Jazz saxophonist Charlie Mariano died Tuesday at age 85.When I was still a kid, Charles Mingus introduced me to Mariano in the credits for "Black Saint and the Sinner Lady" and, of course, in the grooves of the record, one of my favorites of all time. Over the years, I've enjoyed Mariano's work on his own records as well as on those by Stan Kenton, Shelly Manne, Herb Ellis and many others.
Tonight, though, I'm celebrating his life by listening to the "Toshiko Mariano Quartet," an album he recorded in 1960 with his former wife, Toshiko Akiyoshi. The album really is a celebration because Mariano's play is so bright and spirited, so full of life.
That's especially true on "When Your Meet Her" and "Little T." On those tunes, Mariano sounds playful, almost as if he's flirting with Akiyoshi ... and with us.
Listen to Mariano's recordings over the years and you'll always hear that spark.
Check the Web page of my online pal Juan-Carlos Hernandez, the noted jazz photographer, for an excellent photo of Mariano.
RIP.
