LET'S HEAR IT FOR JACKIE MCLEAN!

Jackie McLean (1931-2006)

That saxophonist Jackie McLean doesn't have the same kind of name recognition as other sax greats like John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, Julian "Cannonball" Adderley, Ornette Coleman and Branford Marsalis is an indication that something is terribly wrong in the music appreciation world.  Maybe it's because he doesn't have a "Giant Steps"—aka, an instantly recognizable magnum opus that changed jazz forever.  True, but that doesn't really matter.   McLean's gorgeous sax can be heard on so many landmark jazz albums.  Here are some of my favorite examples.

"Blues and Roots" by Charles Mingus

Cornbread by Lee Morgan

Cool Struttin' by Sonny Clark

A lot of people know those records.  If you don't, take a hint—it's time.  Though he's a sideman on these three albums, his sax is the lead or most prominent instrument on so many of the tracks that you could easily mistake him for the bandleader.  True story, Corey.

AMBIENT 1: MUSIC FOR AIRPORTS BY BRIAN ENO

Ambient 1: Music For Airports by Brian Eno

There's a man named Keyth who lives and works in my neighborhood.  He isn't a friend, relative or even an acquaintance.  I know Keyth because he set up a security system in my parent's house.  You see, Keyth is a locksmith and I find that mildly funny because his name is practically made for his occupation.  It's like, if my name was Joe and I made coffee for a living.  

What does this have to do with anything? 

Brian Eno's 1978 album Ambient 1: Music For Airports is the musical equivalent of my Keyth story.  There has probably never been an album whose title indicates exactly what the music is meant for.  But Music For Airports is literally that.  There's nothing ambiguous about it, because it is played 24/7 at the Marine Air Terminal at Laguardia airport in New York.  I think that might mean that Music For Airports is the most played album in all of New York City—or certainly all of Queens! 

Rumor has it Brian Eno came up with this concept while—get this!—sitting at the terminal of an airport.  He wanted to create an album that could alleviate the anxiety commonly associated with flying.  It certainly helps.  The music, which is made up of mostly pianos and synthesizers is so deceptively simple that you'd think there'd be millions upon millions of albums like this.  There could be, but I don't know of any.  Even when you're not in the airport, the album makes you see calming images of planes and clouds, bringing you into a heavenly sort of apathy.  It's fantastic music to sleep to and I put it on often.

P.S. You can often hear pieces from Music For Airports on NPR's This American Life.

Ambient 1: Music For Airports by Brian Eno:

ALBUMS BY JACKIE MCLEAN AND GRACHAN MONCUR III

The vibraphone usually sounds playful, classy and friendly.  Who knew it could sound so menacing?  The following two albums are particularly eerie collaborations between saxophonist Jackie McLean and vibraphonist Grachan Moncur III.  On one album, trumpeter Lee Morgan makes an appearance.  It makes for very trippy and psychedelic mood music, perfect for those solitary moments of introspection.  I also suspect it is the perfect music for crazy people who are planning a murder!  Highly recommended (spooky) listening.

Destination Out by Jackie McLean (feat. Grachan Moncur III)

Evolution by Grachan Moncur III (feat. Jackie McLean)