Chuck Nessa

You still across the river from KC?

I met MLK while in high school and still have the little book he told Ralph Abernathy to give me - "The Measure of a Man". I saw him later as he posted a declaration on the doors of city hall in Chicago, 1966. At that time, Ann and I were pushed out of the way by a young Jesse Jackson. About 20 years later Jesse's guards pushed me aside again so he could go onstage at the Chicago Jazz Festival to hug BB King. Edit to say I did NOT tell MLK I had a dream.

I was introduced 50+ years ago. Thank your god I don't have to go through that again.

Nanette Fabray Ray Price Bill Cullen

It's Herman Riley.

Not Junior. I was thinking maybe Ramon Morris, but probably not.

Yup.

Nah, the tomatoes should be thriving. All that good food.

Not me. It was in Plano.

Not me. I think it was a great title for the record.

Jim's "posted image" didn't show up but I love the Bad Bossa Nova title and cover.

I have my lead underwear on (and maybe the bra - I won't tell), so I ask "friends of Michael" to contact him for the facts. It would be interesting to me if he says something different.

I have a soft spot for the CTI, though Randy doesn't.

Not if I had to dispose of 2.

I have a bit of additional history to add to the story. In January of 1974 I was in NYC and visited Michael at his apartment with my friend Terry Martin. He said he thought he’d be out of work soon and was looking for ideas. This was during a big oil shortage, vinyl was in short supply and the record companies were cutting back. Michael was a staff producer for Atlantic and felt the heat. After his Commodore reissues and combing the Atlantic vault, he hoped to get a gig with a company with a large “back catalog” to exploit with reissues. I suggested BN. For years I had been collecting bits and scraps of info about unissued sessions. I mentioned these to him and he seemed intrigued. He invited me to a Robin Kenyatta date he was doing that night at the Hit Factory. During a session break Michael asked the musicians if any of them had been on unissued BN sessions. A few hands went up and Larry Willis and Ron Carter named some specific dates. Michael looked at me and smiled.

Randy did duos with Art Blakey, then Richard Davis and Griffin played duos, then all four played. Machito's band played a set, then Dizzy's quartet, then all were on stage for "A Night In Tunisia" (Walter Davis on piano) and finally the commission "African Sunrise". I think a couple of board members were there.

Just wondering, what would be the other one? Destry.

and a disease.

I hope Mose wears appropriate clothing to the gig.

BTW, I just relistened to Earth Birth after a week of listening to Norman Granz's string sessions with Benny Carter, Roy Eldridge, Charlie Parker, Johnny Hodges and Ben Webster. I think all these sessions do more for the artists involved, musically and commercially.

The song has ended but the malady lingers on.............

I am a huge Randy Weston fan - when I was with the Chicago Jazz Festival I built a night around him and commissioned a new work - the participants were Johnny Griffin, Richard Davis, Art Blakey, Dizzy Gillespie and Machito's band. I would agree with all said here but I feel you are lucky Earth Birth is available so inexpensively. The format really does not enhance his music in my opinion. He plays like the artist he is but if I was compelled to dispose of 2 of his discs, this would be one.

Possibly Albert Wynn?