JAZZ ‘TIL JUNE

CHICAGO’S BENNY GOODMAN became The King Of Swing and first saw Chicago as a tot in 1909.  With clarinet lessons at 11 Benny was on stage with Benny Meroff’s orchestra. 1934 found Benny playing the music in New York’s hotels and music rooms.  His band hit the California coast in the mid 30s with the smooth swinging hot sounds of the day which the younger folks appreciated.  The New York radio broadcasts made his music the band to dance to as the Swing Era started.

MR. GOODMAN’s Chicago sound became so popular that he was the first jazz artist to do Carnegie Hall in ’38.  Later he recorded serious music by Mozart and Bartok.  The band broke tradition by becoming the first racially mixed group with Teddy Wilson, Gene Krupa, the great Lionel Hampton, Charlie Christian’s guitar and Cootie Williams with the sax of Georgie Auld.  BIG HIT “Why Don’t You Do Right” with a young Peggy Lee.  The followers were Tommy Dorsey, Charlie Barnet, Glenn Miller and Artie Shaw.  Two of his hits…“Sing Sing Sing and Don’t Be That Way”.  Goodman’s way? OK!

ERROLL GARNER grew up to play Pittsburgh piano on the local station by his 10th year in 1931.  Leaving a Philly orchestra in 1944 Erroll landed in New York with Slam Stewart’s Trio.  He started his own group appeared and recorded his rhythmic style with Penthouse Serenade and Laura.  Then came MISTY in 1954 plus words and Sarah Vaughn=HUGE HIT.  His best live work was 1957’s Concert By The Sea.  He left us Misty in 1977.

STAN GETZ blew into Philly in 1927, moved to NYC and melted into Woody Herman’s and Stan Kenton’s bands in 1944.  Moving on to L.A. in  ’47 he became the leader of the new cool school of saxophone.  Copenhagen in the late ‘50s, back in ’61 and then Desafinado and the Bossa Nova was all over the radio and shelves.  Easy to listen to Getz-Gilberto, One Note Samba.  Stan Getz blew until 1991. Great Getz!

CHICAGO’S JOHNNY GRIFFIN, held in such high regard for his rapid tenor sax delivery, was known for his speed and tone.  With Lionel Hampton in 1945 at 17.  Not just jazz, but the popular music of the day gave Griffin his style and power. New York called and Johnny joined the Jazz Messengers and Thelonious Monk and later teaming up with Eddie Lockjaw Davis in tenor sax battles from NYC to Chicago.  About ’62 Griffin moved to Europe but still tours the States and blows ‘em away.  NEXT, Hampton, Hawkins, and Chicago’s Harris and Hancock.

THEE EIGHT HER Theater: From the stage, have you enjoyed The Black Ensemble’s I GOTCHA the story of singer Joe Tex?  It’s wowing audiences through March at 4520 N. Beacon.  773 769 4451.  They Got Me >> It’s our salute to Roger’s lady CHAZ EBERT, former student at Crane High School, who donated $50,000 to the 2009 class scholarship fund.  Chaz graduated in 1969 and arranged the Ebert foundation donation.  It’s good to do something good

>>Columbia College does a RAY CHARLES Tribute Concert at 7:30 Saturday March 7th at the Harold Washington Library. For info 312 369 6600

>> OSCAR’S Hugh Jackman was surprisingly good in his opening segment at the Kodak Theater.  And that BEYONCE’ didn’t miss a step in the sing dance number.  Good show.  I’ll bet the Oscar winning movie title becomes a common street phrase…    ”SLUM DOG”!

LINE DANCE LINDA really enjoyed Georgia’s Red Ball for Valentine’s day event at the Lexington House on W. 95th.  Was Kathy Hairston there?

LOST ANOTHER ONE ESTELLE BENNET one of the RONNETTES at 67.  Hits in ‘63-65 Be My Baby and Walkin’ In The Rain produced by Phil Spector.  Her life after the 2 years of fame…tragic. Rest now.

DOIN’ THE 9’s Take a quick look at 60 years of what you were listening to in: 1999 Wild Wild West-Will Smith 1989 Wind Beneath My Wings-Bette Midler 1979 Bad Girls-Donna Summer 1969 Everyday People-Sly Stone 1959  Mack The Knife-Bobby Darin 1949 Baby It’s Cold Outside/Ella Fitzgerald.  Next week DOIN’ THE 8’s.