This edition of Pate’s Place we honor the man who was the father of the jazz organ – Jimmy Smith. He has a birthday coming up soon: born on December 8, 1925 (or maybe 1928) and died on February 8, 2005. Click here to read more about him. Midnight Special on Fourmost and My Romance [...]

Born November 23, 1925, Johnny Mandel is one of the greatest melodic film composers of our time. Here at Pate’s place we’re wish him a very happy 85th birthday and hope that you will join us and enjoy the wonderful works of Johnny Mandel. The Shadow of Your Smile by Tony Bennett on his Movie [...]

Shirley died five years ago today (5/1/1934 – 10/20/2005). Come Dance With Me on You Won’t Forget Me and Someone You’ve Loved on Travelin’ Light There’s A Boat That’s Leaving on Loads Of Love * and Confession on Travelin’ Light *Loads of Love and Shirley With Horns are now available on a single CD. Wouldn’t [...]

Bill Charlap turns 44 this month (October 15th). On A Slow Boat To China and The Man That Got Away both on Written In The Stars Rocker on Live At The Village Vanguard All Across The City and The Lady Is a Tramp both on Live at the Village Vanguard Pure Imagination and Put On [...]

Pianist, music arranger, composer and conductor Torrie Zito would have celebrated his 77th birthday this month (October 12, 1933 – December 3, 2009). Old Man River on Live At Town Hall by Gene Harris & the Philip Morris Superband and Dindi by Morgana King on the Complete Reprise Recordings Do You Know What It Means [...]

Scott’s birthday (September 12, 1954) – let’s celebrate! Raincheck on Jazz Signatures and My Foolish Heart on With Strings By The River St. Marie on Nocturnes & Serenades and Goodbye Mr. Evans on With Strings When Lights Are Low on Jazz Signatures and Chelsea Bridge on Nocturnes & Serenades Move on Jazz Signatures and Man [...]

DINAH WASHINGTON & CHARLIE “BIRD” PARKER both have birthdays on August 29th. Dinah was four years younger than Bird, and both died very young – he at age 34, she at 39. Bird, born in 1920, would have been 90 years old and the representatives of his estate maintain an official website – click here. [...]

John Celebrates a birthday on August 20th. Can’t think of a better way to celebrate than to listen! Shout Me Out played by the Clayton Hamilton Orchestra, it’s the title track ~~ Sunday sung by Carmen McRae on her Dream of Life CD Take the ‘A’ Train on the Clayton-Hamilton Orchestra’s Heart & Soul recording [...]

One of the finest guitarists of our time — the wonderful Kenny Burrell. (Celebrating his July 31st birthday – Happy Birthday, Kenny!) Asphalt Canyon Blues on Asphalt Canyon Suite Breadwinner on Guitar Forms Old Folks on Tin Tin Deo Mood & Sand on Guitar Forms Tenderly on Laid Back Con Alma on Ode to 52nd [...]

This gentleman left an indelible stamp in the world of jazz. Pates Place pays tribute to Miles Davis. So What! and Blue In Green both on Kind of Blue Miles Ahead the title track, of course, on Miles Ahead The Duke on Miles Ahead It Ain’t Necessarily So Summertime There’s a Boat That’s Leavin’ – [...]