ValerieB

most memorable over the years for me would probably be Coltrane, Mingus, Max, Monk, and a few more, i'm sure!

I saw him in the motorized chair at Disneyland! Same reaction as you. Same for me, though for some reason I also never saw Coleman Hawkins, Pee Wee Russell or Louis Armstrong. I think that the first jazz show i ever saw may have been Sun Ra with a small group. you started over 50 years ago andd the first musician you saw in person was Sun Ra?!? i'll bet nobody else could claim that one!! LOL

it would be impossible for me to know. i started over 50 years ago. the people i wish i had seen in person are Charlie Parker, Lester Young and Billie Holiday. i've probably seen most everyone else during those decades. i'm blessed!

heard he's also going to be doing duo gigs with Kenny Barron! blessings to him with whatever he does.

interesting, David, that while i was reading your post, i was thinking about that night at the Iridium with Cornell West. i was there and enjoyed the hang afterwards, as you did. i also recall how Curtis was lecturing Freddie about his lifestyle and Cornell (the "lecturer") was really quiet while that was going on! i also remember that Freddie embarrassed me that night by introducing me from the audience!! he had never done that before, but it was sweet too. mem-o-ries. can't wait to see you and the Cookers in June at Playboy! (sorry for getting off-subject a bit!)

Smart guy, but the first comment is a stupid statement from any angle, and the second is a stupid answer to your question. Cornell West is brilliant but he, i believe, is a very envious person.

"Offended" me? i don't think so. i, too, realize "to each his/her own".

i'm really surprised that you've never heard Esperanza. not even with Herbie, Lovano or McCoy?

because i know you're a man of good taste, you really need to give Esperanza more of a chance, especially when it comes to her bass-playing. just cannot believe that you wouldn't appreciate her talent as a musician.

hey guys/girls: anyone want to buy signed copies of the following: "Tales of the Out and the Gone" "Digging: The Afro-American Soul of American Classical Music" "Somebody Blew Up America" as well as his daughter, Kellie Jones' "EyeMinded: Living and Writing Contemporary Art" with contributions by Baraka, Hettie Jones, Lisa Jones and Guthrie P. Ramsey Jr. (Kellie's husband)? they'll go to the highest bidders!!!!!!!

even putting Spalding's name in the same sentence with Pizzarelli and Molasky is totally ludicrous!

Ma Clampett?!?

rowdy crowd, lots of back 'n forth, handing the mic to band members for commentary, etc. that's "tripping"?!? http://onlineslangdictionary.com/meaning-definition-of/trip i sure know what "tripping" means but i'm wondering in which way he was tripping.

rowdy crowd, lots of back 'n forth, handing the mic to band members for commentary, etc. that's "tripping"?!?

not Donna Reed, is it?

can hardly believe his age. he sure doesn't look, act or play like it! may he go on forever!

yes, thank goodness Dave has his music and lots of people who love him. he has been back playing for quite awhile now. he's a treasure as was Clare.

March 13: Ben Williams w/Jaleel Shaw at the Blue Whale March 16: Mingus Dynasty at UCLA

this was one of the most horrible pieces of news that CT could have heard during his own medical battles. they had just spoken on the phone a couple of weeks ago. so sad.

i happily join you in celebrating Dexter's birthday. and i'm happy to say that i celebrate Dexter every week, at least. and my deep thanks and appreciation go out to his widow, Maxine Gordon, and his step-son, Woody Shaw III, for keeping his music and spirit out there!

Amen to that, John L!! irreplaceable, for sure.

Gregory Porter and Meredith d'Ambrosio's latest.

Ally Sheedy

an enormous loss to our Los Angeles jazz community. he was a very special man as everyone who knew him realized immediately. we are very sad.

A lot of websites have clips but start with cnn.com. Good luck. It was really a wonderful memorial. Try this link. http://www.cnn.com/2012/02/18/showbiz/whitney-houston-funeral/index.html?hpt=hp_c1 i think the sites without any commentary are the best and there are quite a few of them, including NBC and ABC, i believe.