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The cover of the 1959 Verve album The Greatest Trumpet of Them All by the Dizzy Gillespie Octet (Gillespie, trumpet; Gigi Gryce, alto saxophone; Benny Golson, tenor saxophone; “Pee Wee” Moore, baritone saxophone; Henry Coker, trombone; Tommy Bryant, bass; Ray Bryant, piano; Charlie Persip, drums). “Just by Myself” – a tune from the album – is featured on Bob Hecht’s new 28-song playlist – this one devoted to octets.
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Dear Readers and Playlist Listeners:
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…..Each month or so I’ve presented a playlist with an additional instrument, and have now reached the number eight.
…..With eight ‘voices,’ a band is inching closer to a full orchestra—octets can have the fuller sound of a ‘little big band.’ Now we can hear more frequent use of separate sections, of woodwinds and brass, with call and response and a more chorale-like capability, often with a ‘cushion’ of sound.
…..With these aggregations, denser harmonies can be heard, and the arrangements can become more complex. We are now a far cry away from a relatively simply front line of sax and trumpet plus rhythm.
…..I’ve chosen some well-known groups, such as Brubeck’s innovative octet, along with Dave Pell, Tadd Dameron and Oliver Nelson, as well as some more obscure octets as led by Dave Young and Terry Promane, the New Jazz Composers Octet, and the Teddy Edwards Octet.
…..Enjoy!
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…..Bob Hecht
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Editors Note: Bob has curated an impressive array of listening experiences within playlists he assembles exclusively for Jerry Jazz Musician, and within them shares his profound lifelong journey with jazz music.
Click on the links below to be taken to the playlists within this series.
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Next up…a playlist of nonets!
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This playlist was assembled by Bob Hecht, who frequently contributes his essays, photographs, interviews, playlists and personal stories to Jerry Jazz Musician. He has a long history of producing and hosting jazz radio programs; his former podcast series, The Joys of Jazz, was the 2019 Silver Medal winner in the New York Festivals Radio Awards. In addition, he is a widely published fine art photographer, whose work has appeared multiple times in The Sun, LensWork, Black & White Magazine, Zyzzyva and other periodicals, as well as in the book, Dream of Venice in Black & White, published by Bella Figuera Publications. He lives with his wife in Portland, Oregon.
His photo website is roberthecht.com
Instagram: @roberthechtphotography2.0
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Click here to read about his book, Stolen Moments: A Photographer’s Personal Journey
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In addition to putting together great playlists, Bob has conducted several fine interviews for Jerry Jazz Musician.
Click here to read Two of a Mind: Conversations on Creative Collaboration, featuring Bill Charlap and Sandy Stewart; Click here to read his interview with Pepper Adams biographer Gary Carner. Click here to read “Life in E Flat” – a conversation about Phil Woods – with pianist Bill Charlap and jazz journalist Ted Panken, and click here to read his interview with Alyn Shipton, author of The Gerry Mulligan 1950’s Quartets.
Click here to view all playlists published on Jerry Jazz Musician
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Click here to read The Sunday Poem
Click here to read “Saharan Blues on the Seine,” Aishatu Ado’s winning story in the 68th Jerry Jazz Musician Short Fiction Contest
Click here for information about how to submit your poetry, short fiction, playlists, art, or essays
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