Justin V

Disc 1: I bought this a few months ago (for $10) and am making my way through it a second time. This still sounds so modern. I'm looking forward to hearing the track with Roy Haynes on Disc 2 again. I need to pick up that Dolphy box one of these days.

Disc 2

This is another punch to the gut. After years of wanting to see Larry Willis perform, I had the good fortune of seeing him play 4 times in the Cleveland area over the past few years. First was with Hugh Masekela, the next two times were with Vanessa Rubin and the last was with Eric Alexander in May. I got the nerve to approach him after the Alexander show, shake his hand and chat for a minute. I pointed out that in the span of about a month, I had seen the entire personnel of his marvelous Steal Away album (Cecil McBee with The Cookers and Gary Bartz with the Oberlin faculty), which was pretty amazing. I also encouraged him to play a solo concert the next time he was in the area. He replied something like, 'We'll see what the future holds.' With the manager of another local club telling me earlier this month that he hoped he could bring Willis in the next time he was in the area, I was optimistic about the future. Thank you for the music, Mr. Willis, and rest in peace.

Ugh. I am not in the Allen fan club (although I wish him good health), but why derail his thread with so much political discussion, which is allegedly forbidden?

Ira Sullivan is coming to Cleveland tomorrow (Sunday) for the first time in 8 years. My wife and I will be making it our first date night without the baby in tow (and she is almost 20 months). I am excited. Ira is the man.

Argh. I had forgotten that those albums were on Prestige and was excited about having them all in one set. A deluxe set comprised of those albums (and hopefully alternates) is long overdue. As far as the Prestige set goes, it appears that it might not be released in CD format, as the Amazon pre-order only lists vinyl, download and streaming. All of the alternates were previously released, so this set may only be for those with a vinyl fetish. Regarding the music itself, I only have Chet and would like to hear the other albums, particularly the sessions with Johnny Griffin and Kenny Drew (backing a vocalist, which I haven't heard Drew do). I also remember enjoying what I heard of the Lerner and Loewe material. However, I'll either track down the individual albums or listen via streaming rather than plunk down the cash for a download of the new set.

Javon Jackson (w/ Les McCann) - Lucky 13

Jack Sheldon - The Quartet and the Quintet: With his 88th birthday coming up in November, here's wishing the best for Jack Sheldon.

They are known to get partial boxes here and there, and unsold items from one clearance sale (held at the county fairgrounds) get packed up (likely hurriedly) and sent on down the road to the next clearance sale. That's why it might've been dislodged somewhere. However, maybe Disc 1 never made it from the plastic sleeve to the case (which are kept empty on the shelves) when it made it to the clearance pile. At any rate, one disc is better than zero, but the full set would be nice.

Disc 2, which is the only part of this set I own. I found it at a Half Price Books clearance sale for $1, with Disc 1 likely dislodged and lost somewhere along the way.

Stan Tracey and Bobby Wellins - Comme D'Habitude: Sinatra Tribute Album: I need to add more Tracey and Wellins to my collection. I'm sad to learn that Wellins passed away in 2016.

Disc 3

I had the good fortune of seeing Harold Mabern twice, once in Cleveland with Eric Alexander and once at the Village Vanguard with his own trio of John Webber and Joe Farnsworth. Both times I sat right behind his piano bench, so I had the best seat in the house. In addition to being a wonderful pianist and composer, Mabern seemed to genuinely enjoy interacting with people. After the Alexander show, Mabern recommended Phineas Newborn to a young pianist, asked me what I played (bass) and who my favorite bassists were. He then talked about Richard Davis a bit. Between sets at the Village Vanguard, I asked him about Lee Morgan and his respect and affection for Morgan was evident 40+ years after Morgan's untimely death. I also asked him about why he was never a Jazz Messenger, as Blakey loved Memphis pianists and Mabern would have fit in well. Mabern said that he subbed a few times for Cedar Walton but was already with Lee Morgan at the time. It is hard enough to deal with a great musician's passing, but It is even more difficult when the musician was such a warm, friendly person. I'll cherish the souvenirs of the two times I saw him (a signed copy of Mr. Lucky and a signed Village Vanguard schedule) and keep enjoying and exploring more of his music, but this one still hits home for me. Thank you for the music, Mr. Mabern, and rest in peace.

I'm only familiar with Wilber through his work on the excellent Bechet Mosaic Select, but it must've been incredible to be a young musician taken under Bechet's wing. Thank you for the music, Mr. Wilber, and rest in peace.

Farrugia came to Akron a few years back in a band co-led by Ernie Watts and Brad Goode (joined by Kelly Sill and Adam Nussbaum). I hadn't heard of him before that night, but he and the rest of the band put on a great show. I haven't heard Piltch or Ballantyne, but I'm intrigued by the company (rhythm section) they keep. Now playing: They all were so young at the time this was recorded and now Harold Mabern and Willie Thomas have left us this year, with the enigmatic Strozier the only surviving member. What a group!

Disc 1: I bought this set years ago for 40 bucks (the spine was ripped). It has been a few years since I last listened to it and there is no sensible reason for that. This is a feel-good Mosaic.

Any thoughts on this one? I'll have to check it out.

Putting the baby down with this one. It's been a few years since I last listened to it, so it's almost like hearing it for the first time.

No, I found it for $3 at a store in my hometown. Why?

This month: Mars Williams/Tollef Østvang - Painted Pillars Jack DeJohnette - Irresistible Forces Joe Lovano - From the Soul Jonah Jones - Jumpin' with Jonah Drew Gress - 7 Black Butterflies Michael Brecker - Pilgrimage (replacing a battered copy that is MIA) Ralph Alessi - Imaginary Friends

Stay classy. RIP, Mr. Ocasek.