Rosemary Clooney

Rosemary Clooney was born on May 23, 1928 in Maysville, Ky. With her sister, Betty, they won an audition for a Cincinnati radio station and were paid $20 a week each for a regular nightly spot. "The Clooney Sisters" began there singing career in 1945 and they were hired by Tony Pastor, touring with his band for a couple of years.

When she was 21, Rosemary went on her own and went to New York City. She signed with Columbia and began an association with Mitch Miller. She recorded "Come On A My House" and it was an immediate success. It made her a star.

Rosemary eloped in the summer of 1953 with Jose Ferrer, the actor. Between 1955 and 1960 they had five children. In 1954 she co-starred with Danny Kaye and Bing Crosby in the movie "White Christmas."

Clooney became the star of her own television show in 1956. But the responsibilities of raising a family and pursuing a career were taking its toll. She became addicted to tranquilzers and sleeping pills. Clooney and Ferrer filed for divorce in 1961 and it became final in 1967. Her world came crashing down and she had a nervous breakdown.

She made a comeback in 1976, doing a show with Bing Crosby. In 1977, she signed a recording contract with Concord Jazz. Rosie recorded 25 albums with them and maintained a busy touring schedule.

Clooney underwent Lung Cancer surgery in January, 2002. She received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. She died on June 29, 2002 at her home in Beverly Hills, Ca.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Earlier today, I listened to "Everything's Coming Up Rosie". This was Clooney's first Concord recording in 1977. She is accompanied by Scott Hamilton on tenor sax, Bill Berry on trumpet, Nat Pierce on piano, Monty Budwig on bass and Jake Hanna on drums.

There are 10 tunes on this album, 8 vocals and 2 instrumentals. Some of the vocals are: "I Cried for You," "I Can't Get Started," "A Foggy Day," "Hey There," and "Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans."

Here's a video of Rosie with the Concord All Stars doing "I Can't Get Started" and "Our Love Is Here To Stay" at the North Sea Jazz Festival in 1981.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKsWgAN8lF0&feature=player_detailpage

Stan Getz

Stan Getz was born Stanley Gayetsky on February 2, 1927 in Philadelphia, Pa. His parents were Ukrainian Jewish immigrants. His father bought him his first saxophone at the age of thirteen.

At the age of 16, Stan dropped out of high school to join Jack Teagarden's Band. His big band experiences continued, playing with Stan Kenton, Jimmy Dorsey, and Benny Goodman. From 1947 to 1949, Getz played with the Woody Herman Band and was one of the original "Four Brothers." While he was with Herman he had a hit single called "Early Autumn" which helped launch a solo career.

From the mid 1950's to 1961 Getz worked from Scandinavia. Upon returning to the U.S. he became the central figure in introducing Bossa Nova to Americans. In 1962, his album "Jazz Samba" sold over a million copies and he won the Grammy For Best Jazz Performance of 1963 for "Desafinado." This was followed by "Jazz Samba Encore" which also sold over a million copies. In 1963, the album "Getz/Gilberto" sold over a million copies and the hit single "The Girl From Ipanema" won for him a Grammy.

In the mid-1980's, Stan worked in the San Francisco Bay area and taught at Stanford University. In 1986, he was inducted into the Down Beat Jazz Hall of Fame.

Stan Getz died from liver cancer on June 6, 1991. His body was cremated and the ashes were scattered at sea off the coast of Malibu, Ca.

Earlier this afternoon I listened to "Jazz Samba" for the umpteenth time. It is my favorite Bossa Nova album and whenever I'm in the mood for Bossa Nova I listen to it. It features Stan on tenor sax and Charlie Byrd on Guitar. They are joined by two bassists, Keter Betts and Joe Byrd, and two drummers, Buddy Deppenschmidt and Bill Reichenbach. It is a 1962 Verve release.





Here's a video of Stan with Astrud Gilberto doing "The Girl From Ipanema"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJkxFhFRFDA&feature=player_detailpage

Dexter Gordon

Dexter Gordon was born on February 27, 1923 in Los Angeles, Ca. At thirteen he started out playing clarinet, later switching to alto sax and then tenor. At 17 he was playing in Lionel Hampton's Band.

In 1943 he made his first recordings under his own name. From 1943-1945 he played with Louis Armstrong's Band, Fletcher Henderson's Band, and Billy Eckstine's Band.

By 1961 Gordon was recording for Blue Note. "Doin' Alright" was his Blue Note debut. From 1962 -1976 he moved to Europe, living in Paris and Copenhagen, making occasional returns to the States for recording sessions. From 1963-1973 he recorded for the Prestige label.

Dexter finally returned to the U.S. in 1976. He appeared at the Village Vanguard and recorded "Homecoming." This, plus promotions from his new label, Columbia Records, made him very popular.

In 1986, Gordon was nominated for an Academy Award for his starring role in the movie 'Round Midnight. He died from Kidney Failure in Philadelphia, Pa. on April 25, 1990.


Earlier this afternoon I listened to Dexter's album "Go." This is a 1962 Blue Note release. The personnel include Dexter Gordon on tenor sax, Sonny Clark on piano, Butch Warren on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums.

The tunes include "Cheesecake," "I Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry," "Second Balcony Jump," "Love For Sale," "Where Are You?" and "Three O'clock In The Morning.
This album received a 5 star rating on All Music Guide. Stacia Proefrock says "Gordon had many high points in his five decade-long career, but this is certainly the peak of it all."


Here's a video of Dexter playing "Green Dolphin Street."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPOBJBKthd8&feature=player_detailpage

Ron Carter

Ron Carter was born Ronald Levin Carter on May 4, 1937 in Ferndale, MI. He began playing cello at age 10 but switched to double bass. Carter earned a Bachelor of Music Degree from the Eastman School in 1959 and a Masters Degree in Double Bass from the Manhattan School of Music in 1961.

Ron cut his first record in 1960 with Eric Dolphy and Don Ellis. From 1963-1968  he was a member of the Miles Davis Quintet teaming up with Herbie Hancock on piano and Tony Williams on drums in the rhythm section.

In 1993 Carter won a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Group, The Miles Davis Tribute Band. And in 1998 he won another Grammy for an instrumental composition from the film 'Round Midnight.

After more than 20 years on the faculty, Ron is Professor Emeritus at the City College of New York. He has played on over 2000 albums.


I'm listening to Ron Carter's tribute to Miles Davis called "Dear Miles." This is a 2007 Blue Note release. The personnel are Stephen Scott on piano, Payton Crossley on drums, and Roger Squitero on percussion.

Some of the familiar tunes include "Gone," "Seven Steps to Heaven," "My Funny Valentine," "Someday My Prince Will Come," "Stella By Starlight," and "Bye Bye Blackbird" among others.





Here is a video of Ron playing "Autumn Leaves."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfUqggDylJU&feature=player_detailpage