Chuck Nessa

This was posted on Facebook by Daniel Steffey, a former student of Roscoe who has worked on a number of orchestral scores with him. I met Dan in Iceland and again in Montreal while working on some large ensemble works with Roscoe. Re: Mills College cutting Roscoe's chair. I can only relate to this in the way I know best, by seeing myself in it, to my own situation, and in those people pursuing a similar path... I have three people in my life that I consider heroes, and Roscoe is one of them. Not only have I been so incredibly fortunate (an understatement) to study with him during my time at Mills, but also to work with him on a large scale project that has reached concert halls in four (or five?) countries and two records. I am beside myself that this has been my reality since entering Mills in 2009, and I find that it has a special weight because what I do as a musician, isn't exactly what Roscoe does. I am not an improviser, I did not come up in jazz music. But we are both musicians. He is an amazing teacher and mentor, a pioneer, a heavy realist, and a continued force of great magnitude. Our lessons at first largely consisted of discussing music of the 1700s. I first clicked with a jazz legend (to put it lightly), talking about and studying the music of Telemann. Yes, Telemann. I don't even really like Telemann, but the point is, is that we have had some very valuable time together, and I truly feel that it has been a two way street. Roscoe seeks inspiration from all over, and that is how he stays blisteringly relevant. And that to me is very inspiring, because that is how I would like to be moving forward for as long as I am in this. With that being said, young people like myself having a reliance on institutions for job security, creative and technical advancement (after a certain point), or resources to realize your ideas; is an absolute fucking crapshoot. Let me again be very clear, I am speaking on my behalf alone about this, and am in no way passing judgement on, or discouraging anyone, on their pursuits in a career in academic music. I have received a lot of shit from a number of people about my decision to turn down a healthy fellowship to pursue a DMA, and let me say that it is precisely reasons like this that motivated me to step out. If Roscoe Mitchell can't keep his chair at a place like Mills, then what chance does someone like me have of even getting a position?! It is already hard enough to support yourself in the arts, I don't want to couple that with a stress headache of having to secure some shitty adjunct position and climb my way up the ladder, like a good old fashioned rat race. That is why I originally decided to pursue music in the first place, to not be in the rat race. I ultimately felt that I wouldn't gain the knowledge I wanted, in exchange for the work asked for in that pursuit, and that is what school is for, not getting a better job. I had a great talk with Roscoe about my decision, and in classic fashion, he gave me amazing guidance and commentary on that decision. Being a student doesn't end after you graduate. And a sidenote, for those of you who still have an opinion on what is the best decision for me regarding that, I suggest you go get two degrees in music, apply for post-grad school, and go get a doctorate yourself; you have my blessing. Mills College, as an institution, the administration of it, has to bear the brunt of embarrassment for even considering cutting Roscoe's position. It is a stunning display as to how out of touch the institution really is, an institution that has prided itself on being very outside the box for so long. It is just like everyone else, and it's a sad, sad, sad thing. We can appeal and write letters and scream and shout about it. And should. But moving forward, nothing can touch Roscoe's legacy, period. No dumbass place can even pretend to have an effect on it. We all know that. We keep moving forward in the pursuit of bringing new ideas to life, being inspired by all of that around us, and if we can even hope to come remotely close as Roscoe has over all these years, stay blisteringly relevant. "We don't have the time to be side steppin' here Daniel man..." - Roscoe Mitchell

I spoke briefly with Roscoe about this a few days ago. He was on tour and had no direct information but had hope since his position is an endowed chair.

Hoping to calm things down, I present an image of Ann Nessa "in her element" in the back yard tonight, with yarn and some needles. She frequently adds ear buds to listen to her latest novel on cd.

Fascinating interview. Ran into the Lloyd Reese 'problem' while researching the Mingus West Coast release.

I have one.

Nice to have this on cd. Got the lps in the late '60s.

close, but no cigar. the intent is obvious.

I love the Franck sonata in its many guises. The "heft" of the cello and Helmerson's passion makes this recording my current favorite.

For some reason Hogwood repelled me in Mozart.

I have no Beatles on cd, mono or stereo. When they were released I was working in record stores and many of my copies are Parlophone originals in good shape.

Ha! It was named out of desperation - In those days the musician's union had to pass on your name so they didn't wind up in a "trick bag" with different companies with the same name on contracts. I had submitted a number of names and they were all rejected, with a new release ready to press. I finally submitted my name since that is where all the bills were being sent. One of my favorite label names is Candid.

Where is the vomit emoji? I have enough respect for him to post the death notice but this is nuts. That is not the way an art form, or pop culture, evolves.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/27/arts/music/gregg-allman-dead-allman-brothers-band.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=second-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0

I settled on the Pinnock box and the hundreds of other Mozart symphonies in my collection. I am done. FWIW, much of the Vox collections is worthy.

Some wonderful opportunities there. Sorry I am solidly in the Midwest then. Best wishes.

Everything is in print and in stock here. I just checked with City Hall Records (my national distributor) and they have all but one title in stock today. Sigh.

Dusty Groove has their way with Signaling - https://www.dustygroove.com/item/832323

Thanks to all.

Lovely new transfers

Have not had time to listen but the book is up to usual Uptown standards.

Derek Taylor reviews Signaling in Dusted - http://dustedmagazine.tumblr.com/post/160449751865/nick-mazzarella-tomkea-reid-signaling-nessa. Also reviews of Four Ways by Kurt Gottschalk in http://www.nycjazzrecord.com and Kevin Whitehead in Tone Audio http://www.tonepublications.com.

Here are a couple of shots from our seats in the front row.

I was there as were a couple other members here. Missing from the personnel list are Tyshawn Sorey, William Wynant and Kikanju Baku.

knowing the "later in life" relationships for these two makes this image a hoot.