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Western Michigan University's Keith Hall talks about jazz greats and talks with current practitioners of the art.0000017c-60f7-de77-ad7e-f3f73a350002

Jazz Currents: How 'Jazz At Massey Hall' Made History

In 1953, five of the leading players of the day assembled in Toronto for a historic concert. The album, Jazz at Massey Hall, included trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, alto saxophonist Charlie Parker, pianist Bud Powell, bassist Charles Mingus, and drummer Max Roach. Thankfully this was captured on tape, as it was the only time this bebop supergroup ever recorded together as a unit. Keith Hall goes behind the music and musicians on this edition of Jazz Currents.

Musical excerpts used in this episode were all taken from Jazz at Massey Hall

1. "Perdido" (Juan Tizol)

2. "Salt Peanuts" (Dizzy Gillespie, Kenny Clarke)

3. "A Night in Tunisia" (Dizzy Gillespie, Frank Paparelli)

4. "All the Things You Are" (Jerome Kern)

5. "Drum Conversation" (Max Roach)

6. “52nd Street Theme” (Thelonious Monk)

7. "Wee (Allen's Alley)" (Denzil Best)

8. “Hot House" (Tadd Dameron)

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