2-5-1

Salutations solid gone gators, Nick and Simon beat their gums to give you the swingformation on Jive talk. They are putting it down and you better pick up on it, so tune on in and get your signal right. Hey gate! put down that giggle water we don't want no gin mill cowboys here, so agitate the gravel jack, only Ding Dong Daddies and Dungaree Dolls hip to the jive welcome.  If you dug our epis...

In this episode Nick and Simon enjoy an ice cream while speaking Esperanto. No? OK,  they discuss the concept of 'The Lick", that divisive little melodic fragment in the improvisation debate.  Are you improvising if you play a lick?  What does the 'language analogy' bring to the table,  la table, la mesa, la tablo?  Will you have a banana? Have you been to the Guildhall? Click...

In our jazz quest to entertain and inform we like to shed light on some less well-known pianists who we think are worth exploring.  Joe Albany is one such player. Click Below for useful links Patreon Linktree Facebook

When it's a voicing. Nick and Simon discuss the meaning of the word voicing in jazz and on piano in particular.

In this episode we outline the origins of some nicknames of jazz players. Why was Charlie Parker called Bird? How did Jeff 'Tain' Watts get his moniker and we skate over why Eddie Davis was known as Lockjaw! Click Below for useful links Patreon Linktree Facebook

In the first of our new interview stream we talk to Steve Rubie who has run the 606 club for many decades.  We asked him about 1. The history of the club and the move to Lots road. 2. The ethos of the club 3.  Surviving the pandemic 4. Highlights over the years and any anecdotes 5. What does the future of the 606 look like? Check out the 606  Website  

In this episode Nick introduces Simon to a little known pianist : Dick Twardzik. follow us on Facebook we have a Patreon Page also

In this episode Nick and Simon discuss this symmetrical scale that has been known about for a surprisingly long time, and has come to be used extensively by jazz improvisers.

Normal service is resumed after the April fools gag that was Des Luton. In this episode Nick and Simon discuss the use of the tuba in jazz, from its role as primary bass instrument to colouristic and improvisational member of the ensemble. Comments welcome  via your podcast app or via our Facebook page.  2-5-1-Facebook  Thanks for listening!

In this episode Nick and Simon discuss the obscure British pianist Des Luton [1924-1987?]. Known for an incredible left-hand technique, Des has since fallen into obscurity.  Nick and Simon have managed to get hold of possibly the only recording of the mercurial piano player via a 78 RPM recording made as a demo and unreleased commercially; so for once we can play it! (Please note, this episode of...

In this episode Nick and Simon consider the subject of bebop scales. Did Charlie Parker use them?  What are they and what do they sound like?

In this episode Nick and Simon discuss the legendary Village Vanguard Jazz Club in New York.

Send us a text In this episode Nick and Simon discuss how the available recording media at various times have affected jazz. 

Nick and Simon briefly explore the pianistic technique of playing block chords, find out what block chords are, who used them and how they work.

Nick and Simon discuss the pianist Mel Powell who had an illustrious career in jazz and modern classical music.  He played with some of the top jazz players of the age and married a film star.  His later years  were as an educator at the highest level replacing Paul Hindemith as head of composition at Yale and setting up Cal Arts back in Hollywood.  A pianist who deserves...

Send us a text WTFH? What the French Horn? Nick and Simon discuss the use of the French Horn in Jazz Take a look at our Facebook page

In this bonus Christmas edition Nick and Simon discuss five Christmas tunes favoured by jazz musicians. The Christmas Song Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas White Christmas Winter Wonderland O Christmas Tree Check out our facebook page. Merry Christmas!

In the final episode of Series 2 Nick and Simon discuss Dexter Calling, the last album Kenny Drew made with Dexter Gordon in the US, and One Flight Up one of the few Blue Note albums recorded in Europe in the 1960s; Our Man in Paris being another obvious example, also a Dexter Gordon session.  In 1961 Kenny Drew moved to Europe and Dexter Gordon soon followed. Dexter did return in 1973 to US...

Nick and Simon discuss Undercurrent, arguably a hidden gem in the rich soil of the Blue Note label's discography. It was Kenny Drew's last album as leader for the label, and shows his compositional style and improvisation skills off in a showcase of original tunes with a band playing exceptionally well.

This Episode focuses on the classic John Coltrane album BLUE TRAIN and Kenny Drew's part in it. In 1957 John Coltrane had a pivotal year. He was sacked by Miles Davis for his heroin addiction so kicked the habit cold turkey and got down to rebuilding his life. He joined Thelonius Monk and made several albums under his own name as leader but only one of those was for Blue Note. Apple Music FAC...

Send us a text Nick and Simon discuss Kenny Drew's contribution as sideman on the original vinyl release of It Could Happen to You , Chet Baker Sings. Apple Music link Spotify Album Link Patreon Page Facebook Group

Nicholas Tomalin and Simon Whiteside are back for a new series of 2-5-1 Two Pianists,Five Podcasts, One Subject.  In this series the subject is pianist Kenny Drew. We examine this hard-bop pianist through the lens of five albums. The first is his Blue Note debut as leader from the series of 10 inch LPs " New Sounds New Faces " called Introducing the Kenny Drew Trio. Facebook page CLICK H...

In the season finale Nick and Simon discuss Sonny Clark's ballad playing style as sideman and soloist, playing musical excerpts and discussing his playing approaches. This episode is sponsored by Open Studio - Jazz Lessons from Jazz Legends. Become a better jazz musician, guaranteed at openstudiojazz.com . Nick and Simon go on to discuss Sonny Clark's legacy, and talk about what they have learned...

In Episode 4 we discuss Sonny Clark as a leader in the trio format. We focus on two tunes in detail: "Somebody Loves Me" from what is now known as the Standards Album, and Sonny's most recorded original tune "Minor Meeting" the version (take 9) from the full edition of the trio album with George Duvivier and Max Roach. We also consider his improvising style, his compositional approach and his infl...

In this episode we explore Sonny Clark's work as leader on Blue Note records. Specifically his work with ensembles.