My Bass Rocks

 While digging this past weekend, I came a cross an amazing (and incredibly rare) jazz record from pianist Gap Mangione, entitled Diana and the Autumn Wind (1968). 

With a title like that, you wouldn’t think this record would have anything to do with hip-hop.  I thought the same thing, until the owner of the shop played it through the speakers.  Here was my first taste of this record:

Gap Mangione: “Diana and the Autumn Wind”

Recognize that tune?

Check these famous hip-hop tracks…

Jaylib: “The Official”

Or how about (arguably) the greatest J-Dilla beat ever?

Slum Village: “Fall in Love”

After picking up Diana, I took it home to do a little more research.  The next track that caught my eye was one titled “Free Again:”

Ghostface Killah: “Iron’s Theme (Intermission)”

It doesn’t end there either:

“Boys with Toys”

Talib Kweli: “Shock Body”—Apologies for the wack video

Gap Mangione was born and raised in Rochester (1938), New York where he learned to play the piano at a young age.  Both he and his younger brother Chuck Mangione (Grammy-winning musician) started performing together as the Jazz Brothers in 1958, and eventually recorded three albums on Riverside Records:

·         The Jazz Brothers ( 1960 )

·         Hey Baby! ( 1961 )

·         Spring Fever ( 1961 )

In 1968, Gap recorded the aforementioned Diana and the Autumn Wind.  Following the success of Diana, Mangione released five more solo albums:

·         Sing Along Junk ( 1972 )

·         She and I ( 1975 )

·         Gap Mangione! ( 1976 )

·         Suite Lady ( 1978 )

·         Dancin’ ( 1979 )

 In the ‘80s Gap settled down in Rochester and spent less time travelling.  However, in 1990 he formed the Gap Mangione Big Band, which later released four records:

·         Planet Gap ( 1998 )

·         Ardis ( 2002 )

·         Stolen Moments ( 2003 )

·         Family Holidays ( 2004 )

He continues to live in Rochester to this day, making regular performances throughout the city, either alone or accompanied by the Big Band.