Rooster_Ties

Printing this for my father-in-law, who's half to three-quarters Swedish, and see what his take is. He's got relatives over there if you go back a couple generations.

Near the bottom, the NYT obit clarifies that he was indeed 74 (despite other on-line sources claiming he was only 65). He got into show-biz a little late, and much like a few jazz musicians too -- he fibbed about his age.

from Monday's New York Times... Steve Landesberg, ‘Barney Miller’ Actor, Dies at 74 By HAMILTON BOARDMAN Published: December 20, 2010 Steve Landesberg, an actor and comedian with a friendly and often deadpan manner who was best known for his role on the long-running sitcom “Barney Miller,” died in Los Angeles on Monday. He was 74. On “Barney Miller,” which ran on ABC from 1975 to 1982, Mr. Landesberg played Sgt. Arthur P. Dietrich, an intellectual detective with a quiet manner who seemed to have an unrivaled knowledge of practically any topic that arose, much to the bewilderment of his fellow detectives. full-text of the Times obit HERE), and a search on his name at Youtube. He was one of my all-time favorite comedic supporting actors. RIP.

Any memory of what the Ensemble Modern was playing then? I *love* that group -- at one time, I used to buy any recording of theirs, no matter the composer.

Ditto on both counts. It certainly is a great DVD, and the numerous interview segments were very enjoyable. Jim, if you don't have this DVD, you really should scare one up sometime.

I momentarily forgot who 'Sue' was referring to when I skimmed this thread the first time. Since I invited the OP and his question over here from a Jazz forum on Reddit, I'll provide this in case he didn't catch it either: Sue Mingus Interview. And welcome, Ben. Stick around, we're an interesting bunch (among other ways you might describe us ).

The first three tracks are unreleased (and uncirculated, far as I've heard), and feature only Miles backed by Chick, Dave, and Jack -- as Wayne was stuck in traffic. Seriously. By the way, just last week I noticed this was discussed in the Complete Bitches Brew box (complete with the part about Wayne being stuck in traffic). The other tracks are the complete Isle of Wight performance that's already seen release on DVD (though I wouldn't mind having that on CD). Although probably not the most important new Miles release of the decade (since 2/3rd of it has been out on DVD already), I'll be getting it for sure - at least at some point.

I've by no means heard lots of recordings of Schuller's works, but my two favorite discs (among about 6 of his I've owned) are... Schuller: Of Reminiscences and Reflections (big orchestral compositions written in 1993 & 1994, including an organ concerto) 3 Concertos: Horn Piano Bassoon (the horn concerto dates from the mid-40's (this recording is from '92); the piano concerto was written in the early 60's (and that's also when this recording is from too); the bassoon concerto was written in '85 (and this recording also dates from '92)). Excellent stuff.

Would love to get copies of both CD's of this group. (Posting this so I don't lose track of this thread.)

Saw him conduct the St. Louis Symphony several years back (looks like '99), at the premier of a flute concerto of his. The program also included two or three short Ives pieces that he had done some archeology on (one of them being a musical allusion of a Yale/Princeton Football Game (that was nearly the title), if I remember right). Also saw him in Boston a couple years later, where a modern chamber ensemble tackled one of his thornier works for about 10 or 12 instruments (winds and strings, and maybe piano). Heard his pre-concert lecture both times, with Q&A. Don't remember many specifics, but he had a very dry wit as I recall (that I quite liked). Clearly VERY knowledgeable. The thing I remember most about his flute concerto was that he had worked closely with the soloist (who may have even helped commission the piece, and I believe he was from former East Germany), and Schuller really pushed him to demonstrate/develop some fairly radical extended flute techniques. The guy had already been doing some VERY smooth glissandos (glissandi, actually), but of only about about 3 whole-steps in distance. At Schuller's insistence, he figured out how to do totally smooth glissandi on flute, that were MUCH longer (like a perfect 5th, maybe even a major 6th) -- that I swear sounded just like the smooth slide of a trombone (only on flute). Damnedest thing I'd ever heard. Slow, fast, didn't matter -- smooth as can be, like a penny-whistle -- only with that perfect "pearl-like" tone, like one comes to expect from the likes of James Galway. Don't think the piece has ever been recorded, though if it has - I'd sure love to get a copy. EDIT: So I just e-mailed the soloist from the 1999 debut that I heard (and that was the world premier), to inquire if the work has ever been recorded. Ah, the wonders of the Internet.

Is that really Russ on tenor? With the extreme buzz-cut? Where's the hair? I've seen with him LOTS of hair, and somewhat less hair -- but never 'quarter-inch' hair.

I'd heard that the design and architectural term "Art Deco" didn't really come into much use until the 1970's -- as a collective term for a stylistic grab-bag of design aesthetics in the 20's and 30's (some of them, frankly, mutually exclusive -- i.e. the "zig-zag" deco of the late 20's and early 30's, vs. the "streamline modern" of the late 30's up until WWII shut everything down, design-wise (or at least architecture-wise)). And here's the proof: "Art Deco" English search (smothing=3) Also, it appears that the term was more popular (and earlier) in America than in the UK. same search, American English vs. same search, British English

Beware, I've wrangled a few heavy things in my time (though never a Leslie), and I've found that sometimes it's actually better to take the easy way out (like maybe loading it horizontally, than vertically). It certainly might be doable to wrangle it, but perhaps you might scratch or ding it more than if you hadn't. Food for thought.

I've always had the impression that these were semi-impromptu jam sessions, and maybe a little loose (perhaps to put it mildly?). That's just what I've heard. Other thoughts? I've had CD copies on budget labels in my very hands in record stores close to a dozen times over the years, but I've never pulled the trigger on any of them. And have always wondered...

I do really like Still too (and don't mean to suggest otherwise). I'm just completely mesmerized by that Dawson symphony. I've had both discs you mentioned, Mark, and it's a title I pick up whenever I find used copies -- just to pass along to people. I see Naxos has recorded Still's 4th & 5th symphonies, and I've been meaning to check them out.

Questions for all y'all in and around DC... What's the performing arts scene like at and/or specifically around Howard? Not specifically just music (though that too, and not just jazz), but also theater (university productions, or otherwise), and any/all performing arts? I grew up in the St. Louis area, and years later (well after I left for college), I look back and wished I'd have taken in the Black Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (but, alas, I never did -- and then I never was actually in St. Louis a whole lot again, for anything other than weekend visits with family after that), and I've lamented that there wasn't a similar organization here in Kansas City. Any good and especially "interesting" classical groups or chamber music series in DC?? -- especially that program stuff beyond the three B's (Bach, Brahms, and Beethoven), and especially beyond Mozart and Chopin? Any that program a fair number of lesser-known composers? - or especially really late Romantic / early 20th Century stuff?? Any "20th-Century"-focused groups?? Any embassies that have occasional performing arts events? My wife and I happened to be in DC about 18 months ago, and caught a bunch of ECM artists at the Swedish Embassy, for what I gathered was an annual Scandinavian Jazz 'Festival' (night) event. Or other interesting venues programing diverse stuff?? I understand there's a chamber music series at the Library of Congress, with 'nearly free' tickets (that 'sell out' very quickly, I'm guessing). Is it mostly "classical top-40", or do they mix things up with a better variety of composers and/or stylist periods represented? How's the programming of the National Symphony?? How's the new conductor/MD?? (Christoph Eschenbach, now that I looked it up.) How's his programming?? Sorry I missed Leonard Slatkin (I heard Slatkin a bunch of times in St. Louis, I'm generally happy to say.) Oooh, I see the NSO is doing Messiaen's "Turangalîla-Symphonie" in early March. Don't know if I'll be in DC by then, but I *love* that piece. Saw it in St. Louis once years ago, twice actually. Had a ticket for Saturday night, but went on a lark on Friday and talked the box office people out of free ticket 2 minutes before the curtain went up (showing them my ticket for Saturday), and got an even better seat for Friday than I'd paid for on Saturday. WELL worth hearing twice. Good times. Does the Smithsonian program any chamber music and/or jazz stuff?? Anything particularly interesting?? Other venues worth getting on their events e-mail lists??

Maybe these two? (the first two that pop to mind)... Sun Ra Quartet - Other Voices, Other Blues (Horo, about 1978) Milt Ward & Virgo Spectrum (private label, circa 1976, if I remember right) Milt Ward - trumpet, flugelhorn Carlos Garnett - tenor saxophone Bill Pierce - tenor & soprano saxophone Eddie Alex - alto saxophone & flute Glenn Barbour - baritone saxophone Delmar Brown - electric & acoustic piano & synthesizer Coucho Martinez - fender bass Cecil McBee - acoustic bass Ignacio Mena - percussion Hugh Peterson - drums

Somebody mentioned William Grant Still earlier -- important certainly (like Jackie Robinson), but maybe a touch overrated. The REAL deal is the "Satchel Paige" of African American classical composers, William Levi Dawson. His "Negro Folk Symphony" of 1934 is on my top-5 list of symphonies by American composers -- and often near or at the very top. Here's the whole thing, in a 4-part play-list on Youtube. Little known fact: Dawson and artist Arron Douglas both taught at Lincoln High School here in Kansas City at the same time in the early 20's for about 2 years (when they were both in their mid 20's), and became life-long friends. It's not a stretch in the slightest to mention Douglas and Thomas Hart Benton in the same breath. And to bring this full circle to the actual thread-topic(!), in 1939 Douglas moved to Nashville, and founded the Art Department at Fisk, where he taught for over a quarter century. Here's a much better example than those on the Wiki page for Douglas. Here's a couple more good examples as well...

Late to the game here, but I think the difference here is neatly summed up in the word "family" -- or maybe other priorities that somehow hold a similar significance. I can't imagine anyone with a spouse and kids being able to have enough time to focus on the these things -- and Jim, you rightly do not, nor did you Dad. I can't imagine many spouses putting up with too much of this either (or else I'd think it's gotta be semi-contained, at least a bunch of the time). I'm married 10 years (going on 15 really), but with no kids (no plans for any either). If I were single, it'd be a LOT easier to get lost in this stuff, and I likely would (or at least could). I'm sure 'partnering' and/or being an active parent has a LOT to do with one's depth of interest in such things. Admittedly, I'm probably somewhere in the middle, one foot in each camp.

The American Jazz Museum here in KC probably doesn't have the money, and surely it's too rad for their fairly conservative vision of what jazz is. Or rather, how old something needs to be -- in order to be 'old enough' to need to be preserved in a museum.

The Onion is rarely false. They're more typically not true yet.

Well, unless something crazy happens in the next 36 hours -- we're signing a lease on a place in Columbia Heights, an easy 4-5 block walk from the Metro, and only 2-3 blocks from a big, nearly brand new grocery store (and I understand the only 'urban' Target in the whole district). Also not at all far from the U-Street area and Howard (maybe a 15-20 minute walk, or one Metro stop in the winter). Kind of expensive -- but if you take our current mortgage and property tax, plus home-owner's and auto insurance, and car payment (all expenses we've been paying here for years -- and remember, we're getting rid of both our cars) -- all that alone totals almost 70% of our new rent in DC. And our utility expenses damn well ought to at least be cut in half (from heating an old, non-weatherized home here, going to a 600 sq-ft apartment), so maybe even closer to 75% if we include that in the mix. Or another way to think of it, we're only shelling out about $500 *more* a month than we already are now (instead of thinking of it as "double our mortgage for rent" - though technically it is). Granted, our mortgage was never going to go up, and rent eventually will. But we'll have to cross that bridge when we come to it. Given that we're probably going to have to sell our house at a loss of maybe 10% (since we bought it in the early 2000's), that loss pretty much amounts to "rent" as I see it. We'll just have to save more to be able to get a place when we retire, to a place with MUCH cheaper rent/property values, i.e. Lawrence, Kansas (or some big college town like that). May move all our stuff in as little as 7 or 8 weeks.

I'll certainly get one. Might take a little bit to come up with the scratch (and other priorities would surely intercede for a while), but I know I wouldn't be able to hold out any more than about a year or two, at most. Probably the first time Mosaic did any kind of a "free shipping" or some other even mild deal, I'd pounce. There's never going to be a better presentation of this material (previously released or not). I've heard some of his 70's material, and own even less. It would be great to get it all wrapped up together -- released (obscure or not) and unreleased -- all in one unified set. I'd venture a guess that well more than half the people with any interest in this set will NOT already have more than one album (at most) that's included in it (from amongst the previously released material). In fact, it would really piss me off if they left out the 'already-released' stuff, because I'm sure most people's copies would be significantly improved upon by Mosaic finally being able to get them out in the market on CD (even if LP sources have to be used occasionally). Those who want or demand their idea of perfection, are often left wanting.

Well, Mrs. Rooster went and got herself a fancy new job in D.C., and we're moving sometime this spring (she's already there, actually, since early October in a temporary place, near Dupont Circle). I'm packing up the old homestead, going from a decent-size Midwestern 3-bedroom house (1,400 sq-ft) to probably a 532 sq-ft one-BR apartment (though we're really hoping for more like 650 -- if we can find a good place we can still afford -- gulp). We want to live in DC-proper, close to a Metro station, grocery (walkable), and the like. Rent's gonna be crazy - around $2K per month (yikes!), maybe $1800 -- but real-estate ain't cheap there, and we really don't want to live out in the suburbs. No kids (and definitely no plans for any), and only one cat, so we do have a lot more flexibility than some folks (whew!). Looking for an interesting, diverse neighborhood, ideally where we could walk and Metro everywhere. We want to get rid of BOTH our cars, and only rent (Zipcars and such) when we need to (we think no more than an average of 4-6 hours per week at most), and for trips outside of DC. DC is one of the few cities in America where you can really live without a car -- and when my wife lived in DC 20 years ago (for Law School), she said her car was a LOT more of a hassle than it was worth. I understand rent for one parking spot in the district, plus insurance -- probably total $5K per yer minimum (and that's not even driving one mile). Looking to actually move our stuff no sooner than February, though it could easily be March or April before we find the right place. I might even stay here in KC another month or so after we move everything, to help get the house sold -- but I'll probably be moving myself ('sold house' or not) by June, at the very, very latest. We'd look at renting the house if we couldn't sell it by August or September. I know there's quite a number of us here from DC (and Baltimore) -- I've even met one or two of you -- but I though I'd see if everyone could sound off, so I know who to try and hook up with eventually when I get to town. Attention Kansas City folks: I'm also "thinning the herd" (thinning the "heard"?) BIGTIME. Fully HALF of my collection of about 4,000 (maybe 4,500?) CD's has to go -- and I've already got close to 2,000 discs that I've culled. About an even mix of 1) jazz (post 1955), 2) classical (post-1850, lots of early 20th century), and 3) rock/alt/pop. I can only take about 2,000 discs with me (at the very most) -- though even then, I may have to store 500 to 800 of those here with my in-laws (I can't wait for that conversation ). Thought about trying to sell them, but frankly -- that's much too much work, for far too little gain. Besides, all the local people I know (mostly musicians) who would want 'em -- are all underemployed, and I wouldn't get anywhere NEAR what I wanted for them, and they couldn't afford nearly as many as they'd probably like to buy. So my plan is to trade their labor, helping me pack up and get this house shaped up to be able to sell, in exchange for music. Plus, they'd get to hang with me some -- enough to still be fun, but without any real lasting traumatic effects. ( ) This will be the first time I've ever lived outside the central time zone (grew up in St. Louis, college in upstate Illinois, and Kansas City the last 15 years). I'm pretty excited, though given my "jack of all trades" career path (or 'lack of path'), it'll be interesting to see what I can find work-wise, especially in this job market. That's got me a little worried, I must admit -- but hopefully something will turn up before 2011 is over, even if it's a couple part-time jobs at first, trying to get in with a good non-profit, or cultural institution (museum, performing-arts org, or perhaps some school of higher education - or heck, maybe even a church). Also, where are all the decent local jazz clubs in DC?? Any local acts I need to look up when I get there?? And fair warning to those of you in NYC -- the minute I see that Charles Tolliver and/or Billy Harper is playing in town, don't think for a moment that I won't be begging for a couch to sleep on, so I can hop a train and catch every set. (Same goes for those of you in Philly, or even Boston.) Don't worry, you can always say no. -- my feeling don't get hurt easily. Mr. Rooster goes to Washington!

My wife has a business trip to Vegas planned for sometime next year (I know, "yeah, right" was my reaction too). If anybody has suggestions for interesting, off-beat stuff to do in the evenings, that might make the trip more bearable. She has little interest in gambling -- we're both museum junkies (and NPR-types) -- so stuff that might be outside the norm (or 'new norm') for vegas would also be appreciated. -- Rooster