Today marks the 100th birthday of Rudy Van Gelder, the jazz engineering maestro who defined the sound of an era! But how exactly did Rudy change the sound of jazz? Let's explore in this thread🧵
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Rudy recorded over a thousand sessions, working with jazz giants like John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and Herbie Hancock. His work on albums like "A Love Supreme" and "Maiden Voyage" is iconic.
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Before dedicating himself to recording, Rudy was an optometrist. His journey into recording began in his parents' living room in Hackensack, NJ, where he honed his unique sound.
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Van Gelder's studio was known for its meticulous setup. No food or drink, and don't touch the mics! His attention to detail was legendary, often seen wearing gloves while handling equipment.
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He was instrumental in developing what many call the 'Blue Note sound'. His techniques involved close miking, peak limiting, and tape saturation, giving jazz recordings an intimate, warm feel.
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Rudy's innovation didn't stop at analog. He embraced digital remastering in later years, believing it provided a truer sound than vinyl. "Good riddance to LPs," he once said.
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His method of recording pianos was distinctive but controversial. Some felt it was too compressed, yet it added a unique flavor to countless jazz tracks.
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Even with criticism, Rudy's influence is undeniable. His approach allowed for clarity in recordings that captured the essence of live jazz performances.
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Rudy was secretive about his methods, often adjusting mics out of sight. This mystery only added to his legend in the world of audio engineering.
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Happy 100th birthday, Rudy Van Gelder! Your legacy lives on in every note of jazz that captures the heart and soul of the music. Here's to the man whose ears shaped our listening...
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@SVG__Collection Thank you for this. This is a beautiful tribute to a man whose contributions to the music often isn't recognized. Happy 100th Birthday Day RVG!!!!
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@SVG__Collection Oh hell yes. Had ni idea about this guy. Thank you so much. Everybody counts in the process.
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@SVG__Collection He was a genius, when I put an early rock album on and compare to a jazz album of the era and there is no comparison. The jazz recording is clear, and forward, like the players are in the room with you.
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@SVG__Collection Gorgeous post…truly fascinating the hard work behind the scenes that allows us to still enjoy jazz perfection in its original form
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@SVG__Collection Great thread! Any thoughts regarding the late great Michael Cuscuna, who was in charge of releasing all Blue Note reissues since 1984 and founded Mosaic Records?
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@SVG__Collection Wonderful post, and Rudy is undeniably a legend… But for me, the piano sound is… a disaster. If I were Horace Silver, I’d still be shaking my head. They always sounded like toy pianos.
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@SVG__Collection An awesome thread and tribute. Thanks for doing the research and posting. 💜💫✨🤌🏾✨
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@SVG__Collection I put on Out To Lunch from another of your threads, realized it was a “Rudy van Gelder Edition”, and suddenly knew I was on the cusp of a long new musical deep dive that would change everything all over again …
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