Bebop that swings from start to finish

7 MP3 Songs
JAZZ: Bebop, JAZZ: Piano Jazz



Details:
Ari Brown began his musical career playing blues and R&B. But in 1971 when he joined the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM), he turned his focus to jazz. During the 1970âs, Ari played with jazz giants such as Rufus Reid (who incidentally lived in Earma Thompsonâs rental apartment before moving to New York), McCoy Tyner, and Sonny Stitt. In the 1980âs, he played with Lester Bowie, Von Freeman, Anthony Braxton, and Elvin Jones. In 1989, Brown became a member in Kahil El'Zabar's Ritual Trio. Over the past thirty years he has become a versatile player who backs up many of Chicago's avant-garde musicians. Recently he has been playing with Pharoah Sanders, and he made two recordings as a bandleader in 1995 and 2000. Ari Brown blows with a strong, rich tone, and on this disc he growls on the blues âNext Time You See Meâ, and his introduction to âIn A Sentimental Moodâ is heartfelt.

John Brumbach has played with many Chicago blues and R&B legends like Sunnyland Slim (Heavy Timbre SR-5002), Chaka Khan, and Otis Clay. In 1972, he teamed up with Chakaâs sister Taka and moved to Los Angeles. While on the West Coast, he played with Rufus, the Gap Band, Jermaine Jackson, and others. Since moving back to Chicago in 1980, John plays regularly with Chicagoâs best jazz/blues musicians at clubs such as Katerinaâs and Andyâs. John has recorded as a sideman on three releases by The Sirens Records: Erwin Helferâs âIâm Not Hungry But I Like To Eat â Blues!â (SR-5001), Earma Thompsonâs âJust In Timeâ (SR-5008), and Katherine Davisâ âRock This House â Live!â (SR-5013). John brings excitement and energy on all three discs. His versatility ranges from the traditional Jelly Roll Morton tune âSweet Substituteâ with Helfer, to straight ahead bebop on Gene Ammonsâ âGeruâ with Thompson, to the Chicago blues sound of Jimmy Rogers on âRock This Houseâ with Davis. On this disc, Brumbachâs playing is sharp, exciting and full of steam; listen carefully and enjoy his solos â especially on âMadam Queenâ.

Earma Thompson attended the DuSable High School in Chicago, where she was classmates and friends with Dorothy Donegan, Clifford Jordon, Von Freeman, and many other musicians who created the vibrant Chicago jazz scene. Through her marriage to drummer Marshall Thompson, Earma befriended and often accompanied the dominant Chicago jazz musicianâs of the past fifty years (itâs fitting to hear Earma play Gene Ammonsâ âMadam Queenâ because of the Thompsonâs friendship with Ammons). Despite being recognized by other musicians, Earmaâs graciousness and humility have kept her from achieving the wider recognition she deserves (although she did receive a 2005 award from Jazz Unites for her contribution to jazz). She plays in full swing and her soul and blues can always be heard. Earma made her debut solo recording âJust in Timeâ (SR-5008) for The Sirens Records in 2004, and Marian McPartland interviewed and praised Earma and this disc on National Public Radioâs âPiano Jazzâ.