Home » Jazz Musicians » Jim Manley
Jim Manley
Jim Manley: Funk Factory
by Nicholas F. Mondello
When the great Renaissance sculptor and artist Michelangelo assumed the commission to create his giant, David, he knew he was working with a piece of marble that not only had significant taroli, i.e., imperfections, but also that had been abandoned by two prior artisans. While trumpeter Jim Manley's Funk Factory might not wind up in the likes of the Louvre, this latest artistic effort from the ace trumpeter, composer--and production--master is certainly worthy of the highest artistic acclaim. It's as ...
read moreJim Manley: Chilled Brass
by Nicholas F. Mondello
Some years back as part of an iconic advertising campaign, Absolut Vodka (via its ad agency, TBWA) developed a series of magazine and poster ads that also included one dear to musicians, especially trumpeters. A gorgeous black-background shot of a gleaming silver trumpet with Absolut bottles" as its valves. It was titled Absolut Jazz." Chilled Brass from trumpeter Jim Manley is as smooth as silk and, while it might not provide you a liquid lift," it provides plenty of enjoyable ...
read moreJim Manley: Short Stories & Tall Tales
by Nicholas F. Mondello
Back in the 60s, there was a classic James Bond film starring Sean Connery entitled Goldfinger (United Artists, 1964). The key antagonist in the action-packed film was a character named Auric Goldfinger." He had less than the Midas touch. Conversely, St. Louis-based trumpeter Jim Manley does indeed have that touch as he shines on Short Stories & Tall Tales. With these stories and tales, Manley sends up a series of high-energy selections which run the gamut from ...
read moreJim Manley: Brass Poison Too
by Nicholas F. Mondello
Trumpet players who dwell in the altissimo range of the instrument face multiple dilemmas: they must maneuver the purely physical demands of playing in that extreme register (challenging), perform impeccably (difficult) and display musical grace and ease in doing so (incredibly difficult). Complicating matters, there are always the ghosts of Maynard Ferguson, Bill Chase and others lurking to offer the opportunity for fair or unfair comparisons. With Brass Poison Too, Jim Manley again demonstrates that he is ...
read moreJim Manley: Brass Poison
by Nicholas F. Mondello
Mythology and its partners--history and literature--are replete with accounts of poisonings of all kinds; romantic, political, and those unfortunately accidental. Most of these tales culminate with unhappy, tragic endings. Someone usually gets it" in the end. With Brass Poison, star trumpeter Jim Manley shrewdly plays title tongue-in-cheek, and delivers a supremely enjoyable and seductively cooking rocktail. Following up on his fine Eight (Victoria, 2008), Manley and his St. Louis- based crew grab hold of a handful of ...
read moreJim Manley: Eight
by Nicholas F. Mondello
St. Louis has generously given the music world some of its all-time great jazz musicians (OK, and great ballplayers too!)--from Miles Davis, and Clark Mumbles" Terry to two Olivers (Nelson and Lake), and many others. It could be said that the city gave these stars lovingly. With Eight, the jazz world gets yet another gift from St. Louis (in addition to baseball's Stan), who can also be respectfully and accurately designated as the man." And, here Jim Manley demonstrates why ...
read moreJim Manley: Splendor in the Brass 2
by Jack Bowers
It's not often that a sequel matches the prototype on which it was based, and even less likely that a followup may actually surpass that forerunner. But here we have one of those rare cases, wherein trumpeter Jim Manley's Splendor in the Brass 2 easily outdistances its namesake and role model (which was pretty good, by the way) as it gives the listener almost a full hour of invigorating big band jazz--and more.
There are several reasons for the improvement. ...
read moreJazz this week: Holiday shows from Kirk Whalum, Jim Manley, and more
Source:
St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
This week's schedule of jazz and creative music in St. Louis is highlighted by a lot of holiday-themed performances and several tributes marking Frank Sinatra's centenary, but there's also traditional jazz and swing, an evening of solo free improvisations, and much more. Let's go to the highlights... Wednesday, December 9 The Route 66 Jazz Orchestra plays a Christmas concert at the Ozark Theatre, and funk quartet The Service will take the stage for the first of two nights at Jazz ...
read more
Jazz This Week: Block, Gibson and Recoder, Jim Manley, Frank Catalano, Tom McDermott, Cornet Chop Suey, and More
Source:
St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
It's potentially another very busy weekend for fans for jazz and creative music in St. Louis, with so many performances, workshops and film screenings going on that yr. humble StLJN editor got a bit behind schedule and worn out just assembling the basic info for all the events of interest. So, assuming you're willing to forgive this week's relative lack of description and/or commentary, let's go to the highlights... Tonight, the Jazz at Holmes series at Washington University presents Freedom ...
read more
Old Orchard Gazebo Series to Include Jim Manley, Miss Jubilee, Erin Bode, and More
Source:
St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
The Old Orchard Gazebo Music and Movie Series is adding more jazz to its 2013 schedule. In the recent past, the free concert-and-film events - sponsored by the Old Orchard business district in Webster Groves with music programming help from Euclid Records - have included bands from a variety of genres, notably indie rock and Americana, but this year's lineup includes several acts of potential interest to local jazz fans. The 2013 schedule is: Friday, June 14: Javier Mendoza & ...
read more
Jazz This Week: Jim Manley, Christopher McBride CD Release Tour, "Artsounds" with Sylvia McNair, and More
Source:
St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
This week's calendar of live jazz and creative music in St. Louis features the debut of a St. Louis trumpeter's new band; a mini-tour through the area from a Chicago saxophonist; tributes to the music of Nancy Wilson, Miles Davis and Jimi Hendrix; and more. Let's go to the highlights... Tonight, singer Denise Thimes will take the stage at the Sheldon Concert Hall with the aforementioned Tribute to Nancy Wilson" (meaning the Nancy Wilson who recorded jazz for Capitol and ...
read more
Jim Manley Releases Brass Poison Too
Source:
St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
St. Louis trumpeter Jim Manley has released his new album Brass Poison Too as a download at the iTunes store. As the name suggests, the album (pictured) is a followup to Manley's previous release Brass Poison, and features a similar instrumental lineup, with Manley on trumpet, flugelhorn and valve trombone plus a ten-piece band, playing new arrangements of some familiar material plus three of Manley's original compositions. I think the tunes, playing, arrangements and production on this CD exceeds anything ...
read more
Jazz This Week: Peter Martin, Jim Manley, Tim Cunningham, and More
Source:
St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
While there are no major touring jazz headliners passing through St. Louis this week, there are several noteworthy shows from locally based musicians coming up over the next few days.Tonight, trombonist/bassist Wayne Coniglio will do a free concert for the Jazz at Holmes series at Washington University, while guitarist Tom Byrne's trio performs at the St. Louis Jazz Cafe.Tomorrow, pianist Peter Martin, a St. Louis native who has worked with jazz luminaries such as Dianne Reeves, ...
read more
Jim Manley Releases New CD
Source:
St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
Trumpeter Jim Manley sends word that he's got a new CD titled Eight that's now on sale via on his Web site, iTunes and Amazon MP3.In addition to Manley on trumpet, the musicians on Eight are Frank Goessler and Dan Smith, trumpets; Rob Nugent and Jason Swagler, alto saxophones; Larry Johnson and Larry Smith, tenor saxophones; Jim Owens, trombone; John Pyatt, piano; Greg Trampe, organ, strings; Travis Mattison, guitar; Zeb Briskovich, upright bass; and Joe Weber, drums.
read more
Jazz This Week: "A Soulful Christmas," Jim Manley, a Tribute to Louis Armstrong, Erin Bode, and More
Source:
St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
Although several of our town's not-for-profit presenters have already gone into holiday or, in the case of the universities, end-of-semester mode, there's still plenty of live jazz on St. Louis stages this weekend. Let's go to the highlights:Tonight, the very fine pianist Reggie Thomas leads a group featuring trumpeter Anthony Wiggins in a free concert at the Black Cat Theatre in Maplewood. The show will feature the music of Louis Armstrong, and is part of Jazz St. Louis' ...
read more