Jazztodon artist of the week: Ray Brown!
From @aaj
Arriving in New York at the age of twenty, Hank Jones introduced him to Dizzy Gillespie, who was looking for a bass player. Gillespie hired Brown on the spot and he soon played with such established musicians as Art Tatum and Charlie Parker.

From 1946 to 1951 he played in Gillespie's band. Brown, along with the vibraphonist Milt Jackson, drummer Kenny Clarke, and the pianist John Lewis formed the rhythm section of the Gillespie band, and their work together eventually led to the creation of the Modern Jazz Quartet.

Around this time Brown was also appearing in Jazz at the Philharmonic concerts, organised by Norman Granz. It was at these concerts that he met the jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald, whom he married in 1947.

Brown anchored the Oscar Peterson Trio from 1951 to 1966. He later formed his own trio with Gene Harris and Jeff Hamilton.

He became an elder statesman and one of the most respected players in jazz.
#jazz #raybrown

Illinois Jacquet - Swing's the Thing

1956 and Jacquet is making a great case for why Swing should get more respect. Just a whole lot of energetic fun, and when the tempo slows down, some beautiful ballad playing.

With Jacquet (tenor), Roy Eldridge (trumpet), Jimmy Jones (piano), Herb Ellis (guitar), Ray Brown (bass), and Jo Jones—no, not Philly Joe Jones—on drums.

#nowplaying #vinyl #jazz #swing #IllinoisJacquet #RoyEldridge #JimmyJones #HerbEllis #RayBrown #JoJones

West Side Story is a 1962 studio album by Oscar Peterson and his trio. The album features jazz interpretations of seven songs from the film West Side Story.

Review by Ken Dryden

..rather than woodshed on the selections prior to entering the studio, the Oscar Peterson Trio spontaneously created impressions of the musical's themes on the spot. "Something's Coming" seems like a series of vignettes, constantly shifting its mood, as if moving from one scene to the next. Ray Brown plays arco bass behind Peterson in the lovely "Somewhere," while the feeling to "Jet Song" is very hip in the trio's hands. The snappy interplay between the musicians in the brisk setting of "Tonight" turns it into a swinger. "Maria" initially has a light, dreamy quality, though it evolves into a solid groove...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGb2wuT1p9o&list=RDLGb2wuT1p9o&start_radio=1

#OscarPeterson #JazzPianoTrio #WestSideStory #Jazz #Music #EdThigpen #RayBrown #VerveRecords

the bass is nice and high in the mix on this one :)

`Milt Jackson,vibes; Al Haig,piano; Ray Brown,bass; Kenny Clarke,drums; "Cherry`

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nBeX4lKPWI

#jazz #MiltJackson #KennyClarke #RayBrown