ESSENER JAZZ TAGE ’60 [multiple signed].

Description

Grugahalle, Essen April 1960 concert program (Michel+Kieser)


Unique, one of a kind, original multiple signed vintage concert program produced for the 1960 Essener Jazz Tage which took place at the Grugahalle in Essen [Germany] on 2nd and 3rd April, 1960, presented by Ralf Schulte-Bahrenberg in cooperation with the German Jazz Federation. The first day of the two-day festival included the Dave Brubeck Quartet; Coleman Hawkins; the Oscar Pettiford Trio featuring Bud Powell and Kenny Clarke; American singer Helen Merrill, the Michael Naura Quintet; and Quincy Jones and His Orchestra featuring trumpeter Clark Terry, saxophonists Budd Johnson and Phil Woods, and trombonist Melba Liston among others. Day two was dedicated to traditional jazz and featured trumpeter Peanuts Holland; pianist Champion Jack Dupree; violinist Stephane Grappelly; cornetist Muggsy Spanier; Maxim Saury et son New Orleans Jazzband; and the Dutch Swing College Band. The program has been authentically signed by a large number of the performing artists, including the great Bud Powell. Bud Powell autographed material is very scarce in any form. The scarcity can be partly attributed to his short and troubled life which was deeply compromised by mental and physical illness, alcohol and drug abuse. His extraordinary musical gifts were erratic and eventually diminished by probable schizophrenia, tuberculosis, and the lingering effects of a vicious beating he suffered in 1945, from which he never fully recovered. Yet, Powell is celebrated as one of the greatest of all jazz pianists; as Gary Giddins eloquently states, Powell “influenced virtually every pianist who followed him…no other pianist, and precious few musicians in any age, speak to us with such electrifying urgency…he was our Schubert and Liszt rolled into one”. What makes this particular autograph of special interest is that Powell’s wife, Buttercup Powell, has signed immediately below it. In 1979 the great Bill Evans paid Powell a tribute: “If I had to choose one single musician for his artistic integrity, for the incomparable originality of his creation and the grandeur of his work, it would be Bud Powell. He was in a class by himself”. The program also features the signatures of bebop double bassist Oscar Pettiford and Quincy Jones, as well as Melba Liston, Budd Johnson, Leonhard Johnson, Sahib Shihab, Jerome Richardson, Julius Watkins, Patty Brown, Floyd Standifer, Buddy Cattlett, and Porter Kilbert of the Quincy Jones orchestra. Also signatures of Michael Naura, Hajo Lang and Klaus Marmulla of the Michael Naura Quintet.

In original pictorial matte-coated wrappers, perfect bound, 22.9 x 22.7 cm, 36 pp. Program notes in German by Joachim-Ernst Berendt. Wrapper are slightly rubbed with light wear to spine and extremities. Folded vertically down the middle and two punch holes to the margin. All inside pages are fine. Feel free to email us with any questions you may have concerning this item. Additional images of the program available on request.