Happy Red Garland Day

Red Garland was born on May 13, 1923 (and died in 1984).  He was a wonderful hard bop pianist, known for his signature block chord piano style and for his work in one of Miles Davis's greatest quintets. (See Miles Davis.)  Garland went on to record many excellent albums as a leader, mostly in a trio setting.

Happy 95th Anniversary Of Ella Fitzgerald's Birth

Ella Fitzgerald was born 95 years ago today (she died in 1996).  The rap on Ella was that she couldn't sing the blues.  Maybe not, but she was probably the greatest interpreter of what has come to be known as the Great American Songbook.

Here's some proof:



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This is what I wrote about Ella a while back when I was doing profiles of fifty jazz albums:

The Songbook series of recordings is essential listening; her live albums are remarkable, especially the classic Ella in Berlin, and the albums in which she is paired with Louis Armstrong are fun.  But when I feel like listening to Ella, my go-to album is Clap Hands, Here Comes Charlie.  In a small combo setting (piano, guitar, bass, drums), she swings, scats, and settles down for some lovely ballads too.  Highlights include, but are definitely not limited to, A Night in Tunisia, Stella By Starlight, Jersey Bounce and The Music Goes Round and Round.

 Enjoy!