Quick Picks That Kick – Bobby Hutcherson “The Kicker”

As I’ve been frantically trying to finish my new eBook “Slick Licks That Stick!” during the past several weeks and hadn’t had the chance to post anything new, I thought I’d do a quickie “Marc Meyers type” record review of an album I’ve been digging a lot lately, Bobby Hutcherson’s 1963 recording, “The Kicker”. Featured here, besides Hutcherson on vibraphone, is the always amazing Joe Henderson on tenor (of course), as well as Duke Pearson – p, Grant Green – guitar (tracks #4-6), Bob (he’s everywhere, he’s everywhere!) Cranshaw – bass, and Al Harewood on the tubs. Not only does … Read More

Bari Good! – The “Bari Hybrid” Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

As I revealed in my post on synthetic reeds from 12/02/2012, I have been an endorser for Bari Woodwinds for about eight years now and I’ve been happily playing their synthetic reeds since 1987. So, you ask; what does an endorser do? He or she endorses, of courses! But only if the product in question warrants an endorsement. Right? … Read More

Stanley & Shirley – A Lovely Couple (of Musical Giants)

Riding the wave of innovation pioneered by Jimmy Smith and the resulting popularity of the Hammond B-3 electric organ, B-3 organ groups soon sprang up like mushrooms in bars and lounges all across urban America during the late 1950’s and throughout the next decade. By the early 1960’s, as organ / tenor saxophone groups were approaching the peak of their popularity, the best of the rest of these groups was the one led by the husband & wife team of tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine and organist Shirley Scott. … Read More