Kleinhans Music Hall Came Alive One Night In 1961 With Jazz From A Historic Lineup
On February 25, 1961, Buffalo’s Kleinhans Music Hall hosted a remarkable jazz concert presented by local promoter and radio personality Joe Rico. The event featured an impressive lineup of what later became jazz royalty: the Miles Davis Quintet, vocalist Mark Murphy, and the Jimmy Smith Organ Trio.
Imagine one night when all three appeared on the stage at Kleinhans Music Hall!
The Incredible Concert Lineup
Miles Davis Quintet:
On tour at this time, the quintet included Miles Davis on trumpet, Hank Mobley on tenor saxophone, Wynton Kelly on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Jimmy Cobb on drums. This performance occurred shortly before the recording of the album Someday My Prince Will Come, adding historical significance to their appearance in Buffalo. Mobley replaced John Coltrane who left the group in the summer of 1960 to form the John Coltrane Quartet. However, Coltrane made a cameo appearance on the title track of the then forthcoming album. Three months later, this same quintet would make a historic performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
Mark Murphy:
A native of Syracuse, New York, Murphy was gaining recognition for his innovative vocal style and had recently released the album Rah on the Riverside label, showcasing his versatility in jazz vocals. It is a high probability that Murphy sang tunes from this seminal album such as “Angel Eyes”, a version of Horace Silver’s “Doodlin”, and “Green Dolphin Street.” While there is no official record of the set list, how incredible for the audience if Mark Murphy performed Miles Davis’s composition, “Milestones,” that night on the Kleinhans Music Hall stage.
Jimmy Smith Organ Trio:
Jimmy Smith, a pioneer of the Hammond B-3 organ in jazz, was known for his soulful and blues-infused performances. His trio’s presence added a dynamic contrast to the evening’s lineup. At the time of this concert, Smith was enjoying critical acclaim for his notable album, Home Cookin’. One of the most popular tunes to come out of the album is “Groanin.” It is easy to imagine sitting in Kleinhans Music Hall hearing a live performance of this Jimmy Smith classic.
Joe Rico’s Contribution
Joe Rico was a significant figure in the jazz history of Buffalo, known for his deep passion for jazz and his efforts to bring prominent artists to the city. His promotion of this concert demonstrated his commitment to providing audiences with access to leading jazz musicians of the time.
Cultural Impact
This concert is remembered as a highlight in Buffalo’s rich jazz history, reflecting the city’s love for jazz in the early 1960s. The curating of such esteemed artists on a single stage offered a unique experience for attendees and contributed to the city’s reputation as a hub for jazz performance during the early 1960s.
While specific details of the performances that evening are scarce, the convergence of these pioneering musicians under Joe Rico’s promotion remains a significant event, illustrating the dynamic jazz presented in Buffalo during that era.
