Michael Weiss

I'm returning to the Folly Theater again, this time with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra (last Monday's first set on NPR.com) on Saturday March 3. Don't know exactly my schedule yet, but would love to meet up for some BBQ. Will comp tickets if I can swing it.

We were video streaming live on NPR.org from the Vanguard tonight. The audio is still up: http://www.npr.org/event/music/145987010/vanguard-jazz-orchestra-live-at-the-village-vanguard "A-That's Freedom" (Hank Jones, arranged by Thad Jones)"Extra Credit" (Jim McNeely)"ABC Blues" (Bob Brookmeyer)"Suite For Three" (Bob Brookmeyer)"Skylark" (Hoagy Carmichael, arranged by Bob Brookmeyer)"My Centennial" (Thad Jones)

WTF!!

Sorry no details. Just heard this morning.... One of the greats and an important mentor to so many Chicago musicians.

I can attest to that myself. Particularly with the headphones on! There were two pianos in the studio. A newer one and the old one. I chose the old one. I'll try and dig out some photos from the date.

The German documentary on Jimmy Smith that's on youtube has video of him recording there with Grady, Ron Carter, Kenny Burrell in 1965 for Verve.

Thanks for the well wishes. Going to enjoy a dozen Kusshi oysters tonight. These are really great. Lucky didn't sit in. He sat out ... in the audience. I think he hadn't played a horn in quite some time. It was great to meet him anyway.

#6 Stitt for sure. But from where?

I worked with Idrees. I should have ID'd him the first time.

Minus Dusko. Any other guess who's on trumpet? Idrees Sulieman

Thanks for turning me on to this. I've since acquired the rest of the disc and am enjoying it a lot.

#12: Dexter and Slide with Dusko Gojkovic and the NDR band?

#7: George Coleman and Harold Mabern playing Everytime We Say Goodbye. #9: Junior Cook playing one of his favorite ballads, "When Sonny Gets Blue." Don't know who the rhythm section is but it sounds like the time period when I was working with him - 1980s. It's not me - it better not be. #10: Tenor player sounds like Rich Perry, but he's pretty restrained for Rich. #11: No one plays more like Lucky Thompson than Lucky Thompson so it's gotta be Lucky, right? But some of what he plays here is a little suspect. This is probably with a European big band, mid 1960s?

Will gladly trade in the cigar for this LP!

Okay, I think I've got it. DICK GROVE: LITTLE BIRD SUITE (Pacific Jazz 74), "Mosca Espanola"?? Impossible to find the complete personnel online.

#10: Marty Paich? Bill Russo? (in London?) How about Bill Mathieu?

My first gig at Bradley's (1988) was a week with George Coleman and Bob Cranshaw on electric bass and.... no drums. Pressure? Noooo...

Just saw this on TV. Great to see this band.

Let's see if Lou Donaldson gets one before it's too late.

Track 13: Immediately recognized Joe Farrell on soprano. Reminded me of Moon Germs a little. Then googled Farrell plus marimba and found it. Horacee Arnold: Tribe. Billy Harper is a bit overbearing for me but to each their own. Nice record - good writing. The next track has Mraz and David Friedman playing a mean unison line. Track 10: Very curious to know what this is. Nice orchestration - Piccolo, Clarinet, Flute, The flugelhorn lead sounds like a french horn section. I bet this is Rod Levitt. I have an LP, Insight (RCA) which this track is not on, so maybe it's from Solid Ground or 42nd Street.

For the past 21 years.

Happy to comp two for the second set at the Vanguard Monday.

Esko was a great guy and really knew his stuff. I did a tour with the UMO band with Red Rodney in 1989.

Happy Birthday Marty.