There's no question Creed Taylor had the sharpest commercial ears in the jazz record business. He probably did more than anyone to make listener-friendly music that didn't compromise jazz verities. Purists scoff, but his productions formed a bridge from rock or R&B into jazz for a lot of people in the 1960s and 70s, and the packaging of CTI albums made them visually competitive with the rock album design of the period.
The CTI All Stars really were an updating of Norman Granz's JATP for a new generation. Bringing such a large entourage of stars on tour for some to do only one or two numbers seems insanely expensive these days, but it apparently paid off. This recording is fantastic — thank you for sharing it!
You've outdone yourself Bret! This article is so on point on Creed's vision to bring jazz into the future and back into the mainstream. It relates to the state of jazz radio today as well as the music which has lost its mainstream appeal. CTI was my gateway drug to the music when I was a kid. 'Have shared your piece with entire staff at WBGO FM. Well done! - Bobby Sanabria
Thank you! Fun to relive those days. I might still have my Benson "White Rabbit" and "Bad Benson" albums. I hope so. Will have to look for them.
beautiful job telling the story of the CTI experience and experiment, it was a great ride…and still is, thank you!
Thank you for this, brother!
I grew up with these albums and I still have them and listen. Amazing live performances throughout.
There's no question Creed Taylor had the sharpest commercial ears in the jazz record business. He probably did more than anyone to make listener-friendly music that didn't compromise jazz verities. Purists scoff, but his productions formed a bridge from rock or R&B into jazz for a lot of people in the 1960s and 70s, and the packaging of CTI albums made them visually competitive with the rock album design of the period.
The CTI All Stars really were an updating of Norman Granz's JATP for a new generation. Bringing such a large entourage of stars on tour for some to do only one or two numbers seems insanely expensive these days, but it apparently paid off. This recording is fantastic — thank you for sharing it!
Thank you very much for sharing this concert and the post. Many things that I ignored about the CTI All Stars.
Listening thru the concert I've noticed that the audience booes after some tunes. Any idea why?
I've long ago given up trying to comprehend audiences.
Understandably so. Just guessing if the concert had some sort of story that could be known :-)
You've outdone yourself Bret! This article is so on point on Creed's vision to bring jazz into the future and back into the mainstream. It relates to the state of jazz radio today as well as the music which has lost its mainstream appeal. CTI was my gateway drug to the music when I was a kid. 'Have shared your piece with entire staff at WBGO FM. Well done! - Bobby Sanabria
Thanks, Bobby!
Fantastic. I was a CTI teenage fan. My favorite LP was Randy Weston's "Blue Moses," still amazing. "Moon Germs" too. Unbeatable.
Freddie and Grover play on Blue Moses. Love that.
When I was fourteen, in 1964, the classic Dave Brubeck Quartet played a concert at my high school. It was a living changing experience.