The second name on today’s list of jazz musician birthdays at All About Jazz was Anouar Brahem. The thing that caught my attention about Anouar was the instrument he was holding an Oud! Time out let;s first explore the Oud before finding out about Mr Brahem. From Wikipedia: 
Among the jazz artists who are celebrating their birthdays today is guitarist Martin Taylor. Taylor was born on October 20, 1956 and is the son of bassist William ‘Buck’ Taylor. After listening to his father play the music of the Quintette du Hot Club de France, Martin became inspired by the legendary guitarist Django Reinhardt. “Buck” set Martin’s career path early in his life, giving him his first guitar at the age of four, by the age of eight Martin was playing in his father’s band and at fifteen he quit school with the intent of becoming a professional musician. Boy has he done that and done it well!! Martin is best known for his solo fingerstyle performances, where he provides bass and chordal accompaniment as well as a melody. Throughout his career, Martin has played in groups, guitar ensembles and as an accompanist. He has recorded with musicians that are spread across many genres including: Stephane Grappelli, Jeff Beck, Chet Atkins, Bill Wyman, George Harrison, Dionne Warwick, Diane Schuur and Jamie Cullum. And those musicians can attest to his greatness….
Among the Jazz Artist who are celebrating their birthday’s today is jazz guitarist Gary Tu, who was born on this date in 1976 and since I was married and living in student housing at that time. I am old enough to e his father and he would e my oldest son and Nick (my oldest son) would be his younger brother by three years! Not that it matters at all to you the reader, but it puts Gary in perspective for me!!
“Afro Blue” was recorded for the first time live by the Cal Tjader Sextet on April 20, 1959, at the Sunset Auditorium in Carmel, California, with composer Mongo Santamaría on percussion, The track was included on Cal Tjader’s album Concert by the Sea, Part 1 released on the Fantasy label. “Afro Blue” can also be found on a remastered collection of tracks from a variety of quintets led by Tjader; titled Latino, which was released by Fantasy in 1994. It received a four star rating at AllMusic from the Scott Yanow’s review:
Today is the birthday of another of the great musicians of the last 20 years, who I only recently discovered when I listened to Earfood– what’s new!! It’s what happens when you’re paying more attention to the past and not the present. Anyway, today is the 44th birthday of trumpeter Roy Hargrove. From All About Jazz….
This afternoon my daughter, Elizabeth called and was having car problems. The check engine light came on, the battery was dead and the steering locked up. We decided to have the car towed back here to be looked at, at my local gas station, In doing so, she was left without a car, so tonight I drove the other car down to her. She drove me back to my son Andrew’s house, half way between here and the University of Delaware, then he drove me home! I was all set for the trip down there, I had two genres on the iPhone jazz from vibist Arthur Lipner and guitarist Garrison Fewell and progressive rock from Six Minute Century. What! I forgot was to make sure the iPhone was charged or that there was a charger in the car – not good – no charger + no charge = no music!! So I tuned into WRTI and listened to some jazz! When I came back, I started to look for some videos from Arthur Lipner, but my ADD kicked in and soon I started watching Gary Burton and Chick Correa playing “Eleanor Rigby”, Oh, wait on the sidebar, there;s Gary Buton & Makoto Ozone performing “Afro Blue” I love “Afro Blue”!! Soon I was watching and listening to that song! Then I thought let’s go to Wikipedia and read about Afro Blue……
I’ll confess that when I think of the last name Gibbs, I think football -Joe Gibbs Hall of Fame coach for the Redskins, and not vibraphone. But that will probably change after learning today that one of the best jazz vibraphonist Terry Gibbs was born on this date in 1924!! Now I’ve written before that I love the vibes and the list of players in my library includes: Gary Burton, Bobby Hutcherson. Cal Tjader, Walt Dickenson, Stefon Harris, Dave Pike and a couple of others, but no Terry Gibbs. I think I’ve seen the name, but never heard the music. Once again shame on me! A quick trip to Wikipedia revealed the basics:
On this date in 1919, the great drummer Art Blakey was born I’ve only become an Art Blakey fan in the last several years. The happened because many, many times, when I was listening to jazz on the radio I’d hear something great that had some fine drums on it and then when the song was over I’d hear that it was Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers!! So I decided that I better check out their music and now several of Blakey’s albums are in my music library!! So before we hear some music, let;s find out a little more about the man from Wikipedia:
