mrjazzman

Bought two of his cd's. Out there on the edge Neo-Bop for sure, but still within the boundaries, barely. So, went to see him at Yoshi's Sunday night 3-4-24. Keeping it brief, I'll say I'd like to see a little more Bop and a little less Neo because he's got amazing chops and inventive ideas. Again, too much electronics, voicings etc. My two cents..........

I'm going to preface my comments by saying I'm 74 yrs old and grew up on Bird, Monk, Trane, Diz, Miles, Dex, Newk, Burrell, Smith, Blakey etc. I've tried to listen to this young fellow (own 5 of his cd's) but, after listenening to sound samples of Owl Song, which all sound alike, I'm almost at the point of saying this is not jazz, starting to sound like sophisticated elevator music to me. Just one opinion

I'm just hearing about Samara Joy. A young, serious true to the phrase "jazz singer" Linger Awhile is really nice. Reminds me of Fitzgerald, Vaughan, McRae etc. She was here in June, missed her. What are your thoughts.

My favorite CD of 2022, not even close, Jason Tieman, "T-Man"

Thank you all. Sometimes I can't see the trees in my own forrest, the forrest is so large. This tree was already in my forrest, it was right in front of me and I missed it. jdw

Where will I find the live recording of Traneing In. Thanks

I appreciate your effort.

Yea, incoming flack can be a problem, I've had my fair share here. That's why I'm not here often, I'm allergic to flack but I agree with everything you said, no flack from me. Can you imagine Long Tall Dexter Gordon coming on stage with a Guitar. And then have some guy play his sax while he's playing the guitar? I literally hated when he played the trumpet, started singing, and the saxophone with another guy playing his organ. If I could ask him one question it would be why. He was aware of fans criticism regarding the other instruments. Was he trying to prove something?

I'm in the process of acquiring all of R. H's sideman dates. In his early days he was a member of The Jazz Network. They have a title "The Other Day" that I can't find anywhere. So, to my huge team of experts, where can I find this. I've found their other titles such as "Straight To The Standards", and "Blues 'N' Ballads" but this one is a mystery. Thanks................

LOL, Pat Martino Live At Yoshi's, Randy Johnston Detour Ahead, John McLaughlin After The Rain

I also forgot Terry Gibbs-Feelin' Good Live In Studio- and I'm sure others. No flack here. So there's no misunderstanding, I loved this guy, I have all his leader dates, some sideman dates and am collecting the rest But I hated his singing, trumpet playing and then even the tenor sax. Not that he didn't sound great on those other instruments because he did. It's just that for every minute he was playing the other instruments, he's wasn't striking the HB3 keys. The sound of his organ to me is what heroin is to a junkie

I have all 30+ of Joey's leader CD's and since he's left us I said to myself ok, lets get into the sideman dates and boy, what a treasure trove. Paul Bollenback, Randy Johnston, Dan Adler, Tony Monaco, Van Morrison, Troy Roberts, Doug Raney, Steve Gadd, David Sanborn, CINQUE, Mimi Fox, Pat Martino, Papa John DeFrancesco, Poncho Sanchez, Dave Stryker, Andy Summers, John McLaughlin, Kenny Burrell. Christian McBride, Mort Weiss. It's obvious he liked Guitarists. Some of this stuff I'm hearing for the first time. IMHO, Joey DeFrancesco has surpassed Jimmy Smith as the GOAT on the Hammond B3.

To be blunt, I think the family should tell us what happened to our beloved Joey D. Might encourage others to avoid some things or change some things............

I feel like pure shit right now. Why, because I was starting to criticize him for his singing and trumpet playing. DAM, 51? I'm going straight to The Champ and Round Two my two favorites by Joey D. Met him and his Wife (his fiancée at the time) at Yoshi's a few years ago and saw his last appearance at Yoshi's. I'm in total shock right now...................

I love Ernie Henry for two reasons. 1. I have all of his recorded music. 2. He played in Dizzy Gillespie's Be Bop Big Band with my Dad (Elmon Wright) from 1948-50

Just like Cat Anderson and Cootie Williams he could hit some seriously high notes, high c above c. Was a contemporary of and looked like Louis Armstrong's brother. I have a photo of them sitting at a table together. Haven't seen it in a while but I believe my Grandfather stands and takes a short solo during a production number in the movie Stormy Weather with Lena Horne. Check it out. Also, you can see my dad Elmon Wright in the trumpet section(with Dave Burns and Willie Cook) of Diz's bebop big band on a DVD called Jivin' In Bebop. James Moody, John Lewis, Cecil Payne and Ray Brown were in that band. Check out the article on allmusic.com under "Lammar Wright Jr." about my three guys. There's also an article on Wikipedia about all three

from 1939-1941 Cab Calloway's trumpet section consisted of my Grandfather Lamar Wright Sr., Dizzy Gillespie, and Mario Bauza. My Dad Elmon Wright, trumpet Diz's big bebop band 1948-1950. My Uncle Lamar Wright Jr. played in Charlie Barnet's band. I played 2nd trumpet(all the solo's)Ben Franklin Jr. High School Band San Francisco CA circa 1960. But was lazy, didn't like to practice, wasn't very good and dropped it in high school. Both of my Grandfathers's sons followed in his footsteps and became jazz trumpet players. Check Wikipedia for short articles on all three of them..............

I appreciate your response. As you can see, I don't come here often. But sometimes I feel compelled to critique. Because of the great Parker-ite Charles McPherson, this is one of those times..........

When you get tired of these young cats ignoring tradition (Bird, Trane, Diz, Miles, Cannonball, Jackie, Monk, Dexter, Stitt, Yusef, Henderson I could go on and on)then you go see/hear one of the last living performing Masters, Parker-ite Charles McPherson. Were you in the audience with me last night at Dinkelspiel Auditorium at Stanford I don't know where to begin, can't find the words. I'll start with amazing. This guy is 83 years old and sounds like he did when he was 33. And unlike these cats today, he started with, you guessed it, a Parker song(can't remember which one)I almost jumped out of my seat. Then followed up with Nature Boy, I couldn't believe my ears. He's still got the speed, agility and his ideas are still on point. I really liked his rhythm section. Jonathan Blake very nice on drums. Best Jazz music I've heard in probably 10 years. And, on a Monday night and a little drive from Oakland to Stanford. He's in a teaching program there. Kudos to Stanford. Next, Diane Reeves..........

I'm sorry, as much as I've tried, I can't hear this fellows version of jazz music. These of course are just my opinions. Seems like all his songs start off in slow motion. It's like somber chamber music. Sometimes when I'm listening, I'm taken back to the Twilight Zone. What was I thinking, I have 5 of his titles. There should not have been a number two. Not a total loss, I like cut #10 from The Imagined Savior is Far Easier To Paint which has nothing to do with music. Cut #10 from Prelude: To Cora Golson Standard Stablemates with an edgy 21st century arrangement. These young people just don't want to play the classic standards, and I'm not talking about Body And Soul or Straight, No Chaser. It's a shame because technically speaking, he's brilliant. Hey Yoshi's why do I have to drive all the way to Healdsburgh CA(146 mi round trip) to see Ernie Watts-76 yr old master, or Rohnert Part CA to see the master Jazz Singer Diane Reeves? Can we trade Toni, Tony, Tony for Diane Reeves??????????? Anybody want this stuff? I don't want him in my collection. He's making Bird, Diz, Trane, Miles Dexter Stitt-Rollins nervous. My two cents for now

Went to see Nicholas Payton with Tim Warfield, Anthony Wonsey, Adonis Rose and Reuben Rodgers at the Black Cat in S.F. All stellar Young Lions at one point and I have their individual cd's. But tonight IMO, they were a little flat. I couldn't hear Warfield tonight. All the songs were originals or from previous cd Gumbo Nouveau. Seemed like on some songs, the head/melody sounded better the the soloing. Although, Payton did have a nice ballad. As for Joey, went to see him at Yoshi's in Oakland Jan 12. Where he used to play trumpet and saxophone for a little extra on the side, now he wants to be featured on both. So, he has a second Organist (who's very good, can't remember his name) who doubles on Guitar when Joey is on Organ. Although he's not the only one, imo Joey is the greatest Jimmy Smith styled Jazz Organist alive and when he's on the other two instruments, my ears feel like they're being robbed. The drummer was exceptional. His last name is Marshall, I think from Pilly and plays like Byron Landham on steroids.......The last Master I saw that was 100% satisfying to me was Ernie Watts and I'm telling you at 76, these young guys would not want to mix it up with him

Anybody heard of this young fellow Braxton Cook? Went to see him at The Black Cat, 400 Eddy Street, San Francisco, CA. Don't remember names but his supporting cast was mediocre at best. However, my main statement here is about the club. One of the worst experiences in my life. The club is right in the middle of one of the worst neighborhoods in The City, The Tenderloin. I was lucky to find a parking space close by, still, walking past homeless people sleeping on the sidewalk was unpleasant to say the least. Club was sardines in a can crowded upstairs. I must admit the downstairs music room was cozy and intimate. There seemed to be mass confusion as far as seating goes, was moved from original seating. I could say a lot more but I'll leave it here by saying Bird and Diz would have to come back from the dead for me to return. Sad. Mr. Tipples is a much better venue.......

Did anybody go see Ravi Coltrane in Santa Cruz. I think it was Monday night. I wanted to go but didn't for fear of I might hear

I'm making a playlist of Monk tunes A to Z. Right now Jackie-ing from 5 by 5

I care about him because my dad Elmon Wright along with his best buddy Benny Golson played in his bands