[I Just Saw Sid McCoy On Dragnet]

I miss Sid McCoy (and his wife, and one of his daughters)!!

don't I remember that Jack Webb was an hard-core alcoholic?!?

[Happy Birthday Jimmy Cobb]

I've been fortunate enough to have heard Jimmy countless times since the '60s. I am very grateful and hope I continue enjoying his talent for many years to come.

[2013 Kennedy Center Honors]

Rooster_Ties: the musical director/producer of Herbie's segment was Terence Blanchard.

[Dwayne Burno RIP]

another option for those who would like to contribute to Dwayne's burial expenses and living expenses for awhile for his wife, Wendy and 7 year-old son, Quinn, can also contribute in their name to the Jazz Foundation of America. thanks.

[Dwayne Burno RIP]

yes, Kevin, Lois, Mary and I are devastated along with thousands of others. aside from his being a long-time friend, in these days and times I can't think of a better bass player. he was so sensitive, knowledgeable, prolific and was only becoming better. he was writing his butt off as well. he actually posted a very poignant message on Christmas Eve on FB, filled with love and gratitude.

if you can, please contribute to a fund for his wife, Wendy at www.fundly.com, as bluesoul has posted above. Aside from his wife, Dwayne leaves his beloved 7 year-old son, Quinn. Wendy could really use our help as Dwayne was the only bread-winner in the family these past years.

[Yusef Lateef RIP]

RIP to a Master of everything he touched: horns, jazz fans, and students of music and the spirit. aside from his musical brilliance, I don't think anyone had a gentler nature or kinder more generous heart.

[Happy Birthday David Gitin!]

Thanks, everyone! We will celebrate our birthdays (Gloria's in November, and mine) by going on The Jazz Cruise (one week, leaves from Ft. Lauderdale, not too far from here) at the end of January!

YAHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Happy Birthday David Gitin!]

I messengered you on FB but, just in case you didn't receive it, i'll wish you the best again!

[Horace Silver 1928-2014]

for all those wondering how the "misunderstanding" began about Horace's demise. I was told by someone in attendance at the NY Local 802 party the other night that it was announced to the 200 members attending.

also, FWIW, I was present at the 2007 tribute to Horace that Christian McBride mentioned and i spent time with Horace backstage. he was in a wheelchair at that time and unable to speak, although he seemed to be enjoying the festivities.

[happy Birthday JSngry]

wishing you a Very Happy and Healthy Birthday and many more!!

[Peter Erskine - No Beethoven]

Peter's book was released this year, I believe. I've read it and thought it was excellent. i'm sure you'll enjoy it, Bertrand.

[Jim Hall R.I.P.]

I'd just like to say "thank you" to life for people like Jim Hall, who could take one "easy way out" too many, and instead maybe don't take any, or if they do, keep a perspective when they do and don't get rurnt for the long haul.

The first time I heard him was on either the first Chico Hamilton Quintet album or the Two Degrees East... side, both came more or less together. Then Sonny's What's New, and then one of the Helen Merrill Milestone dates, all in the space of a year or so. By then, I got the idea - Jim Hall was always going be Jim Hall, and that was always going to be something at once wholly appropriate to the setting, yet never faceless and/or phoned in.

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/jazz-guitarist-master-jim-hall-dies-83-21168067

His wife of 48 years, Jane Hall, says he died early Tuesday in his sleep at his Manhattan apartment after a short illness.

So, yeah, be a nerdy-looking guy with a twinkle in your eye, a spark in your brain, stay married a long time, then die in your sleep after a short illness. And leave behind on helluva diverse and integrety-laden legacy, one with no cheapness in in it, ever.

Again, a heartfelt "thank you" to life for people like Jim Hall.

thank you for your beautiful post, JSngry.

[Mickey Roker Interview]

I have loved and admired Mickey Roker since the '60s. I loved his drumming style and was able to see him perform live in many settings such as with Dizzy, Carmen and Bags. every time I hear "New Girl" from Duke Pearson's Big Band album, I smile and get excited. Mickey always supplied some laughs as well with his hysterical impressions of singers like Billy Eckstine. it made me sad though to read that after years with so many family members living in the house, he is now there alone. that is very poignant, to say the least. Bless you, Mickey.

[Stanley Crouch Parker biography reviewed]

and to think that I used to have a lot of respect for Cornell West!! and my respect for Tavis Smiley is withering slowly. they're both still very intelligent and articulate men but, boy, do they ever have their messed-up issues!!

[Overlooked Altos]

if not mentioned before, CHARLES McPHERSON!!!

[Nate Morgan has died]

this is obviously sad news but especially for the L.A. jazz community. it was known that he had medical issues but I naively thought they were "under control". deep condolences to all who loved and appreciated him.

[Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre, R.I.P.]

Threadgill always referred to him as 'Difda'. As we know, he's not the only member of that large group of musicians who was marginalized by the music 'industry', or whatever you want to call it. I felt bad for him, although I never met him one to one. He looks so vibrant and powerful in the photographs from the sixties and early seventies, so elderly and diminished in recent years. I assume that dental problems contributed to some of his loss of playing ability, but I'm not one to comment on this having no direct knowledge. It's a rough life, and those musicians should be celebrated for the risks and sacrifices they take to play their music with such small prospect of any reward. God bless him and his kind.

unfortunately and sadly, I would guess that his drug use also played a part in his diminishment. God bless him, indeed.

[Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre, R.I.P.]

King Ubu: thank you so much for posting the video. I confess to "sleeping" on this man. I knew nothing about him. sad but poignant film. glad it was made, just like his cd was completed. i'm assuming he passed at 77 years old. is that correct?

[Frank Wess RIP]

what a blessing that Frank had such a long, active career. he will be missed.

[Bill Sharman, RIP]

this makes me so very sad. I had just read an article on him which had a recent picture and talked about a stroke he had. but I believe he was still fairly active and getting around. I grew up in Boston with the Celtics of the '50s and will always remember him as the very likeable Champ he was.

[Gloria Lynne 1929-2013]

very sad, indeed. big loss. she was definitely under-acknowledged. we had mutual friends who thought the world of her.

[Gildo Mahones]

Yes, with Booker he plays like he's got gilded cahones.

that is very funny!! I will have to pass this one along to him. I know he'll get a good laugh from it.

[Stanley Crouch Parker biography reviewed]

given that Walter Bishop, Jr. was Bird's pianist for the last four years of Bird's life and was full of great Bird stories and experiences, I would hope that he was interviewed for the book!!

[Oscar Castro-Neves - RIP]

Rest in Peace, beautiful, kind, sweet, talented, generous man. sincere and deep condolences to his family and friends, and all the people who loved him.

[Wayne Shorter's 80th Birthday Celebration.]

he and his band blew their butts off at Monterey!! part of the problem in DC had to be that he was tired and he was starting to get a cold (or something bronchial) in Monterey.