The Denver Post
bret saunders: jazz Saxman's role as himself in "Terminal" opened doors Sunday, January 16, 2005 - Saxophonist Benny Golson didn't believe that Steven Spielberg really wanted him to appear in a Tom Hanks film he was directing." I was in Europe. My office called and said that he (Spielberg) wanted to know if I was interested," said Golson, who plays Mount Vernon Country Club on Thursday. "I initially told them (his office) no." This jazz journeyman turned down Hollywood's best-known director?
Well, not exactly. "I'd been called by other directors in the past, and when I
showed up, there were 10 other guys competing for the same role,"
he said. "I was never chosen. But when I talked to him (Spielberg),
he said he wanted me to portray myself." It turns out that a college-age Spielberg saw him perform and remained
a fan over the course of his career. Years later, Spielberg contacted
Golson to give him a small but pivotal role in last years' "The Terminal." "I don't think I'll get the Academy Award," the soft- spoken
Golson said. But his appearance has led to a new wave of recognition. "Now I'm turning down work," said Golson, 75, who has remained
consistently busy for at least the past 50 years. An alumnus of Lionel
Hampton, Dizzy Gillespie and Art Blakey's bands, with a distinctive, breathy
tone and an inexhaustible supply of melodic inspiration, Golson continues
his remarkable life as an improvising artist and composer. He grew up in Philadelphia as a neighbor to saxophonist John Coltrane.
The two even played in the same group together, "Jimmy Johnson and
the Ambassadors." Golson went on to a successful career in Hollywood,
composing scores for television series like "M*A*S*H" and "The
Partridge Family." Golson also experienced a successful run as a jingle writer for ad
campaigns, including ones for Chevrolet, Pepsi-Cola and Ore-Ida Frozen
Potatoes, likely making him one of the most listened-to composers of the
'60s and '70s. But much of his finest recorded jazz work has long been
unavailable. Fortunately, the mail order label Mosaic Records recently issued
the 7-CD "Complete Argo/Mercury Art Farmer-Benny Golson Jazztet Sessions"
box. It includes the saxophonists' timeless dates that were committed
to tape from 1960-62 as co-leader of The Jazztet with the late trumpeter
Farmer, whose fluid tone made for an ideal sonic union with Golson's easygoing
approach. Golson wasn't involved with the assembly of the box, though. "I
haven't listened to all of it yet," he said. "But it's very
nostalgic to hear it." There's new Benny Golson music, as well. "Terminal 1" (Concord)
features catchy compositions like "Caribbean Drifting." Songs
from Golson's pen that have become jazz standards, "Killer Joe"
and "Blues March," are revisited, and judging by Golson's vigorous
solos, he still holds great enthusiasm for his own durable songbook. Golson has been playing live more (he'll be back in Colorado this
April for the UNC-Greeley Jazz Festival) and composing for television
and film less, but he still offers some insight on how, from his perspective,
to recognize a superior work of filmmaking. "When you see a picture and you notice a lot of music in it,
the film's not too good. A great picture doesn't need a lot of music.
Remember that." Benny Golson will perform Jan. 20 at 8 p.m. at Mount Vernon Country
Club, 24933 Clubhouse Circle in Golden. A buffet dinner will be available
at 6 p.m. Dinner and concert tickets are $39.95, concert only tickets
are $15. Call 303-526-0616. Set
list
Hear Dave Corbus at Sambuca Jazz Café Saturday ... the local trio
Triangle, with Art Lande, Erik Deutsch and Doug Anderson plays a free
show at Boulder's Redfish on Wednesday ... Bob Dorough makes a rare Colorado
appearance at Dazzle on Thursday ... Bobby McFerrin celebrates the human
voice at DU's Gates Concert Hall Jan. 25 and CU's Macky Auditorium Jan.
27 ... Altitude Sports and Entertainment Network will film a live performance
by Denver's Dotsero at Jazz@Jack's Jan. 29 ... Swinging Jazz Concerts
return to the Donald R. Seawell Grand Ballroom Jan. 28-29, with cornetist
Dan Barrett, drummer Jake Hanna and more ... Liquid Soul plays jumping
funky jazz at the Fox Theatre Feb. 1. Bret Saunders' column on jazz appears every other Sunday in A&E. Saunders is host of the "KBCO Morning Show," 5:30-10 a.m. weekdays at 97.3-FM. |