Prince Shell: Arizona Jazz Royalty State, a Black College, Where He Performed with and Arranged for the Tennessee State Collegians Big Band
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The newsletter of Jazz In AZ, devoted to supporting the art of LIVE JAZZ and cultivating interest in jazz through youth education, scholarship opportunities and community outreach VOL XXVII, NUMBER 4 MAY-JUNE 2006 Arthur Hill. After graduation in 1946, he enrolled for two years at Tennessee Prince Shell: Arizona jazz royalty State, a black college, where he performed with and arranged for the Tennessee State Collegians big band. By Patricia Myers An article by Andrew L. Goodrich in the International Jazz Archives Jazz in Arizona's 2006 Lifetime Vol. II No. 2 Fall 1999-2000 stated: "Prince Shell, who is now an Achievement Award was presented to accomplished arranger in his own right, was a young precocious arranger for Prince Shell, longtime Phoenix pianist, the orchestra (Tennessee State Collegians), experimenting with new sounds composer and arranger, at the annual and new techniques in providing the special music for this unique group. From meeting on April 23. the very beginning this group was a hit. It developed into a professional or “The Jazz in Arizona Inc. board commercial organization prepared to play engagements all over the country." of directors considered several jazz After touring the Midwest with tenor saxophonist Gene Ammons, musicians and their individual efforts on Shell performed in various bands at the legendary Apollo Theater in New York behalf of the Arizona jazz experience,” City, the Fox in Detroit, the Regal in Chicago and the Howard in Washington, said Gerry Reynolds, president. “Prince sharing the bill with and writing arrangements for stars such as Aretha Shell was selected this year because of the Franklin, Gladys Knight, The Four Tops, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, and Photo by Johnny Toney diversity and depth of his contributions as Smokey Robinson & the Miracles. He soon returned to his adopted state to Dennis Rowland (Left) presents a pianist, composer, arranger and mentor.” nurture his devotion to jazz, inspiring others to continue the tradition. Prince Shell with the JiA Lifetime Previous winners of the award Achievement Award. were Armand Boatman, Dave Cook, Keith Greko and Nadine Jansen. The honor Special Message from our outgoing President recognizes those who have created, shared and/or preserved the legacy of jazz by making significant contributions in Arizona. JiA Leaders Needed Now! Since the 1970s, Shell's works have been performed by Arizona jazz ensembles. Local singers have gone to him for vocal charts, and By Gerry Reynolds musicians have sought him for both musical inspiration and spiritual I recently read in the Republic newspaper about how philanthropists are having more involvement in their guidance. gift-giving. Up until now, they have had relatively little Five years ago, an ensemble was organized with the sole purpose of buy-in with organizations. But it now appears they also performing this irreplaceable library of music, which was being archived by want a hand in how their contributions are being spent. guitarist Ted Goddard. Prince Shell and the Ted Goddard 10tet perform Shell's Perhaps it is a sign of the times. Whatever, I certainly understand why original compositions as well as new arrangements of familiar favorites, many they are doing this. What individual wants to write a check without heard on “Speculation,” the 10tet's CD that features Shell playing piano on having a say in how his or her contribution will benefit a cherished cause. nine tracks. The paper described this as "hands-on philanthropy." There's As a pianist, Shell selects notes sparingly, each chosen to express direct partner involvement to make sure that intellectual capital is rather than impress. His style is understated elegance, more Thelonious Monk invested along with the financial capital. I see this as the new face of than Art Tatum but similarly injected with wit, creativity and spontaneity. leadership in an organization. In essence, givers are now putting their money where their mouths (good intentions) are - - they have taken on Prince Shell's six decades of musicianship began with playing piano some of the leadership for the organization in return for their gift. and arranging in high school and college, a talent that escalated when he Individual givers do, perhaps, have more influence on what became chief arranger for the Air Force Band in the 1950s. an organization does with its money than do major granting He first arrived in Phoenix in 1949, then joined the Air Force in organizations, because he or she exercises leadership by getting more 1955 and became chief arranger for its dance band. In the 1960s, he toured the directly involved in administering the gift. United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Scotland, England, British You have probably already guessed where I'm going with Columbia, the Fiji Islands and Hawaii with singer-songwriter Gene this. Jazz in AZ needs more members who will serve on the board of McDaniels, who wrote "Feel Like Makin' Love" and "Compared to What?" directors -- those who are willing to contribute their intellectual capital (made famous by Eddie Harris and Les McCann). along with some of their financial capital. By doing this, they will help Shell returned to Phoenix in 1971, performing with many Valley steer the organization in the direction of their best intentions. groups, including Dave Cook's Vanguard and Francine Reed and Monopoly. Please contact our executive director, Joel Robin Goldenthal He also led his own bands and accompanied touring artists. He continued to at 602-750-7045 or [email protected] to get more information on how compose and write arrangements, including those for the legendary “Roots of you can contribute to the growth of Jazz in AZ through philanthropy, Jazz” series in 1980-81. Other charts have been featured in concerts at Berklee leadership, or both. Thank you for you kind consideration. College of Music in Boston and the New England Conservatory of Music. Shell was born in Lott, Texas, on Dec. 31, 1928. He took piano JiA Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Prince Shell - page 1 lessons for a year, but said he learned mostly by listening to swing bands on the I radio and boogie-woogie and the blues on the jukebox at his aunt's café. After JiA Sunday party May 21 with Aebi-Coulson and Eddie Boh Paris - page 3 his family moved to Chicago, he studied trumpet, alto sax and valve trombone, N JiA “Catch A Rising Star” summer series at ASU Kerr Cultural Center, even though he had been playing piano in high school groups. June 14, 28 and July 12, 26 - page 5 He attended high school in Texas before moving to Chicago for his senior year at DuSable High School, where he played valve trombone. His S JiA Sunday party June 25 with Richie Oropeza & Friends - page 6 band director was Walter Dyett, who also taught such jazz luminaries as Clifford Jordan, Johnny Griffin, Gene Ammons, Nat Cole, Dorothy Donegan, I West Valley jazz scene continues to thrive - page 7 Richard Davis and Sun Ra. Award-winning column, ‘ Riffs: News from Out & About’ - page 9 As a student, Shell performed with Davis, Bob Cranshaw and D Complete listing of live jazz venues throughout the Valley - page 11 Please visit our website: www.jazzinaz.org E Calendar of live jazz concerts and events - page 14 2 March-April 2006 JAZZ NOTES Special Thanks to JIA Business Members ASU’s Kerr Cultural Center Nannette Taylor - 480-596-2660 The Jazz In AZ newsletter is published by: Jazz In Arizona, Inc., Founded 1977, A non-profit organization 501 (c)(3) Letter Suite P.O.Box 9651, Scottsdale, AZ 85252-9651 Phone: (480) 994-0807. Email: [email protected]. Website: www.jazzinaz.org 90th Floor Records Jazz in AZ is dedicated to supporting the art of LIVE JAZZ Jan Collier - 214-752-7754 and cultivating interest in jazz through youth education, scholarship opportunities and community outreach. Member: American Federation of Jazz Societies, Quick’s Music Arizona Presenters Alliance, Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce, Western States Arts Federation Prestige Cleaners Jazz In AZ Board Members: Al Beasley, Jerry Donda, Don Frye Larry Goldstein, Jasper Hawkins, Maxine S. Harvard, Buzz Katzen, Dr.Arthur Landau, Sally Normington, Bob Ravenscroft, Gerry Reynolds, Bart Salzman, Paul Scottsdale Center for the Arts Seabrook, A. Nannette Taylor, Dr. Elizabeth Taylor, Ken Eileen Wilson Taylor, Wendy Wolfenden. Executive Director: Joel Robin Goldenthal Direct line: (480)704-0551 Scottsdale Cultural Council Assistant Director: Joan Leard (480)947-6119 Jazz Notes Newsletter: Editor/Design/Production: Joel Robin Goldenthal paul taylor Jazz Notes is a free publication of Jazz In Arizona, Inc. and is published six times per year according to the following schedule. Jazz Notes Deadlines: Dec.5 – January-February issue; Feb.5 – March-April issue; April 5 - May-June issue; June 5 – July-August issue; August 5 – September-October issue; October 5 – November-December issue Advertising Information - Please Call 602-750-7045. Jazz in AZ wishes to thank the following for their most generous support: x Arizona Commission on the Arts Understanding Participation Research Grant x General Operating Support Grant 2005-06 x Jazzbird Foundation The unstoppable phenomenon Live Jazz Performance of nationally recognized saxophonist Paul Taylor x and his jazz ensemble First Credit Union LIVE IN CONCERT ONE NIGHT ONLY TO BENEFIT Popcorn &Jazz x Michael Pollack Real Estate Investments Youth Jazz Programs x Friday, May 19 • 7:30 pm Scottsdale Cultural Council Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts Summer Jazz Series x General admission $35 and $50 VIP ticket donation $200 SCA Box Off ce includes orchestra seating Scottsdale League for the Arts (480) 994-ARTS and hosted reception. “How Cool Is Jazz” Call (602) 235-9300 Justice for Children is a nonprof t 501(c)(3) agency providing services to child abuse victims.