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1957, Four Portraits In Jazz: Blakey, Coltrane, Fuller, Rollins

The cover for John Coltrane's 1957 Blue Note album BLUE TRAIN.

Recently, after posting a Night Lights show about trombonist Curtis Fuller's amazing first year on record, it dawned on me that there are now four Night Lights programs devoted to the extraordinary musical times enjoyed by certain artists in that year. Put together, they form a sort of mini-series of 1957 jazz portraits, with all of the profiled artists hitting their creative stride in a significant way. You can listen to any of the shows and read the accompanying text by following the links listed below:

Rookie Of The Year: Curtis Fuller '57

Rollins '57: Sonny Rollins Takes The Lead

Trane '57: John Coltrane's Pivotal Year In Jazz

Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers: Class Of '57

I'm not sure that there are any other 1957 shows in the works-these four emerged over several years, and not as part of any particular pattern. I'm open to suggestions, though, if you'd like to either comment below or email me through the Night Lights contact form.

UPDATE: Add Ella Fitzgerald to the list.

Ella '57: Ella Fitzgerald Flies High

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