Here's the music I chose--and, in two cases, what listeners requested--for my 11 a.m.-1 p.m. shift on this day 24 years ago:
1. Black & Gold-Antonio Hart
(From "Don't You Know I Care," one of the strongest jazz albums I ever reviewed for KCOU; Hart shines on alto sax throughout, particularly on this blisteringly fast number. Also recommended: "Jessica's Day" and "From Across The Ocean.")
2. Cruisin' For A Bluesin'-Maynard Ferguson
(Continues the mood established in "Black & Gold," in big-band style, with Ferguson's piercing trumpet leading the way.)
3. Swing High-Tommy Dorsey
(Reaching back to an earlier era and continuing the mood Ferguson laid down in "Cruisin'...")
4. Deep Jungle-Ben Pollack & his orchestra
5. Lost Weekend-Woody Herman
6. Elevation-Elliot Lawrence & his orchestra
(A progressive big band sound for 1949.)
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7. Maca (Apple)-Flora Purim
8. Gone With The Wind-Ella Fitzgerald (*)
9. Let's Call The Whole Thing Off-Billie Holiday
(Perhaps breaking up over a disagreement about how to pronounce "tomato" isn't the best idea. Holiday brings this realization to light in her rendition of the much-covered Gershwin tune.)
10. Giant Steps-John Coltrane (*)
11. Now's The Time-Buddy Rich
(An enduring riff for every player; Rich's drums give the tune its kick. If you've listened to any traditional jazz radio station anywhere close to regularly, you've almost certainly heard this tune.)
12. Bluesology-Modern Jazz Quartet
(From one great rhythm section to another...Given the coolness of the vibraphone part on this tune and other MJQ recordings, I should have played this group more often on "Jazz Odyssey.")
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13. A Dream Deferred-David Murray & Friends
14. Dr. Macumba-Earl Klugh
(One of Klugh's most impressive Spanish-style guitar melodies. It's from one of his best albums, "Finger Paintings." Other highlights from the album: "This Time" and his covers of James Taylor's "Long Ago And Far Away" and "Dance With Me" by Orleans.)
15. I Had The Craziest Dream-Joe Pass
16. Close Your Eyes-Russell Malone
17. Swinghouse-Gerry Mulligan Quartet
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18. Theme From "Route 66"-Nelson Riddle and his orchestra
19. Addictive Love-Maceo Parker
20. Inside Track-Out Of The Blue
(A 1986 track by a six-piece ensemble that should be better known. This is a good big band-style showcase for a trumpeter and saxophonists.)
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21. Snowfall-The Manhattan Transfer
(What vocal ensemble would be better suited to conveying the wonder a lot of us feel during Winter's first snowfall? Their spirited version of "Caroling, Caroling" is another highlight from "The Christmas Album.")
22. Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow-Marcus Roberts
("Let It Snow..." is more credible as a piano instrumental, in my opinion, than it is when sung. Roberts stays faithful to the tune while putting some of his own personality into it.)
23. J.S. Bach: Cantata No. 156: Arioso-Ron Carter
24. John Patitucci: Concerto Movement #1: Westward Expansion
(An excellent merging of Classical and jazz styles, right from the introduction. It's from one of Patitucci's most compelling albums, "Heart Of The Bass.")
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25. Summertime-Gary Burton & Friends
(Ending the show on an ironic note for December 1...)
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(*) indicates a listener's request.
--- indicates a station break between songs.
