Peter Friedman

Gershwin wrote a large number of "Great American Songbook" tunes that are what makes him stand out (in my view). While those GAS tunes are not jazz, countless musicians over the years have used them as a basis for jazz improvisation. We ought not to confuse Gershwin's major contribution as a songwriter with his far less significant Rhapsody In Blue. And Jim, by no means should we move on past the music of Kern, Gershwin, Arlen, Porter and the many other fine songwriters of that period. It is not over.

A long time favorite Miles Davis album. This has encouraged me to pull it off the shelf and play it.

I don't care for most of Charlie Mariano's recordings once he moved away from straight ahead swinging jazz. This is an exception. Though I don't love it, I do like it.

I read the Iverson article on my subscription to the NY Times. Basically I agreed with him. In the comments section following the article in the Times, there were many strong disagreements with the article. It was clear to me that those who likes Rhapsody in Blue and expressed their disagreement with Iverson were overwhelming not really true jazz fans.

A nice way to enjoy a Sunday morning.

If I were to recommend just one to hear Eddie Higgins, it would be "Time On My Hands" (Arbor).

I too have been a fan of Eddie Higgins for along long time. His trio session on Arbors and his many Venus albums with Scott Hamilton are all , in my view, terrific. I only saw/heard Eddie Higgins live once. It was at a record collectors event in San Antonio, Texas.

Disc 4

Beethoven - String Quartet Op.31