IN A NEW YORK STATE OF MIND (On the Eve of September 11 – 23 Years Later)
Historically, jazz has been closely associated with great American cities, including New Orleans, Chicago, Los Angeles, Kansas City, St. Louis, Detroit, and, above all, New York. Ever since that horrific event that occurred on September 11, 2001, I felt it necessary on my radio show on www.umfm.com from Winnipeg, to pay tribute to that great city that remains much more than a collection of people and buildings. It is a hallmark, a beacon of light of a continuum; that is, an ever-evolving culture which speaks to its people’s fears, desires, and aspirations. It is no wonder that this magnificent entity has inspired more poets, artists, writers, and musicians/lyricists than any other city.
Initially, jazz reflected the anxiety of minority groups, but it soon evolved into a symbol of hope for people of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds. By amalgamating free forms with folk, classical, gospel, blues, popular sounds, country/western swing, and even rap with hip-hop make it a meaningful force to reckon with the potential for unity among the races and culture, thereby creating not only excellent possibilities in the soundscape, but profound relevance to life in this great big city they call The Big Apple, New York.
ESSENTIAL ALBUMS
(1) Jazzhattan Suite -Jazz Interactions Orchestra led by Oliver Nelson (Verve 1967)
(2) Jazz Impressions Of New York – The Dave Brubeck Quartet (Columbia Records 1964)
(3) Songs Of New York – Mel Torme (Atlantic Records, 1983)with John Williams, Shorty Rogers, Dick Hazzard
(4) Tales Of Manhattan – The Cool Philosophy of Babs Gonzales with Melba Liston & Kenny Burrell Trio (Jaro)
(5) Manhattan Serenades-Various Artists (Woody Herman, Tommy Dorsey, Red Norvo) (Jazz Recs. 1993)
(6) Mays In Manhattan – Bill Mays Trio Plus 3 (Concord 1996)
(7) New York State Of Mind – Harry Allen Quintet (Challenge 2009)
(8) Welcome To New York – Ehud Asherie (solo) – Arbours 2010)- Piano Series, Volume 21
NINE COME ELEVEN SONGS FOR NEW YORK
(1) New York State Of Mind – Tony Bennett & Billy Joel or Harry Allen Quartet
(2) New York, New York – Frank Sinatra or Keely Smith/Frankie Capp or Harry Allen Quintet
(3) Autumn In New York – Carol Sloane, Ella Fitzgerald, or Rob McConnell & The Boss Brass
(4) Lovers In New York – Ehud Asherie
(5) Complex City – The Jazz Interactions Orchestra with Oliver Nelson, Phil Woods, Zoot Sims, Joe Newman
(6) Lonely Mr. Broadway – Dave Brubeck Qt.
(7) Sunday In New York – Bobby Darin
(8) Stompin’ At The Savoy – Benny Goodman
(9) Drop Me Off In Harlem – Duke Ellington or Martin Tayloe & Stephane Grappelli
(10) Harlem Nocturne – Mel Torme or Harry Allen Qt.
(11) Skating In Central Park – The Modern Jazz Qt.
BONUS TRACKS
(12) I Happen To Like New York – Bobby Short
(13) Lullaby Of Broadway – Doris Broadway
(14) Lullaby Of Birdland – George Shearing Quintet
(15) ‘Dem Jive New Yorkers – Babs Gonzales with Melba Liston &n The Kenny Burrell Trio