scooby

The OJC was my reference for thinking there were only 3 alternates. So with the Master and 4 alternates, that adds up to the 5 versions that BeBop references on the Misterioso LPs. Glad I have them all transcribed now.

For the longest time, I thought there were only 3 alternate takes to Wardell Gray's classic recording of "Twisted". Someone sent me a link to a YouTube video of a 4th alternate take. I have transcribed it and added it to my website to go along with the Master Take and the other alternates. http://scooby-sax.com/Transcriptions.html - Scooby

One more via one of my tenor player friends. He was at a club to see his hero (nameless due to the nature of the story). After a great first set, the tenor player comes over to the bar for a drink and sits on a stool next to my friend. On the other side is a beautiful blonde. My friend screws up his courage and decides to say something to his hero. He gushes that he really loved the music in the first set. The tenor player graciously acknowledges the compliment, thanks my friend for coming out and then turns to chat with the blonde. My friend starts kicking himself that here was his chance to speak to his hero and all he could come up with some gushing fanboy chitchat. So he waits for a pause in the conversation and then tells his hero how much he loved certain Blue Note records he did, how he transcribed some solos from them, and how big an influence his hero was on his own playing. Again his hero was gracious and thanked him again for supporting his music, turning once again to the blonde. Convinced that he and his hero are now best friends, he decides to talk a little shop asking his hero about his mouthpiece and reed. His hero remains gracious although now getting a little annoyed. "It's an Otto Link and a Rico #3". Then lowering his voice he tells my friend, "now, if you don't mind, I'm trying to get laid over here."

I used to be quite an autograph hound when I was younger. Almost without exception, everyone I asked was gracious and happily obliged. My funniest story is when I got Tony Williams's autograph. It was at a club I frequently attended. Most of the waitstaff knew me and knew that I usually hung out after the gig to get autographs. After Tony's band played, I waited patiently outside the dressing room. One by one, band members came out and I got their signatures on Tony's latest release. I had waited for a very long time expecting Tony to come out. One of the waitresses saw me and knew what I was waiting for. She came over and said, "You know that Tony has a separate dressing room?" I panicked, realizing I had waited so long in the wrong location that by now Tony had probably split. I asked where the other dressing room was and only paid limited attention to the directions she gave me as I rushed off hoping to catch Tony. I ran around the stage, down a hallway and made a left like the directions said. There was a door blocking my way. I was getting agitated now thinking to myself she didn't say anything about a door, Tony is probably long gone, I can't believe I waited in the wrong spot, etc. then I thought, there must be another hallway down this way beyond the closed door. So I flung it open only to find Tony standing there in his boxers with a cigar in his mouth. Tony looked at me and yelled, "What!" I stammered an explanation, said I misunderstood the directions, didn't realize this was the dressing room, just wanted to get your autograph, ... Tony stood there for a second, then waved me over and signed my record. I thanked him and then got the hell out of there!

Mine came about a week ago. Excellent playing all around with Willie Dennis a pleasant surprise for me. As others mentioned, sound is very good. A nice selection of repertoire stretched over 2 CDs. One thing that was distracting me was Lennie's comping for the soloists. To me, it seemed inflexible and not connected to what the soloists were doing (not that it seemed to bother them, however). I'll have to give it another listen.

I generally like Marc's blog, but I think he missed the mark with the WSJ article.

I was particularly inspired by some recent shows that Vincent Herring played in San Jose. After I saw him, I went right to work transcribing some of his solos. For the first transcription of 2015, I've added a transcription of Vincent Herring's solo on "I'll Remember April" to my website: http://scooby-sax.com/Transcriptions.html I have quite a few transcriptions almost ready to put up on the site. Stay tuned for more Vincent Herring, Wardell Gray, Phil Woods, Bird, ... - Scooby

I like that last line in the NYT obit.

Just heard via Terry Gibbs's Facebook page that Buddy passed last night.

Sorry to hear that, Jim. Any reason why? The music both nights was great! Crowds were good but I think should have been bigger for someone of Vincent's stature.

Heard Vincent last night in San Jose. He really has an impressive command of the horn. Huge sound, formidable technique, and great time. Three sets and a nice variety in terms of tune selection. He'll be there again tonight -- and so will I.

Picked up all the Skyscrapers volumes of Elvin Jones with George Coleman on vinyl. Nice hearing those two together.

I see that he also has a new one with Rein de Graaff. Anyone heard it? http://jazzprofiles.blogspot.com/2014/12/scott-hamilton-and-rein-de-graaff-trio.html

Sent mine this AM

Looks like a new John Coltrane documentary is in the works: http://www.coltranefilm.com

Thanks for the link to the previous discussion. I'm looking forward to hearing this.

This could be interesting: http://www.jazzwax.com/2014/12/lennie-tristano-chicago-1951.html

Hoping to hear more from Ralph. He's kept a low profile for too long.

A couple of additional Willie Maiden related links: http://maynardfergusonboard.yuku.com/topic/819/t/Willie-Maiden-on-Maynard.html#.VIMdoEc76rU http://www.vosbein.com/lagniappe/words/maiden_article/

Yeah, I notice that Phil doesn't get as much love around here as he could. No worries. We all have our favorites and Phil has certainly been one of mine since I first heard him.

Hopefully he will bounce back quickly.

Nice to hear some of Willie's thoughts on improvisation:

I have a copy of Tinsel in my library. Would love to play it someday. One of Maiden's best.

Thank you! I try to add new material to the site regularly. Looking forward to participating more actively here. Scooby

There is an explanation here: http://forums.allaboutjazz.com/showthread.php?59613-What-Happened&p=651746#post651746 I had been spending less and less time there and I'm looking forward to spending more and more time here. The recent Jackie McLean threads have been great!