With Special Guest Uncle Peter Straub, Playing Jazz for People Who Think They Hate Jazz

SYNOPSIS Beloved novelist, boulevardier and music lover, Uncle Peter Straub [http://peterstraub.net], guides us through a concise set of jazz greats programmed to engage those of us who are (in a word or two), jazz damaged. Walking bass lines, boring improv and extraneous soloing are kept to a strict minimum (to Uncle LD’s delight), and the emphasis is on melody and gorgeous musicality. As always, it’s all about the song here at the Treehouse… Now get out those cellos and jazz it up, kiddies.

NEXT WEEK: Clearance!

Playlist for Episode 37

Chet Baker<br/ > “Look for the Silver Lining,” from Chet Baker Sings (Blue Note, 1956)

Chico Hamilton<br/ > “The Morning After,” from Complete Pacific Jazz Recordings of the Chico Hamilton Quintet (Galaxy, 1998)

Art Pepper <br/ > “Over the Rainbow,” from Complete Galaxy Recordings (Mosaic, 1989)

Ahmad Jamal Trio <br/ > “Surrey with the Fringe on Top,” from Cross Country Tour: 1958-1961 (Chess, 1998)

Count Basie & His Orchestra<br/ > “Taxi War Dance,” from Count Basie, The Essential Count Basie (legacy, 1987)

Lester Young<br/ > “Lester Swings,” from, The Complete 1936-1951 Small Group Sessions (Blue Moon Jazz, 2005)

Dave Brubeck Quartet <br/ > “When You Wish upon a Star,” from Dave Digs Disney (Columbia, 1957)

Frankie Trumbauer & His Orchestra with Bix & Lang<br/ > Singin’ the Blues,” from The Complete OKeh & Brunswick Recordings (Mosaic)

Bunny Berigan<br/ > “I Can’t Get Started,” from The Complete Brunswick, Parlophone and Vocalion Sessions (Mosaic, 2003)

Bill Perkins<br/ > “Song of the Islands,” from On Stage: The Bill Perkins Octet (Blue Note, 1956)