Sunday Jazz Lounge with Doug Kaye and Natalia Farran

 

SUNDAY JAZZ LOUNGE - MARCH EDITION: JAZZ VIBES!

 

In today's programme the star instrument is the vibraphone (commonly known as vibes), an instrument with a unique mellow tone, a combination of percussion and melody which works especially well in the jazz language.

 

The vibraphone was invented in America in 1921 by Hermann Winterhoff of the Leedy Drum Co. and was almost immediately put to use by dance band and jazz musicians. Starting in the 1930s, a few orchestral composers started to occasionally incorporate it in their works. Like other keyboard percussion instruments, it requires a level of specialisation on the part of the performer to play well, and not every percussionist can be expected to be proficient on it. In the jazz idiom, a few players in particular have elevated the vibraphone to the status of a solo instrument, Milt Jackson and Lionel Hampton being two good examples.

We have some fantastic, diverse tracks that include vibes as the main instrument and as accompaniment. This show features artists such as Milt Jackson, Mike Mainieri, Lionel Hampton, Tubby Hayes, Gary Burton, Astrud Gilberto, Grant Green, Miles Davis, Bobby Hutcherson, Roy Ayers, Stan Getz and Herbie Mann.

 

Also on this show: Natalia sends us a fascinating interview with Phil Phillips, a British pianist and singer, excellent accompanist and composer, who has been working around the world since his teens and is still delighting audiences with his renditions of classic Latin and jazz numbers - as well as original compositions - and his extraordinary charisma and savoir faire.

 

What other skills did Sammy Davis Jr. have as well as singing? What do Juan Perón and Ava Gardner have in common? Is it true that Tubby Hayes and Ronnie Scott were "rock and roll sinners"? What's the link between Phil and Natalia's father? Phil's experience encompasses so much, from playing in jazz clubs in early 1960s Spain to becoming resident pianist at The Talk of the Town in London, surrounded by international celebrities such as Diana Ross and Judy Garland, plus a long and fruitful career on British television working with the likes of Bruce Forsyth and Ronnie Corbett. All this - and much, much more - in this month's exclusive interview.

 

Sadly, due to technical problems, we couldn't play his songs, but we hope to be able to do so in a forthcoming show.

We'll also remember special jazz birthdays in our new section.

 

We hope you enjoy the show!

 

With thanks to Jane Winterbottom.

 

Playlist 

Selim - Johnny Lytle
Blowin' The Blues Away - Buddy Rich
The Blues And Me - Georgie Fame
Seven Come Eleven - Charlei Christian
Stoned Soul Picnic - Roy Ayres
Big Bear - Cal Tjader & Getz
The Night Before - Herbie Mann
Why Not - Dave Pike

We'll Call You - Stan Tracey Quartet
Rapandas - Stan Tracey Quartet
Guys & Dolls - Eddie Costa
Jump For Joy - Mark Murphy
It Might As Well Be Spring - Astrud Gilberto
Autumn - Gary Burton

Interview by Natalia Farran Phil Phillips

Move - Red Norvo
Minor March - Miles Davis
The Kicker - Bobby Hutcherson