JAM Magazine: October/November 1999 Issue: Folly Jazz News

'99-2000: Off and Running
Doug Tatum

By the time most of you are reading this, the George Shearing Duo featuring bassist Neil Swainson will have kicked off the opening of the 1999-2000 Folly Jazz Series on Friday, October 1. Shearing decided to celebrate his 80th birthday by going out on an extended national tour. May there be many more tours to come for this great octogenarian jazz master!

The Bobby Hutcherson Quartet appears at the Folly on Saturday, October 30. Hutcherson was inspired to take up the vibes when he first heard Milt Jackson. Bobby states, "I heard one of his records and that started it. I have never tried to directly copy his style, but he's been a great influence on me. I heard him playing and I said, 'Ah, that's just beautiful.' It's that sound of crystal and wood."

Hutcherson burst onto the New York jazz scene in 1961, quickly earning a reputation for his full fresh sound on an instrument that was still a rarity in jazz. He performed and recorded in the fabled Blue Note stable that included such jazz greats as Jackie McLean, Dexter Gordon, Hank Mobley, Eric Dolphy and Herbie Hancock. He appeared on so many sessions during this time that his playing literally helped define that decade's sound. In 1964, at the age of 23, Hutcherson won the Down Beat Critics poll as "Talent Deserving of Wider Recognition" on the vibes. He also won the International Jazz Critics Poll in 1971 as the "World's Best Vibist." Since 1981, he toured internationally and made recordings as a member of the Timeless All Stars, with Harold Land, Curtis Fuller, Cedar Walton, Buster Williams and Billy Higgins. His latest recording, Skyline, on the Verve label, has received high critical acclaim this past year.

"I've been playing a long time," says the 57-year-old Hutcherson, "and I'm really enjoying where I'm at now. I am very grateful that I make a living from something that I really enjoy doing, and I still get excited every time I play."

On Friday, November 19, the Tom Harrell Quintet will appear. Tom Harrell is a leading voice in contemporary jazz, due as much to his compositions and arrangements as for the purity of his trumpet sound. He was named "Trumpet Player of the Year" in 1996 by both Down Beat's Readers Poll and Critics Poll, and he took the #1 slot in the Jazz Times Readers Poll in 1997. Phil Woods describes Tom's abilities as "pure genius; he is the best musician I've encountered in 40 years of playing music. I've played with some great musicians and I've never played with anyone better than Tom Harrell."

Harrell's skills were honed in the bands of Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Horace Silver and Phil Woods. His jazz odyssey has brought him into alliances with Bill Evans, Gerry Mulligan, Lee Konitz, Lionel Hampton and Mel Lewis, and he has led his own group since 1989.

Tom states, "I'm really lucky, and I have the responsibility to use my talent to try to push the music in a new direction. Music is the total integration of all the elements of what it means to be human... emotional, intellectual, spiritual."

What makes Tom Harrell's artistry all the more remarkable and poignant, is that he suffers from mental illness which has been diagnosed as borderline schizophrenia. He takes powerful medication for the illness, and he is able to pursue his busy musical career with the loving support of his family. About Tom's condition, a 1996 Newsweek article stated, "His fragility slips away when the bandleader puts the horn to his lips. Every note is beautiful."

I have had the pleasure of seeing Tom Harrell perform on a number of occasions, and the transformation that occurs when he begins playing his trumpet is really quite amazing. Clearly, this musician's story is a triumph of the highest order over an imposing adversary. Music is truly a healing force, and nobody knows that better than Tom Harrell.

"Jazz Talk" with host Dick Wright will precede each concert at 7:00 p.m. More information about the Folly Jazz Series is available by calling the Folly Theater during regular business hours at (816) 474-4444.

Doug Tatum is the Executive Director of the Folly Theater.

RETURN TO OCTOBER 1999 MAIN INDEX

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© Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.






	Search our site:		'99-2000: Off and Running Doug Tatum By the time most of you are reading this, the George Shearing Duo featuring bassist Neil Swainson will have kicked off the opening of the 1999-2000 Folly Jazz Series on Friday, October 1. Shearing decided to celebrate his 80th birthday by going out on an extended national tour. May there be many more tours to come for this great octogenarian jazz master! The Bobby Hutcherson Quartet appears at the Folly on Saturday, October 30. Hutcherson was inspired to take up the vibes when he first heard Milt Jackson. Bobby states, "I heard one of his records and that started it. I have never tried to directly copy his style, but he's been a great influence on me. I heard him playing and I said, 'Ah, that's just beautiful.' It's that sound of crystal and wood." Hutcherson burst onto the New York jazz scene in 1961, quickly earning a reputation for his full fresh sound on an instrument that was still a rarity in jazz. He performed and recorded in the fabled Blue Note stable that included such jazz greats as Jackie McLean, Dexter Gordon, Hank Mobley, Eric Dolphy and Herbie Hancock. He appeared on so many sessions during this time that his playing literally helped define that decade's sound. In 1964, at the age of 23, Hutcherson won the Down Beat Critics poll as "Talent Deserving of Wider Recognition" on the vibes. He also won the International Jazz Critics Poll in 1971 as the "World's Best Vibist." Since 1981, he toured internationally and made recordings as a member of the Timeless All Stars, with Harold Land, Curtis Fuller, Cedar Walton, Buster Williams and Billy Higgins. His latest recording, Skyline, on the Verve label, has received high critical acclaim this past year. "I've been playing a long time," says the 57-year-old Hutcherson, "and I'm really enjoying where I'm at now. I am very grateful that I make a living from something that I really enjoy doing, and I still get excited every time I play." On Friday, November 19, the Tom Harrell Quintet will appear. Tom Harrell is a leading voice in contemporary jazz, due as much to his compositions and arrangements as for the purity of his trumpet sound. He was named "Trumpet Player of the Year" in 1996 by both Down Beat's Readers Poll and Critics Poll, and he took the #1 slot in the Jazz Times Readers Poll in 1997. Phil Woods describes Tom's abilities as "pure genius; he is the best musician I've encountered in 40 years of playing music. I've played with some great musicians and I've never played with anyone better than Tom Harrell." Harrell's skills were honed in the bands of Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Horace Silver and Phil Woods. His jazz odyssey has brought him into alliances with Bill Evans, Gerry Mulligan, Lee Konitz, Lionel Hampton and Mel Lewis, and he has led his own group since 1989. Tom states, "I'm really lucky, and I have the responsibility to use my talent to try to push the music in a new direction. Music is the total integration of all the elements of what it means to be human... emotional, intellectual, spiritual." What makes Tom Harrell's artistry all the more remarkable and poignant, is that he suffers from mental illness which has been diagnosed as borderline schizophrenia. He takes powerful medication for the illness, and he is able to pursue his busy musical career with the loving support of his family. About Tom's condition, a 1996 Newsweek article stated, "His fragility slips away when the bandleader puts the horn to his lips. Every note is beautiful." I have had the pleasure of seeing Tom Harrell perform on a number of occasions, and the transformation that occurs when he begins playing his trumpet is really quite amazing. Clearly, this musician's story is a triumph of the highest order over an imposing adversary. Music is truly a healing force, and nobody knows that better than Tom Harrell. "Jazz Talk" with host Dick Wright will precede each concert at 7:00 p.m. More information about the Folly Jazz Series is available by calling the Folly Theater during regular business hours at (816) 474-4444. Doug Tatum is the Executive Director of the Folly Theater. RETURN TO OCTOBER 1999 MAIN INDEX ------------------------------------------------------------------------ © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.