This music is about the many faces of jazz that exist in our culture today, which goes from ‘straight ahead’ style into odd-meter jazz, fused with what is known as ‘funky jazz’. Each composition is distinct, some in the style of straight ahead swing, others characterized by Cuban jazz, Afro-Cuban and samba rhythms. The Doug Sides Ensemble is a jazz band that recorded an album in 1997 titled ‘Sumbio’, which included various artists and featured Peter King as a special guest. The Doug Sides Ensemble of today is composed of a standard jazz quintet, which includes trumpet, tenor saxophone, piano, bass, and drums.
Background of the artist:
SIDES, Doug (Douglas Joseph) was born in Los Angeles, California, October 10, 1942. He began studying piano at 4 years of age and gave private recitals until the age of 17, where he played Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Schubert, Brahms and Chopin. During these years he discovered a natural affinity for percussion instruments and jazz. Doug attended classes at the Berklee School of Music with the legendary Alan Dawson (percussion teacher) and the Boston Conservatory and soon began a career as a jazz drummer. In the 60s and during the 70s he worked with Teddy Edwards, Harold Land, Lionel Hampton, John Handy, O C Smith, Abbey Lincoln, Herbie Hancock, Jon Hendricks, Joe Henderson, Sonny Stitt, Blue Mitchell, Bobby Hutcherson, Kirk Lightsey , Chick Corea, Harry Edison, Cedar Waldon, Phineas Newborn, Kai Winding, Clark Terry and many other great jazz musicians. The list of musicians who recognized his talent is endless. Douglas Sides relocated in Europe in the late 80’s and has been working with other expatriates like Johnny Griffin, Horace Parlan, the late Don Bennett, and with Kirk Lightsey. He also toured with Monty Alexander, and with Hank Jones (legendary jazz pianist). More recently, he worked with Benny Golson and is the drummer of record in Europe for the project “Bird with Strings and more …” with Phil Woods. Doug Sides recorded with, among others, Johnny Griffin (Grab This, 1962), Sonny Stitt (My Mother’s Eyes, 1963), John Handy (New View, 1967), Blue Mitchell (WB, 1971, Vital Blue, 1971) Kai Winding (Danish Blue, 1974), John Wood (Best Wood, 1981), Don Bennett (Solar, 1995; Simplexity, 1997), also with his own band (Perseverance, 1990; Sumbio, 1997). Since the 90s, I have been touring Europe with Johnny Griffin, Hank Jones, Horace Parlan, Phil Woods, Benny Golson, Ted Curson, Ricky Ford, Kevin Mahogany, Peter King, Cyrus Chestnut, Joanne Brackeen, the Ladies of Blues, amongst many others.