Mar 8, 2025
Ella Fitzgerald - Makin' Whoopee! with (Ellis Larkins)
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Ella Fitzgerald - Makin' Whoopee! with (Ellis Larkins)
Ella Fitzgerald - Someone to Watch over Me (feat. Ellis Larkins)
Happy birthday, Ella!
Jazziversaries May 15th
Larry Johnson (guitar) 1938 :: Many happy jazziversary returns to bluesman Larry Johnson.
Johnson’s father was a preacher who traveled extensively. This led to Johnson being exposed to blues records by Blind Boy Fuller, who inspired Johnson to learn the rudiments of guitar playing. He served in the Navy between 1955 and 1959, before relocating to New York City. After his befriending Brownie and Stick McGhee, Johnson found employment recording with Big Joe Williams, Harry Atkins, and Alec Seward. The latter gave Johnson an introduction to Reverend Gary Davis.
Johnson’s first single release was “Catfish Blues” / “So Sweet” (1962), plus he made numerous live appearances with Davis over that decade. In 1971 Johnson released Fast and Funky, but his live playing gradually reduced. A couple of low key albums appeared in the 1980s, before Johnson received more regular live work in the 1990s, particularly in Europe. Whilst there his output included Railroad Man (1990) and Blues for Harlem (1999). Two Gun Green followed in 2002.
Oscar Castro-Neves (guitar) 1940-2013 :: Oscar was a Brazilian guitarist, arranger, and composer who is considered a founding figure in Bossa nova.
He was born as one of triplets and formed a band with his brothers in his youth. At 16 he had a national hit with Chora Tua Tristeza. Many of the early Bossa Nova musicians began as teens so this was only slightly unusual.
In 1962 he was in a Bossa Nova concert at Carnegie Hall, later he toured with Stan Getz and Sérgio Mendes. He went on to work with a diverse array of musicians including Yo Yo Ma, Michael Jackson, Barbra Streisand, Stevie Wonder, João Gilberto, Lee Ritenour, Airto Moreira, Toots Thielemans, John Klemmer, Carol Welsman and Diane Schuur. During the 1970s and early 1980s he was member of the Paul Winter Consort.
He currently lives in Los Angeles, California where he has worked as an orchestrator for several films including Blame it on Rio and Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit.
Joe Gordon (trumpet) 1928-1963 :: Joe Gordon was an American jazz trumpeter.
His first professional gigs were in Boston in 1947; he played with Georgie Auld, Charlie Mariano, Lionel Hampton, Charlie Parker (1953–55 intermittently), Art Blakey (1954), and Don Redman. In 1956 he toured the Middle East with Dizzy Gillespie’s big band; he was a soloist on “A Night in Tunisia”. Following this he played with Horace Silver. After moving to Los Angeles, he recorded with Barney Kessel, Benny Carter, Harold Land, Shelly Manne (1958–60) and Dexter Gordon. He recorded as a bandleader for two sessions, and appeared on one recording from Thelonious Monk.
Ellis Larkins (piano) 1923-2002 :: was an African-American jazz pianist born in Baltimore, Maryland, perhaps best known for his two recordings with Ella Fitzgerald, the albums Ella Sings Gershwin (1950) and Songs in a Mellow Mood (1954). He was also the leader in the first solo sides by singer Chris Connor on her album Chris (1954).
Larkins was the first African American to attend the Peabody Conservatory of Music, a well-known institute in Baltimore. He began his professional playing career in New York City after moving there to attend the Juilliard School. Following school Larkins performed jazz piano with Billy Moore and Edmond Hall. He recorded with Coleman Hawkins, Mildred Bailey, and Dicky Wells in the 1940s. In the 1950s he recorded with Ella Fitzgerald, Ruby Braff, and Beverly Kenney. His 1960s work included recordings or performances with Eartha Kitt, Joe Williams, Helen Humes, Georgia Gibbs and Harry Belafonte.
Though he was best known as an accompanist, Larkins recorded several solo albums in the 1950s. In the 1970s he performed regularly at several New York venues, including Gregory’s, a small bar in the east 70s. Traditional jazz fans regard him as one of the most lyrical and romantic pianists in jazz history, next to Jimmy Jones.
Anita Ellis, with the Ellis Larkins Trio, "I'll Be Around"
Jazziversaries May 15th
Ellis Larkins (piano) 1923-2002 :: was an African-American jazz pianist born in Baltimore, Maryland, perhaps best known for his two recordings with Ella Fitzgerald, the albums Ella Sings Gershwin (1950) and Songs in a Mellow Mood (1954). He was also the leader in the first solo sides by singer Chris Connor on her album Chris (1954).
Larkins was the first African American to attend the Peabody Conservatory of Music, a well-known institute in Baltimore.
He began his professional playing career in New York City after moving there to attend the Juilliard School. Following school Larkins performed jazz piano with Billy Moore and Edmond Hall.
He recorded with Coleman Hawkins, Mildred Bailey, and Dicky Wells in the 1940s. In the 1950s he recorded with Ella Fitzgerald, Ruby Braff, and Beverly Kenney. His 1960s work included recordings or performances with Eartha Kitt, Joe Williams, Helen Humes, Georgia Gibbs and Harry Belafonte.
Though he was best known as an accompanist, Larkins recorded several solo albums in the 1950s. In the 1970s he performed regularly at several New York venues, including Gregory’s, a small bar in the east 70s. Traditional jazz fans regard him as one of the most lyrical and romantic pianists in jazz history, next to Jimmy Jones.
Oscar Castro-Neves (guitar) 1940 :: Happy jazziversary to Oscar Castro-Neves. Oscar is a Brazilian guitarist, arranger, and composer who is considered a founding figure in Bossa nova.
He was born as one of triplets and formed a band with his brothers in his youth.
At 16 he had a national hit with Chora Tua Tristeza. Many of the early Bossa Nova musicians began as teens so this was only slightly unusual.
In 1962 he was in a Bossa Nova concert at Carnegie Hall, later he toured with Stan Getz and Sérgio Mendes.
He went on to work with a diverse array of musicians including Yo Yo Ma, Michael Jackson, Barbra Streisand, Stevie Wonder, João Gilberto, Lee Ritenour, Airto Moreira, Toots Thielemans, John Klemmer, Carol Welsman and Diane Schuur. During the 1970s and early 1980s he was member of the Paul Winter Consort.
He currently lives in Los Angeles, California where he has worked as an orchestrator for several films including Blame it on Rio and Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit.
Joe Gordon (trumpet) 1928-1963 :: Joe Gordon was an American jazz trumpeter.
His first professional gigs were in Boston in 1947; he played with Georgie Auld, Charlie Mariano, Lionel Hampton, Charlie Parker (1953–55 intermittently), Art Blakey (1954), and Don Redman.
In 1956 he toured the Middle East with Dizzy Gillespie’s big band; he was a soloist on “A Night in Tunisia”. Following this he played with Horace Silver.
After moving to Los Angeles, he recorded with Barney Kessel, Benny Carter, Harold Land, Shelly Manne (1958–60) and Dexter Gordon.
He recorded as a bandleader for two sessions, and appeared on one recording from Thelonious Monk.
Larry Johnson (guitar) 1938 :: Many happy jazziversary returns to bluesman Larry Johnson.
Johnson’s father was a preacher who traveled extensively. This led to Johnson being exposed to blues records by Blind Boy Fuller, who inspired Johnson to learn the rudiments of guitar playing.
He served in the Navy between 1955 and 1959, before relocating to New York City. After his befriending Brownie and Stick McGhee, Johnson found employment recording with Big Joe Williams, Harry Atkins, and Alec Seward. The latter gave Johnson an introduction to Reverend Gary Davis.
Johnson’s first single release was “Catfish Blues” / “So Sweet” (1962), plus he made numerous live appearances with Davis over that decade.
In 1971 Johnson released Fast and Funky, but his live playing gradually reduced. A couple of low key albums appeared in the 1980s, before Johnson received more regular live work in the 1990s, particularly in Europe. Whilst there his output included Railroad Man (1990) and Blues for Harlem (1999). Two Gun Green followed in 2002.
Jazziversaries May 15th
Edmond Hall (Clarinet) 1901-1967 :: Edmond Hall was an American jazz clarinetist and bandleader.
Over his long career Hall worked extensively with many top performers as both a sideman and bandleader, and is perhaps best known for the 1941 chamber jazz song "Profoundly Blue" which is regarded as a classic of pre-WWII jazz.
His father Edward played the clarinet in the Onward Brass Band, respectively uncle Jules Duhe played trombone, uncle Lawrence Duhe the clarinet and uncle Edmond Duhe the guitar. The Hall brothers, Robert, Edmond and Herbert all became clarinetists, but before picking up the clarinet Edmond was taught guitar by his uncle Edmond Duhe. When Ed Hall finally picked up the clarinet, "He could play it within a week. He started Monday and played it Saturday." his brother Herb recalls in an interview with Manfred Selchow who wrote an extensive Edmond Hall Biography (A Bio-Discographical Scrapbook on Edmond Hall), 640 pages, Profoundly Blue in 1988.
Hall's first big break came in late 1920, when he went to a dance at Economy Hall. The legendary Buddy Petit was playing. "When I got inside, it was a revelation", Hall said. Petit's clarinet player left the band just a few days later, and the following Saturday Ed Hall was sitting in with Petit's band as a replacement. In 1922 Ed Hall left Petit.
Arriving in Florida, Pensecola he joined Lee Collins' band. In 1923 he joined Mack Thomas' band, from there he went on to play with the "Pensacola Jazzers" where Hall met the young trumpeter Charles Williams better known as Cootie Williams. From there he went on to play with "Eagle Eye" Shields. Together with Cootie Williams he left Shields and joined Alonzo Ross' band the "Alonzo Ross DeLuxe Syncopators" in early 1927. In 1928 the band's pianist Arthur "Happy" Ford formed a new group and immediately hired Hall and Williams.
In 1936 he joined Billy Hicks' band, the "Sizzling Six". Hall who had been featured mainly on alto and baritone saxophone since 1922, finally had a place as a full-time clarinetist. Meanwhile his new sound on the clarinet had made a full circle and he began recording with the "big stars". On June 15, 1937, in New York, he had his first recording session with Billie Holiday. Among the band members was Lester Young on tenor saxophone.
Late in 1941 Hall left Allen, to join Teddy Wilson who also played at the Café Society. In 1944 Teddy Wilson left and abandoned his popular and successful sextett, to form a trio (according to Wilson). Not wanting to give up their spot Hall and the other Wilson band members stayed at the Café Society. Barney Josephson the owner asked Hall to front a band of his own. At 43 and over 25 years in the music business he became a band leader July 1944. Hall's sextet was successful and became a draw at the Café Society. More recording dates followed for the famous Commodore Records and Blue Note labels.
In the mid-1940s "Bop" had started to rival New Orleans Jazz, forcing Barney Josephson to bring in new people. In June 1947 Hall left Café Society.
September 1947 he joined the "All Star Stompers" with Wild Bill Davison, Ralph Sutton and Baby Dodds. Meanwhile business at the old Café Society was bad and Barney Josephson again called upon Edmond Hall to come back. Hall did so, with a new band of his own. Despite the efforts business at the Uptown Café Society worsened and Barney Josephson closed Uptown for good in December 1947.
Ellis Larkins (piano) 1923-2002 :: Ellis Larkins was an African-American jazz pianist born in Baltimore, Maryland, perhaps best known for his two recordings with Ella Fitzgerald, the albums Ella Sings Gershwin (1950) and Songs in a Mellow Mood (1954). He was also the leader in the first solo sides by singer Chris Connor on her album Chris (1954).
Larkins was the first African American to attend the Peabody Conservatory of Music, a well-known institute in Baltimore. He began his professional playing career in New York City after moving there to attend the Juilliard School. Following school Larkins performed jazz piano with Billy Moore and Edmond Hall. He recorded with Coleman Hawkins, Mildred Bailey, and Dicky Wells in the 1940s. In the 1950s he recorded with Ella Fitzgerald, Ruby Braff, and Beverly Kenney. His 1960s work included recordings or performances with Eartha Kitt, Joe Williams, Helen Humes, Georgia Gibbs and Harry Belafonte.
Though he was best known as an accompanist, Larkins recorded several solo albums in the 1950s. In the 1970s he performed regularly at several New York venues, including Gregory’s, a small bar in the east 70s. Traditional jazz fans regard him as one of the most lyrical and romantic pianists in jazz history, next to Jimmy Jones.
Oscar Castro-Neves (guitar) 1940 :: Happy birthday to Oscar Castro-Neves. Oscar is a Brazilian guitarist, arranger, and composer who is considered a founding figure in Bossa nova.
He was born as one of triplets and formed a band with his brothers in his youth. At 16 he had a national hit with Chora Tua Tristeza. Many of the early Bossa Nova musicians began as teens so this was only slightly unusual. In 1962 he was in a Bossa Nova concert at Carnegie Hall, later he toured with Stan Getz and Sérgio Mendes. He went on to work with a diverse array of musicians including Yo Yo Ma, Michael Jackson, Barbra Streisand, Stevie Wonder, João Gilberto, Lee Ritenour, Airto Moreira, Toots Thielemans, John Klemmer, Carol Welsman and Diane Schuur. During the 1970s and early 1980s he was member of the Paul Winter Consort.
He currently lives in Los Angeles, California where he has worked as an orchestrator for several films including Blame it on Rio and Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit.
Joe Gordon (trumpet) 1928-1963 :: Joe Gordon was an American jazz trumpeter.
His first professional gigs were in Boston in 1947; he played with Georgie Auld, Charlie Mariano, Lionel Hampton, Charlie Parker (1953–55 intermittently), Art Blakey (1954), and Don Redman. In 1956 he toured the Middle East with Dizzy Gillespie’s big band; he was a soloist on “A Night in Tunisia”. Following this he played with Horace Silver. After moving to Los Angeles, he recorded with Barney Kessel, Benny Carter, Harold Land, Shelly Manne (1958–60) and Dexter Gordon. He recorded as a bandleader for two sessions, and appeared on one recording from Thelonious Monk.
Larry Johnson (guitar) 1938 :: Many happy returns to bluesman Larry Johnson.
Johnson’s father was a preacher who traveled extensively. This led to Johnson being exposed to blues records by Blind Boy Fuller, who inspired Johnson to learn the rudiments of guitar playing. He served in the Navy between 1955 and 1959, before relocating to New York City. After his befriending Brownie and Stick McGhee, Johnson found employment recording with Big Joe Williams, Harry Atkins, and Alec Seward. The latter gave Johnson an introduction to Reverend Gary Davis.
Johnson’s first single release was “Catfish Blues” / “So Sweet” (1962), plus he made numerous live appearances with Davis over that decade. In 1971 Johnson released Fast and Funky, but his live playing gradually reduced. A couple of low key albums appeared in the 1980s, before Johnson received more regular live work in the 1990s, particularly in Europe. Whilst there his output included Railroad Man (1990) and Blues for Harlem (1999). Two Gun Green followed in 2002.
Ellis Larkins - The Soft Touch, 1958 Bernard Peiffer - Piano A La Mood, 1958
via Unearthed In The Atomic Attic