An All-Star Performance by the greats at Flushing Town Hall (Flushing, Queens, NY)

For Song Saturday I would like to share my wonderful experience at Flushing Town Hall this evening where THE 6 jazz greats met to perform. The sextet included, and I will refer to my program notes for the information:

Jimmy Heath, (sax) the middle brother of the legendary Heath Brothers, Percy and Tootie. He has performed with nearly all the jazz greats of the last 50 years, including Howard McGhee, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Wynton Marsalis. One of his earliest bands (1947-1948) in Philadelphia included John Coltrane, Benny Golson, Specs Wright, Cal Massey, Johnny Coles, Ray Bryant and Nelson Boyd. Charlie Parker and Max Roach sat in on an occasion.

He has performed on more than 100 record record albums, written more than 125 compositions, 7 suites and 2 string quartets.

He has concluded 11 years as Professor of Music at the Aaron Copland school of Music at Queens College, here in Queens, NY. This 80 year old performs rigorously and is scheduled to conduct workshops throughout the world.

Clark Terry (trumpet) has had a 60 year career in jazz. He has performed for Presidents Carter, Nixon, Reagan, Bush Sr., Ford, Johnson, and Clinton. He has received honorary degrees and numerous awards worldwide. He was the first African-American staff musician for the National Broadcast Corporation (NBC), and had written 3 jazz books, dozens of compositions and recorded hundreds of albums and CDs with his own band and combos such as Duke Ellington, Xount Basie, Charlie Barnet, Dinah Washington, Lionel Hampton, Quincy Jones, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Oscar Peterson, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, and many more. He continues to perform, teach and record.

Barry Harris (piano) is internationally reknowned and holds honorary degrees and awards. He founded the Jazz cultural Theater in the 1980’s. Dr. Harris’s classic jazz style reflects the greats: Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Bud Powell, Thelonious Monk and Coleman Hawkins. He lectures world-wide and holds weekly music workshops in New York City.

Benny Powell (trombone) was born in New Orleans and has played in bands with Count Basie and Lionel Hampton. He has been a professional jazz musician and one of the most versatile trombonists for over 60 years. He maintains a busy performance schedule, and is dedicated to keeping the jazz tradition alive through teaching at all levels. He is a professor at New York University and teaches at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music. He is the leader of his own quintet.

Albert “Tootie” Heath (drums) is the younger brother of Percy and Jimmy Heath, is a “hard bop-based drummer.” He debuted on a record with John Coltrane after moving to New York in 1957. He has lived in Europe for a while. Having returned to the U.S. he played with Herbie Hancock’s sextet and Yusef Lateef. He settled in L.A. where he freelanced and recorded with the Riverside Reunion Band.

Earl May (bass) began his career in New York City where he developed under Lester Young, Mercer Ellington, Charles Mingus. He played at The Hickory House, Birdland, and the Downbeat Club. He worked with Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, and John Coltrane. He became the “epitome of the New York club scene.”

Denise Thimes (vocalist) has toured America and Europe and is an 8 time recipient of the St Louise Black Repertory Woodie Award for both musicals and drama.

This septet which is composed of gentlemen who are approaching if not already 80, played their “classics” with passion, verve, joy and humor. One could see how much love and respect they have for one another; they go back many years. Despite some physical ailments and the physical signs of aging, this is one spirited group of gentlemen whose souls transcend any bodily limitation.

Enter Denise Thimes, guest vocalist with a huge presence, in body, personality and voice. It was a pleasure to see her perform with the group. A veritable youngster in comparison, she is the voice of jazz all the way.

Today the Cerebral Jukebox presents Denise Thimes for Song Saturday.

reply gilesy01 wrote on Dec 1, ’07 What a voice….it’s very pure. Thanks for the introduction to her.

reply gilesy01 wrote on Dec 1, ’07 Almost like Billie Holliday but not as gritty and despairing.

reply nemo4sun wrote on Dec 1, ’07 wow! 🙂

reply mntsinger wrote on Dec 1, ’07 WOW I love this thank you 🙂

reply greenwytch wrote on Dec 1, ’07 THANK YOU!

reply redheadgirl4 wrote on Dec 1, ’07 I’ve had your page on my screen listening this for a while now. I seriously love it, I’m going to look for some of this music! Thanks for the tip and sounds like an amazing concert. Big hugs!

reply sanssouciblogs wrote on Dec 1, ’07 This woman is amazing! This is the kind of music that is classy, fun and uplifiting, nostalgic, and romantic! I am glad people enjoyed it.

reply mntsinger wrote on Dec 2, ’07 LOL I Played for hours myself this morning 🙂  Thanks again 🙂

reply opossumd wrote on Dec 2, ’07 It’s a wonderful Sunday and the music you posted is the perfect background. I’m a fan of classic jazz. I’d never heard of Denise Thimes, thank you for introducing me to her seductive singing. Absolutely perfect!

reply sweetpotatoqueen wrote on Dec 2, ’07 Oh what a fabulous concert this must have been. LOVE the music you shared…just my cup of tea!!!! I could listen to this all day!! Thanks for sharing the lovely tunes,my friend!

reply papahere wrote on Dec 3, ’07 Regret the jazz era was just beginning when I was young and I never developed a “feel” for it…this along with other changes dates me to an older generation ~ Papa

reply annedigitalis wrote on Dec 3, ’07 Great stuff, love jazz, she has a great voice

reply anbra6 wrote on Dec 8, ’07 :0OOO   Great

reply aladybug wrote on Jan 22, ’08 This is just great!!!!   Such a beautiful voice and great singing!  Being in New York, I am glad you have added some sprinkles of good Jazz to your blog.  It took me a while to be able to listen to the music, but I enjoyed “Tenderly” and “Miss Celie’s Blues”   Thanks, it is wonderful! “Sista, you’ve been on my mind”…  LOL!   Just great!     🙂

reply suggar202 wrote on Feb 16, ’08 oh my! i love her voice. thanks for the intro Sue!