Books
 |
Being Prez - The Life and Music of Lester Young
An exemplary study. [Daily Telegraph]
A moving study of a nomadic, fugitive temperament.
[TLS]
Lester Young, one of the most glorious but elusive
figures in jazz history, is brought to life in this
splendid introduction. [Gary Giddins]
Tracing an odd life and elusive legacy, (DG) writes
with a rare reserve, concision and perception that
his subject would have appreciated. [Atlantic Monthly]
What a glorious book! I expected informed and perceptive
commentary on Lester Young's music. A rich bonus is
the warm light (DG) has shone through the veil of
obscurantism behind which the jazz genius chose to
live his life. [Humphrey Lyttelton]
An outstanding book, covering the life and music
of a truly unique musician, by one of the most perceptive
and literate jazz writers. [Alun Morgan: Jazz Journal
International]
An admirably comprehensive and digestible read about
a uniquely and eternally significant figure. [Jazzwise]
|
|
 |
Stan Getz - Nobody Else But Me
Elegant and acute…constantly revealing in its musical
and psychological acumen. [Jazz Journal]
Gelly's eloquent and incisive prose coveys just what
it was about Getz's music that made him so distinctive
and influential. [Jazz Review]
Gelly's perceptive analysis cannot be faulted. [Record
Collector]
|
Other Books
The Sax and Brass Book (Balafon Books, 1998)
Dave Gelly contributes a history of the saxophone and its leading
players, with special attention to technical matters, instrument
manufacturers, leading brands and models.
Masters of Jazz Saxophone (Miller Freeman Books, 2000)
The story of the players and their music, edited by Dave Gelly,
who also contributed several chapters.
Icons of Jazz (Brown, 2003)
A history in words and photographs.
Django Reinhardt - Know the Man, Play the Music (Backbeat
Books, 2005)
A short biography by Dave Gelly together with guitar transcriptions
by Rod Fogg.
CDs
 |
Strike A Light - Dave Gelly's Easy Swing (Mainstem
MCD 0022)
Dave Gelly (tenor saxophone), Ernie Cranenburgh,
Nigel Bennett (guitar) Joe Mudele (bass) - and the
voice of Miss Annie Bright
A class act - accomplished musicianship, original
ideas, unvarying good taste. [The Jazz Rag]
He can say in a skilfully crafted half-chorus what
others struggle to achieve in ten.[The Musician]
His improvisations have the melodic quality that
was the hallmark of the best 1930 and '40s sax stars.
[Huddersfield Examiner]
Encapsulates many of the things I love about jazz.
[Alun Morgan]
Annie Bright sings so beautifully, including what
could well be the definitive version of How Long Has
This Been Going On? [Jazz Journal]
|
Other currently available cds
John Williams's Tenorama (Spotlite SPJ572-CD)
Dave Gelly, Don Rendell, Karen Sharp, Renato D'Aiello, Bob Sydor,
Phil Day (tenor saxophones) John Williams (baritone saxophone)
Steve Waterman (trumpet) et al. A celebration of the jazz tenor
saxophone, by an ever-changing cast of players.
Mike Taylor Remembered (Dusk Fire DUSKCD103)
Ten pieces by the unique but short-lived British jazz composer.
Arrangements, involving around 20 musicians, by Neil Ardley,
Dave Gelly, Howard Riley, Barbara Thompson. Includes a memoir
of Mike by Dave Gelly.
Impressed 2, with Gilles Peterson (Universal 982 014 2)
Compilation of 'rare, classic and unique modern jazz from Britain'.
Includes Le Déjeuner sur L'Herbe by the New Jazz Orchestra and
Neil Ardley's glorious setting of Will You Walk A Little Faster?
- both from long-deleted albums. Also Norma Winstone singing Dave's
arrangement of Timewind, from 'Mike Taylor Remembered'.
The New Jazz Orchestra: Western Reunion (Vocalion CDSML
8427)
Reissue of the first NJO album, from 1965, originally on the
Decca label. New notes by Dave Gelly.
The New Jazz Orchestra: Camden '70 (Dusk Fire DUSKCD 105)
Newly unearthed live concert recording from Camden Jazz
Festival, May 1970. The full NJO, directed by Neil Ardley,
including members of Colosseum.
|
