CABARET VILLE MAGAZINE. P168
JAZZ CELEBRITIES AND GUESTS OF THE MONTH
Mose Allison
MOSE ALLISON, Southern-born pianist, composer and vocalist Mose Allison is considered “The William Faulkner of Jazz.” Melding Delta blues with boogie woogie and bebop on the piano, laid-back vocal stylings and sometimes satirical, always heartfelt, lyrics, Mose is in a category all his own.His devoted musician fans range from Pete Townshend (The Who covered Mose's “Young Man Blues”) to Van Morrison to Tom Waits. Diana Krall opens her latest CD with Mose's composition “Stop This World.” His recording career began in 1956 on the Prestige label, and he has continued to record top-quality work on major labels ever since. Mose has been the subject of a Rhino Records compilation, aptly titled Allison Wonderland, and a Sony Records box set. As if his music career isn't distinguished enough, Mose appeared as himself in the movie “The Score” with fellow thespians Marlon Brando and Robert DeNiro. Mose Allison remains one of the most engaging live performers in music.
NORMAN SIMMONS.
Pianist Norman Simmons is a consummate musician, best known for his
ability to connect with jazz singers like Carmen McRae, Anita O'Day, and
Joe Williams. Much more than just an accompanist, Simmons is an
extremely accomplished soloist, arranger, composer and educator. Born in
Chicago in 1929, Simmons' childhood was filled with the sound of the big
band era in full bloom. In particular, he was captivated by Duke
Ellington Orchestra broadcasts coming over a neighbor's radio. He
started teaching himself at the family piano, but recalls that his
playing and foot-stomping to keep time weren't very well received by the
downstairs neighbors. Undeterred, Simmons progressed quickly. At age 16,
he enrolled in the Chicago School of Music, where he completed his
studies in four years. A motivated young musician, Simmons formed his
own group in 1949 and began recording in 1952. His composition "Jan" was
a hit for tenor saxophonist Paul Bascomb in 1953. Simmons kept a
steady gig leading the house trio at Chicago's hottest jazz club, The
Beehive, where his group would back touring greats like saxophonists
Wardell Gray, Lester Young and Charlie Parker. Later, after leading a
nonet at the C & C Lounge, Simmons began accompanying jazz singers in
1958 and quickly earned a reputation as an exceptional accompanist.
Simmons was highly sought after by touring vocalists, and one, Ernestine
Anderson, convinced him to move to New York to continue working with
her. Simmons also began playing with tenor saxophonists Johnny Griffin
and Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis.
He wrote intricate arrangements for Griffin's band, resulting in soulful, swinging recordings, including the classic album The Big Soul Band. In 1960, Davis recommended Simmons to vocalist Carmen McRae , who had a reputation for being extremely demanding of accompanists. But the skilled and versatile pianist exceeded McRae's high expectations and they spent the next nine years performing and recording together. In 1969, Simmons decided to pursue new musical avenues with other vocalists. With Betty Carter and Anita O'Day, he found greater freedom to improvise and his soloing prowess crystallized. In 1979, he began his long-standing collaboration with singer Joe Williams. Williams and Simmons shared a simpatico that's in the league of Ornette Coleman and Don Cherry, Ella Fitzgerald and Tommy Flanagan, and Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. It can be heard throughout their music, especially on on songs like "You Can Depend on Me." Simmons' ability to challenge himself and other musicians carries over into his work as an educator. He has taught at Paterson State College in New Jersey since 1982 and also participated in the Jazzmobile program for 20 years, fostering music education at New York's public schools. Simmons' dedication to his students is equal to his commitment to jazz itself. Simmons insists he enjoys helping others excel, "I always get a lot of satisfaction knowing that I pushed someone up to the skies." No doubt, his contributions provide even greater satisfaction to jazz musicians, students and audiences everywhere.
IGNACIO HERRERA. Widely
recognized as a young genius, Ignacio "Nachito" Herrera stunned Cuban
audiences at the age of twelve, performing Rachmaninoff's Concerto No. 2
with the Havana Symphony Orchestra. His love of classical music quickly
combined with traditional Cuban rhythms under the instruction of the Cuban
masters-Rubén González, Jorge Gomez Labrańa, and Frank Fernández.
In his twenties, Nachito became the musical director at the famous
"Tropicana" in Cuba where he continued to deepen his repertoire. In the late
1990's, Nachito joined the famed Cubanismo as its lead pianist,
arranger, and musical director while cultivating a passion, talent and
reputation in Latin Jazz; a striking influence in his music today. Nachito
has toured, performed, and shared the stage with exceptional musicians:
Michel Camilo, Michael Tainer, Tata Quines, Carlos de Puerto, Tito Puentes,
Oscar de Leon, Giovanni Hidalgo (Mananguito), Emilio del Monte, Jesus Alemany,
Yellowjackets and many others. In addition to being a talented and engaging
performer, Nachito has been involved in fifteen different album projects
in various capacities: as a producer, collaborator, arranger, artist and
musician. Today, a new project emerges on the market from Nachito Herrera:
Bembé En Mi Casa. Bembé En Mi Casa is a journey through rich
combinations of Cuban rhythms - both old and new; a show of spiritual force and
musical talent; and a demonstration of proud Cuban tradition. Bembé is
supported by a talented, and acclaimed group of Cuban musicians including
Raúl Pineda on drums, Jesús Díaz as lead vocal and percussion,
Adalberto Lara on trumpet, Nardy Castellini on saxophone and
Mirdalys Herrera on vocals.