Cadillac gears up for its 50th

Venerable UK jazz indie Cadillac established by John Jack and Mike Westbrook in 1973 marks its 50th in 2023. Anniversary activity will include a first time on CD remastered with extra tracks and new notes version of the rarity Joy (1976) featuring saxophonist Chris Francis, trumpeter Jim Dvorak, pianist Frank Roberts, bassist Ernest Mothle and drummer Keith Bailey. Label head Mike Gavin notes in a press release: ''Designer Frode Sorensen has reworked the famous Cadillac logo for the anniversary - cleaning it up and giving it a modern spin - and we’ll be celebrating with a selection of reissues from our back catalogue and some live shows later in the year. A vehicle initially intended to release Mike Westbrook’s albums when, as part of a wider malaise that affected jazz in the mid-70s, the major labels that had supported the new generation of artists withdrew into the conservative, money-minded cul-de-sac that has in retrospect proved their downfall. John Jack took the opportunity offered and ran with it in characteristic fashion, fashioning a boutique label that reflected his wide tastes and anarchic personality.

''From his old friends Ken Colyer and Stan Tracey, to albums by modern tyros Frank Lowe, David Murray and up and coming UK artists Joy, Andy Sheppard & Hornweb, the only rationale was the musical one. When Cadillac Music & Publishing owner John Jack died on 7 September 2017 he was still working on a number of projects for release on the label. In order to bring some of these projects into the light Cadillac will continue to trade as a label, reissuing out of print recordings and bringing out never before issued gems from Cadillac’s dusty archive.''

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FURTHER READING and LISTENING:

Cadillac's 5 star for the ages Evan Parker release All Knavery and Collusion in focus (2021)
Now's The Time

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Early-2023 releases continue to flood in. And certainly among the most ear catching incredibly seizing the straightahead day sounds to submerge ourselves completely in are heard on Far Far Away from alto saxophonist Jim Snidero featuring Kurt Rosenwinkel superb recently on Berlin Baritone. Snidero pushes from the centre moving outerwards in ever increasing circles and if you are into Greg Abate and the much missed Richie Cole then the 64-year-old Snidero making records for decades and as an educator the author of several books including The Essence of Bebop is of course for you.

Start in his discography with While Your [sic] Here. Bass great Peter Washington who is with Snidero on Far Far Away was also on that 1990s-era quartet release and who was magnificent a year ago within the Bill Charlap trio on I'll Know.

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Carving out new lexicographies somehow within the vast databanks of the post-bop dictionary, with Snidero are guitar icon Rosenwinkel and the altoist's acclaimed Deer Head Inn band - ex-The Bad Plus pianist Orrin Evans who also was significant on classic JD Allen album Bloom, Washington and swinger's swinger drummer Joe Farnsworth.

The album out on the Savant label includes Snidero originals plus Oscar Hammerstein II and Richard Rodgers' 'It Might As Well Be Spring' from the film State Fair (1945) and a beautiful version of The Real McCoy classic 'Search For Peace' by McCoy Tyner.

Snidero toured in the orchestra of Frank Sinatra from 1991-5. Listen to Sinatra's Don Costa conducted Sinatra & Strings version from 1962.

We'll bring you more reactions to the record when it's out in early-February. For now jump up to speed with last year's standards bedecked Live at The Deer Head Inn - the Deer Head a pilgrimage for Keith Jarrett fans everywhere given that Jarrett with Gary Peacock and Paul Motian recorded classic 1990s album At the Deer Head Inn at the Pennsylvanian spot 40 or so miles from Allentown where the pianist was born. Jarrett and Snidero's Deer Head albums share 'Bye Bye Blackbird' in common.

Jim Snidero, photo: John Rogers

Cadillac gears up for its 50th

Seizing the Jim Snidero day