Musical Musings Blog 2... The Infinite Musical Continuum

  Forever in our hearts, Jack DeJohnette, one of the greatest jazz drummers of all-time.   From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack. "Chan's Song" (Hancock). Herbie Hancock, piano; Christian McBride, bass and Jack Dejohnette on drums. Herbie Hancock and Jack DeJohnette share a musical relationship built on deep listening, fearless improvisation, and mutual respect for exploration. They never formed a permanent band together, but across decades they intersected at key moments that reveal how two master musicians expand each other’s horizons. Early Intersections (1968–1970) Their first major collaboration came in the late 1960s, when both were moving beyond traditional post-bop forms. Hancock, recently out of Miles Davis’s Second Great Quintet, was experimenting with electric keyboards and freer harmony. DeJohnette, having played with Charles Lloyd and then Miles himself, was redefining jazz drumming—combining swing, rock pulse, and open texture. They worked together o...

  More from Herbie Hancock and his band on The Midnight Special in 1975.  This is "Spank A Lee" featuring Herbie Hancock on electric keyboards and synthesizers (Rhodes, Clavinet etc.), Bennie Maupin on tenor saxophone, Paul Jackson on bass, and Mike Clark on drums.  

  From February 21st, 1975, Herbie Hancock & The Headhunters perform "Chameleon" on The Midnight Special with Herbie Hancock on keyboards, Bennie Maupin on saxophones, Paul Jackson on bass, and Mike Clark on drums.  Notice Herbie Hancock's use of what are now classic electric keyboards, in this performance such as the Rhodes piano, the Hohner Clavinet, the ARP Solina string ensemble, and the ARP Odyssey synthesizer.  

  From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack. Twenty-four-year-old Jack DeJohnette with the Charles Lloyd Quartet, 1966, "East of the Sun." Jack DeJohnette was important because he fused power, subtlety, and innovation across jazz’s most transformative eras. He moved fluidly between straight-ahead swing, avant-garde abstraction, and electric fusion. He could anchor a groove or dissolve into texture. This made him indispensable from the 1960s through the 2020s. • Miles Davis — Played on Bitches Brew (1969), helping redefine jazz with rock, funk, and open improvisation. • Keith Jarrett Trio — Drummer for 30+ years in one of jazz’s longest-running groups, blending classical touch and rhythmic elasticity. • Chicago avant-garde — Worked with Muhal Richard Abrams and AACM musicians, bridging inside/outside styles. • New Directions, Special Edition, Gateway — His own groups pushed composition, free improv, and global rhythms. DeJohnette was a colorist. His cymbal work, use...

  From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack. I gave Google Notebook ten minutes and no chart—just let the algorithm blow. What came out might be a solo worth keeping… or a train wreck in 5/4. You dig? Why did John Coltrane’s tenor saxophone sound feel so human—so raw, so alive? In this intimate conversation, journalist Jim Peterman and trombonist Sally Kaplan explore the emotional architecture of Coltrane’s sound: his phrasing, breath control, vibrato, and spiritual intensity. From gut-wrenching ballads to explosive sheets of sound, Coltrane didn’t just play notes—he spoke through the horn. Tune in as we break down what made Trane’s saxophone weep, wail, and whisper with such startling humanity. 🎶 Featuring clips, stories, and sonic insights. 📍 Subscribe for more deep dives into the soul of jazz. Disclaimer: as interesting as it is, this conversation about Coltrane and his playing technique, could be generated via Artificial Intelligence, and some of what is said about Coltra...

  This week's Sunday Special.  From the March 14th, 1975, episode of "The Midnight Special", here is Blood, Sweat, & Tears with the ballad "You've Made Me So Very Happy".  

  From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack. A rare and electrifying live radio broadcast featuring two of the most visionary artists in jazz history: John Coltrane and Eric Dolphy. Hosted by legendary radio personality Symphony Sid Torin, this broadcast captures Coltrane’s classic quintet at their peak—pushing harmonic and rhythmic boundaries while staying rooted in deep swing and soul. 🎷 Personnel: • John Coltrane – soprano & tenor saxophone • Eric Dolphy – alto saxophone, bass clarinet, & flute • McCoy Tyner – piano • Jimmy Garrison – bass • Elvin Jones – drums • Symphony Sid Torin – announcer 🎵 Tracklist: 00:00 – Introduction (Symphony Sid) 00:45 – The Inchworm (Frank Loesser) – 7:14 08:00 – Mr. P.C. (John Coltrane) – 7:40 15:50 – Introduction (Symphony Sid) 16:20 – My Favorite Things (Rodgers & Hammerstein) – 13:50 🔔 Subscribe for more rare jazz broadcasts, lost recordings, and deep dives into Coltrane’s legacy.