Song for Someone: The Musical Life of Kenny Wheeler
Brian Shaw [+–]
Louisiana State University
View Website
Brian Shaw is Associate Professor of Trumpet and Jazz Studies at Louisiana State University. He also serves as Principal Trumpet of the Baton Rouge Symphony, Co-Principal Trumpet of the Dallas Wind Symphony, and enjoys an international performing career on modern and Baroque trumpets. As a jazz musician and scholar, Shaw has served as a consultant to both the Kenny Wheeler Archive and Exhibition at the Royal Academy of Music in London and the Louis Armstrong Archive at Queens College. In recognition of his scholarship, Shaw was honored with one of only six Rainmaker awards given to LSU faculty in 2013. His book, Kenny Wheeler: Solo Transcriptions, is published by Universal Edition. He lives in Baton Rouge with his wife Paula, their son Thomas, and their house full of rescued pets.
Nick Smart [+–]
Royal Academy of Music
View Website
Head of Jazz at the Royal Academy of Music, Nick Smart is an internationally renowned jazz educator, trumpeter and musical director who has given guest masterclasses and performances around the world. In 2013 he was the winner of the prestigious UK Parliamentary Award for Jazz Education. Throughout the UK he is recognised as one of the leading musicians on the London jazz scene, where as well as being in regular demand as a sideman to players of all generations, he continues to record and tour with his own projects.
In 2005 Nick released his debut album “Remembering Nick Drake” to critical acclaim. The album featured Smart’s arrangements of Nick Drake’s music played by an all star line-up including John Parricelli, Paul Clarvis, Christine Tobin and Stan Sulzmann amongst others. It was described by Straight No Chaser magazine as “…a future classic because it really captures all that is best about British jazz….” and by John Fordham in Jazz UK as “…fascinating music devoted to a fascinating inspiration.” In December 2008 Nick released his highly praised trio album “Remembering Louis Armstrong” featuring Hans Koller and Paul Clarvis. His latest band, Nick Smart’s Trogon, merges contemporary jazz sounds with Afro Cuban concepts and released the album “Tower Casa” on Babel Records in November 2013, described in the Guardian’s 4 star review as “an undemonstratively idiosyncratic fusion, and Smart plays with brightness, tight timing and subtle intonation throughout.”
His versatility as a trumpet player has allowed him to perform alongside many international jazz stars including George Russell, Bob Brookmeyer, John Hollenbeck, the New York Voices, Mike Gibbs and Dave Douglas, as well as most of the leading names on the UK jazz scene. Amongst other things Nick was a member of the late Kenny Wheeler’s Big Band, with whom he had a long association and is widely recognised as an expert in Wheeler’s music. He plays in a new quartet from saxophone star Stan Sulzmann and has recorded on the new album of vocalist Christine Tobin in her interpretations of Leonard Cohen songs. As an acclaimed musical director of large ensembles, Nick conducts the Stan Sulzmann Big Band (Neon Orchestra) and the Troyka large ensemble, “Troykestra”. He also performs internationally as the regular soloist with the James Taylor Quartet.
Kenny Wheeler (1930-2014) is one of the most enigmatic and influential jazz musicians in recent memory. His musical life spanned most of the developments in jazz from 1950 onward, placing him at the centre of every major innovation in modern European jazz during the last half century. For the first time, this book brings together existing information on Wheeler as well as many new interviews, research and insight. A paradoxical theme emerges, revealing a sense of duality in nearly every aspect of his life: famously shy whilst equally determined, structured but free, melancholic yet fiery. The book covers his unexpected move from Canada to England, early success with John Dankworth, international recognition through associations with ECM and Dave Holland, and eventual acknowledgement as one of the great jazz innovators. His unique position as a composer and player straddling the conventional jazz, free improvisation, and commercial studio communities, means that his story is as much a perspective on the history and development of jazz in Britain and Europe as it is an extraordinary tale of this unlikely pioneer. From his early life in his native Canada to his omnipresence on the contemporary European jazz scene, Kenny Wheeler’s life is an intriguing story.
Series: Popular Music History
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Louisiana State University
Brian Shaw is Associate Professor of Trumpet and Jazz Studies at Louisiana State University. He also serves as Principal Trumpet of the Baton Rouge Symphony, Co-Principal Trumpet of the Dallas Wind Symphony, and enjoys an international performing career on modern and Baroque trumpets. As a jazz musician and scholar, Shaw has served as a consultant to both the Kenny Wheeler Archive and Exhibition at the Royal Academy of Music in London and the Louis Armstrong Archive at Queens College. In recognition of his scholarship, Shaw was honored with one of only six Rainmaker awards given to LSU faculty in 2013. His book, Kenny Wheeler: Solo Transcriptions, is published by Universal Edition. He lives in Baton Rouge with his wife Paula, their son Thomas, and their house full of rescued pets.
Royal Academy of Music
Head of Jazz at the Royal Academy of Music, Nick Smart is an internationally renowned jazz educator, trumpeter and musical director who has given guest masterclasses and performances around the world. In 2013 he was the winner of the prestigious UK Parliamentary Award for Jazz Education. Throughout the UK he is recognised as one of the leading musicians on the London jazz scene, where as well as being in regular demand as a sideman to players of all generations, he continues to record and tour with his own projects.
In 2005 Nick released his debut album “Remembering Nick Drake” to critical acclaim. The album featured Smart’s arrangements of Nick Drake’s music played by an all star line-up including John Parricelli, Paul Clarvis, Christine Tobin and Stan Sulzmann amongst others. It was described by Straight No Chaser magazine as “…a future classic because it really captures all that is best about British jazz….” and by John Fordham in Jazz UK as “…fascinating music devoted to a fascinating inspiration.” In December 2008 Nick released his highly praised trio album “Remembering Louis Armstrong” featuring Hans Koller and Paul Clarvis. His latest band, Nick Smart’s Trogon, merges contemporary jazz sounds with Afro Cuban concepts and released the album “Tower Casa” on Babel Records in November 2013, described in the Guardian’s 4 star review as “an undemonstratively idiosyncratic fusion, and Smart plays with brightness, tight timing and subtle intonation throughout.”
His versatility as a trumpet player has allowed him to perform alongside many international jazz stars including George Russell, Bob Brookmeyer, John Hollenbeck, the New York Voices, Mike Gibbs and Dave Douglas, as well as most of the leading names on the UK jazz scene. Amongst other things Nick was a member of the late Kenny Wheeler’s Big Band, with whom he had a long association and is widely recognised as an expert in Wheeler’s music. He plays in a new quartet from saxophone star Stan Sulzmann and has recorded on the new album of vocalist Christine Tobin in her interpretations of Leonard Cohen songs. As an acclaimed musical director of large ensembles, Nick conducts the Stan Sulzmann Big Band (Neon Orchestra) and the Troyka large ensemble, “Troykestra”. He also performs internationally as the regular soloist with the James Taylor Quartet.
Kenny was one of eight children born to a musical family in Toronto, Canada. His father, Wilfred Wheeler, was a semi-professional trombonist who one day brought home a cornet for his adolescent son. Following several moves around Ontario, the Wheelers finally settled in St. Catharines. While in high school, Kenny met a group of like-minded musicians who were enthusiastic about bebop. His father took him on a memorable trip to see Duke Ellington, and he even managed to get into the United States to see Charlie Parker twice. After a brief period of study at Toronto’s Royal Conservatory of Music, he had a series of unsuccessful attempts at holding down “day” jobs, all the while seeking musical work with an uncharacteristic determination. On the advice of his great friend, and later eminent jazz writer, Gene Lees, he abruptly decided to move to England, in the hopes of procuring work as a brass player.
Chapter 2
Louisiana State University
Brian Shaw is Associate Professor of Trumpet and Jazz Studies at Louisiana State University. He also serves as Principal Trumpet of the Baton Rouge Symphony, Co-Principal Trumpet of the Dallas Wind Symphony, and enjoys an international performing career on modern and Baroque trumpets. As a jazz musician and scholar, Shaw has served as a consultant to both the Kenny Wheeler Archive and Exhibition at the Royal Academy of Music in London and the Louis Armstrong Archive at Queens College. In recognition of his scholarship, Shaw was honored with one of only six Rainmaker awards given to LSU faculty in 2013. His book, Kenny Wheeler: Solo Transcriptions, is published by Universal Edition. He lives in Baton Rouge with his wife Paula, their son Thomas, and their house full of rescued pets.
Royal Academy of Music
Head of Jazz at the Royal Academy of Music, Nick Smart is an internationally renowned jazz educator, trumpeter and musical director who has given guest masterclasses and performances around the world. In 2013 he was the winner of the prestigious UK Parliamentary Award for Jazz Education. Throughout the UK he is recognised as one of the leading musicians on the London jazz scene, where as well as being in regular demand as a sideman to players of all generations, he continues to record and tour with his own projects.
In 2005 Nick released his debut album “Remembering Nick Drake” to critical acclaim. The album featured Smart’s arrangements of Nick Drake’s music played by an all star line-up including John Parricelli, Paul Clarvis, Christine Tobin and Stan Sulzmann amongst others. It was described by Straight No Chaser magazine as “…a future classic because it really captures all that is best about British jazz….” and by John Fordham in Jazz UK as “…fascinating music devoted to a fascinating inspiration.” In December 2008 Nick released his highly praised trio album “Remembering Louis Armstrong” featuring Hans Koller and Paul Clarvis. His latest band, Nick Smart’s Trogon, merges contemporary jazz sounds with Afro Cuban concepts and released the album “Tower Casa” on Babel Records in November 2013, described in the Guardian’s 4 star review as “an undemonstratively idiosyncratic fusion, and Smart plays with brightness, tight timing and subtle intonation throughout.”
His versatility as a trumpet player has allowed him to perform alongside many international jazz stars including George Russell, Bob Brookmeyer, John Hollenbeck, the New York Voices, Mike Gibbs and Dave Douglas, as well as most of the leading names on the UK jazz scene. Amongst other things Nick was a member of the late Kenny Wheeler’s Big Band, with whom he had a long association and is widely recognised as an expert in Wheeler’s music. He plays in a new quartet from saxophone star Stan Sulzmann and has recorded on the new album of vocalist Christine Tobin in her interpretations of Leonard Cohen songs. As an acclaimed musical director of large ensembles, Nick conducts the Stan Sulzmann Big Band (Neon Orchestra) and the Troyka large ensemble, “Troykestra”. He also performs internationally as the regular soloist with the James Taylor Quartet.
Kenny arrived in London during the “Great Smog” of 1952. The professional music scene in London at the time was centered around Archer Street, where players gathered in hopes of getting work in dance bands and night clubs. Following a short-lived job at the Post Office, the musicians he encountered and his short stay in a rooming house serendipitously led to him meeting his future wife, Doreen Yeend, over the telephone. He had early musical associations with the successful bands of Roy Fox, Carl Barriteau, Buddy Featherstonhaugh, and Tommy Whittle, with whom he would make his first professional recording. This period was followed by the birth of the Wheelers’ two children, Mark and Louann. Kenny embarked on a tour with Woody Herman before eventually getting his big break: an invitation from John Dankworth, one of the most successful English bandleaders of the time.
Chapter 3
Louisiana State University
Brian Shaw is Associate Professor of Trumpet and Jazz Studies at Louisiana State University. He also serves as Principal Trumpet of the Baton Rouge Symphony, Co-Principal Trumpet of the Dallas Wind Symphony, and enjoys an international performing career on modern and Baroque trumpets. As a jazz musician and scholar, Shaw has served as a consultant to both the Kenny Wheeler Archive and Exhibition at the Royal Academy of Music in London and the Louis Armstrong Archive at Queens College. In recognition of his scholarship, Shaw was honored with one of only six Rainmaker awards given to LSU faculty in 2013. His book, Kenny Wheeler: Solo Transcriptions, is published by Universal Edition. He lives in Baton Rouge with his wife Paula, their son Thomas, and their house full of rescued pets.
Royal Academy of Music
Head of Jazz at the Royal Academy of Music, Nick Smart is an internationally renowned jazz educator, trumpeter and musical director who has given guest masterclasses and performances around the world. In 2013 he was the winner of the prestigious UK Parliamentary Award for Jazz Education. Throughout the UK he is recognised as one of the leading musicians on the London jazz scene, where as well as being in regular demand as a sideman to players of all generations, he continues to record and tour with his own projects.
In 2005 Nick released his debut album “Remembering Nick Drake” to critical acclaim. The album featured Smart’s arrangements of Nick Drake’s music played by an all star line-up including John Parricelli, Paul Clarvis, Christine Tobin and Stan Sulzmann amongst others. It was described by Straight No Chaser magazine as “…a future classic because it really captures all that is best about British jazz….” and by John Fordham in Jazz UK as “…fascinating music devoted to a fascinating inspiration.” In December 2008 Nick released his highly praised trio album “Remembering Louis Armstrong” featuring Hans Koller and Paul Clarvis. His latest band, Nick Smart’s Trogon, merges contemporary jazz sounds with Afro Cuban concepts and released the album “Tower Casa” on Babel Records in November 2013, described in the Guardian’s 4 star review as “an undemonstratively idiosyncratic fusion, and Smart plays with brightness, tight timing and subtle intonation throughout.”
His versatility as a trumpet player has allowed him to perform alongside many international jazz stars including George Russell, Bob Brookmeyer, John Hollenbeck, the New York Voices, Mike Gibbs and Dave Douglas, as well as most of the leading names on the UK jazz scene. Amongst other things Nick was a member of the late Kenny Wheeler’s Big Band, with whom he had a long association and is widely recognised as an expert in Wheeler’s music. He plays in a new quartet from saxophone star Stan Sulzmann and has recorded on the new album of vocalist Christine Tobin in her interpretations of Leonard Cohen songs. As an acclaimed musical director of large ensembles, Nick conducts the Stan Sulzmann Big Band (Neon Orchestra) and the Troyka large ensemble, “Troykestra”. He also performs internationally as the regular soloist with the James Taylor Quartet.
One of Kenny’s first concerts with Dankworth was the now legendary appearance at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1959. He would continue to record and tour with Dankworth, soon becoming a featured soloist. Alongside this work he was becoming increasingly busy with commercial sessions and sideman work. Kenny soon made his first few trips to perform in Europe and his reputation began to grow. In the active and highly fertile period of the late 1960s, Kenny began to meet many of the new wave of young musicians who would become life-long collaborators. It was also a period where his increasing frustration with (what he perceived as) his failure to master bebop meant that he actively sought out the burgeoning free jazz scene at the Little Theatre Club, led by John Stevens and the Spontaneous Music Ensemble. Alongside his increased involvement in the free scene, he began to play with almost every significant ensemble in London at the time, including those led by Mike Westbrook, Graham Collier and John Surman. He formed musical friendships with bassist Dave Holland (who would later join Miles Davis), as well as his future Azimuth trio partners, pianist John Taylor and vocalist Norma Winstone. A chance encounter led to him hearing a record by the trumpeter Booker Little, which would have a profound effect on him and consolidate the formation of his musical approach. The chapter closes with the story behind his debut and now landmark album as a composer and soloist, Windmill Tilter.
Chapter 4
Louisiana State University
Brian Shaw is Associate Professor of Trumpet and Jazz Studies at Louisiana State University. He also serves as Principal Trumpet of the Baton Rouge Symphony, Co-Principal Trumpet of the Dallas Wind Symphony, and enjoys an international performing career on modern and Baroque trumpets. As a jazz musician and scholar, Shaw has served as a consultant to both the Kenny Wheeler Archive and Exhibition at the Royal Academy of Music in London and the Louis Armstrong Archive at Queens College. In recognition of his scholarship, Shaw was honored with one of only six Rainmaker awards given to LSU faculty in 2013. His book, Kenny Wheeler: Solo Transcriptions, is published by Universal Edition. He lives in Baton Rouge with his wife Paula, their son Thomas, and their house full of rescued pets.
Royal Academy of Music
Head of Jazz at the Royal Academy of Music, Nick Smart is an internationally renowned jazz educator, trumpeter and musical director who has given guest masterclasses and performances around the world. In 2013 he was the winner of the prestigious UK Parliamentary Award for Jazz Education. Throughout the UK he is recognised as one of the leading musicians on the London jazz scene, where as well as being in regular demand as a sideman to players of all generations, he continues to record and tour with his own projects.
In 2005 Nick released his debut album “Remembering Nick Drake” to critical acclaim. The album featured Smart’s arrangements of Nick Drake’s music played by an all star line-up including John Parricelli, Paul Clarvis, Christine Tobin and Stan Sulzmann amongst others. It was described by Straight No Chaser magazine as “…a future classic because it really captures all that is best about British jazz….” and by John Fordham in Jazz UK as “…fascinating music devoted to a fascinating inspiration.” In December 2008 Nick released his highly praised trio album “Remembering Louis Armstrong” featuring Hans Koller and Paul Clarvis. His latest band, Nick Smart’s Trogon, merges contemporary jazz sounds with Afro Cuban concepts and released the album “Tower Casa” on Babel Records in November 2013, described in the Guardian’s 4 star review as “an undemonstratively idiosyncratic fusion, and Smart plays with brightness, tight timing and subtle intonation throughout.”
His versatility as a trumpet player has allowed him to perform alongside many international jazz stars including George Russell, Bob Brookmeyer, John Hollenbeck, the New York Voices, Mike Gibbs and Dave Douglas, as well as most of the leading names on the UK jazz scene. Amongst other things Nick was a member of the late Kenny Wheeler’s Big Band, with whom he had a long association and is widely recognised as an expert in Wheeler’s music. He plays in a new quartet from saxophone star Stan Sulzmann and has recorded on the new album of vocalist Christine Tobin in her interpretations of Leonard Cohen songs. As an acclaimed musical director of large ensembles, Nick conducts the Stan Sulzmann Big Band (Neon Orchestra) and the Troyka large ensemble, “Troykestra”. He also performs internationally as the regular soloist with the James Taylor Quartet.
Following the release of Windmill Tilter, Kenny secured his first broadcast for the BBC as a bandleader. This became an annual event that led to an outpouring of new music, and ultimately the formation of his own big band and next album, Song For Someone. This period was the height of his commercial and studio work, and he played on countless television and ‘light’ radio shows as well as more substantial jazz session dates for visiting American artists, including Philly Joe Jones and Paul Gonsalves. By this time, Kenny’s reputation was firmly established and through his association with both the contemporary and free jazz scenes, he began to work increasingly in Europe. He joined Alexander Von Schlippenbach’s Globe Unity band and undertook more Jazz Workshops at Hamburg’s NDR radio studios. On one such occasion he met two people who would shape the coming years more than any other: US saxophonist Anthony Braxton, and the young record producer Manfred Eicher, who had just established his new ECM label.
Chapter 5
Louisiana State University
Brian Shaw is Associate Professor of Trumpet and Jazz Studies at Louisiana State University. He also serves as Principal Trumpet of the Baton Rouge Symphony, Co-Principal Trumpet of the Dallas Wind Symphony, and enjoys an international performing career on modern and Baroque trumpets. As a jazz musician and scholar, Shaw has served as a consultant to both the Kenny Wheeler Archive and Exhibition at the Royal Academy of Music in London and the Louis Armstrong Archive at Queens College. In recognition of his scholarship, Shaw was honored with one of only six Rainmaker awards given to LSU faculty in 2013. His book, Kenny Wheeler: Solo Transcriptions, is published by Universal Edition. He lives in Baton Rouge with his wife Paula, their son Thomas, and their house full of rescued pets.
Royal Academy of Music
Head of Jazz at the Royal Academy of Music, Nick Smart is an internationally renowned jazz educator, trumpeter and musical director who has given guest masterclasses and performances around the world. In 2013 he was the winner of the prestigious UK Parliamentary Award for Jazz Education. Throughout the UK he is recognised as one of the leading musicians on the London jazz scene, where as well as being in regular demand as a sideman to players of all generations, he continues to record and tour with his own projects.
In 2005 Nick released his debut album “Remembering Nick Drake” to critical acclaim. The album featured Smart’s arrangements of Nick Drake’s music played by an all star line-up including John Parricelli, Paul Clarvis, Christine Tobin and Stan Sulzmann amongst others. It was described by Straight No Chaser magazine as “…a future classic because it really captures all that is best about British jazz….” and by John Fordham in Jazz UK as “…fascinating music devoted to a fascinating inspiration.” In December 2008 Nick released his highly praised trio album “Remembering Louis Armstrong” featuring Hans Koller and Paul Clarvis. His latest band, Nick Smart’s Trogon, merges contemporary jazz sounds with Afro Cuban concepts and released the album “Tower Casa” on Babel Records in November 2013, described in the Guardian’s 4 star review as “an undemonstratively idiosyncratic fusion, and Smart plays with brightness, tight timing and subtle intonation throughout.”
His versatility as a trumpet player has allowed him to perform alongside many international jazz stars including George Russell, Bob Brookmeyer, John Hollenbeck, the New York Voices, Mike Gibbs and Dave Douglas, as well as most of the leading names on the UK jazz scene. Amongst other things Nick was a member of the late Kenny Wheeler’s Big Band, with whom he had a long association and is widely recognised as an expert in Wheeler’s music. He plays in a new quartet from saxophone star Stan Sulzmann and has recorded on the new album of vocalist Christine Tobin in her interpretations of Leonard Cohen songs. As an acclaimed musical director of large ensembles, Nick conducts the Stan Sulzmann Big Band (Neon Orchestra) and the Troyka large ensemble, “Troykestra”. He also performs internationally as the regular soloist with the James Taylor Quartet.
Even by his standards, this was a prolific time for Kenny. Now considered a modern classic, Kenny’s ECM debut Gnu High was far from an easy ride for the trumpeter. In the recording sessions for this, pianist Keith Jarrett’s chilly reception did not set Kenny’s nervous personality at ease. Nevertheless, the album established Wheeler’s relationship with the German record label, which would last to his final recording and cement his reputation as a pioneer of an increasingly identifiable European jazz sound. Soon thereafter, John Taylor formed the trio, Azimuth with Kenny and Norma Winstone. His work with this group complemented his own albums and became another significant part of his catalogue. Kenny’s session work was increasingly replaced with jazz opportunities. He was invited to join the new Dave Holland Quintet at around the same time that Holland took over as director of the jazz program at the Banff Centre for the Arts in Alberta, Canada. Dave invited Kenny onto the faculty, and this position introduced many young international musicians to Kenny and his music.
Chapter 6
Louisiana State University
Brian Shaw is Associate Professor of Trumpet and Jazz Studies at Louisiana State University. He also serves as Principal Trumpet of the Baton Rouge Symphony, Co-Principal Trumpet of the Dallas Wind Symphony, and enjoys an international performing career on modern and Baroque trumpets. As a jazz musician and scholar, Shaw has served as a consultant to both the Kenny Wheeler Archive and Exhibition at the Royal Academy of Music in London and the Louis Armstrong Archive at Queens College. In recognition of his scholarship, Shaw was honored with one of only six Rainmaker awards given to LSU faculty in 2013. His book, Kenny Wheeler: Solo Transcriptions, is published by Universal Edition. He lives in Baton Rouge with his wife Paula, their son Thomas, and their house full of rescued pets.
Royal Academy of Music
Head of Jazz at the Royal Academy of Music, Nick Smart is an internationally renowned jazz educator, trumpeter and musical director who has given guest masterclasses and performances around the world. In 2013 he was the winner of the prestigious UK Parliamentary Award for Jazz Education. Throughout the UK he is recognised as one of the leading musicians on the London jazz scene, where as well as being in regular demand as a sideman to players of all generations, he continues to record and tour with his own projects.
In 2005 Nick released his debut album “Remembering Nick Drake” to critical acclaim. The album featured Smart’s arrangements of Nick Drake’s music played by an all star line-up including John Parricelli, Paul Clarvis, Christine Tobin and Stan Sulzmann amongst others. It was described by Straight No Chaser magazine as “…a future classic because it really captures all that is best about British jazz….” and by John Fordham in Jazz UK as “…fascinating music devoted to a fascinating inspiration.” In December 2008 Nick released his highly praised trio album “Remembering Louis Armstrong” featuring Hans Koller and Paul Clarvis. His latest band, Nick Smart’s Trogon, merges contemporary jazz sounds with Afro Cuban concepts and released the album “Tower Casa” on Babel Records in November 2013, described in the Guardian’s 4 star review as “an undemonstratively idiosyncratic fusion, and Smart plays with brightness, tight timing and subtle intonation throughout.”
His versatility as a trumpet player has allowed him to perform alongside many international jazz stars including George Russell, Bob Brookmeyer, John Hollenbeck, the New York Voices, Mike Gibbs and Dave Douglas, as well as most of the leading names on the UK jazz scene. Amongst other things Nick was a member of the late Kenny Wheeler’s Big Band, with whom he had a long association and is widely recognised as an expert in Wheeler’s music. He plays in a new quartet from saxophone star Stan Sulzmann and has recorded on the new album of vocalist Christine Tobin in her interpretations of Leonard Cohen songs. As an acclaimed musical director of large ensembles, Nick conducts the Stan Sulzmann Big Band (Neon Orchestra) and the Troyka large ensemble, “Troykestra”. He also performs internationally as the regular soloist with the James Taylor Quartet.
This is perhaps one of the golden periods in Kenny’s musical life. He was touring with Dave Holland’s new quintet alongside saxophonist Steve Coleman and drummer Marvin ‘Smitty’ Smith, and in the late 80s Kenny formed his own all-star quintet – again with Holland, plus Peter Erskine, John Abercrombie and John Taylor. The band toured the UK and Europe to huge acclaim, recorded the ECM album The Widow in the Window, and formed the rhythm section for his 60th Birthday big band tour. This tour saw the premiere of the seminal Suite Time Suite, which was recorded for the ECM double album Music for Large and Small Ensembles. Kenny also recorded the album Flutter By, Butterfly for the Italian Soul Note label, which featured his now frequent saxophonist partner, Stan Sulzmann. During this time he was commissioned to set some poetry to music, some of which was released decades later on the 2012 album, Mirrors. Wheeler also became a member of George Gruntz’ all star large ensemble and maintained further live broadcasts of his own music with the BBC. But one of his best-selling ECM albums, and one of his last, was yet to be recorded.
Chapter 7
Louisiana State University
Brian Shaw is Associate Professor of Trumpet and Jazz Studies at Louisiana State University. He also serves as Principal Trumpet of the Baton Rouge Symphony, Co-Principal Trumpet of the Dallas Wind Symphony, and enjoys an international performing career on modern and Baroque trumpets. As a jazz musician and scholar, Shaw has served as a consultant to both the Kenny Wheeler Archive and Exhibition at the Royal Academy of Music in London and the Louis Armstrong Archive at Queens College. In recognition of his scholarship, Shaw was honored with one of only six Rainmaker awards given to LSU faculty in 2013. His book, Kenny Wheeler: Solo Transcriptions, is published by Universal Edition. He lives in Baton Rouge with his wife Paula, their son Thomas, and their house full of rescued pets.
Royal Academy of Music
Head of Jazz at the Royal Academy of Music, Nick Smart is an internationally renowned jazz educator, trumpeter and musical director who has given guest masterclasses and performances around the world. In 2013 he was the winner of the prestigious UK Parliamentary Award for Jazz Education. Throughout the UK he is recognised as one of the leading musicians on the London jazz scene, where as well as being in regular demand as a sideman to players of all generations, he continues to record and tour with his own projects.
In 2005 Nick released his debut album “Remembering Nick Drake” to critical acclaim. The album featured Smart’s arrangements of Nick Drake’s music played by an all star line-up including John Parricelli, Paul Clarvis, Christine Tobin and Stan Sulzmann amongst others. It was described by Straight No Chaser magazine as “…a future classic because it really captures all that is best about British jazz….” and by John Fordham in Jazz UK as “…fascinating music devoted to a fascinating inspiration.” In December 2008 Nick released his highly praised trio album “Remembering Louis Armstrong” featuring Hans Koller and Paul Clarvis. His latest band, Nick Smart’s Trogon, merges contemporary jazz sounds with Afro Cuban concepts and released the album “Tower Casa” on Babel Records in November 2013, described in the Guardian’s 4 star review as “an undemonstratively idiosyncratic fusion, and Smart plays with brightness, tight timing and subtle intonation throughout.”
His versatility as a trumpet player has allowed him to perform alongside many international jazz stars including George Russell, Bob Brookmeyer, John Hollenbeck, the New York Voices, Mike Gibbs and Dave Douglas, as well as most of the leading names on the UK jazz scene. Amongst other things Nick was a member of the late Kenny Wheeler’s Big Band, with whom he had a long association and is widely recognised as an expert in Wheeler’s music. He plays in a new quartet from saxophone star Stan Sulzmann and has recorded on the new album of vocalist Christine Tobin in her interpretations of Leonard Cohen songs. As an acclaimed musical director of large ensembles, Nick conducts the Stan Sulzmann Big Band (Neon Orchestra) and the Troyka large ensemble, “Troykestra”. He also performs internationally as the regular soloist with the James Taylor Quartet.
The drummerless quartet album Angel Song was a commercial success for Kenny, now approaching his seventies. As ECM reached the height of its influence, this beautiful, and in many ways unexpectedly accessible recording made its mark, to critical acclaim. Once again including Dave Holland, it also featured saxophonist Lee Konitz and guitarist Bill Frisell, who had hired Kenny as a sideman for his ECM album Rambler over a decade earlier. Despite the success of Angel Song, this period would see Kenny increasingly record for other labels and marked the end of his long association with the Banff Centre. It was a fertile time of collaboration with new musical partners, marked by duo albums with pianists Paul Bley and Brian Dickinson, as well as a recording with valve trombonist Bob Brookmeyer. In the late nineties, Kenny took on new representation and began a new relationship with Italian record label CAM Jazz.
Chapter 8
Louisiana State University
Brian Shaw is Associate Professor of Trumpet and Jazz Studies at Louisiana State University. He also serves as Principal Trumpet of the Baton Rouge Symphony, Co-Principal Trumpet of the Dallas Wind Symphony, and enjoys an international performing career on modern and Baroque trumpets. As a jazz musician and scholar, Shaw has served as a consultant to both the Kenny Wheeler Archive and Exhibition at the Royal Academy of Music in London and the Louis Armstrong Archive at Queens College. In recognition of his scholarship, Shaw was honored with one of only six Rainmaker awards given to LSU faculty in 2013. His book, Kenny Wheeler: Solo Transcriptions, is published by Universal Edition. He lives in Baton Rouge with his wife Paula, their son Thomas, and their house full of rescued pets.
Royal Academy of Music
Head of Jazz at the Royal Academy of Music, Nick Smart is an internationally renowned jazz educator, trumpeter and musical director who has given guest masterclasses and performances around the world. In 2013 he was the winner of the prestigious UK Parliamentary Award for Jazz Education. Throughout the UK he is recognised as one of the leading musicians on the London jazz scene, where as well as being in regular demand as a sideman to players of all generations, he continues to record and tour with his own projects.
In 2005 Nick released his debut album “Remembering Nick Drake” to critical acclaim. The album featured Smart’s arrangements of Nick Drake’s music played by an all star line-up including John Parricelli, Paul Clarvis, Christine Tobin and Stan Sulzmann amongst others. It was described by Straight No Chaser magazine as “…a future classic because it really captures all that is best about British jazz….” and by John Fordham in Jazz UK as “…fascinating music devoted to a fascinating inspiration.” In December 2008 Nick released his highly praised trio album “Remembering Louis Armstrong” featuring Hans Koller and Paul Clarvis. His latest band, Nick Smart’s Trogon, merges contemporary jazz sounds with Afro Cuban concepts and released the album “Tower Casa” on Babel Records in November 2013, described in the Guardian’s 4 star review as “an undemonstratively idiosyncratic fusion, and Smart plays with brightness, tight timing and subtle intonation throughout.”
His versatility as a trumpet player has allowed him to perform alongside many international jazz stars including George Russell, Bob Brookmeyer, John Hollenbeck, the New York Voices, Mike Gibbs and Dave Douglas, as well as most of the leading names on the UK jazz scene. Amongst other things Nick was a member of the late Kenny Wheeler’s Big Band, with whom he had a long association and is widely recognised as an expert in Wheeler’s music. He plays in a new quartet from saxophone star Stan Sulzmann and has recorded on the new album of vocalist Christine Tobin in her interpretations of Leonard Cohen songs. As an acclaimed musical director of large ensembles, Nick conducts the Stan Sulzmann Big Band (Neon Orchestra) and the Troyka large ensemble, “Troykestra”. He also performs internationally as the regular soloist with the James Taylor Quartet.
The final chapter of this book, covering the last decade of Kenny’s life, begins with his 75th birthday tour and a new suite for big band. A period of illness brought a new frailty to his playing and affected his ability to travel comfortably. A particularly difficult week at the Blue Note in New York with pianist Kenny Werner’s band saw his career as a sideman draw to a close, increasing the necessity to play only his own music. Nevertheless, and in some ways against considerable odds, this remained a hugely productive period of composing and playing for Kenny, marked by several CAM Jazz recordings with old friends (including John Taylor and Dave Holland) and new musical partners, including Chris Potter. Renewed interest in recording his large ensemble music followed his 80th birthday celebration, resulting in the release of The Long Waiting (for big band) and Mirrors (for vocal ensemble, rhythm section, and soloists). During this period, Kenny becomes, with his usual reluctance, recognised as an elder statesman of contemporary jazz, and was awarded several honours. Of most significance for him was the 2011 Festival of New Trumpet Music, designated a “Kenny Wheeler Celebration”, curated in New York by Dave Douglas. Despite his deteriorating mobility, Kenny’s big band played two more concerts together at the end of 2012 and his quintet performed up until the end of 2013 – culminating in what would be his last solo recording: a poignant reunion with ECM. Throughout 2014 Kenny’s health declined, leading to his being placed alternately in a nursing facility and hospital. Kenny Wheeler died in Whipps Cross University Hospital, on September 18, 2014.
