Audio: Jazz Stories
Jazz is America's greatest artform, and "Jazz Stories" features industry icons sharing their insights into the music and the lifestyle of musicians during jazz's golden age.
Jazz Stories: Shorts
- Allyson Green on meeting your idol.
- Arthur Zenger talks about the problem with bebop.
- Bill Flanders describes the brotherhood of jazz.
- Charlie Buttons on bad managers.
- Christian McCoy on the rewards of the jazz lifestyle.
- Chuck Brocklin explains why jazz is male-dominated.
- Clara Philips on the power of the "Downbeat" jazz poll.
- Dave Johnson tells us about train travel.
- Dave Johnson on the "jungle sound."
- Earl Rivers explains jazz history.
- Earl Rivers on coronet player Buddy Bolden.
- Franklin Foster tells the story of his biggest recording hit.
- Franklin Foster on the blues.
- Fred Fuller talks about improvising.
- Howard Dawkins on using the venue's piano.
- Jackie Allen on scoping out Charlie Parker.
- James Handy is huge in Japan.
- Jeanette Robinson on "quoting" in jazz solos.
- Jimmy Monroe tells you about songwriting.
- Mamie Dupree on her European tour.
- Melvin Watts tells his Chet Baker story.
- Milo Frost tells us about crazy practicing habits.
- Milton Seacrest on Dizzy's legacy.
- Murray Sullivan on finding innovative new sounds.
- Pete Francis talks about playing baseball on the road.
- Philadelphia Myers on stealing ideas from other musicians.
- Six Finger Rollins explains his nickname.
- Skins Malloy on the difficulty of recording drums.
- Slim Solomon explains "rent parties."
- William Arthur on the birth of Fourth Stream jazz.
Jazz Stories: Monologues
Amazingly, there are also a few longer-form jazz stories on file.
- Drumstick Jones. The legendary trumpet player speaks. (6:00)
- Mamie Dupree. The vocalist talks about the joy music has brought. (6:40)
- Six Lips Walker. The be-bop trumpet player explains his nickname. (4:00)
- Sammy Stanwick. The cool jazz saxaphonist discusses his education. (4:30)
- Oscar Prince. The trombonist talks about travel. (5:49)