Chuck Nessa

Buy 3 songs - one by the Ramones, one by Zappa and one by Dylan and bask in our cultural past.

Sounds interesting. Thanks.

Stopped smoking on May 11, 2011 after 40+ years. Used Chantix successfully. My reward was an ugly 45 pounds.

Are you stationery when you have this problem?

G'bye.

The entire Bal Masque album is a fake live date.

I have an official Blue Rose.

Speaking of magnificent bullshitters (maybe that's too harsh), I should dig out my tapes of Bud Freeman (discussing Chicago jazz in the twenties) made in my living room. He is pretty harsh with Mez, Red McKenzie and Goodman (as expected).

I was in Chicago today and saw a physical edition of the Tribune with Von's obit at the Delmark headquarters. The obit was the front page of the Arts & Entertainment with a huge photo dominating the page AND the front page of the paper had Von’s photo and the headline above the masthead of the Tribune! It was really cool. Should anyone discover a copy, I'd love to have it.

No rules. Could be an oversight or a slight. Payment usually has nothing to do with credits. I said usually because I know Elvin Jones told someone if his name was on the front he wanted an extra $50.

Your memory is correct. Von was really nervous and nothing I said calmed him down. I think you can feel the tension in Mr. Lucky, the first tune recorded, but maybe that's just me. He had two bottles, a small vodka and a larger orange juice. A tune or two from the end of the session show the effects. In a Cadence interview he mentioned how "up tight" he was.

Thanks for that post Jeff. Here is a slightly edited message I sent to a good friend asking me for some history: During my first stay in Chicago (1966-68) Von was nowhere in sight – probably in Vegas with Milt Trenier. My first encounter was the Charlie Parker Memorial in 1970 with Dexter, Red Rodney, Roy Haynes and Chicagoans Jodie and Rufus. I remember wondering who the fuck the other guy was. They did afternoon and evening shows. During the break I joined a group for dinner at a Mexican restaurant up the street. I found myself eating and drinking with Dexter, Red, Roy, Dan Morganstern and Ira Gitler – none of the locals made the dinner. Within a year or so I heard Von at another of Joe Segal’s joints with Jug, Mobley and a really intimidated Hank Crawford (lime double knit suit). I still didn’t have a real handle on what Von was and the Atlantic album didn’t help. I moved back to Chicago in the spring of ‘75 and Von had a regular Monday night gig on 75th street at a bar called the Enterprise lounge with John Young on Rhodes, David Shipp on bass and Charles Walton on drums. I probably only missed about 10 mondays over the next 5 years. My attendance there was due to Terry Martin’s encouraging letters when I still lived in the Boston area. Terry still has hundreds of cassettes recorded at the Enterprise. About 2 years ago Von told me he'd never forget the "3 musketeers", Terry, me and John Litweiler at the first table. Before the Enterprise, Von had the same deal at a bar called Betty Lou’s and afterwards the New Apartment. I am sure he had a real jazz gig like this all his life – not really “lounge-y”, just playing. The Have No Fear session was meant to be a recreation of the Enterprise scene with no re-takes and a better drummer – even had a studio audience and sort of a mini bar. I think something like 85% of his life was playing “hardcore”. Back in the day Von loaned me some early recordings and he sounded like Pres and some a bit later when he played alto and sounded like Bird. When he went back to tenor he sounded like Von. I understand the same journey was made by Johnny Griffin and that might explain the surface similarities. Nothing better than a Monday night on 75th street, Von holding forth on stage and “miss Chink” delivering a tray of $2 Old Styles.

Not so sure.

Do these guys make the cheese products?

Kenny's marriage fails.

First encountered Von at one of Joe Segal's Charlie Parker Memorial concerts. He was dueling with Dexter Gordon. Next was another Segal show with Von, Jug, Mobley and a very uncomfortable Hank Crawford. Started a weekly encounter at the Enterprise Lounge on 75th St in 1975 and this went on for about 4 years. During that time we made our first recordings. Remember him wiping the floor with Sonny Stitt one night on Lincoln Avenue. Met his mama - lovely lady - at the house they shared with George. Tons of memories through the years. Hard to put them all together in some context. Last saw him a few months ago. Thank you Vonski.

Memories can be tricky. I think the Atlantic record was recorded in 1972.

The Tribune leaves out some fine SteepleChase discs with the great Wilbur Campbell. My link

I thought this one was relatively dull (though it has its moments). Definitely not on the level of Out of the Cool or Individualism. Your "dull" is my "subtle".

You can download it. You missed something. Read the prompts as they appear.

Von was also an outstanding human. He demonstrated that to me many times over the years.

Von always thought he was born in 1922. A couple of years ago the author of the Tribune piece wrote an article "exposing" the "error" to Von's surprise.

Worth tracking down.

With arrangements by my old friend Dale Oehler, better known for playing piano on JR Monterose's "In Action".