Justin V

After recently seeing a guitarist do a very poor imitation, I needed the real deal. It's a been a Kenny Burrell festival today.

Al Tinney! I didn't expect him to pop up here.

Coincidentally, I recently bought a Carmen McRae/Betty Carter album that I thought was a McRae/Benny Carter album. It ended up being a happy accident.

Disc 4

This is a new addition that really works for me.

I've met David Weiss and Mark Stryker. I'll likely meet Lwayne soon and had seen him around for years without putting two and two together. I've seen Chuck Nessa at a gig before.

I found a copy signed by Mitchell on eBay for 10 bucks.

I was there.

Disc 3: I think that this set deserves more recognition. Someone is selling it without the box and book for $45 on eBay. I paid $100 for it years ago and don't regret it. 🙂

I'm glad that Lou was able to attend the ceremony. That's a neat honor.

Congratulations to her! The last time I saw her was with her wonderful quartet and Abdul Wadud was in the audience.

This is probably my favorite Tatum.

Wow. I didn't realize that both Kikoski and Howard had worked with Roy so long ago. I saw Howard with Roy 5 years ago or so; I think it was the gig with Savion Glover joining the band. Kikoski was on piano the first time I saw Roy in 2009 and what I hope wasn't the last time in 2019. Every other of the 9 or 10 other times I've seen Roy (other than once with Chick), Martin Bejerano was on piano. I first saw Yasushi Nakamura with Cleveland trumpeter Dominick Farinacci maybe 12 years ago. I then saw him with Lew Tabackin this past June. I knew he had been busy in the years since and he was a strong player fresh out of Juilliard, but he is quite formidable now. Incidentally, the late Lawrence Leathers was also on that first gig.

Sergio Mihanovich?

I saw a young vocalist, a student of Eddie Henderson, do 'The Creator Has a Master Plan' earlier this year. She had Henderson and Billy Hart with her; Hart was on the original recording.

Yes, we still have Roy, who is a link to so many of the greatest ever (and is among the greatest himself!). Let's not forget about Reggie Workman, too. I saw Pharoah Sanders twice. The first time was with his group with William Henderson, Nat Reeves and Joe Farnsworth. I was (and still am) largely unfamiliar with his later work. As such, perhaps, I was unprepared for how much fun the set was. Yes, there was fiery intensity, but the sense of joy and warmth in his playing and stage presence really made an impression on me. The second (and last) time I saw him was in Pittsburgh, where he shared the stage with Jimmy Cobb, Kenny Barron, Geri Allen, Jimmy Owens, Tineke Postma and Robert Hurst. (Roger Humphries also joined in the proceedings some.) When they played 'All Blues' with a quintet of Sanders, Owens, Barron, Hurst and Cobb, it was one of those moments where I couldn't believe I was there to witness it. For as much avant-garde as I've heard live and on record, an album like 'Meditations' still challenges me, largely due to Pharoah's contributions. Thank you for the music, Mr. Sanders, and rest in peace.

First, here's wishing George Cables the best. He is a treasure. He sounded great as always both times I saw The Cookers this year, in February (with Harrison) and June (with Handy).

I like this one with Solal, which I picked up after liking what I heard of Hodeir on that wonderful Vogue box.

I was out of state in 2019 when she played a gig (or 2?) in the area and then the pandemic scuttled a planned gig in March 2020. The stars thus never aligned for me to see her. It's heartbreaking for such a well-regarded, young musician to pass away. RIP.

It seems that most of my chances to see him came before I fell in love with the organ. I ended up seeing him only once, with a star-studded lineup in Pittsburgh (Andy Bey, Billy Hart, Ingrid Jensen, JD Allen, Sean Jones, Mark Whitfield, Tineke Postma and Reginald Veal). He last came to Cleveland in November and I somehow didn't go. I can't believe he's gone now. Thank you for the music, Mr. DeFrancesco, and rest in peace.

Argh. I posted for the first time in almost a year to remind people that Richard Davis is still around, only to see Jim joke about a nonagenarian dying. Back to lurking. Stay classy, Jim.

The great Richard Davis hasn't been mentioned.

I listened to his Blue Note album last week and enjoyed it. Once the world returns to normal, I wouldn't be surprised if he plays in Cleveland. I'd see him.

The last track is a tribute to Earl Hines. I didn't realize it until I opened my phone to pull up Earl Hines. Now listening to: Disc 1: Solo Earl Hines