Michael Weiss

Hi Durium, Thanks for your corrections. But while you're at it you might as well correct the spelling of my name - WEISS - with two S. I thoroughly enjoyed Cecil's performance. I was there from beginning to end as well as backstage with Cecil before the set and for the rest of the evening afterwards. It was a spectacular set and as you pointed out, Cecil maintains a high degree of concentration, totally unruffled by the comings and goings of the audience, as is typical at Northsea. I find Cecil's music very accessible - melodically, harmonically, rhythmically, dynamically, and with great variety of orchestration as well. I think the audience that stayed through the performance was equally impressed. I just wish more jazz musicians would be currently informed about his music. instead of relying on old memories of old records. Attending a concert like the one at NorthSea would really turn some heads around.

Durium, I read your review of the VJO's concert on your website. Gary Smulyan soloed on our last selection of the evening, My Centennial (Thad). Contrary to your report, we never played the tunes "Stella By Starlight," "Lady Luck," "Round Midnight" or "Blue Minor." These were selections were performed by Hank Jones' trio, who followed us on the same stage. So I guess you left in the middle of our set and then came back. As you pointed out, there is great diversity among the groups presented by North Sea. But it does little justice to either the VJO or Cecil Taylor to characterize our respective music with the word "versus" in between. Not only are there are more commonalities than you give us credit for, but there is no competition involved.

Rented "Blues in the Night" from Netflix. Included in the DVD were "Jammin' the Blues" and a 1936 Lunceford short I never saw before, "Jimmie Lunceford and his Dance Orchestra." Earl Carruthers and Joe Thomas do some amazing steps too. Great to see film of this great band.

That piano ended up at the Jazz Gallery.

A must for any Tyrone Washington fan:

We paid tribute playing a little "Rock With You" last night at Smalls.

Michael Weiss - piano, compositions Dick Oatts - alto, soprano David Wong - bass Justin Brown - drums Smalls 183 West 10th Street NYC Friday & Saturday June 26 & 27 10:30 & 12:00 Don't think I'll be opting for the live video podcast so you'll just have to come in person.

Anyone have a recording date for this?

Art Farmer Junior Cook Bill Hardman Pepper Adams Red Garland How about another thread titled Good Composers Under the Radar

These are some of Griffin's tunes we played and recorded from 1986-2005: Hot Sake Make Up Your Mind Take My Hand CallItwachawana When We Were One A Monk's Dream Woe Is Me You've Never Been There From Here To There Dance of Passion The Way It Is The Cat Chicago Calling What Do You Do Wistful The Count 63rd Street Theme Waltz For Ma Dawn Don't Say Goodbye, Just Leave Waltswing Fifty Six Do It A Waltz With Sweetie To Love Others include: Soft and Furry Let Me Touch It Oh, Now I See Satin Wrap Bee Ees Lollypop Ball Bearing Smokestack Camp Meeting The Congregation Main Spring Nice And Easy Mil Dew I know I'm leaving out several. Barry's composed a lot of tunes, but chooses to rarely perform them for some reason. Just check his Riverside and Prestige dates.

Silent. I didn't shoot it but I was there.

I've had this 8mm little reel of footage from Sun Ra's gig at the Bluebird in Bloomington, IN (1977) in my drawer for years. Gotta get it transferred!

Tom played his ass off all week, but on Sunday night, he was just on fire. Maybe Randy's presence inspired him to kick it up a few notches. All of us on stage were mesmerized. There wasn't much left to say after Tom soloed - just taking the tune out would not have seemed unreasonable.

Thanks for the thought. If it was my own music it might be a possibility. But Horace's publishing company would deserve a mechanical royalty, the musicians would need to be all in agreement on compensation, the recording would have to be CD release quality, etc. etc. Then again if Blue Note wants to record us.... In the meantime you can always buy one of my previous releases!

My LP copy of Far Away Lands does not have a photo credit.

For anyone who's interested I thought I'd post our set list: Cookin' at the Continental Moonrays Metamorphosis Homage (original) Pretty Eyes Where You At? Ecaroh Après Vous (original) Enchantment St. Vitus Dance Peace Mellow D Nutville (Sunday only)

When I was in high school in the early 70s, Harry Abraham's show would carry loud and clear all the way in Dallas in the middle of the night. making it very hard to go to sleep.

F6 = D-7 (instead of D7)

Several years ago Barry Harris, Mark Stryker and I went to hear George Benson, Johnny Allen and Will Austin at a brunch gig in Grosse Point. We got a real kick about how they played the changes to Satin Doll: D-7 G7 D-7 G7 E-7 A7 E-7 A7 (now brace yourself) F6 F#maj7 C !!! Of course we had to get into a deep analytic discussion as to how this sort of made sense.

Amen on that...after you learn how to play! (But until then) Hank's tunes are great models for original tunes with strong melodies, chord progressions and form. Before I started writing and performing my own material I used to play a number of Hank's tunes: Straight Ahead (The Turnaround) Third Time Around (Straight No Filter, Caddy For Daddy) Pat n' Chat (The Turnaround) The Breakthrough (Dippin') Up, Over and Out (Reach Out)

Interview with Robert Barry

I don't think so. Just get there in time to grab the seat you prefer.

Parrot Loves Ray Charles

Just be sure to make a reservation.

Tonight: Jenny Lin at Bargemusic in Brooklyn.