BLUES ARTIST BIRTHDAY:

Luther Allison (1939) - This American-born guitarist, singer and songwriter was the man to book at blues festivals in the mid-90s.  As accomplished a guitarist as he was, Allison wasn't a straight-ahead Chicago blues musician.  He learned the blues long before he got to Chicago.  What he did so successfully was to take his base of Chicago blues and add touches of rock, soul, reggae, funk and jazz.  Well into his mid-50s, Allison continued to delight club and festival audiences around the world with his lengthy, sweat-drenched, high-energy shows, complete with dazzling guitar playing and inspired, soulful vocals.  On August 12, 1997, he died from lung cancer that had metastasized to his brain.  Watch Luther Allison's "Let's Try Again" on YouTube:
http://youtu.be/FXE139IcNhw

JAZZ ALBUMS RECORDED:

Red Garland – A Garland of Red (1956)
Track Listing:
1. A Foggy Day
2. My Romance
3. What Is This Thing Called Love?
4. Makin’ Whoopee
5. September in the Rain
6. Little Girl Blue
7. Constellation
8. Blue Red

Review by Scott Yanow at Allmusic:
Thirty-three at the time of this, his first recording as a leader, pianist Red Garland already had his distinctive style fully formed and had been with the Miles Davis Quintet for a year. With the assistance of bassist Paul Chambers (also in Davis's group) and drummer Art Taylor, Garland is in superior form on six standards, Charlie Parker's "Constellation" (during which he shows that he could sound relaxed at the fastest tempos) and his own "Blue Red." Red Garland recorded frequently during the 1956-62 period and virtually all of his trio recordings are consistently enjoyable, this one being no exception.

Teddy Edwards - Teddy's Ready (1960)
Track Listing:
1. Blues in G
2. Scrapple from the Apple
3. What’s New?
4. You Name It
5. Take the “A” Train
6. The Sermon
7. Higgins’ Hideaway

Review by Scott Yanow at Allmusic:

Tenor saxophonist Teddy Edwards' debut for Contemporary (which has been reissued on CD in the OJC series) gives listeners a strong sampling of the underrated tenor's talents. Edwards, a contemporary of Dexter Gordon and Wardell Gray but sometimes overlooked due to his decision to spend most of his life living in Los Angeles, is showcased on a quartet set with the obscure but talented pianist Joe Castro, bassist Leroy Vinnegar, and drummer Billy Higgins. Performing three standards, three originals (of which "Higgins' Hideaway" is most memorable), and Hampton Hawes' "The Sermon," Edwards has a chance to stretch out and he makes the most of the opportunity, creating some excellent straight-ahead music.




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    BLUES BITS & JAZZ JOTS 
    is a historical timeline for birthdays of blues and jazz artists and jazz album recording dates.  As our research progresses, we'll add more categories.  Look for updates each week, normally Mondays through Fridays, when we find something to share.

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