Turk Mauro's Top 10

Recently we took a poll from jazz musicians from all over the state of Florida, to come up with a relevant Top 50 Jazz Albums list. The results were an education in the sounds that influence and delight the artists who make the music. The lists were so diverse and intriguing, we decided to post some of them individually. First up - Turk Mauro!

Turk in Paris, 1984

Saxophone legend Turk Mauro was born in NYC on June 11th, 1944. First exposed to jazz through hearing his father Don play in local swing bands, he picked up the clarinet at 10 and the alto at age 14; and found work quickly thanks in part to his mentor Harry Allen. After graduating High School, he tried 'real work' for a while, but was soon back in jazz bands touring. After a few gigs with Dizzie Gillespie, Turk's musicianship and prowess landed him a permanent spot in Buddy Rich's band from 1976 to 1979; appearing on Buddy's albums "Speak No Evil" and the posthumously released "Wham!". He then embarked on a solo recording career while still doing sideman work. His fine releases include "The Truth", "Hittin' the Jug" (a tribute to Gene Ammons), "The Underdog" (his solo debut) and "The Heavyweight".


After a long stay in Paris, Mauro moved to Hollywood, FL in 1994. You can catch his brilliant and soulful artistry every Monday night with his quartet; at the new jazz club Blue Jean Blues in Fort Lauderdale from 8-12.


Turk's Top 10 Favorite Jazz Albums:


1. Jazz at Massey Hall - Dizzy  Bird  Bud  Max  Mingus
2. Bird with Strings - Charlie Parker
3. All JATP recordings
4. Atomic Basie - Count Basie
5. Kind of Blue - Miles Davis
6. The You and Me That Used to Be - Jimmy Rushing 
 "Jimmy Rushings last recording with Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, Ray Nance, Budd Johnson, Milt Hinton,  Mel Lewis & Dave Frishberg - piano/arranger. The material and musicians are superior and inspired and SWINGING!!!"
7. Boss Tenors in Orbit - Gene Ammons/Sonny Stitt (and Donald Patterson)
8. The Bridge - Sonny Rollins (with Jim Hall)
9. Duke Ellington - The 1940 Band (Ben Webster, Jimmy Blanton)
10. Louis Armstrong - Hot 5 and 7  


Below is a recent video of Turk Mauro playing My Romance with some fine South Florida musicians!




A big thanks to Turk for taking part in our poll! Keep on swingin'! - PCJ