Peter Friedman

After checking Bobby Hutcherson's albums as leader, it turns out that the ones I prefer are 2 from the 60's, none from the 70's, 4 from the 80's, 1 from the 90's and 1 from the 2000's. The Kicker - 1963 Stick Up - 1966 Good Bait - 1984 Color Schemes - 1985 In The Vanguard - 1986 Cruisin' The Bird - 1988 Mirage - 1991 In A Sentimental mood - 2006

My wife and I saw him in a small club in Detroit in about 1965. Now playing:

Mendelssohn - Piano Concerto No.2 and Schumann - Symphony No.2

Berwald - Piano Quartet in E flat major and Mozart - Piano Concerto No.13, K.415

It seems that all of a sudden I have become interested to hear recordings by some of the female Big Band vocalists of the 30's, 40's and 50's. Recently played one by Helen O'Connell, have one ready to play by Helen Forrest, one by Jo Stafford, another by Peggy Lee with the Benny Goodman Band, and this one by Margaret Whiting. Never really paid much attention to any them before with the exception of Peggy Lee. Go figure.

There are musicians who have that competitive urge to better the others on the bandstand. Stitt was certainly in that camp, often to the point of being cruel. Though I wonder if he took that same approach when playing with those he viewed as peers who he respected? But there are other jazz musicians who, when playing with those at somewhat lower skill levels choose to be supportive and try to provide some help to give cues and suggestions.

Op.20/1 Op.20/2. Op.20/3

I think he was mathematical in his playing, but not by thinking in those terms. It was just something that came to his playing through his development over time as a saxophone player.