Michael Weiss

That's odd...I was just listening to a recording of Dr. Lonnie Smith playing beautifully on Autumn In NY.... That said, I'm sure Lou's loving playing with Michael! I just reported what Lou said on the mic. Personally I have no interest in a debate about organ vs. piano. All I can tell you is Lou really enjoyed himself and was inspired all week. Other tunes we played: If I Should Lose You, Caravan, Laura, Don't Get Around Much Anymore, Cheek to Cheek, Stella By Starlight, The Best Things In Life Are Free, Midnight Creeper

A couple of weeks ago I came home to find a red tail hawk perched on my window.

Lou's fine. He has what I think is chronic bronchitis, but it hasn't seemed to hold him back. It must be with the organ group. But hopefully in the future Lou will begin appearing more often with piano. He's having a great time and can't stop talking about how he can now play all these other songs he hasn't been able to do, like Autumn in NY and Autumn Nocturne.

I don't remember the order: Wee I'm Getting Sentimental Over You Dewey Square Everything Happens To Me Fine and Dandy Whiskey Drinkin' Woman Alligator Boogaloo Star Eyes Cherokee I Had a Dream Bye Bye Blackbird The Griffin (trio) Things Ain't What They Used to Be What Is This Thing Called Love Sorry if this sounds blasé, but it never occurred to me. However, the two-hour conversation I had on the phone with Cecil Taylor yesterday - THAT I wish I recorded.

In the house tonight: Cecil Taylor Bob Hurst Jeff Watts (now there's a rhythm section...)

Yeah that's my only recorded reference too. Maybe I should do a version.

Valerie, Here's some info I found: "For those who cannot attend but would like to contribute, you can do so to the Jazz Foundation of America, please make a note on your check and your envelope that it is for Ronnie Mathews and if you use the Pay Pal at the Foundation's web site: www.jazzfoundation.org, there is a place where you can note it is for Ronnie Mathews. Please note that if there is money left over after Ronnie's needs have been met, then it is the wish of the family that any funds go to the Jazz Foundation to help other musicians in crisis."

David Wong and Kenny Washington

If I were you I'd hop on a train to Vienne. Lyon is only a little over two hours on the TGV, and Vienne is a few minutes south of there. Having played there many times, I can tell you the setting is amazing.

Here's the lineup: 7:30 CEDAR WALTON QUARTET Cedar Walton Vincent Herring David Williams Al Foster 8:00 GEORGE COLEMAN/LOUIS HAYES QUARTET George Coleman Michael Weiss Dwayne Burno Louis Hayes 8:30 BARRY HARRIS TRIO Barry Harris Ray Drummond Leroy Williams 9:00 RANDY WESTON QUINTET Randy Weston Billy Harper Benny Powell Alex Blake Neil Clarke 9:30 FRANK WESS QUARTET Frank Wess Michael Weiss Ray Drummond Victor Lewis 10:00 RAY BRYANT SOLO 10:30 CHARLES DAVIS QUARTET Charles Davis Tardo Hammer Lee Hudson Jimmy Wormworth 11:00 DON SICKLER GROUP Music of Ronnie Mathews Don Sickler Bobby Porcelli Willie Williams Steven Scott Ray Drummond Kenny Washington Kathy Farmer 11:30 MICHAEL WEISS QUINTET Music of Ronnie Mathews Jeremy Pelt Vincent Herring Ray Drummond Kenny Washington 12:00 MIDNIGHT SET Sonny Fortune Steve Turre Onaje Alan Gumbs Dwayne Burno Neal Smith 12:30 - JAM SESSION

It's definitely been a little static for a while now - but it often depends who's playing with him. There was a time when I was working with him a lot in the mid-80s when he might play anything. Suffice to say he never announces the tune beforehand. Neither does he count off a tempo. He just starts and everyone falls in line. I learned a lot of tunes on the bandstand with Lou! I remember a gig in Connecticut (Jamil Nasser on bass) when after about eight bars he turned to me and said in that high pitch, "You don't know that, man?" He was playing the tune "You." After one or two choruses I did. One of the best training grounds in jazz. I was fortunate to cut my teeth with Lou, Junior Cook, George Coleman, Bill Hardman, Slide, Clifford Jordan. Young players coming up today rarely get that kind of training anymore.

Playing with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra last Monday, we dusted off a wonderful Bill Finegan arrangement of "How Long Has This Been Going On," which he wrote for Mel when he was leading the band. Finegan had a protege, Julie Cavadini, who also contributed some great pieces to the band.

Lou Donaldson makes a rare return to the organ-less quartet format next week at the Vanguard. Yours truly on piano. bass and drums TBA.

Wes Montgomery

Stretching the definition of "big band" a little here. More like orchestra with rhythm section....

Will do!

Sweet Rhythm will host a benefit for Ronnie Mathews on Monday, June 23. 7:00p - Many musicians to perform. Will supply more details as they emerge....

Very enticing.

More about Phyllis Bryn-Julson

The 2005 is killin' and a steal at $15.

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