makpjazz57

I love all the Dameronia recordings, those with Philly Joe and Kenny Washington. Barry Harris is one of the finest interpreters of Dameron and I love his previously mentioned "Plays Tadd Dameron" CD. FYI - Boston area musician, Paul Combs, is working on what will probably be the definitive Dameron biography (though Ian Macdonald's is an excellent read)and hopefully, it will be released before the end of 2010. Though the publishing is delayed, here is the info on the Dameron biography - I took this from the bio at Combs' website: He is also at work on a book about composer and arranger Tadd Dameron, which will be published by University of Michigan Press. The book, titled "Dameronia," is projected to be released in 2008.

Sad to say it is true - John Bunch's passing: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/02/arts/music/02bunch.html Marla

Happy birthday to one of my favorite "keepers of the flame!" Hope you had a great day, Marla

Also lost on Buffalo Flight 3407 along with Gerry Niewood on February 12, 2009 was guitarist Coleman Mellett. Coleman was also a member of Chuck Mangione's working group. Coleman was a talented musician and a beautiful person. For those of you not familiar with his background, I grabbed this from his myspace page: Guitarist Coleman Mellett grew up in the Washington D.C. area and was first exposed to Jazz while studying with Maryland guitar guru, Paul Wingo. Under Wingo's legendary tutelage, Mellett began listening to the great Jazz guitarists and was active in the Blues Alley Youth Orchestra. Upon receiving the "Emily Remler" Jazz guitar scholarship to Duquesne University, Mellett headed to Pittsburgh where he spent a year learning from the great guitarist Joe Negri. To be closer to the New York Jazz scene, Mellett transferred to the jazz program at William Paterson University where he had the privilege to study with Jazz greats like Rufus Reid, Kenny Burrell, Norman Simmons, Steve Turre, and Harold Mabern. After graduating from William Paterson, Mellett headed to Manhattan School of Music to pursue a Master's degree in Jazz Performance , which he received in 1998. While living in New York, Mellett had the good fortune of working with musicians like Joe Williams, James Spaulding, Frank Wess, Doug Lawrence, Etta Jones, Christian McBride, and others. At this time, Mellett became a touring member of the quartet backing up the wonderful vocalist Jeanie Bryson. Mellett was also part of a trio with organist Adam Scone and drum legend Ben Dixon, who is known internationally for the Blue Note recordings he made with "Big" John Patton and Grant Green. While performing with this trio in 1999 on a Manhattan Cable T.V. program, Mellett caught the eye of Chuck Mangione who was looking for a guitar player at the time. Mellett was invited to audition for Mangione, and was hired on the spot to be the substitute for Grant Geissman, who had been playing with Chuck since the mid 1970's. After two years of "subbing" for Geissman, Chuck invited Mellett to be a permanent member of the group, and since then Coleman has been touring the world with Chuck Mangione band. Marla

Nothing south of Boston yet, though I suspect we'll be right on time/target for mid/late evening. Already have Mr. Snowplow Man coming to the house in the wee small hours to hopefully get us kinda unblocked.

Wonderful show last night, Steve! Marla

Happy Birthday, Barry Harris! One of my all-time favorite jazz legends/heroes. Besides the Vanguard, I've heard Barry live at Bradley's, JCT, Mark Morganelli's Jazz Forum and many other places in NYC. Live in Tokyo - the trio recording - one of my all-time favorite BH recordings. Michael - GREAT photo; thanks for sharing! Marla

My copy is on the way to my doorstep from JPC - I rec'd notification of shipment about 2 days after placing the order - not bad at all!

You are very welcome, Valerie, and thanks for the compliment!

Bertrand, There is a free software download called "Flac Front End" and it is easy to use and you can convert .flac files into .wav hi quality CD files. I could help you with it if you change your mind and decide to purchase the .flac files. There's another free download called Switch Sound File Converter which does the same thing. Marla

Hi Folks, Good news Jazz Times regarding the Nica/Monk documentary. It is going be shown on HBO2 this month: http://jazztimes.com/articles/25319-docume...ing-november-25 Marla

I think you'll be fine either way. If there is a TEAC to CD or MP3 deck, sounds great, too! I've been recording directly to the hard drive of my macbook and then I can convert to whatever I want and then upload to my itunes database or make a simple CD recording. The Grace works fine. Is it built strong and sturdy like my old Sony tape deck...no. However, I've used the Grace for many, many hours/many, many cassettes and it is still going strong. Good luck with whatever you choose and yes, I am a jazz fan of the first order ;-). Regards, Marla

Hi, I've been using the following to transfer my music cassettes directly to the hard drive of my macbook (also works with PCs): http://www.gracedigitalaudio.com/grace-tap...t2usb-p-45.html It is very easy to use and it works well. If you look at the website above, they also have the manual on line so you can take a look and see if this particular model will work for you. I purchased my via amazon.com. I took a look at amazon's website and they still offer this model for sale. there. Good luck! Marla

Great, Mike! I'll pick up a copy at Border's!

I sure understand and I've often wondered what it would be like to have walked into Minton's to hear hear Monk, Diz, Eddie Davis/Johnny Griffin, etc. Or, to hear Coltrane at The Five Spot with Monk. Or to hear Bird, Diz, Mingus, Bud Powell and Max Roach at Massey Hall. I'm just overjoyed to capture these moments in time here and now. Thanks so much and I'm sorry to have started a second thread on this subject! Marla

Here's the link to the NY Times article - we can expect to be able to listen to and/or purchase hundreds of the live recordings made at the Newport Jazz Festival dating back to 1955. Until 17 November, Blakey, Basie and Dakota Staton are available at the site. Many more to be added on 17 Nov!!!! Here is the link to the article in the NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/11/arts/mus...ref=todayspaper Here is the link to Wolfgang's Vault's section featuring Newport Jazz Festival recordings: http://www.wolfgangsvault.com/concerts/sup...ewport-jazz.htm Of special interest to many here at organissimo (and certainly to me) is the Art Blakey Jazz Messengers offering, 4 July 1959 with: Lee Morgan!!!! (a few days shy of 21 years of age) Hank Mobley!!!!!!! Bobby Timmons!!!!! Jymie Merritt!!!!! I feel so fortunate to live during this time when so much historical audio and video jazz is available for us to enjoy. Marla

Thanks, Chris! You sure kept a lot of wonderful jazz-related articles, notices and thanks for sharing your memories with us. I attended many concerts at the Village Gate and at least 2 benefits. I believe both benefits were for Papa Jo Jones, with every great drummer in town in attendance. The Gate was at the top of my list of venues featuring jazz. Marla

Mobley spent time with (and I believe shared an apartment with) Philly Joe Jones in France. He also had an extended stay in London - maybe late 60's? I'm betting somewhere in the broadcast vaults of France and England there is footage of Mobley. Just look at all of the videos coming out of Europe - youtube, for example. I'm not a betting girl, but I'd bet there is Mobley footage; I just hope I get to see it in my lifetime!

Maybe we'll finally see some Hank Mobley video; keeping my fingers crossed! Marla

Hi Folks, You would have to download the Veoh player, but try this link, as I was able to watch the documentary in its entirety here: http://www.veoh.com/browse/videos/category...299439YgX2emew# I hope someday this comes out on DVD/available for purchase. Marla

I'm a straight ahead, bebop/hard bop kinda girl. That being said, even if I still lived in the NY/metro area, I wouldn't be buying tickets for the JVC jazz fest anymore. I've been looking at the lineup the last couple of years and there's not much that is very appealing to me. If I did still live close to the great jazz town of NYC, I'd be frequenting all of the clubs instead, even during JVC fest week. Back in the late 70's and early 80's, I was, at times, literally the first person on line at Carnegie Hall to purchase tickets for KOOL/JVC/Newport NY - whatever it was called at the time. There's just way too much of not my kinda jazz happening at the JVC Jazz Fests these days. Does anyone remember the incredible midnight jam sessions at Radio City Music Hall during the festival in NYC? Marla

Memorial Service for Gerry Niewood on March 2 in Glen Ridge, New Jersey - Memorial Service Gerry Niewood died on February 12, 2009. He was 65. Memorial Services will be held at Glen Ridge Congregational Church Monday March 2 at 2PM. Glen Ridge Congregational Church 195 Ridgewood Avenue Glen Ridge NJ 07028 His wife, 2 children, daughter in-law and 2 grandchildren survive him. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Gerry Niewood Scholarship Fund: c/o Glen Ridge Congregational Church, 195 Ridgewood Avenue, Glen Ridge NJ 07028 Please forward to anyone you feel would want to know...

Mark, that one is a real beauty to be treasured. We sure are sad tonight in our home. Marla

My heart goes out to David and his friends and family, especially David's wife, Karen. Incredibly sad to hear this. Marla

Mark, as always, thanks for sharing the great photos.