Jazz Unlimited for June 8 will feature “The Music of Shorty Rogers.” Trumpeter, composer arranger Shorty Rogers was born Milton Rajonsky in 1924 I Great Barrington, Massachusetts. He was involved in drum and bugle corps at an early age. Following graduation from high school, he became a professional musician, working with Will Bradley, Red Norvo and Woody Herman. Moving to Los Angeles, he worked with Stan Kenton and joined the Lighthouse All-Stars. Rogers was one of the architects of the “West Coast Jazz” style and for the 1950’s was known as an avant-gardist. He also had a studio career, participating in 459 jazz recordings with 82 as a leader. By late 1961, Rogers had given up performing and worked as a composer-arranger in films and television. He began performing again in 1982 and worked until his death in 1994. Shorty Rogers will be heard with his own groups and big band, Red Norvo, Woody Herman, Jimmy Giuffre, Shelly Manne and Art Pepper, among others. His compositions and arrangements will also be played by Serge Chaloff, Buddy Rich, Wes Montgomery and Terry Gibbs.
The Slide Show has images of some of the musicians heard on tonight's show.
The Archive of this show will be available until the morning of June 16. 2014.
This a 1962 video of Shorty Rogers and His Giants playing "Martians Go Home." Shorty Rogers (flhrn) Gary Lefebvre (flute) Lou Levy (p) Gary Peacock (b) Larry Bunker (d)
