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Ponder did a few sessions as a leader for Groove Merchant back in the 1970s. The best of them is 'Simba' Groove Merchant 526. Released in 1973 it features arrangements by Manny Albam. He played on some other Groove Merchant organ sessions back in those days. I have the LP but I do believe it was released a few years ago on CD. emusic.com has several of his recordings but unfortunately Simba is not there.

I had the opportunity to hear Wallace and a nonet play Hawkins associated pieces a few years ago at the Jazz Standard. Bennie and the group sounded great with terrific arrangements. Only the second time I've seen him live, but I have his Blue Note's and a few others. I'll be picking this one up for sure. He's a really fine player with ideas that always surprise.

It's available on emusic.com. The sound samples sound interesting. I'm a longtime fan of both these players so I'll be jumping on this one.

Try Rites Of Swing done for Candid in the 1960s. All Woods composed for a large group. It's available on emusic.com. I know Musique Du Bois was already mentioned so let me just second that one. It's incredible. I don't know if you can find it (it was first out on the Muse label) but if you can jump on it. It dates from the early 1970s.

I've got the Artist House LP. It's a treasure. Enjoy.

"If a tree falls in a forest and no one is there to hear it..." The Beatles stopped playing in public. Glenn Gould stopped playing in public. And for heavens sake; Ornette is 77 years old. Hasn't he earned the right to work as little as he choses and can afford? As for saying that he should play for free-He's not a volunteer musician. He's a professional and professionals get paid. How many workers do their jobs for free?

No. I'll let you know if that changes. Glad you asked, though. I did a search for Dewey Redman, and found that eMusic now carries the Palmetto label! They've been carrying Palmetto for several years. Great label.

Thank you so very much for this link. I've only seen him twice. Once around 1970 in the basement of the old St. Peters church in NYC. Gato Barbieri was in the band but I can't recall the others. I also caught him a few years ago at Caramoor playing with Steve Lacey. That was absolutely magnificent.

Just a heartfelt thankyou for those Lonnie Johnson and Elmer Snowden recordings. They have given me countless hours of pleasure.

Man does that cover ever bring back memories. I was in college in those days and my girlfriend had that LP. It was one of the first jazz albums I ever listened to. I haven't heard it in over 35 years but I remember it as being beautiful. Thanks for the memories.

Terrible times should produce great art. No evidence of that yet unless bitching counts. Where in the world did you get that romantic notion? Sometimes they do and sometimes they don't. Please offer your examples. Then we play. You said that they "should". Who says they "should"? I think that is a romantic notion. If you don't that's OK but is respectfully disagree. I don't think anything like this falls into the area of "should". As for an example; I think these are terrible times; war, income inequality, global warming etc. etc. You said there isn't great art being produced. Unless you don't think these are terrible times I'd say we agree on the substance of the matter.

Terrible times should produce great art. No evidence of that yet unless bitching counts. Where in the world did you get that romantic notion? Sometimes they do and sometimes they don't.

T-Bone Blues is a killer record. On of favorite blues lps in my collection. I'd love to be able to pick up the Bluesways. Are they available anywhere? Have the ever been reissued?

It's a sign of the times and we are living in terrible times.

Funny, Pitts is the one I really don't get. I've got "These blues of mine" on LP and hardly ever play it. And when I do, I never feel that she's swinging. Only time I've heard her really swing is on Willis Jackson's LP "Star bag" - but Willis could make the brain dead swing. MG Trudy Pitts will be playing with Greg Osby at the Jazz Standard in NYC in January. Sounds interesting. Actually I think Osby is almost always interesting. I've never heard Pitts and I'm intrigued.

I remember first hearing James Brown for the first time while I was in high school in the early to mid 1960s. The impact was overwhelming and when I saw him for the first time on television I was hooked forever. Live at The Apollo-I played it to death and wore out several copies. His bands were always magnificent. His impact on me had a lasting influence on my musical tastes to this day. RIP James Brown. I miss you already.

This is one terrific recording. It was my into to Jordan and I think it's his best.

I've got an LP from 1973 called 'New Beginnings' which was released one the Paramount label. Catalog number 6067. It has arrangements by Torrie Zito and Bob James. It features a large cast of top NYC studio players of the day. I don't think this has ever been released on CD but I'd say pick it up if you can. I don't have 'Taste of Honey' but as I recall it had a great cover photo. Love her voice.

I've always loved that album. I've got to dig it out and give it a spin. I've never really thought of her as a jazz singer, just a fine singer. I don't think she's recorded in a long time. Is she still with us?

I only wish I could. I had the rare privlige of hearing the MS Ensemble **live** last year in Seattle @ Jazz Alley and I can tell you ( both as a musician and a fan ) hearing and seeing Maria and the group is a revelation it's hard to compare with the audio experience alone. Anyone in the NYC area ..GO!!!! The music was fantastic. She had a least 20 musicians and both sets last night were sold out. I took someone who had never heard of Maria before and the my guest was floored. A great night of music. Wish I could go again this week but the whole run seems to be sold out.

This is terrible news but at least he did live a very long life. I had the honor to see him once here in NYC 25 or more years ago. It was at the Village Gate and he had his working group from Cleveland with him. He was a great musician who never stood still as so many do. He always expanded his art, while maintaining his connection to it origins. Not an easy thing to do. I bought those Trix LPs when they came out in the 1970s. Played them to death. Bought them again when they were reissued on CD; not something I often do. I think they are in print on the Savoy label. RIP.

Anyone going to see her this week at the Jazz Standard? I'm going to the early set tonight. I'm really looking forward to this. I haven't seen her before.

Another one of the greats has left us. I had the pleasure of hearing her sing in a small club in the early 1970s backed by a small organ based group. I can't recall who the musicians were. It was around the time that her lp on Cobbelstone came out. It was a great evening. The Times obit has a few small errors but is essentially on the money and properly respectful of a great artist. Thanks for the music RB.

Some GM stuff is available for download at emusic.com. Includes some Jimmy McGriff.

I've got both Odyssey and Super Nova on lp and like Odyssey a lot more. Actually, Odyssey is one of favorite recordings and has been since I bought it on it's original release.