ESSAYS

This section includes essays on various jazz subjects, written by a number of writers. Contributions are welcome. Writers interested in contributing are welcome to contact the editor by filling out the form in the CONTACT tab. Photographs to illustrate those essays are welcome. Readers can click on the INDEX button for a list of articles in this folder.

AN EXCHANGE I HAD WITH SARAH VAUGHAN

by Wynton Marsalis

Wynton Marsalis’s blog, October 20, 2017

It was in Symphony Hall, one of the most fantastic and beautiful places to play in the world. Secondly, it was with the Boston Pops and their tradition was known and respected across the country. Thirdly, John Williams was conducting and every trumpet player in the world loved him for writing Star Wars, and finally, I was playing with the Divine One, Miss Sarah Vaughan known to be hard on the unprepared. I was sooo nervous standing there…

VIBRAPHONE: THE FORGOTTEN INSTRUMENT OF AUSTRALIAN JAZZ

by Garry Lee

November 15, 2018

From the outset I must declare an interest. I am one of a very small number of Australian vibists and even smaller number who has released a CD recording as a leader in the last three decades. In my (somewhat biased) opinion the vibraphone is a very significant instrument in the history of jazz. However it is a fact that the vibraphone has featured very rarely at Australian jazz festivals and at Australian jazz clubs in recent times. I will endeavour to outline the instrument’s history in jazz and might make an argument that its legacy is at least as important as the electric guitar (an instrument I also play)...

WARREN DALY BACK IN THE SWING OF IT

by Kevin Jones

The Australian, May 5, 2000

Warren Daly refers to his new swing quartet as playing “D-type jazz”. It can purr contentedly like a well-oiled racing machine or roar loudly fuelled by the sound of the Hammond organ — and it swings. And why wouldn’t it with a drummer such as Daly in the driving seat? This is the same Daly who stoked the engine rooms of some of the finest American big bands and Australia’s renowned Daly-Wilson Big Band…