2-5-1

In this episode Nick and Simon discuss the legendary Village Vanguard Jazz Club in New York.

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In this episode Nick and Simon discuss how the available recording media at various times have affected jazz. 

Nick and Simon briefly explore the pianistic technique of playing block chords, find out what block chords are, who used them and how they work.

Nick and Simon discuss the pianist Mel Powell who had an illustrious career in jazz and modern classical music.  He played with some of the top jazz players of the age and married a film star.  His later years  were as an educator at the highest level replacing Paul Hindemith as head of composition at Yale and setting up Cal Arts back in Hollywood. 

A pianist who deserves more attention perhaps? 

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WTFH?

What the French Horn?

Nick and Simon discuss the use of the French Horn in Jazz

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In this bonus Christmas edition Nick and Simon discuss five Christmas tunes favoured by jazz musicians.

1. The Christmas Song
2. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
3. White Christmas
4. Winter Wonderland
5. O Christmas Tree

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In the final episode of Series 2 Nick and Simon discuss Dexter Calling, the last album Kenny Drew made with Dexter Gordon in the US, and One Flight Up one of the few Blue Note albums recorded in Europe in the 1960s; Our Man in Paris being another obvious example, also a Dexter Gordon session.  In 1961 Kenny Drew moved to Europe and Dexter Gordon soon followed. Dexter did return in 1973 to US soil but Kenny Drew saw out the rest of his career in Europe.

Dexter Calling 

One Flight Up

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Nick and Simon discuss Undercurrent, arguably a hidden gem in the rich soil of the Blue Note label's discography. It was Kenny Drew's last album as leader for the label, and shows his compositional style and improvisation skills off in a showcase of original tunes with a band playing exceptionally well.

This Episode focuses on the classic John Coltrane album BLUE TRAIN and Kenny Drew's part in it.

In 1957 John Coltrane had a pivotal year. He was sacked by Miles Davis for his heroin addiction so kicked the habit cold turkey and got down to rebuilding his life. He joined Thelonius Monk and made several albums under his own name as leader but only one of those was for Blue Note.

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Nick and Simon discuss Kenny Drew's contribution as sideman on the original vinyl release of It Could Happen to You , Chet Baker Sings.

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