underated jazz artists

[hardbop grandpop]

who do you think is the most underated jazz artist. my choice is tenor sax don menza. the hard driving sound this guy gets out of his horn is incredable. i am amazed he is not more famous. take a listen to him. lets have your choices. gord

[OLDUDE]

There are 3 who I have only come across recently.

Warren Vache (tr, co)
His brother, Allen (cl)
Randy Sandke (tr, co)

[teddy]

This is a hard one as , if they are underrated they are also probably very much unknown. Keep diging, we can learn a lot from this thread

teddy

[hardbop grandpop]

some jazzmen despite having great talent remain virtually unknown, because they either choose that or dont get the credit from the critics that they deserve. i could mention john eaton, johnny windhurst,johnny costa and don goldie that is just a few names that come too mind. gord

[teddy]

Unfortuneately many artists are poor business men and insist on promoting themselves rather than employ an agent. I believe John Martyn took this course and never achieved the acclaim he deserved.

teddy

[hardbop grandpop]

while playing an album by lionel hampton and charlie teagarden called the great hamp and little T i realized how underrated charlie T was. i guess jacks sister norma was also good. i am now searching for the one lp ihave she plays on, cant remember which one it is. gord

[teddy]

Julian Adderley I believe he was in his brothers shadow.

teddy

[Dorsetmike]

I think I would add to this by including some who were known but never seemed to make that headline;

Paul Quinichette on tenor sax, known in his day as Vice Prez being considered then as second only to Lester Young, how many remember him, or among the younger listeners have even heard the name.

In the same way, Mary Lou Williams, piano and at one time band leader; David Snell, harp; Bobby Donaldson, drums; Jud Proctor, guitar; George Chisholm, trombone to name a few, Buck Clayton, Trumpet, Peanuts Hucko, clarinet.

For unsung artists from the 1950s, the following appeared on some of the John Hammond produced Vanguard Jazz Showcase series; guitars, Skeeter Best, Mundell Lowe, Steve Jordan, Tommy Kay, Bass Joe Kay, Walter Page, Arnold Fishkin, drums Eddie Phyfe, Jimy Crawford, trumpet John Glasel, Al Mattalialo, Reeds, Chuck Russo, Edmund Hall, Nick Caiazza, Trombone Henderson Chambers, FRENCH HORN(!!), Jimy Buffington.

[hardbop grandpop]

one jazzman who never really got any credit was steve allen. gord

[White Knight]

Julian Adderley I believe he was in his brothers shadow.

teddy

Teddy, how are you? I just came across your post on Julian aka Cannonball Adderly. I always thought that his brother Nat (the cornet player in the quintet) was the one in Cannonball's shadow. as he was a much bigger man physically. But I could be wrong on that. Anyway,ciao for now. Steve.