RJS

"Big John Special" has been a staple in the Arkestra for decades. Its a big feature for trumpeter Michael Ray, who was in the band back when Ra was very much alive. I once saw the band in Toronto (late 70's?) with like 6 or seven reed players but only Mike and Tyrone (bone) as the entire brass section and they pulled it off. In the sax section was the great John Gilmore (tenor) plus other regulars like Marshall Allen (lead alto/flute), Jack Jackson (basoon and perc) and Danny Thompson (bari). Last week I got a CD of Ra and his band playing live at a bar in Chicago. Its not a full band but Gilmore is there and so is cornetist Phil Choran. This may be the first recordings by Ra, before he had left Chicago for NYC, where he really started his recording career. I also got another CD on the same label of Ra rehearsing vocal groups back in the 50's!

I have it on good authority that Mack Ave is owned by the Carhart family in Grosse Pointe. I sure am glad they are spending their money on jazz! I say good for them.

Jazzmessenger, you're making me feel old! Allmusic.com sez: "In 1979, Allen earned her bachelor's degree in jazz studies from Howard University in Washington, D.C" So that would make her about 48 years old...

I totally have to go with Eddie Jefferson, like everyone else. He is my personal fav. I saw Kurt Elling a few years ago while on a tour and he knocked me out. His live CD with Jon Hendricks is very good. Diz & Joe Carroll did some cool stuff too. I read that Dave Lambert was quite the talented cat but is seldom mentioned today as more than a footnote to L,H & R.

[Mid-70's? How old is he?] I was pretty young back then so he wasn't much older - I would guess he's in his mid-fifties. Like I said above, I used to see him with Roy Brooks' band the Artsistic Truth before Gerri Allen had left Detroit. She is about my age (48).

Tadd said in his E-mail "He's one of Detroit's great tenor players and doesn't get much exposure." Right! He's fantastic and not heard from too often but he has been a resprected cat around Detroit for as long as I can remember (mid '70s). I don't think he has toured much - I am guessing he has a day gig.

Jazzbo - thanks for the tip! -RJ

This is a great subject in my humble opinion! I listen to internet radio every day. Here are my fav's - some have already been mentioned: WBGO - Newark - THE jazz station in NYC - great mainstream jazz! KPLU - Tocoma - a good station for soul jazz, mainstream jazz, a little bluesy jazz.. WBEZ - Chicago - good jazz, latin and blues - specially "Blues Before Sunrise" WCPN - Clevelend - good jazz programming too... WWOZ - NOLA - great New Orleans jazz and R&B plus some rather out jazz... KFAI - Twin Cities - Communty Radio - great 50's R&B programming KCSM - my Uncle Bud is on Sunday Nights - need I say more? WLNZ - Lansing - good swing and mainstream I also listen to WEMU which is a great local station and when in the area, WCMU, WBLV and WCPN amd sometimes WGVU. I guess I'm a bit of a junkie! Best, RJ

I am quite sure that is Vincent Bowens, and he is a great player! He was in Roy Brooks's band back in the day with Gerri Allen (before she had left Detroit), Cass Harris on trumpet and Ralphe Armstrong on bass. Roy called that group the Artistic Truth! Tim Brockett told me Vincent played not that long ago with George Davidson's group at Bert's Marketplace here in Detroit (Tim played organ on the gig). Vincent's brother is Sir Harry Bowens of Was (Not Was) fame.