H. Johnson honors master flautist Sam Most whose melodic tones left an indelible impact on the jazz world
WABE’s H. Johnson has been a fixture on our station since 1978. As host of both “Blues Classics” and “Jazz Classics,” H. continually educates and entertains WABE listeners every Friday and Saturday night. Now, H. joins “City Lights” every other Friday to share a bit from his breadth of jazz knowledge.
The segment, “H. Johnson’s Jazz Moment,” explores selections from the best of H.’s music collection along with tidbits from history, personal reflections, and H.’s thoughts on the evergreen resonance of jazz.
This Friday’s spotlight is on Sam Most, a flautist, clarinetist, saxophonist and pianist from Atlantic City, New Jersey. Especially sparkling on flute, Most got his start as a teen, right off the bat performing in bands like those of Tommy Dorsey and Don Redman. Later, he’d appear with Herbie Mann, Teddy Wilson, Buddy Rich and many others.
Some consider Most the first great jazz flautist, capable both of angelic, sweet tones and fierce, arresting jazz solos. Introducing the featured track “Hush-A-Bye,” Johnson advises, “Be prepared for the way Sam comes back in on flute, growling like a madman, but it’s all earthy and gritty and gutsy.” Indeed, his melody lilts, melancholy and lovely, gradually picking up steam over the walking bass lines and brushed snare until his post-interlude re-entry gets your hairs standing on end with its raw confrontational power.
Catch H. Johnson’s Blue Classics every Friday from 10 p.m. to midnight, and Jazz Classics every Saturday from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. on WABE 90.1 Atlanta.
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