RIP #MundellLowe

At JazzWax, RIP Mundell Lowe, who died Dec. 2. Today, my four-part JazzWax interview from 2008 with the famed jazz guitarist... https://t.co/6wM0GYKril pic.twitter.com/VQSQco8qJT

— Marc Myers (@JazzWax) December 4, 2017

#MundellLowe - "Our Waltz" [David Rose]

Mundell Lowe: 'Souvenirs'

Reprinted from http://jazzwax.com

Every great jazz musician has a handful of albums that stand out even above their vast catalog of superb works. I call these "sweet spot" recordings, which feed right into what you love best about the artist. Guitarist Mundell Lowe is no exception. According to Tom Lord's Jazz Discography, he has recorded on more than 360 known jazz sessions, and many of those albums are first rate. One of my favorites isSouvenirs: A Tribute to Nick Ceroli (Jazz Alliance).

Recorded in two sessions nearly 15 years apart (1977 and 1992), the first features Mundell with Bob Magnusson (bass) and Nick Ceroli (drums). The second is a collection of four duets—two with Magnusson and two with Mike Wofford (piano). Between the two dates in 1985, Ceroli, Mundell's pal from the Merv Griffin Show, died. Ceroli was a leading West Coast TV studio drummer and big band jazz drummer in the 1960s and '70s. He also toured with pop artists such as Vicki Carr, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme.

What I love about this album is the ability to hear Mundell's chord voicings and improvised lines distinctly, without much else going on to cloud the joy of his art. Here you have Mundell out in the open—either swinging hard or digging in patiently on ballads. Souvenirs is like an oil portrait that gives you a chance to see how the artist handles facial features, hands and an expression. Mundell's entire technique arsenal is on display. And dig what he does with Sonny Rollins' St. Thomas and Miles Davis's Star People. Man, oh, man!

JazzWax tracks: You'll find the tracks for Mundell Lowe'sfirst Souvenirs session (1977) here. (P-Town is called Lester Young on the download.) The 1992 tracks aren't in print.

JazzWax clip: Here's Mundell and Nick Ceroli (drums) with Bill Berry (trumpet), Lou Levy (piano) and Monty Budwig (bass)...

Used with permission by Marc Myers

Mundell Lowe: San Diego, 1990

Reprinted from http://jazzwax.com

In 1990, guitarist Mundell Lowe appeared on Club Date, a TV show produced and directed by Paul Marshall for KPBS-TV in San Diego. Joining Mundy were saxophonist Bob Cooper, bassist Monty Budwig and drummer Roy McCurdy. For more on Mundy, read my 2008 interview here.

Here's the video, with a big thanks to Jimi Mentis in Athens...

- See more at: http://www.jazzwax.com/2014/02/mundell-lowe-san-diego-1990.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Jazzwax+%28JazzWax%29#sthash.ROuEqH3q.dpuf
Used with permission by Marc Myers

Small group jazz of the highest caliber by the Mundell Lowe All Stars appearing on the late 80s-early 90s Club Date TV show, produced and directed by Paul Marshall for KPBS-TV, San Diego. The goal of this show was to re-create for the television audience the traditional jazz set -- a short concert performed in an intimate nightclub setting -- using intimate camera shots and a live audience.

Personnel:
Mundell Lowe g;
Bob Cooper ts;
Monty Budwig b;
Roy McCurdy d

Track listing:
1. Have You Met Miss Jones 00:00
2. If You Could See Me Now 05:57
3. Limehouse Blues 10:45
4. You're My Everything 17:05
5. Like Someone in Love 22:05