Idrees Sulieman


Ira Sullivan

Two trumpet players that don't get discussed too much, and I thought maybe we could change that. Has anyone here heard either musician in-person? I don't know much biographical information on either, other than Sullivan is one of those ambidextrous musicians who is equally adept on the tenor.

Favorite appearances on record?

I know Ira. Twenty seven years ago I produced one of his records. Very interesting human and a terrific musician.

Chuck, is Sullivan still playing much?

As far as I know.

I last heard him about 2 years ago and he sounded fine.

He lives in Miami and gigs when he feels like it. About a year or two ago I missed a chance to see Ira gig with Eddie Higgins.

And speaking of Higgins, after my interview with him, I tried to use that connection to get an interview with Ira. Eddie graciously agreed to call him. He told him that he had done an interview with me, it went very well, and would he consider doing one also?

Ira asked Eddie if he'd been paid for doing the interview and when told he hadn't been, said in no uncertain terms that without payment, he wouldn't do it!

Who did he think I was working for, the National Enquirer?



After relaying this, Eddie told me that Ira can be a bit of an "odd duck". No sh*t.

After Hours is the only fairly recent recording by Ira Sullivan I've come across. It's a good one.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detai...=glance&s=music

After Hours was actually recorded in 1996 and 1998. There are a few later things where he is not the leader.

Please see my website for a comprehensive discography of Ira Sullivan.

Mike

Isn't that Sulieman playing with Dolphy at the end of the documentary Last Date?

An earl Ira Sullivan album I enjoy is the 'Nicky's Tune' session on Delmark with Nicky Hill, Jodie Christian, Victor Sproles and that other underrated musician Wilbur Campbell.

As for Idrees Sulieman I would like to hear the radio session he recorded with Lester Young in Paris in March 1959 just before Prez returned to New York. Sulieman must have been a good match to Lester Young!

Anybody know of any Sulieman recording since his appearance on Randy Weston's "Spirits of Our Ancestors"? I can't recall seeing any.

Good to see my other favorite trumpet player, Benny Bailey, sitting just behind Sulieman in that photo at top.

Sulieman is nice on this one:



What are some 60's recordings to look for with Sulieman on them?

Ira Sullivan hosts jam sessions at the Jazz Showcase every year during jazz fest. Always a good time.

i always thoght that these guys were the same person

Two-disc set (cut-out) on Veejay/Koch currently on sale for $6.99 from Moe & The Poets (a.k.a Dusty Groove).

The one Ira Sullivan album that really touched my heart was "Peace" on Galaxy, where he plays all of his horns with equal conviction. "Send in the Clowns" from this one is a classic.
Wish Fantasy would make a twofer CD of his two Galaxy LPs.

I saw Sullivan this past Friday night at the Hollywood Jazz Fest. He led what was called the South Florida Jazz Collective, which featured a number of local musicians, most prominantly he and Turk Mauro. Switched off between sax, trumpet and percussion. I believe he spends most of his time in South Florida.

Must mention that Larry kart's new book has an excellent piece on Ira Sullivan -

Just curious. Anyone out there know the Ira Sullivan lp on Flying Fish?

Anyone?

Know and love. (And thanks for the inside scoop for the discography)

Mike

Chuck, is that the one during which, frustrated with the way Ira was messing around with some New Age-y stuff flute-and-guitar stuff, you testily said, "Play bebop!" -- whereupon Ira literally played that tune?

No, That would be "That's Earl Brother" that Ira played, not "Bebop."

A good example of how a muddled memory of what you were told by someone else can become imbedded in your head as a non-factual fact. Need to watch out for that.

The Incredible Ira Sullivan (Stash 1978) is pretty good for an over dubbed LP, sadly I don't know the Flying fish date ( not available on CD or LP I presume).

Brownie stole some of my thunder but I picked up Nicky's Tune recently and this is an outstanding album. Anything with Jodie Christian has to be good.

i dig idrees on that prestige all stars cd!

I've seen Ira several times over the past couple years playing in Chicago. Trumpet, tenor, flute....you name it, he plays it.....and well!!! Very friendly guy and always eager to help the younger musicians!

I played two concerts with Idrees Sulieman in June of 1990 - Mannes College and Temple University - in a group with Ralph Moore, Peter and Kenny Washington, playing Idrees' tunes. He was a very nice, soft spoken guy and played with a big fat sound. One of the ORIGINAL bebop trumpet players, he had his own thing alongside Dizzy and Fat Girl. Probably one of the most lyrical trumpet players of all time.
I met him for the first time at Sadik Hakim's apartment around 1980. He had a tape of Oscar Dennard playing solo piano at a house party: Boplicity and Round Midnight. Unbelievable. Beautiful smooth block chords. I regret not getting a copy of that. I think Jamil Nasser has it.
I don't think there are any commercial recordings that really show what Oscar Dennard could do.
I'm glad to see Idrees' name mentioned here.

Welcome Michael. Glad you found your way here.

Speaking of Indress, I have just bought second hand the CD "Roots" (Riverside CD), an early 60s recordings (no leader) which featured Indress. Very nice.