Horace Tapscott

Born: April 6, 1934

Born in 1934 in Houston, Texas, Horace came from a musical family centered around his mother, Mary Malone Tapscott, who worked professionally as a singer and pianist. When Horace was nine, the family moved to Los Angeles. As a teenager in the late 1940's, Horace was surrounded by the music of Central Avenue: Art Tatum, Charlie Parker, Coleman Hawkins, Dexter Gordon, were among the many cats on the set. Around this time, Horace also began to take music lessons from teachers Dr. Samuel R. Browne and Lloyd Reese, whose other students included Eric Dolphy and Frank Morgan. Horace's musical studies included trombone in addition to piano. In 1952, Horace graduated from Jefferson High, got married to Cecilia Payne and went into the Air Force

Horace Tapscott, Smiley Winters, and Blue Stars of France

by Jerome Wilson
June 11, 2025

This is a vintage episode first heard on January 19, 2021. The cast for this show includes Horace Tapscott, Smiley Winters. Marc Ribot, Marion Brown, and the Blue Stars of France. Playlist Henry Threadgill Sextet “I Can't Wait Till I Get Home" from The Complete Novus & Columbia Recordings of Henry Threadgill & Air ...

Arthur Blythe Quartet: Live From Studio Rivbea, July 6, 1976

by John Sharpe
January 12, 2025

Saxophonist Arthur Blythe arrived in New York City in 1974 with a gorgeous tone and a fully formed conception. Having featured in the ensembles of pianist Horace Tapscott in his native LA, he first caught the ear in the Big Apple after his recruitment into the bands of drummer Chico Hamilton and pianist/composer Gil Evans. This ...

Philippe Vieux

Born: January 17, 1972

The musicianship of Philippe Vieux has touched and impressed audiences and peers worldwide for over four decades, while spanning five continents.  A native of San Francisco:  he is a composer/producer, multi award winning recording artist and educator.

Starting on piano at the age of three, Philippe diligently studied music; expanding into theoretical harmony and experimentation in composition and arrangement.   By 1990, Vieux had truly found his own voice and begun to win the respect of his musical elders.  While still in high school, he placed a concentration on the saxophone and began studying composition, while simultaneously staying active by playing in orchestras and jazz groups.

Roy Haynes Revisited

by AAJ Staff
November 15, 2024

This article was first published on All About Jazz in January 1999. Roy Haynes is one of the few living legends remaining in jazz. He has been awarded the Danish Jazzpar prize, Grammys, and numerous other awards and polls. Haynes is the most versatile drummer in jazz history, do in most part to his ...

Devin Daniels Quintet: LesGo!

by Joshua Weiner
August 17, 2024

Devin Daniels is an up-and-coming Los Angeles-based alto saxophonist whose debut album, Trio Exposition, dropped in 2022 on The Village label. Having toured with Herbie Hancock and played at an all-star tribute to Wayne Shorter at the Hollywood Bowl in the summer of 2023, it would seem that his star is rapidly rising. This new album, ...

John Escreet, David Murray and Stan Tracey

by Jerome Wilson
July 17, 2024

This show features newer work by John Escreet, David Murray, and Stephan Crump as well as older music from Stan Tracey, Ed Palermo, and the Webber/Morris Big Band. Playlist Henry Threadgill Sextett “I Can't Wait Till I Get Home" from The Complete Novus & Columbia Recordings of Henry Threadgill & Air (Mosaiz) 00:00 Brad ...

Matthew Shipp: The Data

by Mark Corroto
July 8, 2024

Music is communication, and jazz, especially jazz improvisation is the purest form of expression of one's intercourse. Think of this in terms of the contrast between Buddy Bolden, who is believed to be the very first jazz musician and Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones. Bolden began playing Gospel, blues, and marching band music, but his ...

Jan Garbarek, Keith Jarrett and Azimuth light up ECM Luminessence reissues

by Chris May
April 16, 2024

The spring 2024 iteration of ECM's audiophile vinyl reissue series, Luminessence, presents another trio of landmark albums: Jan Garbarek Quartet's Afric Pepperbird, from 1971, Keith Jarrett and Garbarek's Luminessence, from 1975, and Azimuth's Azimuth, from 1977. The combined scope of the music on the three discs (which come with new liner notes) is prairie wide, and ...

60 Years

By Horace Tapscott

Label: The Village
Released: 2023
Track listing: The Golden Pearl; Little A��s Chant; Nation Rising; The Ballad Of Deadwood Dick; Justice; Dem Folks.