Ken Dryden

I celebrated twenty years as a Hot House contributor this very month. I've had some great opportunities to interview a number of jazz greats and rising stars. Chrys Roney, who purchased the magazine almost two years ago, is expanding the scope of the magazine and she needs additional writers. In addition to the long time print version in greater New York City, there is an online premium edition for subscribers that has been active and growing with bonus articles and reviews. She is working on creating new online content, including a jazz channel of programming by different hosts. If you would like to learn more, contact her at Chrys@hothousejazz.com, I am sure she will be glad to hear from you. Feel free to mention that you saw this post and spread the word.

I feel like Art Tatum's Pablo Solo Masterpieces blow away the Capitol recordings.

I talked to Zev Feldman late last month and he is very excited about this release. I just finished hearing it and it is a lost treasure, with terrific sound. The LP will be out 11-28, the CD on 12-05.

There is discussion of Bob Btookmeyer’s unissued recordings that might be issued in the future. I sent Michael a couple of broadcasts that he didn’t know about, one was the premiere of Brookmeyer’s “Celebration” featuring Gerry Mulligan, the other a duet with Jim Hall in Stockholm with Red Mitchell joining them on a few songs. Scott Robinson has some unissued Brookmeyer music which he would like to release on his ScienSonic label. it was also a nice surprise to see one of my Brookmeyer reviews quoted in the book.

I asked for Michael Stephans’ email and he sent his phone number and told me to call him. We talked for an hour last night, it was a lot of fun.

I just finished this gem by jazz drummer and educator Michael Stephans, one of the best jazz books I've had the pleasure to review. .

I got to hear Ray Drummond in piano duos twice, with Billy Mays in 1990 in New Orleans and with Kenny Barron at Zinno in 1997. He was also a part of the jam sessions during the IAJE 2004 with James Williams and Ben Riley, I heard them backing Francesco Cafiso. He was also a delightful interview. RIP, Ray.

Zoot Sims said that “Stan Getz is a nice bunch of guys.”

I had two history classes with Dr. Bennett Wall, who told us that he flunked George Blanda twice when he taught at UK. How you can tell when the pickings will be slim at an estate sale, this was on the first items pictured.

Chrys Roney, the publisher and sister of Wallace and Antoine Roney, has done a good job expanding the scope of Hot House, especially by adding a digital premium edition with bonus material.

My profile of Charles McPherson is in the November issue of Hot House Jazz Magazine. The link to the club edition can be found here: https://mags.hothousejazzmagazine.com/75b036d592.html

The original movie that inspired this clunky TV series was called Silver Streak, it starred Gene Wilder, Richard Pryor and Jill Clayburgh. None of them were in the TV series, which was titled Super Train but utilizing the same plot around a high speed train.

I made the mistake of leaving this book in the living room shortly after it arrived. Now my wife is reading it and I can't get it back from her until she's through reading it. It's a fun read.

There have been a number of TV series over the years inspired by films, though most of them seem to die pretty quickly. M*A*S*H was an obvious exception. Two of the worst film reboots on TV: Super Train: a mediocre movie that was even worse as a TV series. Delta House: A pathetic reboot of Animal House that had a few actor carryovers from the film and Josh Mostel (Zero's son) as the Bluto-like character. The one sitcom I loved that died quickly was The Nutt House, about a NYC hotel that had seen better days, starring Harvey Korman as the manager and Cioris Leachman playing the big-butted head housekeeper who has the hots for the manager and also the elderly hotel's owner. I think that there are two or three episodes posted on YouTube. One of the running gags was the elevator stopping just below the main lobby, so guests had to step up to get out of it. I think Mel Brooks was involved as a producer.

"This is Mathews, throw out that gun, Peterson!"

What, no Highway Patrol or Ripcord fans?

I would love to move earlier to April or May, if available.

Pianist Mike Wofford, the husband of flautist Holly Hofmann, as well as her musical partner, died on September 19 at the age of 87. I was fortunate to hear both of them playing together twice, co-leading a quartet and in the unique group Flutology at IAJE.

It is sad to learn of Jim McNeely's passing. I admired his work as a pianist, composer, bandleader, sideman arranger and soloist. I'm glad that I had the opportunity to hear him in person once, during IAJE in January 2001, where he performed most of his upcoming OmniTone CD release Group Therapy and on another occasion when he was a part of the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. He was also a delightful interview. The last time I talked to bassist Martin Wind circa 2021, he shared that Jim McNeely had recently moved to Maine to focus on compusing. Jim McNeely will be missed, but He has left a substantial legacy.

I don’t recall any of the Nagel Heyer CDs that I was serviced with or purchased being public domain, they were new recordings, although they repackaged and reissued some of them under new titles. I think they also created some compilations of different sessions. Look over the label listing at Discogs. I think the founder’s son ceased new recordings a few years after the founder died.

I remember Mad Magazine having cardboard records like”Meet the Staff of Mad” and “It’s a Gas.”

Great seats, too, HutchFan was seated next to my wife, third row center. Alan had a great time and also was special guest at a music seminar in the same hall this morning. He was gracious and fun to talk with over a couple of meals. Don't miss an opportunity to see him play if he visits your city!

A great time was had by everyone who attended tonight's solo piano concert. Alan Broadbent played a number of standards, harmonically rich interpretations of "Blue in Green" and "Reflections in D," plus several new originals. I think that he enjoyed his time here.

Me too! I have gotten a few autograph requests via email over the years for the far better known Ken Dryden. My standard reply is, "I'm not the goalie, I'm the hockey puck!"

We are just four days away from Alan Broadbent’s concert in Chattanooga on 9-11. He is also speaking at a seminar for UTC students the next day, where I will interview him.