Ken Clarke's Jazz Greats

Former chancellor Ken Clarke profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th century

Former chancellor Ken Clarke profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th century.

2/4. He is joined by alto saxophonist Peter King to explore the life and music of drummer Max Roach. Roach was one of the pioneers who changed the face of jazz in the 1940s by redefining the drummer's role from simple time-keeping duties to that of a fully-fledged and equal member of the band.

Ken Clarke and alto saxophonist Peter King explore the life and music of drummer Max Roach

Former chancellor Ken Clarke profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th century

Former chancellor Ken Clarke profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th century.

2/4. He is joined by alto saxophonist Peter King to explore the life and music of drummer Max Roach. Roach was one of the pioneers who changed the face of jazz in the 1940s by redefining the drummer's role from simple time-keeping duties to that of a fully-fledged and equal member of the band.

Ken Clarke and alto saxophonist Peter King explore the life and music of drummer Max Roach

Former chancellor Ken Clarke profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th century

Former chancellor Ken Clarke profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th century

Former chancellor Ken Clarke profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th century

Former chancellor Ken Clarke profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th century

Former chancellor Ken Clarke profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th century

Ken Clarke MP profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th Century.

Ken talks to British jazz musician Soweto Kinch about saxophonist Charlie Parker, one of the founding fathers of the bebop movement. After moving to New York in 1939, he worked with Dizzy Gillespie and helped to push the boundaries of the form. However, his life and career were blighted by a heroin addiction which killed him at the age of just 34.

Ken talks to Soweto Kinch about saxophonist Charlie Parker, one of the founders of bebop.

Former chancellor Ken Clarke profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th century

Ken Clarke MP profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th Century.

Ken talks to British jazz musician Soweto Kinch about saxophonist Charlie Parker, one of the founding fathers of the bebop movement. After moving to New York in 1939, he worked with Dizzy Gillespie and helped to push the boundaries of the form. However, his life and career were blighted by a heroin addiction which killed him at the age of just 34.

Ken talks to Soweto Kinch about saxophonist Charlie Parker, one of the founders of bebop.

Former chancellor Ken Clarke profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th century

Ken Clarke MP profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th Century.

Fats Waller is most familiar to some as a comic singer, but he was also a skilled jazz pianist. His father had wanted him to follow in his footsteps and become a minister. But the keyboard skills that Fats learned while playing the organ at church services were instead transferred to theatres and cabaret clubs, where he accompanied the likes of Bessie Smith as well as playing his own solos.

Ken is joined by singer Gwyneth Herbert, who talks about her love of Waller's music.

Fats Waller is most familiar to some as a comic singer, but he was also a skilled pianist.

Former chancellor Ken Clarke profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th century

Ken Clarke MP profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th Century.

Fats Waller is most familiar to some as a comic singer, but he was also a skilled jazz pianist. His father had wanted him to follow in his footsteps and become a minister. But the keyboard skills that Fats learned while playing the organ at church services were instead transferred to theatres and cabaret clubs, where he accompanied the likes of Bessie Smith as well as playing his own solos.

Ken is joined by singer Gwyneth Herbert, who talks about her love of Waller's music.

Fats Waller is most familiar to some as a comic singer, but he was also a skilled pianist.

Former chancellor Ken Clarke profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th century

Ken Clarke MP profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th century.

Clarinettist and bandleader Benny Goodman became known as the King of Swing. Brought up in extreme poverty in the Jewish ghetto of Chicago's South Side, by the end of the 1930s he had achieved the adulation of a modern-day pop star

There were reports of ballroom riots, jitterbuggers dancing in the aisles at his concerts and solemn words being written about how the nation's youth was being corrupted by his music.

Clarinettist and bandleader Benny Goodman became known as the King of Swing.

Former chancellor Ken Clarke profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th century

Ken Clarke MP profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th century.

Clarinettist and bandleader Benny Goodman became known as the King of Swing. Brought up in extreme poverty in the Jewish ghetto of Chicago's South Side, by the end of the 1930s he had achieved the adulation of a modern-day pop star

There were reports of ballroom riots, jitterbuggers dancing in the aisles at his concerts and solemn words being written about how the nation's youth was being corrupted by his music.

Clarinettist and bandleader Benny Goodman became known as the King of Swing.

Former chancellor Ken Clarke profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th century

Ken Clarke MP profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th century.

Milt Jackson, known as 'Bags', was the first vibraphone player to perform in the bebop style of jazz. He was spotted at the age of 22 by Dizzy Gillespie and given a place in his band. His reputation grew from there, and he is perhaps best known for helping to bring jazz to a new concert-going audience during his 20-plus years as a member of the Modern Jazz Quartet.

Vibraphone player Anthony Kerr sets Ken straight on Jackson, who he admits to having overlooked as a teenage jazz fan.

Milt Jackson, known as 'Bags', the first vibraphone player to perform in the bebop style.

Former chancellor Ken Clarke profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th century

Ken Clarke MP profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th century.

Milt Jackson, known as 'Bags', was the first vibraphone player to perform in the bebop style of jazz. He was spotted at the age of 22 by Dizzy Gillespie and given a place in his band. His reputation grew from there, and he is perhaps best known for helping to bring jazz to a new concert-going audience during his 20-plus years as a member of the Modern Jazz Quartet.

Vibraphone player Anthony Kerr sets Ken straight on Jackson, who he admits to having overlooked as a teenage jazz fan.

Milt Jackson, known as 'Bags', the first vibraphone player to perform in the bebop style.

Former chancellor Ken Clarke profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th century

Ken Clarke MP profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th century.

Many Radio 4 listeners knew 'Humph' as the hilariously deadpan chairman of I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue. But the much-loved broadcaster was also an exemplary and influential jazz musician. Louis Armstrong dubbed him 'the top trumpet man in England today', and not without reason. A master of his instrument as well as several others, he spearheaded the post-war traditional jazz revival in Britain, later forming his own band that set the standard for British jazz for several decades.

Friend and fellow BBC jazz presenter Alyn Shipton joins Ken in the studio to discuss Britain's most important jazz musician.

The much-loved broadcaster, who led the post-war traditional jazz revival in Britain.

Former chancellor Ken Clarke profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th century

Ken Clarke MP profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th century.

Many Radio 4 listeners knew 'Humph' as the hilariously deadpan chairman of I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue. But the much-loved broadcaster was also an exemplary and influential jazz musician. Louis Armstrong dubbed him 'the top trumpet man in England today', and not without reason. A master of his instrument as well as several others, he spearheaded the post-war traditional jazz revival in Britain, later forming his own band that set the standard for British jazz for several decades.

Friend and fellow BBC jazz presenter Alyn Shipton joins Ken in the studio to discuss Britain's most important jazz musician.

The much-loved broadcaster, who led the post-war traditional jazz revival in Britain.

Former chancellor Ken Clarke profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th century

Ken Clarke MP profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th Century.

Florida-born saxophonist Cannonball Adderley first made his name alongside his brother Nat in the 1950s. Moving to New York, he quickly found success and before long was playing with Miles Davis. Drawing influence from many of the greats, including Charlie Parker, John Coltrane and Louis Jordan, Cannonball was one of the leading pioneers of hard-bop. By the 1960s he was also prominent in the soul jazz scene, becoming increasingly experimental towards the end of the decade.

Leading British sax player Alan Barnes talks to Ken about Cannonball's eclectic career.

Saxophonist Cannonball Adderley first made his name alongside his brother Nat in the 1950s

Former chancellor Ken Clarke profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th century

Ken Clarke MP profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th Century.

Florida-born saxophonist Cannonball Adderley first made his name alongside his brother Nat in the 1950s. Moving to New York, he quickly found success and before long was playing with Miles Davis. Drawing influence from many of the greats, including Charlie Parker, John Coltrane and Louis Jordan, Cannonball was one of the leading pioneers of hard-bop. By the 1960s he was also prominent in the soul jazz scene, becoming increasingly experimental towards the end of the decade.

Leading British sax player Alan Barnes talks to Ken about Cannonball's eclectic career.

Saxophonist Cannonball Adderley first made his name alongside his brother Nat in the 1950s

Former chancellor Ken Clarke profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th century

Ken Clarke MP profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th Century.

By his early twenties, trumpeter Chet Baker was the poster boy of jazz with a beautiful playing style and film star good looks. A leading exponent of 1950s 'cool jazz', his lyrical playing drew comparisons to Miles Davis and his career blossomed. But his life was hampered by drug addiction and came to a brutal end in 1988.

Mike Maran, who wrote the recent hit production Chet Baker: A Funny Valentine, joins Ken to discuss Baker's flawed genius.

A leading exponent of 'cool jazz', Chet Baker's playing drew comparisons to Miles Davis.

Former chancellor Ken Clarke profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th century

Ken Clarke MP profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th Century.

By his early twenties, trumpeter Chet Baker was the poster boy of jazz with a beautiful playing style and film star good looks. A leading exponent of 1950s 'cool jazz', his lyrical playing drew comparisons to Miles Davis and his career blossomed. But his life was hampered by drug addiction and came to a brutal end in 1988.

Mike Maran, who wrote the recent hit production Chet Baker: A Funny Valentine, joins Ken to discuss Baker's flawed genius.

A leading exponent of 'cool jazz', Chet Baker's playing drew comparisons to Miles Davis.

Former chancellor Ken Clarke profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th century

Ken Clarke MP profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th Century.

New York sax player Sonny Rollins is regarded as one of most influential and unique saxophonists in contemporary jazz. He began playing in the late 1940s, rehearsing and performing with such luminaries as Thelonious Monk, Art Blakey and Tadd Dameron. By the mid 1950s he was winning popularity polls and enjoying widespread critical acclaim. He has since gone on to develop a fluid and easily accessible style, often lauded for bringing jazz to a wider audience.

Ken talks to Mercury Music Prize-nominated saxophonist Denys Baptiste, a fellow Sonny Rollins fan.

Sonny Rollins is regarded as one of most influential saxophonists in contemporary jazz.

Former chancellor Ken Clarke profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th century

Ken Clarke MP profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th Century.

New York sax player Sonny Rollins is regarded as one of most influential and unique saxophonists in contemporary jazz. He began playing in the late 1940s, rehearsing and performing with such luminaries as Thelonious Monk, Art Blakey and Tadd Dameron. By the mid 1950s he was winning popularity polls and enjoying widespread critical acclaim. He has since gone on to develop a fluid and easily accessible style, often lauded for bringing jazz to a wider audience.

Ken talks to Mercury Music Prize-nominated saxophonist Denys Baptiste, a fellow Sonny Rollins fan.

Sonny Rollins is regarded as one of most influential saxophonists in contemporary jazz.

Former chancellor Ken Clarke profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th century

Ken Clarke, QC, MP returns with another series of Jazz Greats. Joining Ken in the studio for this first instalment is the lecturer and musician Ian Smith. Their subject: the American hard-bop trumpeter Lee Morgan.

Lee Morgan's tense, urgent trumpet with his searing high register and funky timing was the essence of harp-bop. He became a professional musician in his late teens when he joined Dizzy Gillespie's big band in 1956. It was the perfect launch-pad for his career and he went on to play with some of the best in the genre: Art Blakey, John Coltrane and Benny Golson. Perhaps most known for his landmark album "The Sidewinder," Morgan became one of the legendary Jazz label Blue Note's best loved stars.
He may have been blessed with musical talent but the rest of Morgan's life was something of a mess. A crippling heroin addiction hampered his recording career and resulted in a painful encounter with gangsters. While the unfortunate tangle of his personal relationships brought about his rather dramatic demise.

Ken Clarke and Ian Smith examine the life and music of hard-bop trumpeter Lee Morgan.

Former chancellor Ken Clarke profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th century

Ken Clarke, QC, MP returns with another series of Jazz Greats. Joining Ken in the studio for this first instalment is the lecturer and musician Ian Smith. Their subject: the American hard-bop trumpeter Lee Morgan.

Lee Morgan's tense, urgent trumpet with his searing high register and funky timing was the essence of harp-bop. He became a professional musician in his late teens when he joined Dizzy Gillespie's big band in 1956. It was the perfect launch-pad for his career and he went on to play with some of the best in the genre: Art Blakey, John Coltrane and Benny Golson. Perhaps most known for his landmark album "The Sidewinder," Morgan became one of the legendary Jazz label Blue Note's best loved stars.
He may have been blessed with musical talent but the rest of Morgan's life was something of a mess. A crippling heroin addiction hampered his recording career and resulted in a painful encounter with gangsters. While the unfortunate tangle of his personal relationships brought about his rather dramatic demise.

Ken Clarke and Ian Smith examine the life and music of hard-bop trumpeter Lee Morgan.

Former chancellor Ken Clarke profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th century

Zoot Sims was one of the most naturally talented saxophone players in jazz, most remembered for his incredible sense of swing. He was the archetypal saxophonist and found fame with the general public thanks to having a Muppets puppet modelled on him, right down to the name.
Born in 1925, Zoot grew up as the youngest in a family of vaudeville performers. He took up the saxophone, developing his signature sound in the early 1940s when he was picked up by bandleader Benny Goodman. A few years later he was playing alongside fellow saxophonists Stan Getz, Herbie Steward and Serge Chaloff in Woody Herman's famed Second Herd band.
But after a move to New York his career stalled and by the early 50s Zoot was making ends meet working as a house painter. He was rescued by the legendary baritone saxophone player Gerry Mulligan who asked Zoot to join his quartet. From the late 50s onwards Zoot went on to form a series of successful partnerships, the most enduring with tenorman Al Cohn. Although his style got gruffer with age, Zoot's popularity continued right up until his death in 1985.
Ken Clarke, QC, MP and his guest John Altman discuss Zoots' life and music, revealing how he never once lost his enthusiasm or that gifted sense of swing throughout his career.

Ken's guest John Altman is a BAFTA award winning film and television composer. He's also a saxophonist who has played with such jazz luminaries as Chet Baker, Slim Gaillard and Red Holloway. He's played on rock music sessions too with stars such as Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, Jimmy Page and Little Richard. Zoot Sims is one of his all-time favourite musicians.

Ken Clarke QC MP and the composer John Altman discuss the music of Zoot Sims.

Former chancellor Ken Clarke profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th century

Zoot Sims was one of the most naturally talented saxophone players in jazz, most remembered for his incredible sense of swing. He was the archetypal saxophonist and found fame with the general public thanks to having a Muppets puppet modelled on him, right down to the name.
Born in 1925, Zoot grew up as the youngest in a family of vaudeville performers. He took up the saxophone, developing his signature sound in the early 1940s when he was picked up by bandleader Benny Goodman. A few years later he was playing alongside fellow saxophonists Stan Getz, Herbie Steward and Serge Chaloff in Woody Herman's famed Second Herd band.
But after a move to New York his career stalled and by the early 50s Zoot was making ends meet working as a house painter. He was rescued by the legendary baritone saxophone player Gerry Mulligan who asked Zoot to join his quartet. From the late 50s onwards Zoot went on to form a series of successful partnerships, the most enduring with tenorman Al Cohn. Although his style got gruffer with age, Zoot's popularity continued right up until his death in 1985.
Ken Clarke, QC, MP and his guest John Altman discuss Zoots' life and music, revealing how he never once lost his enthusiasm or that gifted sense of swing throughout his career.

Ken's guest John Altman is a BAFTA award winning film and television composer. He's also a saxophonist who has played with such jazz luminaries as Chet Baker, Slim Gaillard and Red Holloway. He's played on rock music sessions too with stars such as Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, Jimmy Page and Little Richard. Zoot Sims is one of his all-time favourite musicians.

Ken Clarke QC MP and the composer John Altman discuss the music of Zoot Sims.

Former chancellor Ken Clarke profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th century

His own projects won several Grammys and in his later career he became something of a national star in America, even performing for Bill Clinton at his first presidential inauguration. He had a lovely lyrical style with a virtuosic technique and is widely regarded as one of the greatest improvisers in jazz.

Ken is joined in the studio by one of UK's leading saxophonists, Soweto Kinch.

Ken Clarke MP examines the life and music of the saxophonist Joe Henderson.

Former chancellor Ken Clarke profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th century

This week Ken examines the life and music of Joe Henderson, the tenor saxophone star of both Verve & Blue Note Records. Born in Ohio in 1937 Joe Henderson taught himself to play at the young age of 9, later perfecting his craft at college and university. By the time he was 25 he'd led his own band and joined a group with Kenny Dorham. Over the course of his career he went on to play with jazz greats such as Miles Davies and Herbie Hancock and even joined the jazz-rock band Blood, Sweat & Tears.

His own projects won several Grammys and in his later career he became something of a national star in America, even performing for Bill Clinton at his first presidential inauguration. He had a lovely lyrical style with a virtuosic technique and is widely regarded as one of the greatest improvisers in jazz.

Ken is joined in the studio by one of UK's leading saxophonists, Soweto Kinch.

Ken Clarke MP examines the life and music of the saxophonist Joe Henderson.

Former chancellor Ken Clarke profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th century

Given a trumpet by his father at the age of 15, Clifford's natural talent was immediately apparent. After only a few years of practising the instrument he was playing gigs with artists such as Miles Davis, Kenny Dorham and Fats Navarro. By 22 he already had an original style and the quintet he went on to form with Max Roach is regarded as one of the best of the 1950s.

Sadly his professional career was bookended by two horrific car crashes. The first was nearly ended his life and left him in hospital for a year. And only five years later he was involved in a second accident, but this time he was tragically killed. But, as Ken and Abram explain, in the short time he was playing and recording he did enough to put him up there with the all time Jazz Greats.

Abram Wilson is an award winning New Orleans trumpeter and vocalist based in the UK.

Ken Clarke and guest Abram Wilson discuss the music of the 1950s trumpeter Clifford Brown.

Former chancellor Ken Clarke profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th century

In the last programme of the current series, Ken Clarke and his guest Abram Wilson discuss the life and music of the 1950s trumpeter Clifford Brown.

Given a trumpet by his father at the age of 15, Clifford's natural talent was immediately apparent. After only a few years of practising the instrument he was playing gigs with artists such as Miles Davis, Kenny Dorham and Fats Navarro. By 22 he already had an original style and the quintet he went on to form with Max Roach is regarded as one of the best of the 1950s.

Sadly his professional career was bookended by two horrific car crashes. The first was nearly ended his life and left him in hospital for a year. And only five years later he was involved in a second accident, but this time he was tragically killed. But, as Ken and Abram explain, in the short time he was playing and recording he did enough to put him up there with the all time Jazz Greats.

Abram Wilson is an award winning New Orleans trumpeter and vocalist based in the UK.

Ken Clarke and guest Abram Wilson discuss the music of the 1950s trumpeter Clifford Brown.

Former chancellor Ken Clarke profiles great jazz musicians of the 20th century