Special Episode: Jazz Loft Jam Sessions

Few people in history had as much access to the greatest jazz musicians of our time as W. Eugene Smith. The famous LIFE magazine photographer moved in 1957 to a rundown, bohemian loft on 6th avenue, in the heart of Manhattan’s Flower District. During this time, the likes of Thelo ...  Show more

Before photographer W. Eugene Smith lived in a rundown loft in the thick of New York’s jazz scene, he lived in another world. A native Kansan who earned a scholarship to Notre Dame, Smith was a staff photographer for LIFE magazine -- considered photojournalism's top job in an era ...  Show more

Brad Gowans was better known as a valve trombonist and arranger, but he was an adept clarinetist who was initially inspired by the first jazz records by the Original Dixieland Jazz Band. He brought trombonist Eddie Edwards, pianist Frank Signorelli and drummer/kazoo player Tony S ...  Show more

The Scots-born trumpeter Jimmy Deucher was a force on the British jazz scene from the late 1940's until the 1980's, playing in big bands, arranging and composing. Here are two early (1955, 56) sessions for Tempo featuring his arrangements and playing with trombonist Ken W ...  Show more

Bob Crosby and His Orchestra carved a pretty unique career for itself in the Swing Era - specializing in tunes from the previous decade done up in swing clothes, the chief arrangers were clarinetist Matty Matlock and bassist Bob Haggart. Here is a selection of Haggart's arrangeme ...  Show more

Some of the first records under Turk Murphy's name done for Good Time Jazz in 1950 and 51 . . featuring at various times Bob Scobey, Don Kinch, Bill Napier, Bob Helm. Skippy Anderson, Wally Rose, Burt Bales, Pat Patton, George Bruns, Squire Girshback and others, these were hi ...  Show more