George V Johnson Jr Explores America's Classical Music "Jazz" w/the Legendary Saxophonist "JAMES MOODY" on Blog Talk Radio Tuesday, July 28th - 5:00 PM - 7:00 ON Call in number 347-637-3988

[George V Johnson Jr.]

For over six decades, saxophone master James Moody has serenaded lovers with his signature song Moody's Mood for Love an improvisation on the chord progressions of I'm in the Mood for Love.

Born in Savannah, Georgia on March 26, 1925, and raised in Newark, New Jersey, James Moody took up the alto sax, a gift from his uncle, at the age of 16. Within a few years he fell under the spell of the deeper more full-bodied tenor saxophone after hearing Buddy Tate and Don Byas perform with the Count Basie Band at the Adams Theater in Newark, New Jersey.

In 1946, following service in the United States Air Force, Moody joined the seminal bebop big band of Dizzy Gillespie, beginning an association that - on stage and record, in orchestras and small combos - afforded a young Moody worldwide exposure and ample opportunity to shape his improvisational genius. Upon joining Gillespie, Moody was at first awed, he now admits, by the orchestra's incredible array of talent, which included Milt Jackson, Kenny Clark, Ray Brown, Thelonius Monk. The encouragement of the legendary trumpeter-leader, made his mark on the young saxophonist. His now legendary 16-bar solo on Gillespie's Emanon alerted jazz fans to an emerging world-class soloist. Read more

GIANT STEPS

MYSPACE

ROBERTA GAMBARINI

"Perfect pitch"

JAMES MOODY

Lou Donaldson, alto saxophonist, recording star and entertainer extraordinaire was born in Badin, North Carolina on November 1, 1926. He is the child of parents, Lucy Wallace Donaldson, mother, and Louis Andrew Donaldson, Sr., father. His mother was a first grade teacher at Badin High School, Musical Director at the school, and a concert pianist who was a graduate of Cheney University. His father was a graduate of Livingstone College, an AME Zion minister, and insurance agent. Lou is the second of 4 children, between older sister Margaret and younger sister Elizabeth and brother William, all of whom ended up involved with music. Lou never studied piano because his mother had a switch that she would crack across the fingers when students missed a note.

Reflections:
Once he moved to New York, Lou worked weekends in Jersey with Dud Bascomb’s band. One night while working at Minton’s Playhouse -- the famous jazz club, he was approached by Alfred Lyons of Blue Note Records to make a recording and he suggested that Lou make a Charlie Parker-type recording which he did with the Milt Jackson Quartet. At that time, it was Milt Jackson, Percy Heath, John Lewis, and Kenny Clark. Later on this group would be called the Modern Jazz Quartet. The record was successful and the company asked him to make a record on his own and this is why he’s most proud of his time at Blue Note Records-- because this date started a career for him that actually made him bring several musicians to Blue Note Records and today he’s very proud to have been the first to record these musicians -- Horace Silver, Clifford Brown, Grant Green, John Patton, Blue Mitchell, Donald Byrd, Horace Parlan, Tommy Turrentine, Al Harewood, George Tucker, Jameel Nasser, and Curtis Fuller -- with his group at Blue Note Records. Lou brought Gene Harris and the 3 Sounds from Washington DC to New York to record with him on the famous album called LD Plus 3 which was a big hit. His most famous group was Herman Foster on piano, Ray Baretto on conga, Peck Morrison on bass, and Dave Bailey on drums, which was the best move he made during his tenure on the label. This group recorded the famous record which is still selling today, Blues Walk -- and on the back side, The Masquerade is Over. This solo is dearly considered by many disc jockeys as one of the top alto solos of all times Read more...

LOU DONALDSON - Biography

Lou Donaldson (LIVE @ NORTH SEA JAZZ 08) - Alligator Boogaloo Part 1w/Doctor Lonnie (Smith Hammond B3), Randy Johnston (guitar), Fukushi Tainaka (drums)

Lou Donaldson (LIVE @ NORTH SEA JAZZ 08) - Alligator Boogaloo Part 2

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

DR LONNIE SMITH

For interviews contact:
George V Johnson Jr
Executive Director
Washington DC Jazz Network
240-691-3868

The George V Johnson Jr Show
Exploring America's Classical Music "Jazz"

6-30-09 - Episode #1
Dr. Larry Ridley

7-07-09 - Episode #2
Dr. Nelson Harrison

7-14-09 - Episode #3
Harold Mabern

7-21-09 - Episode #4
"Sweet Papa" Lou Donaldson

7-28-09 - Episode #5

MONK THE PLAY
Written by Laurence Holder
Produced by George V Johnson Jr
Starring: Rome Neal as Thelonious Monk

THE BLAIR MANSION EVENTS RSVP 301-588-1688

James Moody