Whispering Braff 1989

Together with the Newport All Stars rhythm group Ruby Braff and Howard Alden are featured in Whispering. Recorded during the 1989 Bern Jazz Festival

Cornet master with a distinctive voice
by Kenny Mathieson
Ruby Braff began his jazz career as an out-of-time traditionalist playing with veteran jazzmen of an earlier age, and rose to establish his own standing as one of the handful of leading artists playing in traditional and mainstream idioms.

He was born Reuben Braff in Boston, and was self-taught on his instrument. He said that he wanted to play saxophone, but his father bought him a cornet instead. His trumpet style, which largely eschewed high-note pyrotechnics in favour of a softer exploration of the middle and bottom registers of the instrument, reflected that original love of reed rather than brass sonorities.

His loyalty to traditional jazz at a time when the focus had shifted to more modern styles starved him of work for a time in the Fifties, but he returned to prominence with an All-Star touring band created by pianist and jazz impresario George Wein. Wein remained a loyal backer of the cornetist, and featured him regularly on his international tour and festival circuit.

In the Eighties and Nineties he made a series of recordings for the major mainstream jazz labels Concord Jazz and Arbors, and formed highly-regarded duo partnerships with pianists like Mel Powell, Ralph Sutton, Dick Hyman, Ellis Larkins and Roger Kellaway.

That pattern of alienating those around him was repeated on many occasions. Braff may have made some of the most beautiful music in jazz, but his own character was precisely the opposite. He was notorious for his abrasive and insulting behaviour to other musicians, promoters and even fans, a tendency made all the worse by his failing health over many years (he suffered from emphysema, glaucoma and heart problems).

The Very Thought of You Braff Ruby 1989

Thomas P. Hustad, a professor at the Indiana University wrote me and told me that he enjoyed many of my postings . He also mentioned that he is in the process of writing a book about Ruby Braff's career, together with a discography and performance directory. The 500 page book will be published by Dan Morgenstein and Ed Burger in a series with Scarecrow press.
Although he uncovered considerable information about Ruby's life and performances,
he wondered if I would perhaps be able to supply him with additional information.
From what I have I don't think I can help Tom very much. However, Tom helped me with musicians' names in some of the videos and for that very much thanks.
Next to Whispering, which I had posted before, I had kind of forgotten about another four tunes from this concert in Bern in 1989 that I had hidden somewhere in my video jazz collection. So here they are! Thanks Tom.
These were recorded in the Kursaal in Bern, Switzerland on April 29, 1989.
Ruby Braff, cornet, Howard Alden, guitar, Gray Sargent, guitar, Eddy Jones, bass and Oliver Jackson, drums. At the end of the broadcast tenor saxophonist Scott Hamilton and pianist George Wein were invited to join and they played a few chorusses of "I never knew" after which the end credits came up.
Ruby Braff was such an inspiring voice on cornet and every time it is such a thrill not just to hear him play, but also to see his facial expressions on video. I thought there should have been much more of Ruby on film, but just too bad there obviously isn't . Let's be very grateful for the German, the Swiss and the Danish TV broadcasters who had the foresight to film some of Ruby's performances.

Ghost of a Chance A Braff Ruby 1989

These were recorded in the Kursaal in Bern, Switzerland on April 29, 1989.
Ruby Braff, cornet, Howard Alden, guitar, Gray Sargent, guitar, Eddy Jones, bass and Oliver Jackson, drums.

You're a Lucky Guy Braff Ruby 1989

These were recorded in the Kursaal in Bern, Switzerland on April 29, 1989.
Ruby Braff, cornet, Howard Alden, guitar, Gray Sargent, guitar, Eddy Jones, bass and Oliver Jackson, drums

I Never Knew Braff Ruby 1989

Thomas P. Hustad, a professor at the Indiana University wrote me last night and told me that he enjoyed many of my postings . He also mentioned that he is in the process of writing a book about Ruby Braff's career, together with a discography and performance directory. The 500 page book will be published by Dan Morgenstein and Ed Burger in a series with Scarecrow press.
Although he uncovered considerable information about Ruby's life and performances,
he wondered if I would perhaps be able to supply him with additional information.
From what I have I don't think I can help Tom very much. However, Tom helped me with musicians' names in some of the videos and for that very much thanks.
Next to Whispering, which I had posted before, I had kind of forgotten about another four tunes from this concert in Bern in 1989 that I had hidden somewhere in my video jazz collection. So here they are! Thanks Tom.
These were recorded in the Kursaal in Bern, Switzerland on April 29, 1989.
Ruby Braff, cornet, Howard Alden, guitar, Gray Sargent, guitar, Eddy Jones, bass and Oliver Jackson, drums. At the end of the broadcast tenor saxophonist Scott Hamilton and pianist George Wein were invited to join and they played a few chorusses of "I never knew" after which the end credits came up.
Ruby Braff was such an inspiring voice on cornet and every time it is such a thrill not just to hear him play, but also to see his facial expressions on video. I thought there should have been much more of Ruby on film, but just too bad there obviously isn't . Let's be very grateful for the German, the Swiss and the Danish TV broadcasters who had the foresight to film some of Ruby's performances.

Them there eyes Braff/ Hyman

Two world class musicians and improvisors doing a concert somerwhere in Britain somewhere in the early nineties. Ruby Braff on cornet and Dick Hyman on a Wurlitzer organ.

Louisiana Braff/Hyman

Two world class musicians and improvisors doing a concert somerwhere in Britain somewher in the early nineties. Ruby Braff on cornet and Dick Hyman on a Wurlitzer organ.
Dick Hyman (born March 8, 1927, New York City) is an American jazz pianist/keyboardist and composer best known for his versatility with jazz piano styles. Over a 50 year career he has functioned as pianist, organist, arranger, music director, and, increasingly, as composer. His versatility in all of these areas has resulted in well over 100 albums recorded under his own name and many more in support of other artists.
Reuben "Ruby" Braff (March 16, 1927 -- February 9, 2003) was an American jazz cornetist.
Braff was born in Boston. He was renowned for working in an idiom ultimately derived from the playing of Louis Armstrong and Bix Beiderbecke.
He began playing in local clubs in the 1940's. In 1949, he was hired to play with the Edmond Hall Orchestra at the Savoy Cafe of Boston. He relocated to New York in 1953 where he was much in demand for band dates and recordings.

High Society Braff/Hyman

Two world class musicians and improvisors doing a concert somerwhere in Britain somewher in the early nineties. Ruby Braff on cornet and Dick Hyman on a Wurlitzer organ.

When I Fall in Love Braff/Hyman

Two world class musicians and improvisors doing a concert somerwhere in Britain somewher in the early nineties. Ruby Braff on cornet and Dick Hyman on a Wurlitzer organ.

It's Only a Papermoon Braff Ruby Trio 1991

Master cornettist Ruby Braff was invited to perform at the Brecon Jazz Festival in England in 1991. He appeared with a fine trio, Ruby on cornet. Howard Alden on guitar and Frank Tate on bass. I received this clip from a jazz collector in Austria

Miss Brown to You Braff Ruby 1991

Miss Brown to You. A 1991 clip with cornetist Ruby Braff at the Brecon Jazz Festival in G.B. Howard Alden is on guitar and Frank Tate on bass.

Lonely Moments Braff Ruby 1991

The fascinating trio of Ruby Braff performs at the British Brecon Jazz Festival in 1991.
Ruby cornet, together with Howard Alden guitar and Frank Tate on bass play a composition from the famous American pianist Mary Lou Williams.
This is a tune called "Lonely Moments"
After an interesting introduction they swing through this nice 32 bar tune in F minor. In the middle part it releases to major and falls back to minor for the last 8 bars. This is one of these structures which are wonderful to improvise in and Braff and his team do an absolute superb job.

You Can depend on Me Braff Ruby /Pee Wee Russell 1962

Ruby Braff and Pee Wee Russell in performance at the 1962 Newport Jazz Festival. From a film of this festival the producer slipped in just 4 chorusses with a solo by Ruby and one by Pee Wee. Marshall Brown is on Valve Trombone and John Neves on Bass
The drummer looks like Buzzy Drootin and the pianist probably is George Wein. George after all was the producer of the festival and he must have prompted the fim maker to put at least the most important part of at least one tune in the film reportage.