Jun 10, 2025 4:13 PM
Theo Croker’s Dream … Manifested!
Partway through his early set at Smoke Jazz Club, Theo Croker blinks the room back into focus. He leans over the piano.…
Chicago clarinetist and baritone saxophonist Frank Chace died Friday, Dec. 28, 2007. He was 83.
Chace was influenced by Pee Wee Russell and was on the Chicago traditional jazz scene for decades. He was featured on Dewey Jackson’s 1952 Live At The Barrel, recently released by Delmark.
Chace was born July 22, 1924, in Chicago. He went to Yale for a year before being drafted in 1943. He first recorded in 1951 on a few 78s introducing Marty Grosz on the Jolly Roger label. Chace also appeared on a Savoy album by Wild Bill Davidson.
After returning to Chicago he played with the Salty Dogs at the Blue Note, now available on a Windin’ Ball CD, then did another Windin’ Ball date with Natty Dominique, Floyd O’Brien, Lil Armstrong, Israel Crosby and Baby Dodds.
He recorded for Soma with Doc Evans in 1957 and later appeared on Atlantic in a Chicago Jazz Summit with Wild Bill Davidson, Eddie Condon and Art Hodes. Sessions recorded by John Steiner with Jabbo Smith have recently been acquired by GHB.
Chace also appeared on a Dave Remington Jubilee album, Chicago Jazz Reborn. He also was featured on a 1957 Riverside session with Marty Grosz, Hooray For Bix! and a 1967 session for Jim Kweskin Jump For Joy!.
To record Dream Manifest (Dom Recs), Croker convened artists from his current and recent past ensembles, plus special guests.
Jun 10, 2025 4:13 PM
Partway through his early set at Smoke Jazz Club, Theo Croker blinks the room back into focus. He leans over the piano.…
“There’s nothing quite like it,” Springs says of working with an orchestra. “It’s 60 people working in harmony in the moment. Singing with them is kind of empowering but also humbling at the same time.”
Jun 17, 2025 11:12 AM
When it came time to pose for the cover of her new album, Lady In Satin — a tribute to Billie Holiday’s 1958…
James Brandon Lewis earned honors for Artist of the Year and Tenor Saxophonist of the Year. Three of his recordings placed in the Albums of the Year category.
Jul 17, 2025 12:44 PM
You see before you what we believe is the largest and most comprehensive Critics Poll in the history of jazz. DownBeat…
Galper was often regarded as an underrated master of his craft.
Jul 22, 2025 10:58 AM
Hal Galper, a pianist, composer and arranger who enjoyed a substantial performing career but made perhaps a deeper…
Chuck Mangione on the cover of the May 8, 1975, edition of DownBeat.
Jul 29, 2025 1:00 PM
Chuck Mangione, one of the most popular trumpeters in jazz history, passed away on July 24 at home in Rochester, New…
