Rivers, Hampton Hawes, Art Farmer and Roland Kirk.
It is arguably this 1983 session for bassist / composer Dave Holland which best illustrates the depth of Ellington’s abundant talent. Steve’s awe-inspiring work as anchor for this all-star piano-less quintet (which boasts saxophonist Steve Coleman, trombonist Julian Priester, and trumpeter Kenny Wheeler) is made more impressive by the sheer diversity of material here. Ellington sounds equally at home in the entire wide spectrum that is modern jazz, all while revealing a flawless technique, an innate sense of dynamics, and indeed taste (which is rarer than it should be). Witness the blistering hard-bop of the title track, the funk / march of Coleman’s “The Dragon And The Samurai,” and the chamber-like tranquility of Holland’s “Sunrise” (some very delicate brushwork here). Check out the drum solo on “New One,” it will put a smile on your face. We’ll miss you, Steve.
Available for download on iTunes and Amazon.com