This week's special edition of the
Latin Jazz Mecca contributes to
Ozcat Radio's ongoing retrospective with a
Jazz and Latin Tribute to the musical memory of
Michael Jackson.
Latin Jazz Mecca on Ozcat Radio
Live stream: ♫ http://tiny.cc/LatinJazzMecca
9 pm Eastern (NY MIA PR HAV);
6 pm Pacific Vallejo, CA/San Francisco Bay
Although we will hear several cuts featuring Michael himself, this program will be a different kind of musical exploration, including a few of his many collaborators and influences, such as singer
Jackie Wilson, Manu Dibango, Diana Ross,
Motown's house band
The Funk Brothers, rock guitarists
Eddie Van Halen and Carlos Santana, producers and songwriter
Rod Temperton of the group
Heatwave; and
MJ's greatest collaborator and mentor,
Mr. Quincy Jones.
We also sample some Latin and Jazz reconstructions and renditions of some of his classic tunes, including from Miles Davis, Lester Bowie's Brass Fantasy, guitarist Tuck Andress, and Chaka Khan. We will also listen to
rare studio demos of his works in progress, that exemplify his rhythmic and musical instincts to effectively blend togher
Funk, Latin and Jazz with
R&B, Pop, Rock, Gospel and other expressions of musical humanity.
Some listeners and readers may be wondering, "What does Michael Jackson have to do with jazz or latin music?" Per a quote from the great
Herbie Hancock "
Jazz has borrowed from other genres of music, and has also has lent itself to other genres of music."
For starters, the young Michael Jackson actually handled percussion duties on stage with his brothers' group,
The Jackson Five. Although the percussion work for the early recordings of the
J5 were likely handled by members of the Motown
Funk Brothers studio collective, Michael's command of percussion and ability to blend with funk is evident in the demos for his later solo recordings, as was in his dancing, which as one of the video clips below is not far removed from the Afro-Cuban
Columbia and
guaguanco dancers.
We can also consider, that besides late 20th century vocal and pop music itself having been heavily influenced by early jazz and jazz Big Bands, that Michael's greatest contributing collaborator,
Quincy Jones, has a deep and critically respected background as a Jazz performer, composer and arranger going back to the late 1950s. As food for thought, Quincy's craftwork will be heavily featured during tonight's broadcast.
And of course, we will feature jazz and latin renditions of Michael's tunes, to hear some of the other possible expressions and interpretations that his music inspired.
Below are some links to video clips and further reading:
Essay by Jazz Bassist Christian McBride
MICHAEL JACKSON 1958-2009 : Gone at 50? My heart is in pain.
http://www.christianmcbride.com/scrolls/scroll_mythang_output.html?id=128
Ted Gioia from The Jazz.com Blog
http://www.jazz.com/jazz-blog/2009/6/26/michael-jackson-a-jazz-perspective
Michael Jackson: A View from the Jazz Camp
[LA Times] Quincy Jones on Michael Jackson: 'We made history together'
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2009/06/quincy-jones-on-michael-jackson-we-owned-the-80s-and-our-souls-would-be-connected-forever.html
Producer and Bassist Marcus Miller:
Rest in peace, Michael Jackson...Marcus' reflections on MJ [Jun 27, 2009]
http://marcusmiller.com/news_entry.html?newsid=300&color=1
Video clips:
Dancing Machine - w/brother Randy on Congas
(Carol Burnette Show)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8d3abOsHr4
Billie Jean - Music Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=En-cHBv7UpA
Afro Cuban dancers - Guaguanco
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDkIE6PG2Eg
Miles Davis "Human Nature" - 1991
(Looks like Steve Thornton on percussion-?)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGBPSx1Zxlo
Mashup: Rumbero Miguelito Does El Conga:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7G1s9G8-H8
The Latin/Jazz Mecca radio program "...Explores the Roots and Branches of the Afro-Latin Musical Diaspora". Broadcasts on Ozcat Radio are programmed within the nonprofit educational scope of the Ozcat Edutainment Foundation.
