Charlie Haden & Keith Jarrett > Ellen David
Composed by Charlie Haden & Keith Jarrett

At the time Charlie joined Keith a lot of people were surprised; most really didn’t know about the totality of Charlie’s vision. No more.

Charlie Haden Duets Week #5
Legends of the Bass #2 
Legends of the Piano #2 
Duet #6

Charlie Haden & Ornette Coleman > O.C.
Composed by Charlie Haden & Ornette Coleman

Ornette was Charlie’s exploisive introduction to the wide world —to me, too— and they’ve never strayed too far from each other. Thank goodness.

Charlie Haden Duets Week #4
Legends of the Bass #2 
Legends of the Saxophone #7
Legends of Avant-Garde Jazz #4 & #5 
Duet #5

Charlie Haden & Pat Metheny > Two For The Road
Composed by Henry Mancini

Though Pat’s made his debt to Ornette clear in dozens of ways, and often collaborated with Charlie, their audiences have never exactly matched. But, as unsympathetic as I am to Pat’s day-to-day stuff, I always found those fraternizations wonderful. This one is no exception.

And, being a Mancini fan to boot, I love how his melodies bring out the lyrical side of Charlie, the sounds that completely separate him from his fellow bassists.

Charlie Haden Duets Week #3
Legends of the Bass #2 
Legends of the Guitar #10 
Ballad #21
Cover #38 
Duet #4

Charlie Haden & Don Cherry > Out of Focus
Composed by Charlie Haden & Don Cherry

Both Charlie and Don proved for at least 30 years that my tagging them as “Legends of Avant-Garde Jazz” is truly narrow minded. Though this track by two old friends and bandmates is happily in the pocket of that ‘tradition.’

(Check out Rend It for a sweet look at the album source for this track, The Golden Number.)

Charlie Haden Duets Week #2
Legends of the Bass #2 
Legends of the Trumpet #4 
Legends of Avant-Garde Jazz #5 & #6 
Duet #3

Charlie Haden & Hank Jones > Hymn Medley
Composed by Anonymous

Both Charlie and Hank made their reps as ensemble players, but, unusual for a bassist, Charlie fell in love with duet recordings in the 70s. To my ears this one of his is right at the peak.

Charlie Haden Duets Week #1
Legends of the Bass #2
Legends of the Piano #6 
Ballad #20 
Duet #2

Larry Graham > One In A Million, You
Composed by Sam Dees

I’m thankful to Larry Graham for two things. He invented the funk slap bass while he was in Sly & the Family Stone. And, while everyone else at the wedding feels like they’re going to kill themselves when this song comes on, I get a quiet smile for the deep, deep melody, while my eyes start to fill from the completely sappy lyrics.

Wimp Week #4 
Legends of the Bass #1 
Ballad #12