Jazz Currents

On January 16, 1958, the Ahmad Jamal Trio recorded a landmark album at the Pershing Lounge at the Pershing Hotel in Chicago, Illinois. Titled At the Pershing-But Not For Me, it featured Chicago bassist Israel Crosby and New Orleans drummer Vernel Fournier. The album was on Billboard’s Hot 100 album chart for more than 2 years, and included the crossover dance hit “Poinciana." Keith Hall is our guide to the many treasures found in this recording, on this episode of Jazz Currents.

In the 2nd and final episode of Jazz Currents, Keith Hall celebrates what would have been the 90th birthday of the jazz giant, John Coltrane.  It begins with his recordings in the early 1960’s, including some memorable recordings from his classic quartet featuring McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Garrison and Elvin Jones. Hall also explores the spiritual side of John Coltrane, and his later recordings as he continued to push the musical boundaries until his passing in 1967.

Saxophonist John Coltrane is one of the most imitated saxophonists of all time. During his relatively short career, he profoundly contributed to music as a composer and bandleader.

(Here are the earlier episodes in this Jazz Currents series celebrating what would have been Miles Davis' 90th birthday: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4.) In the late 60’s and early 70’s, Miles Davis began experimenting with electronic instruments, becoming one of the leading voices in what we now call fusion. After taking a hiatus in the late 70’s, Davis returned and continued to break new ground, while embracing contemporary sounds and styles. In the end, Davis came full circle to revisit his classic repertoire.

(Here are the earlier episodes in this Jazz Currents series celebrating what would have been Miles Davis' 90th birthday: Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.) When we look back at the career of Miles Davis, and the many musicians that have come through his bands, two combinations stand out: The first great quintet of the 1950’s with Coltrane, Garland, Chambers and Jones; and his brilliant second quintet featuring Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter and Tony Williams. In this, the fourth of five episodes on Miles Davis, Keith Hall digs into the rich catalog of this 1960’s quintet.