Whoever said “talk
is cheap” never attended the rich sessions in the Jazz Talk Tent
hosted by Detroit jazz historians Jim Gallert and Lars Bjorn.
The
2008 Talk Tent had a decidedly Philly-Detroit flavor, including “Meet-the-Artist” sessions
with tenor saxophonists Jimmy Heath and Benny Golson, and guitarists Kenny
Burrell and Pat Martino. In addition, audiences were treated
to a host of panel discussions, including:
TRANE’S
Freight: The Impact of John Coltrane
Philly tenor great Jimmy Heath,
Ashley Kahn (author of the highly acclaimed book on the making of A
Love Supreme), MetroTimes writer
W. Kim Heron, and David Adler (author of a forthcoming book on Coltrane)
took part in this discussion on the impact of the saxophone legend, who
spent his formative years in the City of Brotherly Love.
Endless
Wisdom: The Legacy of Alice Coltrane
In
his later years, John Coltrane married Alice McLeod, a Detroit-born
pianist who went on to make important contributions to his music. Pianist
Geri Allen, jazz writer and Coltrane biographer Francis Davis, Sandy
Stevenson-Krell (a close friend who lived with Ms. Coltrane in the
early 60s), and musicologist Franya Berkman discussed the music and
spirituality of Alice Coltrane.
Now’s
the Time – the Hucklebuck 60 Years Later
This session commemorated
the 60th anniversary of Detroiter Paul William’s
recording of “The Hucklebuck” – the smash R&B hit
that also ignited a dance craze in the country. The panel included NPR
radio voice and record producer Bob Porter, local band leader R.J. Spangler, Detroit
tenor saxophonist George Benson, and jazz historian Jim Gallert.
The
B3 & the
Blues
This discussion focused on the Hammond B-3 organ, pioneered
by Philly legend Jimmy Smith. Veteran organist Reuben Wilson will talk
about the role of the blues in the organ tradition. He was joined
by fellow Godfather of Groove member, guitarist Grant Green Jr., Detroit
organists Gerard Gibbs and Chris Codish, and record producer Bob Porter.
Birk’s
Works: Diz in Detroit and Everywhere Else
4:00 – 5:15 PM
This session touched on different aspects
of Diz’s legacy: record
label owner, bandleader, and of course, amazing musician. Panelists
included Dave Usher (the man behind DeeGee and a long-time friend of Gillespie’s),
Michael G. Nastos of WEMU 89.1, and Gillespie alumnus
John Lee.
What’s
Goin’ On: Marvin Gaye and His Music
Artist in Residence Christian
McBride discussed his tribute to Motown legend Marvin Gaye, which opened
the festival on Friday night. The session included Detroit News writer
Susan Whitall, Duke Fakir (former member of The Four Tops), and NFL Hall
of Famer Lem Barney, a former Detroit Lion and friend of Gaye’s,
who sang back-up vocals on “What’s Goin’ On.”
Jim
Gallert is a veteran jazz broadcaster, researcher and writer. He’s produced & hosted
jazz programs on WDET-FM (Jazz Yesterday, Detroit Jazz Alive)
and WEMU-FM (Swing City). He currently co-hosts Detroit
JazzStage, a locally produced Podcast which highlights
the wealth of jazz talent in and around Detroit. Lars Bjorn is
a Professor of Sociology at the University of Michigan-Dearborn and the
author of (with Jim Gallert) Before Motown: A History of Jazz in Detroit,
1920-60 (University of Michigan Press, 2001). He is also the Editor of
the SEMJA Update,
the monthly jazz newsletter of the Southeastern Michigan Jazz Association.
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