Cab Calloway and Max Fleischer – 1930’s

Minnie the Moocher with Betty Boop

St. James Infirmary Blues with Betty Boop as Snow White and Cab Calloway as Koko the Clown

Illustrations by Cliff Roberts from “The First Book of Jazz” by Langston Hughes – 1955

Mr. Langston Hughes

I just picked up a vintage copy of “The First Book of Jazz” by Langston Hughes (1955). The illustrations by Cliff Roberts are incredible. The style reminds me of one of my favorite jazz album cover artists Jim Flora. I found the illustration set here.

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The Woody Herman Big Band – “Caldonia” & “Northwest Passage” – 1947

Amazing big band! Jazz buffs will recognize a young Stan Getz and Shorty Rodgers.

Si Zentner & His Orchestra – Great Trombone Playing; Early 1960’s

While most big bands were fizzling out in the 1950’s, Si Zentner and his Orchestra enjoyed a serge in popularity in the late 50’s and early 60’s. Check out the great trombone playing below.

"The Swingin' Eye!!!!!!!" Great LP featuring "Lonesome Road"

"High Noon Cha Cha Cha" - Awesome album cover

Big Band Brillance

"...A Thinking Man's Band"

Dizzy Gillespie – “Salt Peanuts” – 1947

Joe Harris is on skins.

Stan Getz & Edie Adams – Advertisement for Muriel Cigars – 1965

All Night Long – 1962

Let’s keep the jazz posts rolling…

Skipper Bartlett, the man behind the amazing blog “Like…Dreamsville”, recently posted some great screen shots from the 1962 British film “All Night Long”. The film is a noir style adaptation of Shakespeare’s Othello. After searching high and low, I was finally able to snag a copy. The film features appearances by jazz legends like Dave Brubeck (who performs “Blue Rondo a la Turk”), Charles Mingus, and Johnny Dankworth. It also features Patrick Mcgoohan on skins (rumor is that he locked himself in a room with a drum set and practiced for months before shooting the scene) This film is classic cool!

Cool Sets, Cool Suits, Cool Jazz – The Dave Brubeck Quartet – 1961

The sets and suits make this live recording of “Take Five” by the Dave Brubeck Quartet extra cool.

The Dave Brubeck Quartet – Take Five (1961) Dave Brubeck, Paul Desmond, Joe Morello and Gene Wright

"Time Out" album cover with artwork by Neil Fujita (1959)

The Quartet - 1960's

Paul Desmond

Joe Morello - 1962

Dave Brubeck - 1957

Paul Desmond

Joe Morello & Gene Wright

Dave Brubeck Quartet Plays Cole Porter Anything Goes - 1965

Red Hot and Cool - 1955

Program from 1964

Vintage Vinyl Covers by Jim Flora – 1940’s – 1950’s

I’m a huge fan of these old Columbia and RCA vinyl covers by artist Jim Flora from the late 1940’s – 1950’s.  I found these on the official Jim Flora Website.

Charlie Parker & Buddy Rich – “Celerity”

Watch how “Bird” just breezes right through this tune like he’s bored…it’s unbelievable!  And Buddy Rich just kills it on the skins!