Kansas City – Original Soundtrack

You know who was my favorite badass? 

Pablo Picasso.

Not only was he an amazing artist who created his own style, but he came up with one of the biggest pimp moves I’ve ever heard of.  Near the end of his life, when he was already internationally famous and nailing women who were a quarter of his age, he stopped using money to pay for things.

Pablo would head out shopping and just bring a sketch pad and some charcoal.  Everyone in his town knew who he was, so when he walked into a store he would simply pick out what he wanted and go to the manager, or cashier or whomever was in charge at the time and say something like:

“I could pay you for this in cash, but would you take a sketch instead?”

From what I’ve read, no one refused.  Why would they?  They’ll cover the guys groceries, and in return they get a signed original Picasso sketch that will someday be worth thousands of dollars.  Good deal! In fact, a lot of stores started requesting the sketches in lieu of payment.

Just imagine taking a girl on a date to an expensive restaurant, finishing a huge meal with lots of great wine and the restaurant manger comes to your table and asks if you could pay with a sketch.  The deal is pretty much sealed right there.

Another great historical pimp move came when Robert Altman made “Kansas City” in 1995.  If you’ve seen the film, I’m sure you’ll agree that the 1930’s era gangster film was mediocre at best.  Especially for an Altman film.  But what sets the film apart, was the music.

Altman was born in Kansas City and had a lifelong love of jazz, and while I can’t prove it, I wholeheartedly believe Altman made this film as a cover for making this album.

What a pimp.

Basically they recreated the Hey Hey Club, as it was in the 30’s.  They brought in the best sound guys in the business to mic the place correctly to get that authentic sound, and then they brought in the musicians.  Man did they bring em in!  You get a virtual who’s who of jazz in one room.  Guys like Joshua Redman, Geri Allen, Kevin Mahogany and Cyrus Chestnet all get their jam on in what can only be described as the most awesome way ever.  They also brought in an enthusiastic full audience, shouting out encouragement and cheers throughout the set.  Essentially this recording grabs the listener and tosses them back in time to a place that doesn’t exist anymore.

I don’t know of very many albums that succeed in doing this.

Filled with hits of the era from the likes of Count Basie (‘Blues in the Dark’) and Bennie Moten (‘Moten Swing’ as you will hear below), this is a must have for anyone who likes the swinging sound of Kansas City jazz.  Or just jazz in general.

It’s the pimp move.

Paul Desmond – From the Hot Afternoon

Here’s another sparkling jazz album that will go well with your next poolside cocktail party.  I know most people will have no idea who Paul Desmond is, which is why it’s such a joy to let the cat out of the bag here.

Paul was lead saxophone for the Dave Brubeck Quartet through the 50’s and 60’s before he finally decided to strike out on his own.
 
His sound? 

Something that sounds like Stan Getz and a dry martini on sax.

Luckily, at the time A&M and it’s Verve offshoot label CTI were in the midst of putting out a slew of amazing jazz albums at the same time and picked up Mr Desmond.

The new label collaboration was already getting a lot of buzz, not just for the artists they featured, but for the artists they chose to back them. “From the Hot Afternoon” is no exception with Sergio Mendes and the Don Sebresky orchestra providing a lush Brazilian themed backdrop for Desmond’s sly saxophone work.

Luckily there were a slew of A&M/CTI reissues in the last few years that brought nearly forgotten gems like this to light. You can find it at most online retailers.  If you like Bossa Nova, Jobim, Brubeck, Mendes or any combination of the list…do yourself a favor and check it out.