By 1968, Don Sebesky (1937-2023) had become, if not the preeminent jazz arranger of his day, then certainly one of the first to call to do the job. Other top-tier arrangers – like Quincy Jones, Neal Hefti, Lalo Schifrin and Oliver Nelson – had all left for Hollywood by then. Sebesky’s ascendance – or, to…
Larry Coryell – “Fallen Angel” (1993)
There is probably no such thing as a “great” Larry Coryell album. Even on his better records, the guitarist proved uneven, inconsistent or, more often than not, unable to sustain interest over a full LP. Worse, a bad vocal always threatened to wipe out whatever an otherwise decent Coryell record might promise. Fallen Angel is…
“The Warm World of Jack Sheldon” (1968)
One of the finest yet least known albums of the sixties is The Warm World of Jack Sheldon (Dot), an elegant and groovy piece of lighter-than-air jazz that holds up much better than its title or its time period might suggest. Released in November 1968, The Warm World of Jack Sheldon was apparently Don Sebesky’s idea and…
Dizzy Gillespie – “Cornucopia” (1970)
This far too little-known album was not bebop pioneer Dizzy Gillespie’s first – or last – attempt at reaching out and crossing over to a generation of listeners not inclined toward jazz. But as pure product, it’s most assuredly among his best. Cornucopia, released in March 1970, follows a previous set on Solid State called It’s…
Update: “Far Away” – Astrud Gilberto & Chet Baker (1977)
Today, the 2025 Record Store Day release of Astrud Gilberto’s little-known 1977 album That Girl from Ipanema has prompted me to repost the following piece. “Far Away,” a duet with trumpeter/vocalist Chet Baker, is one of the album’s most significant highlights and the only time these two artists ever recorded together. To this post, I…
“Far Away” – Astrud Gilberto & Chet Baker (1977)
As far as buried treasures go, “Far Away” is a real gem that deserves to be much better known than it is. Even fans of both artists are likely to be unfamiliar with this lovely, even moving performance. It’s the first – and only – time Astrud Gilberto (1940-2023) and Chet Baker (1929-1988) are known…