Tune Tuesday

I played trumpet in high school. I played it off and on after high school, but I probably couldn’t play more than 5-10 minutes now. That being said, I do love to listen to the professionals who have mastered the instrument. I love listening to Maynard Ferguson, Clark Terry, Harry James, and Doc Severinsen.

The members of the Tonight Show Band were really something. They were TIGHT! I am always amazed to hear that band and how they really cook. One of the other trumpet players I love was a member of the Tonight Show Band – Eugene “Snooky” Young.

Snooky was born on this day in 1919. Not only could he play, but he was a master of the “plunger mute” (It’s exactly what you are picturing.) with which he was able to create a wide range of sounds. Sometimes folks will call it a “whah whah” mute because that’s sort of the sound you can produce with it.

Snooky played with greats like Count Basie and Lionel Hampton. He recorded three solo albums from 1971 to 1979.

He also performed on albums with Ray Charles, Quincy Jones, Lalo Schifrin, The Mills Brothers, George Benson, Tony Bennett, The Band, Steely Dan, BB King, Neil Diamond, and Tracy Chapman.

In the late ’80’s, Doc and the Tonight Show Band went into the studio to record two albums. They are a must for folks who love a swingin’ big band. Snooky plays a solo on almost every cut on the album. One of my favorite cuts is their version of Lionel Hampton’s Flying Home. The saxophones are locked in and sound so good together. Listen for Doc (unmuted) and Snooky (Plunger muted) solos that are simply amazing.

First, the album cut –

The band live on the show (with an intro from Johnny Carson)

Here’s a fun clip of Snooky singing and playing.

Snooky passed away at the ripe age of 92 in May of 2011.

Happy Birthday, Snooky!

Music Memory Monday

Jazz legend Mel Torme’ passed away on this day in 1999. He began performing when he was just 14 years old. While he had some success with his group, The Mel-Tones, and some solo work in the 50’s and 60’s, it wasn’t until late in his life that his career really soared.

He was introduced to young audiences when he appeared as himself on Night Court. In interviews he said people would go see him perform because they wanted to know what Harry Anderson’s character found so amazing about him.

I was lucky enough to see him perform once in the early 1990’s. He was touring with Doc Severinsen and the Tonight Show Band. It remains, hands down, the best concert I have ever attended. He blew me away!

He came on stage and I was immediately caught up in his presence. He literally grabbed the audience and kept us mesmerized by his singing, his scatting, and his banter. When Doc’s band joined him toward the end of the show, he got up on the drums and played Sing, Sing, Sing. He was phenomenal!!

There is one song that I absolutely love by him. I suppose it would be one of the many that belong in the “Great American Songbook.” It is called More Than You Know. There are live versions by him that are just captivating, but I will share the studio version, which is just as beautiful.

Thanks for your music, Mel, and thanks for a performance that I will never forget!

More Than You Know

Whether you are here or yonder
Whether you are false or true
Whether you remain or wander
I’m growing fonder of you

Even though your friends forsake you
Even though you don’t succeed
Wouldn’t I be glad to take you
And give you the break you need

More than you know, more than you know
Girl of my heart I love you so
Lately I find you’re on my mind
More than you know

Whether you’re right, whether you’re wrong
Girl of my heart, I’ll string along
I need you so
More than you’ll ever know

Loving you the way that I do
There’s nothing I can do about it
Loving may be all you can give
But, honey, I can’t live without it

Oh, how I’d cry, oh how I’d cry
If you got tired and said Goodbye
More than I’d show
More than you’ll ever know

More than you’ll ever know

Let’s Talk About Sax …

Today is National Saxophone Day!

If you think about it, the saxophone is one of the most important instruments in pop music. As I think about some of the great early rock and roll songs, almost all of them had saxophone solos in them. Bill Haley and the Comets, Little Richard, Fats Domino, Big Joe Turner, and many other artists used a saxophone in their songs. I could probably post about 100 links to songs that have great sax solos!

Even well into the 80’s, songs featured the saxophone. Careless Whisper by Wham, Just the Two of Us by Bill Withers, Who Can it Be Now by Men at Work, Urgent by Foreigner, and The Heat Is On by Glenn Frey all have a prominent sax in them. Heck, even Kenny G had instrumental hits in the 80’s.

In honor of National Saxophone Day, how about a few songs you may know and a few you don’t that feature the sax ….

Hand Clappin’ – Red Prysock

My dad introduced me to this one! Wow!

In The Mood – The Glenn Miller Orchestra

A classic

Walkin’ With Mr. Lee – Lee Allen

One of the great 50’s instrumentals

Honky Tonk Part 2 – Bill Doggett

Another great 50’s cut

Sax Alley – The Tonight Show Band with Doc Severinsen

Five To Go – Nebraska Wind Ensemble

Ok, I know you probably don’t know this one. I played this my Junior year of high school. Some cool cats played the sax on this one. Hearing this takes me back to 1987!