Categories
1950s Music Journalism History

Whitney Balliet: The First New Yorker Jazz Column

1957 was a banner year for jazz. Yet that same year Dizzy Gillespie declared “Jazz is too good for Americans” in the June issue of Esquire, citing jazz’s superior press coverage in European magazines.

Whitney Balliett was about to change that perception in the pages of New Yorker

Balliett (1926-2007) had been writing for the magazine since 1954. He was appointed New Yorker’s jazz critic three years later and started his column, “Jazz Records.” His first column – in the April 13, 1957 issue – makes clear why Balliett was picked for the job.

The first record he reviewed in the column was avant-garde jazz pianist Cecil Taylor’s first album, Jazz Advance. A precursor of free jazz, Balliett presciently saw the LP’s potential influence. He deftly articulated the new sound and the problems associated with smashing conventions.

Balliett contrasted Jazz Advance with Jazz Mainstream by West Coast sax player Gerry Mulligan. The new and the old side-by-side.  

His final column reviewed another important jazz album, ’Round About Midnight by the legendary Miles Davis Quintet featuring John Coltrane. Balliett noted the album’s weaknesses as well as strengths, providing an assessment that would stand the test of time.

From the April 13, 1957 New Yorker, Whitney Balliett’s first “Jazz Records” column:

© 2020 New Yorker

To enlarge an image:

  1. Right-click on the image.
  2. Left-click on “open image in new tab.”
  3. Open the tab.
  4. Left-click on the image to enlarge.

© 2020 Music Journalism History  

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Leave a Reply