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In the late 1950s and early 1960s the folk-music movement in America hit a commercial zenith with artists such as the Kingston Trio, Joan Baez, and Peter, Paul and Mary enjoying great success–particularly on college campuses, competing with jazz as the countercultural music of choice. Several jazz artists responded to the movement with albums based around folk-music themes (although one such artist, composer and arranger John Benson Brooks, had been interested in exploring such a path since the late 1940s, and even performed a folk-jazz concert with popular folk act the Weavers at New York City’s Town Hall in 1950).
“Jazz Goes Folk” features music by unsung hardbop heroes saxophonist Harold Land and trumpeter Carmell Jones (from their LP Jazz Impressions of Folk Music, John Benson Brooks’ Folk Jazz U.S.A.. and Alabama Concerto, singer Frances Faye’s Sings Folk Songs (with a swingin’ version of “Skip to My Lou”), clarinetist Bill Smith’s Folk Jazz, and saxophonist Clifford Jordan’s Leadbelly tribute These Are My Roots, as well as recordings by jazz mavericks Fred Katz and David Amram.
Further surfing:
Jazzwax blogger Marc Myers weighs in on Brooks’ Alabama concerto.
NPR profiles Fred Katz following the 2007 reissue of his album Folk Songs for Far-Out Folk.
Original air date: June 28, 2008
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