Playing with James Moody is like playing with a continuation of myself.
It was an unforgettable week of music at the Blue Note in New York City, March 2005, celebrating the legendary saxophonist & flutist James Moody's 80th birthday. 80 Years Young documents the grand finale of that week, now released for the first time and in celebration of the 100th anniversary of his birth. The club was buzzing that night with jazz legends, sports figures, TV personalities, and alive with love, joy, and the heartbeat of a community united in reverence for a great American cultural icon. Supporting Moody were Jon Faddis, Randy Brecker, Paquito D'Rivera, and Slide Hampton, with David Hazeltine and Cedar Walton on piano, bassist Todd Coolman, and drummer Adam Nussbaum, with a brief introduction by jazz impresario George Wein. Featured in the set was "Moody's Mood for Love," over a half-century since it was a major hit for King Pleasure and Moody's signature tune over the decades. 80 Years Young is a powerful reminder of the lasting impact of his music and exudes the deep joyful connection he created with colleagues and audiences throughout his six-decade career.
Track Listing:
1 Introduction - George Wein 0:18
2 Benny's from Heaven 10:56
3 Cherokee 7:53
4 Moody's Mood for Love / The Television Rap 4:32
5 Moody Speaks 0:53
6 Birks' Works 13:44
7 Bebop 13:55
8 Happy Birthday 0:31
9 Ow 9:04
10 Centerpiece / Every Day I Have the Blues* 8:53
11 Darben, the Redd Foxx* 8:03
12 Polka Dots and Moonbeams* 6:02
13 St. Thomas* 7:02
*Bonus digital-only tracks
Performers:
James Moody - tenor saxophone, flute, voice
David Hazeltine - piano
Todd Coolman - bass
Adam Nussbaum - drums
Jon Faddis - trumpet (6-9)
Paquito D'Rivera - clarinet, alto saxophone (6-9)
Slide Hampton - trombone (6-9)
Randy Brecker - flugelhorn (7-9)
Cedar Walton - piano (9)
George Wein - MC
Roberta Gambarini - voice (10,12*)
Satoshi Inoue - guitar (13*)
Production Info:
Produced by Linda Moody
Recorded by Steve Remote, Aura Sonic
at Blue Note Jazz Club, New York, New York
on March 26, 2005
Mixed & mastered by Paul Wickliffe
at Skyline Productions, Inc, South Orange, NJ
Photography by Dino Perrucci
Cover design & layout by John Bishop
Reviews of 80 Years Young: Live at the Blue Note, March 26, 2005
Paris Move (Thierry De Clemensat)
James Moody, the late jazz legend who left us in 2010, endures as one of the towering figures of 20th-century jazz. His long-time collaborator and friend Dizzy Gillespie once said, "Playing with James Moody is like playing with an extension of myself."
This concert opens with "Benny's From Heaven", a joyful number that features Moody's voice a r ...
Jazz'halo (Belgium) (Ferdinand Dupuis-Panther)
Short introduction to the current album from the point of view of Origin Records: "It was an unforgettable week of music at the Blue Note in New York City, March 2005, celebrating the legendary saxophonist & flutist James Moody's 80th birthday. 80 Years Young documents the grand finale of that week, now released for the first time and in celebratio ...
Jazz Weekly (George W Harris)
The first half of the party is all Moody, and it's a hoot, as he sings and plays through the humorous "Benny's From Heaven", vocaleses on ‘Moody's Mood For Love/The Television Rap" and floats with his flute on the bopper "Cherokee". With the invited hitting the stage, Faddis and Hampton are in to form on "Birk's Works", Walton joins in the jam wi ...
