Ben Wendel has always resisted the obvious move. So when the Jazz Gallery handed him an open-ended commission, he assembled four of the most distinctive mallet players working today—Joel Ross, Simon Moullier, Patricia Brennan, and Juan Diego Villalobos—stood himself in the center of a semicircle of vibraphones and marimbas, and called the result BaRcoDe.

In this conversation—episode 300 of The Tonearm Podcast—Wendel talks through the project's origins at the Jazz Gallery, the logic behind the album's title, and what it was like to inhabit that particular sonic space. He also reflects on what the Village Vanguard actually feels like from the stage, why he thinks bad teachers can be clarifying, and what's coming next—even if the logistics are, by his own admission, going to be a beast.

Listen in on today's new episode of The Tonearm Podcast: https://podcast.thetonearm.com/ben-wendel-assembling-the-mallet-avengers-barcode-saxophone/

#Jazztodon #Vibraphone #Percussion #BenWendel #Podcast

Ended Thursday and welcomed Friday after a walk with Impressions of a Patch of Blue a 1966 album by vibraphonist Walt Dickerson with keyboardist Sun Ra in a rare appearance as a sideman...

Review by Steve Huey

Impressions of a Patch of Blue was the second time Walt Dickerson recorded an album of rearranged movie soundtrack pieces, following his interpretations of material from Lawrence of Arabia. Starring Sidney Poitier, A Patch of Blue was about a star-crossed pair of interracial lovers, with the twist that Elizabeth Hartman's character also happened to be blind. More important to jazz fans, though, is that the album marked one of Sun Ra's extremely rare appearances as a sideman, playing both piano and harpsichord. And he turns in a masterful supporting performance behind Dickerson, putting his own indelible stamp on the proceedings without ever overwhelming them..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yql5cToVoAw&list=OLAK5uy_kRezZ5od7UbN2T_J4pX3NxcpoMQ4CIHsI

#WaltDickerson #SunRa #Vibraphone #harpsichord #Jazz #Music #Soundtrack #APatchOfBlue

Creating Blues on the Other Side is an album by American jazz vibraphonist Mike Mainieri recorded in 1962 and released on the Argo label.

Michael T. Mainieri Jr. (born July 4, 1938)[2] is an American vibraphonist, known for his work with the jazz fusion group Steps Ahead. He is married to the singer-songwriter and harpist Dee Carstensen.

Mainieri was born in The Bronx, New York, United States.[2] Mainieri was a pioneer in introducing an electronic vibraphone, known as a synth-vibe, and has recorded with such musicians as Buddy Rich, Wes Montgomery and Jeremy Steig. He performed for a live album by Laura Nyro... - Wikipedia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaZZS-rXlck&list=PL9wD8KBXVf25B3wH4yDX5ysw5R1w2zcrm&index=1

#MikeMainieri #Vibraphone #ArgoLabel #Jazz #Music

Cal Tjader-Plays Mary Stallings-Sings by Cal Tjader, Mary Stallings, released on Fantasy in 1962.

Review by Dave Nathan

Mary Stallings was just 22 at the time this album, her first, was cut in 1961. Fortunately, she was teamed up with a group of top professionals led by vibist Cal Tjader. She also sticks with mostly tried and true material, with Duke Ellington's songs getting a big play. Tjader is not a virtuoso on the vibes, but has made a name for himself because of his attachment to Latin rhythms...The vibes player also loosens up on up-tempo tunes like "It Ain't Necessarily So." The singer has a powerful voice with a straight from the shoulder, no holds barred delivery...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7qwk2QwroQ

#CalTjader #Vibraphone #MaryStallings #ClareFisher #PaulHorn #DukeEllington #Jazz #VocalJazz #Music

Ended Tuesday and welcomed Wednesday after a swim with Alone at Last is the first solo album by vibraphonist Gary Burton, on which he also plays piano and organ. It was recorded in 1971, and features three performances from the Montreux Jazz Festival and four performances from the studio. It released on the Atlantic label in 1972. The album was awarded a Grammy for Best Jazz Performance by a Soloist at the 15th Grammy Awards.

The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 5 stars, calling it, "one of the high points of Gary Burton's career. Wondrous music"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SUEEgRYy7Y&list=PLKHv40ObACCFPujh1g0J2FoPEk2rxr8KH&index=1

#GaryBurton #Vibraphone #Jazz #Music #MontreuxJazzFestival

Paris Encounter is an album by vibraphonist Gary Burton and violinist Stéphane Grappelli recorded in 1969 and released on the Atlantic label.

The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow stated: "both Grappelli and Burton prove to be flexible enough to have much common ground despite a 35-year difference in age. A frequently delightful set" - Wikipedia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hKPyXAOrkI&list=RD8hKPyXAOrkI&start_radio=1

#GaryBurton #vibraphone
#StéphaneGrappelli #violin
#SteveSwallow #BillGoodwin #Jazz #Music

Live in Tokyo is a live album by American jazz vibraphonist Gary Burton recorded in Tokyo on June 2, 1971, and released in Japan on the Atlantic label. It features Burton with guitarist Sam Brown, bassist Tony Levin and drummer Bill Goodwin.

Review by Devin Devasquez

...Burton's vibraphone playing is nothing short of mesmerizing, as he weaves intricate melodies and harmonies with effortless ease. His backing band, consisting of guitarist Jerry Hahn, bassist Steve Swallow, and drummer Bill Goodwin, provide a solid foundation for Burton's flights of fancy.

The album features a mix of original compositions and jazz standards, all given fresh and inventive treatments by the quartet. Standout tracks include the swinging "Chega de Saudade" and the hauntingly beautiful "Sweet Rain."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdQ2L3RPl8w&list=PLqVAtgtYRj1M9M9ERsVWlZdZ1pwRr1L7f&index=1

#GaryBurton #SamBrown #Vibraphone #Jazz #JazzRock #Music

Head On is an album by American jazz vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson recorded in 1971 and released on the Blue Note label.

The Allmusic review by Matt Collar awarded the album 3 stars and stated "Head On is a highly cerebral and atmospheric affair that is somewhat different than his other equally experimental '70s work... Fans of expansive, searching '70s jazz will definitely want to seek Head On out". - Wikipedia

#BobbyHutcherson #vibraphone #ToddCochran #OscarBrashear #HaroldLand #Jazz #BlueNote #Music

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJ2BsQs1KN8&list=OLAK5uy_kevtDoACN3GuaJXzFCKxG2auJCVU5QLVE

Ballet-Symphony No 5, Symphony No. 6 - The Music Of Gunter Hampel by Gunter Hampel, released in 1971 on Birth Records in 1971.

Gunter Hampel (born 31 August 1937)[1] is a German jazz vibraphonist, clarinettist, saxophonist, flautist, pianist, and composer. He became dedicated to free jazz in the 1960s, developing a record label (Birth Records) and working with Jeanne Lee, John McLaughlin, Muruga Booker, Laurie Allan, Udo Lindenberg, Pierre Courbois, Archie Shepp, Marion Brown, Steve McCall and Perry Robinson. In 1972, he formed the Galaxie Dream Band. - Wikipedia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_zR4_qT16o&list=RDq_zR4_qT16o&start_radio=1

#GunterHampel #Jazz #Music #AvantGarde #FreeJazz #Vibraphone #ThirdStream #JazzFlute #JeanneLee

Cal Tjader Plays Harold Arlen is an album by American vibraphonist Cal Tjader, five of its 11 tracks arranged by Tjader's longtime colleague Clare Fischer. Recorded in June 1960 [5] and released in February 1962 on the Fantasy label,

The Washington Post's Tony Gieske elaborates on Fischer's contribution:

Fischer's arrangements on one side of Cal Tjader Plays Harold Arlen are marked by unashamed eclecticism. He swipes string-section sounds (icy and twangy by turns) from the moderns, steals chords from Bartók's string quartets, throws in some Hollywood soundtrack stuff, conks on the bare piano strings, and fools around with counter-rhythms... - Wikipedia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJn3EZCZ3mU&list=RDtJn3EZCZ3mU&start_radio=1

#CalTjader #Vibraphone #Jazz #HaroldArlen #ClareFisher #Music