Israels is one of a handful of living musicians to have worked with major figures in jazz from the late 1950s onwards. His first recording date came in 1958, a session with Cecil Taylor, John Coltrane, Kenny Dorham and Louis Hayes (released as Stereo Drive and reissued as Coltrane Time soon after). In 1961, he began working with Bill Evans following the death of Scott LaFaro, going on to appear on Moon Beams and many recordings by the pianist over the course of six and a half years. In addition to those seminal recordings, Israels played on Herbie Hancock’s second album as a leader, My Point of View, in 1963, and Stan Getz’s Getz Au Go Go (featuring Astrud Gilberto) the following year. Other artists he worked closely with in the late 1950s and 1960s include Benny Goodman, Bud Powell, Steve Kuhn, George Russell, Martial Solal and Joan Baez. There were other one-off occasions where he shared a stage with Billie Holiday, Coleman Hawkins, Barbra Streisand, Nina Simone, Zoot Sims and Eric Dolphy.

Richard Alan Beirach was born on 23 May 1947 in Brooklyn, New York, to Irving and Beatrice Beirach. The oldest of three siblings (two boys and a girl), one of his earliest memories was discovering an interest in the piano while on holiday at a camp with his parents. He began formal piano lessons at the age of 6 with James Palmieri, whom he studied with until he was 18. Palmieri played a major role in shaping the young Beirach’s classical sensibilities that would become an important element of his artistic identity, as well as instilling him with exemplary technique on the instrument.

I have often heard the word “dark” used to describe Jim McNeely’s sound, which I understand to an extent, but feel misses a lot of what is happening in his music. What I especially connect with – beyond the masterful orchestration, imaginative rhythmic phrasing and innovative harmonic approach – is his deep melodic sensitivity. On the sad occasion of his passing, I wanted to take the opportunity to appreciate 10 tracks by him as a leader or sideman that have brought (and continue to bring) me so much joy.

“What Al did was to take what all of the drummers who preceded him had done and put a different spin on it….he was a subtle innovator.” Legendary drummer and NEA Jazz Master Al Foster passed away at the age of 82 following a serious illness. To mark his passing and celebrate his remarkable career, Charlie talked to American drummer Jeff Williams about Foster, his longtime friend and contemporary.

"Thank god for recordings! Every time I heard him it was so wonderful and inspiring. I mean, who else in this world went from playing with Louis Armstrong to Pat Metheny and everyone in between? It’s hard to imagine who he couldn’t play with. God bless him, man. Every time I think of him, I’m just gonna smile and, to quote that record he made in 1977, say thank you thank you."