A flashback to the 1974 Jazz Marathon
Today, I would like to take you back to the first Jazz Marathon that I had the honour of programming. This marathon took place on Saturday 1 June 1974. Later this year, the Jazz Marathons of 1975 and 1976, which I also edited, will be published.
On the poster, eleven names of musicians and ensembles were printed, all with the same font size, and without capitals, entirely in accordance with the democratic dogmas of the time. Here’s the complete list: association p.c., kenny drew + niels-henning orsted pedersen, orchestra “de boventoon”, memphis slim, willem breuker koll. (10-man formation), rene thomas 4, han bennink, rein de graaff-dick vennik 4, noah howard 4, jimmy owens, leon v.d. eyk (carillon)
There was also a performance planned by a local quartet: Koco; if you looked carefully, you could find it at a lost spot on the poster.
Three highlights: René Thomas, Kenny Drew/N.H.O.P. and Jimmy Owens.
In my memory, the performance of René Thomas remained the absolute highlight of the first Jazz Marathon. He can be heard in five pieces in this broadcast.
The duo Kenny Drew/Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen also gave a memorable performance. Three pieces by this duo can be heard in this broadcast.
I also have fond memories of the performance by then 31-year-old trumpeter Jimmy Owens. He can be heard on flugelhorn, in a beautiful ballad written by his good friend James Moody.
The pieces
# 1. Lolita (7:02): Jacques Pelzer (alto sax), Rein de Graaff (piano), René Thomas (guitar), Henk Haverhoek (bass), Han Bennink (drums); taken from the LP Thomas Pelzer Limited (Vogel 003) (never released as a CD). We have to thank the Belgian literary scholar, critic, jazz enthusiast and producer Edmond Devoghelaere for this album.
# 2. Invitation (4:22): René Thomas (guitar), Eddy Louiss (Hammond organ); from the double CD Dynasty (Verve) by Stan Getz.
# 3. Viking’s Blues (5:50): Kenny Drew (piano) & Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen; taken from the album Duo Live in Concert (Steeple Chase).
# 4. Serenity (4:27): ditto.
# 5. Love, where are you? (6:59): Jimmy Owens (flugelhorn), Kenny Barron (piano), Chris White (bass), Freddie Waits (drums); from the Jimmy Owens-Kenny Barron Quintet-You had better listen (Atlantic) album (never released as a CD).
# 6. Ballad for Leo (9:14): Stan Getz (tenor sax), Eddy Louiss (organ), René Thomas (guitar), Bernard Lubat (drums); from Stan Getz’s double CD Dynasty (Verve).
# 7. How long has this been going on? (5:57): René Thomas (guitar), Teddy Kotick (bass), Albert Heath (drums); taken from the CD Guitar Groove (O.J.C./Jazzland) by René Thomas.
# 8. Like someone in love (5:50): Hod O’Brien (piano), René Thomas (guitar), Teddy Kotick (bass), Albert Heath (drums); taken from the CD Guitar Groove.
# 9. All Blues (6:04): Kenny Drew (piano) & Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen; see also # 3 and # 4.
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