Historical Dictionary of Jazz. John S. Davis

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СКАЧАТЬ GEORGIE (1919–1990)

      Auld began his professional career in the 1930s modeling his idol, Coleman Hawkins, while performing with several New York–based bands in addition to leading his own groups. In 1939, Auld joined Artie Shaw’s band (even leading the band briefly during an extended absence by Shaw) until he left the group to become a member of Benny Goodman’s groups. Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, Auld constantly changed his tenor sound to imitate other saxophonists and was noted for sounding like Charlie Barnet and Lester Young at different points in his affiliation with various groups. Prior to joining the army in 1943, Auld performed and recorded with Benny Carter and Billie Holiday and briefly rejoined Shaw. From 1943 to 1946, Auld formed a big band with many top jazz musicians, including Dizzy Gillespie and Erroll Garner, and recorded Big Band Jazz (1945, Musicraft).

      In 1950, Auld was a member of Count Basie’s octet before moving to the Los Angeles area and freelancing with several groups in addition to starting some of his own. Auld opened up his own jazz club called the Melody Room and started a quintet that featured Frank Rosolino and Stan Levey. During this time, Auld recorded one of his most popular albums, In the Land of Hi-Fi (1955, EmArcy), which also featured Rosolino. Throughout the remainder of the 1950s and 1960s, Auld would primarily freelance and tour with bands in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Japan. Auld also pursued a short-lived career in acting, performing in a stage play in 1949 titled The Rat Race and also ghosting for actor Robert De Niro in the 1977 film New York, New York.

      AURORA

      A Canadian record label that featured recordings of Duke Ellington and King Oliver during the early 1930s. While the record label was based in Canada, many of the albums were recorded in the United States. Partner companies included Brunswick and Melotone.

      AUSTIN HIGH SCHOOL GANG

      The nickname of a group of musicians from the Chicago West Side who had attended Austin High School and formed a group in 1922. The group was influenced by the New Orleans Rhythm Kings. In its early years, the band played for high school fraternity dances and at the homes of fellow students. Members included cornetist Jimmy McPartland and tenor saxophonist Bud Freeman. See also MEZZROW, MEZZ (1899–1972); TOUGH, DAVE (1907–1948).

      AUSTRALIAN JAZZ QUARTET/QUINTET

      An Australian jazz group featuring pianist Bryce Rohde and Jack Brokensha. There is debate as to whether the group was named after a tour of Australia in 1958 or whether the members of the group had always made the title official when the group began in 1954. The group disbanded in 1959, and Rohde moved to Australia. The group recorded several albums on the Bethlehem label included recordings of the music of Rodgers and Hammerstein and jazz renditions of the music from The Threepenny Opera. Other members of the group before they disbanded included drummers Frank Capp and Osie Johnson.

      AVAKIAN, GEORGE (1919–2017)

      After graduating from Yale in 1941 with an English literature degree, Avakian began freelancing and writing for jazz magazines, writing liner notes for albums, and serving as a jazz editor for non-music magazines like Mademoiselle. In 1940, Avakian was hired by Columbia to assist with reissuing jazz recordings. This proved to be very important, and he and Columbia would continue to work together after Avakian’s military service and for the better part of the next two decades. Avakian produced albums for Columbia in addition to several other labels, including Warner Bros. and RCA Records. As a producer, he signed Benny Goodman, Louis Armstrong, and Duke Ellington to deals in addition to his prized Columbia signing of Miles Davis. In the 1960s, Avakian left Columbia and freelanced as a producer. He remained an important figure in the careers of several jazz musicians including Paul Desmond, Sonny Rollins, and Keith Jarrett. Avakian remained connected to Columbia even throughout the 1990s and contributed liner notes for reissued albums and box sets. Most notably, he was awarded a Grammy in 1996 for his liner notes in a boxed set of the works of Miles Davis and Gil Evans. In 2011, he was included on the ASCAP Jazz Wall of Fame as a living jazz legend.

      AVANT-GARDE

      An alternative to the name free jazz that was made popular during the 1960s and 1970s. The name free jazz was often frowned upon because the musicians felt their music was very structured and not as open as the term “free” implied. There is a slight disconnect from the music labeled as free jazz such as was performed by Ornette Coleman and Albert Ayler and those musicians who played under the avant-garde style such as Archie Shepp. See also DOLPHY, ERIC (1928–1964); JOHNSON, REGINALD “REGGIE” (1940–); LEADERS.

      AX(E)

      A term used as a reference to one’s instrument. Initially used as slang for a saxophone.

      AYLER, ALBERT (1936–1970)

      Ayler began his professional career as an alto saxophonist playing with rhythm and blues bands led by both others and himself. Ayler enlisted in the army and switched to tenor saxophone while performing in the army’s concert bands. Ayler sat in on jazz jam sessions in France and decided to remain in Europe after he completed his service with the army. Ayler felt that Europeans were more sympathetic toward his style, and he recorded several live albums in Denmark and Sweden. After moving to New York in 1963, Ayler found musicians in Henry Grimes, Gary Peacock, and Sunny Murray, who were sympathetic to his musical style and recorded several albums from 1964 to 1968 that included In Greenwich Village and Love Cry, both on the Impulse! label. Ayler showcased his spiritual and rhythm and blues roots on several albums including Spirits Rejoice on ESP. Reasons for Ayler’s premature passing are still unclear. His body was discovered by local authorities after being been washed up along the shore of New York City’s East River. See also AYLER, DONALD (1942–2007); FREE JAZZ.

      AYLER, DONALD (1942–2007)

      Ayler started his musical career as an alto saxophonist but switched to trumpet after a short stint in Europe. Donald was asked to spend time focusing on developing his playing with musician and family friend Charles Tyler and was reunited with his brother Albert in 1965. Albert’s newly formed band, which also included Tyler, recorded several times, including the ESP album Spirits Rejoice and In Greenwich Village on Impulse!. Ayler suffered from a nervous breakdown and alcoholism, causing him to be fired from his brother’s band in 1968. Donald continued to play sporadically throughout the remainder of his life, including forming a septet that performed in Italy and recorded the album In Florence. See also AYLER, ALBERT (1936–1970).

      AZIMUTH

      A jazz trio formed by British pianist John Taylor, flugelhornist Kenny Wheeler, and singer Norma Winstone. The group was founded in 1977 and quickly recorded three albums: Azimuth (1977, ECM); The Touchstone (1977, ECM); and Depart (1979, ECM). The group remained active through the early 2000s, although it did not perform regularly and often played together as part of other larger ensembles.

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      BACKBEAT

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