Monday, October 3, 2011

Jo Jones Centennial Festival

[“Closeup of percussionist Jo Jones at cymbals at recording session for film Jammin’ the Blues, being directed by photographer Gjon Mili.” Photograph by Gjon Mili. Hollywood, California. October 10, 1944. From the Life Photo Archive.]

Now playing, and playing until noon, October 8: the Jo Jones Centennial Festival on WKCR-FM. Papa Jo Jones, drummer extraordinaire, was born on October 7, 1911.

WKCR-FM is one of the great resources for non-trending music. The station is hurting: throw some money its way if you like what you hear.

[Thanks to Music Clip of the Day for spreading the news.]

comments: 3

Adair said...

I think that Jammin the blues is the best jazz film ever made. There are so many great shots of Lester Young, Harry Edison, and others, but I particularly love the moment when Sid Catlet hands over the drum sticks to Jo Jones without a beat being missed between them!

Michael Leddy said...

Adair, I think I’m with you on that. Jazz on a Summer’s Day is great in its own way, but I like keeping the focus on the musicians.

Jammin’ the Blues is at YouTube, for anyone’s who’s curious.

Adair said...

Michael is right on the mark about WKCR-FM, a fantastic station. "Bird Flight" is perhaps its oldest and most famous program, in which jazzologist Phil Schaap gives fascinating in-depth lectures on the immortal Charlie Parker. (Despite decades of doing this show,Schaap is still discovering new things in Parker's recordings!) It is like a university education in jazz.