randissimo

Word

Chrome, I somehow missed this post.... I have since 1968 been a big fan of the MC5. I used to go to a lot of their shows and thought at the time that they were the baddest rock n roll band in the US! That is a sad but interesting letter... I know Wayne Kramer has payed a lot of dues over the years... There's a great book on the history of the MC5 and the White Panther party written by John Sinclair. It's entitled, "Guitar Army"...

Impossible, Thanks for that great photo... I remember when you posted the news about Elvin... I think I might have responded with a story of seeing him in Chicago... Elvin has always been a great source of inspiration for me...

Cool,,, I'm glad things worked out.. I am also an avid rider... I have a Miyata racing bike but do mostly cross country mountain biking... When I ride the road bike it's usually on paved trails where the common problems are passing roller bladers and families with kids and strollers sprawled out over the pavement.... I don't ride much these days on roads and streets with motor traffic unless there is a wide paved shoulder or a bike lane..

2004, on the “Jazz Program List” site from Larry Applelbaum. “I saw Elvin last night at Yoshi's here in San Francisco.He could barely make it to the stage, his wife helping him sit and placing the sticks in his hand. Elvin had trouble hitting the drums but his time and sound was impeccable. His wife made an announcement that Elvin was obviously very sick and has been in the hospital for 3 months and she wanted him to spend his last moments, at his wish, behind the drums. He looked about like he weighed 75 pounds and was truly sick...it was one of the saddest moments of my life. I was so used to seeing him look fit, happy and powerful. The last number was announced, Dear Lord, and his wife asked us all to pray as she hugged him from behind the drums for the entire tune. I could not stop crying... Please send prayers to this legend, the great inspirational Elvin!" and this, from an unidentified doctor, is from the Latin Jazz site: I was really eager to see Elvin Jones, waiting to see the Black Thunder pounding those drums. The scenario was perfect, no mikes over the drums so I though "wow, he can really pound those drums, eh?". Well, the band came out (2 saxes, pianist and bassist) and the place went crazy but...no Elvin...and no Elvin...and no Elvin. After about 5 minutes of constant applause, Elvin Jones came out, couldn't walk and had to be helped by his wife and the band members. We were a group of physicians and nurses and we all looked at each other with the same expression in our faces "he is dying of heart failure". His wife gave him the sticks and the band started playing a bebop-like tune. It was quite an experience seeing him playing that night. The stick in his right hand (hitting the cymbal) kept slipping back and he needed to reposition it. He was certainly off, considering the timing of the tune. I couldn't see his left hand, but I could not hear any beats. Similarly with the hi-hat, I did not hear it all night long. As the performance continued, he looked more ill...in fact, he closed his eyes once, and grabbed his stomach as if he was in pain, and everybody in my group got up because we though that he was going to fall. He finally woke up and continued playing. He took one solo all night long, and basically what he did was to drop the sticks on the drum one at a time, at a very slow speed. He did not have the strength or energy to lift up the sticks from the drum fast enough. The band sounded great thought. I guess he is like Art Blakey and surrounded himself with the best young players available. The bassist kept the rhythm going all night long, working super hard and the pianist would take very long solos, as both sax players. Elvin could still swing at a very low speed, but was well complemented by the bassist and pianist. At the end of the performance, his wife whose name I couldn't catch, came out and said that Elvin Jones was very ill, dying from heart failure. She also said that he had not eaten anything that day but that she had fired his prior 3 physicians when they said that he was dying and decided to take care of things herself, booking him continuously until July (she also went on and on talking about medical insurances, doctors, etc) Elvin did not said a word all night long, and I actually wondered if was still coherent enough (which is a common, late event in patients with heart failure). He stayed there, sitting by his drums for about 20 minutes after the performance was over. We all gave him a standing ovation, I guess is the way of thanking him for what he has done. He did wave goodbye as he was helped out of the stage. We sent him our cards as there are some options for patients with advanced heart failure (which we happen to specialize in our group). I am not sure I can actually describe the feeling I had that night. The music was good, and seeing him on the drums made me happy and sad. Happy because I got to see him before the inevitable. Sad because somebody like him should be at home, spending the last few days of his life surrounded by family and friends. I know he also needs our support (income as his wife put it). I haven't heard anything about his health in the news, and patients with heart failure have good and bad days, but I can actually say that he is in bad shape, weakened by his illness (already cachectic). I will forever have the image of an elderly Elvin Jones playing the drums that night.” Very sad! A wonderful person who it has been my pleasure to spend time with on a number of occasions. Len Dobbin

I wonder who this guy could be ??

That uncle Joe is a lucky guy! I want to hold her too... Great shots Jim! I can't wait to meet her.

Jeeez! I've been waitin' all weekend to find out!! Congratulations Jim ..

Great story Joe.... I spend as much time as possible joyously meandering in the "Great Outdoors" ....

Why I oughta!

Grossly opionated ??

thanks Phil.... Now if we could just get a happenin' label & a distribution deal and talk Dan Gould into being our manager

This is pretty cool B) http://funky16corners.tripod.com/9_45s_2.htm

April 5, 2004 Contact: John Colbert 313 345 6300 BAKER’S KEYBOARD LOUNGE CELEBRATES 70TH ANNIVERSARY Baker’s Keyboard Lounge celebrates its 70th anniversary (1934 – 2004) on May 2, 3, & 4 with a series of jazz concerts that will also recognize and honor various Detroit musicians (both resident and national) for their achievements in music. The concerts will take place at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, 315 E. Warren, and at Baker’s, 20510 Livernois at 8 Mile Road. Featured artists include Dr. Donald Byrd, Louis Hayes, Barry Harris, Curtis Fuller, Charles McPherson and Claude Black. Dr. Teddy Harris’ Jazz Orchestra, under the direction of Frank Foster, will perform original arrangements by Detroit pianist Hank Jones. Tickets are available only through Baker’s, 313 345 6300. Information about the concerts is also available at www.bakerskeyboardlounge.com PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE Sunday, May 2 2:00 – 5:00 pm Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History Tickets $25.00 Featuring Donald Byrd, Louis Hayes, Curtis Fuller, Frank Foster, Barry Harris and Dr. Teddy Harris’ Jazz Orchestra Sunday, May 2 8:00 & 10:30 pm Baker’s Keyboard Lounge Tickets $30.00 Donald Byrd and the Detroit Jazz Titans including Curtis Fuller, Teddy Harris, Will Austin & Louis Hayes Monday, May 3 8:00 & 10:30 pm Baker’s Keyboard Lounge Tickets $30.00 Barry Harris and the Detroit Jazz All-Stars featuring Charles McPherson Tuesday, May 4 8:00 & 10:30 pm Baker’s Keyboard Lounge Tickets $30.00 The Donald Byrd – Claude Black reunion with Rodney Whitaker & Kareem Riggins

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAZARO! Come on out to Dockers and have a beverage or 2 on me... B)

My favorite Oscar Peterson album is the Verve recording "The Trio, Live In Chicago".. It was recorded in 1961 at the legendary "London House". The trio was Oscar, Ray Brown & drummer Ed Thigpen. Every track on this record swings profusely! I also just finished OP's autobiography.. An interesting read...

B)

My condolences as well..

Hummers are about the most vain and idiotic vehicles on the market.. What kind of people waste their bucks on a vehicle that looks like an armored truck and gets so many gallons to the mile?

Wish I could do that! Hearing the G-man strangle a sax is akin to hearing a dentist drill. Actually, it’s much MUCH worse: one doesn’t expect to hear a dentist drill in a shopping center! I like the scene in the 2nd "Wayne's world" movie when Kenny G is playing and Wayne or Garth has a vision of being in a dentist's chair and the drill is whining...

All the trails will be in great shape..

Let's plan a ride.. Let us know when you have time to do it...

If you can get to the UP we could maybe ride Grand island off of Munising Bay. It's an awesome ride! I ride a Giant NRS 2..

Chuck, I'm very familiar with the Hart-Montaque trail. I first started riding it back in 1993 when they first paved it and opened to the public.. I've had some very memorable rides on that trail... Like the time I lost a wallet with around $250. in it. Within a couple of days I got a call from someone in New Era who had found my wallet and returned it to me with total contents intact!!! Would you be joining us for the ride?

Just curious,,, Joe G and I are avid mountain bikers and are planning to squeeze in as many rides as possible between now and next Winter's return.. Michigan has some of the best trails in the US.. If you live in or near Mich or plan to visit Michigan and would like to ride let me know... There are plenty of bike rental outlets and I've got a Yakima 2 bike carrier on the back of my car..