The Rep

I have just been playing the album (The Turning Gate) by The New Jazz Composers Octet, and I would like to recomend you give it a listen. It sounds a lot bigger than an octet and the music is exciting. I shall be playing this in the car, the music is just my cup of tea.

I am a very lucky fellow, I saw Scott most saturday nights for about two years. Ronnie Scotts old club 39, Gerrard Street, Soho. On a saturday night we would go firstly too a club called the Marquee to hear The Joe Harriott Quintet. This was a great experience for some one in their late teens, finding jazz in all its many forms. At least part of each performance was devoted to free form jazz, which did not always work out but when it did, sheer joy!. The members of this quintet were, Joe Harriott - alto, Shake Keane - flugal horn, Pat Smythe - piano, Coleridge Goode - bass, and Phil Seamen - drums. We would then grab something to eat and go onto 39, Gerrard St, for what was termed as the all night session. There we would see both Tubby Hayes and Ronnie Scott, sometimes together sometimes as seperate bands. When they play in the same front line it was magic, it was all you could talk about for the rest of the week. Also when they were together it was very noticable that Scott was the power house and Hayes was the technician. If Hayes was going to do a set by himself the stage would have an array of instruments. Tenor, alto and baritone saxes, then flute also vibes. Some of the musicians here were, Jimmy Deuchar - trumpet, piano mainly Stan Tracey but also John Chritchinson and at times Terry Shannon. Bass was Lennie Bush, drums was play by Allan Ganley and Spike Wells. Of course the all night session had its un-official guest, mainly americans playing somewhere else or in England without a permit. Really any jazz musician or singer in the audiance that would catch Ronnies eye, he would invite on stage. It would finish around five on sunday morning and in those days the tube (underground railway) did not start running till about 7 o-clock, so we would go to a main line station to get a coffee from a vending machine. Scratched on the side of one such machine was these immortal words. Drink varnish, it will kill you but give you a lovely finish. Sorry to ramble on, I only ment to say a few words about Ronnie but the memories come flooding back.

Being as there has been very little movement in A.O.T.W of late, I thought I would put one up, as I have been listening to this album and would like to hear some other peoples thoughts on it. I would like to put forward "Alone Together" by Lee Konitz, Brad Mehldau and Charlie Haden from 1997. Well, I have had this album for quite a few years and each time I give it a play I like it more. The first time I heard it, it did not exactly excite me but 10 years on I really enjoy it. I gather the recording was originally going to be a live duet album with Lee Konitz and Charlie Haden. Then Haden asked Konitz if Mehldau could be in on it. Over all the sessions went very well but had a very rocky start. Lee Konitz felt Brad Mehldau was to much of a virtuoso and was not listening to the others but by the second session everybody was listening, they were also being inspired by each other. It was a live gig and so no rehearsal with Lee konitz calling the selections, they follow his lead and make music. The tracks are all long enough for each musician to explore the compositions fully, leaving no stone unturned and again being adventurous as a trio. If I had to say something in criticism the endings are slightly uncomfortable a sort of hurried fade out. The individual performances are great. So tell me your thoughts Track listing is as follows, 1, Alone Together, 2, The Song Is You, 3, Cherokee, 4, What Is This Thing Called Love, 5, Round Midnight, 6, You Stepped Out Of A Dream,

Live At Mt Fuji an album from Blue Note, 1986, O.T.B are Blue Note musicians as follows Michael Philip Mossman - Trumpet, Kenny Garrett - Alto, Ralph Bowen - Tenor, Harry Pickens - Piano, Kenny Davis - Bass, Ralph Peterson - Drums, Nice music particularly Mossman.

Cheers Daniel

Can someone tell me how to pronounce Gugge as in pianist Gugge Hedrenius Cheers Ray

I have not bought a Maynard Ferguson in a few years but do play his stuff often. I keep meaning to get this one and shall do so next week, thanks for the reminder. I would like to say one of my favorites is Maynard ,61. It has a really good sound and some great musicians. The Rep

I really enjoy AOTW and always look up the albums also I have bought quite a few. I am reluctant to contribute in case I put a nail in the coffin. Cheers The Rep.

One of my favorites is from 1960, Toshiko/Mariano Quartet. Reissued I believe on Candid in 1999. The tracks When You Meet Her, Littlet, Toshiko's Elegy, Deep River/Old Man River, medley, just so good, Long Yellow Road, Definately well worth a listen. The Rep

Thanks, I wish I could have been there, its that kind of sound that remains with you the rest of your life. Thanks for the site, as I feard, just the one album. Cheers Ray

I have a vinyl album called If Winter Comes, it is by John Park. It is on Jazz Mark Records and was recorded in two live sets, 1975 Kansas City Jazz Festival and 1979 Embers Restaurant Texarkana. I like this record and have often wondered if this was his only recording. I do know he played with Kenton but I would be pleased if anyone has any info or background please. Cheers

The label is "Space Time" and it was a 2001 release. Cheers Ray

Hi Everyone, I will try again, in my alloted spot. I just had a senior moment last week, I can say that because I am senior. My choice for AOTW is "Blue Black" by Jean Tousaint, he is a straight ahead sax player who has played in some good bands and has a wealth of experience. Jean play's both soprano and tenor saxes and has some very good company with him. Mulgrew Miller - Piano, Robert Hurst - Bass, Jeff Tain Watts - Drums, Bill Mobley - Trumpet and Flugelhorn on tracks 1,2 & 7, Anga Diaz - Percussion on tracks 1 & 5. There are ten tracks on the album, six of which were written by Toussaint, of the others two by Gershwin, one by Monk and one by Ann Ronell "Willow Weep For Me". It was this track that attracted me to this album. The other tracks being, Island Rhythm, A Song For Lionel, Hymn, They Can't Take That Away From Me, Blue Black, One For Ronnie, Willow Weep For Me, But Not For Me, and what seems like an extra track Envy. Willow is the longest on the album at 12:40 and the band play a very interesting arrangement which alternates its rythmic feel every few choruses and is hypnotic performance. I also like "One For Ronnie" dedicated to Ronnie Scott. Another great number is Gershwins "But Not For Me". I always feel good after listening to it and I am sure Mulgrew Millers piano contributes greatly to this albums sound. Is Willow Weep For Me the only song that Ann Ronell wrote as I don't recall seeing any other ?. The Rep

I shall look that one up. Cheers Ray

I apologize, it is totally my mistake. I put a note up for myself and it dropped off but I thought I remember it was this week. I was in a rush this morning and never checked. I do hope it has not caused a problem but if so ask john to take it off. Sorry again Ray.

After this album of the week went up, I thought I must give it a play again. I agree ,I like the octet recordings, such a great sound. I also want to thank you because I pull out Slide Hampton and the Jazz Masters, Dedicated To Diz. I had forgotten how much I enjoy this album. I have been playing it ever since.

Thanks, I am looking them up on amazon this afternoon. Cheers Ray

Thanks Bentsy I was beginning to think I was the only person who had a copy of this album. Cheers Ray

Well thank you, I was begining to feel very lonely on this one. I must admit I am very suprised at the lack of response on suck a wonderful album. Cheers Ray

After being blasted for choosing a classic Blue Note recording the last time I suggested an AOTW, I thought I would go for something more up to date, the album by Enrico Rava called Easy Living. This album marked the return to the ECM label for Rava, after a seventeen year gap. All the compositions except the title track are by Enrico and just full of wonderful ideas as are his solos. His very sound and also the melodies are so visual and his improvisation is startling and only helped by his marvellous tone. The musicians on this fantastic album certainly play an impressive part in this real treasure trove of jazz. Piano by Stefano Bollani who shows here he must become more recognised on the world stage. Drums by Roberto Gatto who does the right thing at all times. Gianiuca Petrella on Trombone who seems to be able to think the same thoughts (musically) as Enrico and create brand new sounds. The tracks are, Cromosomi 8.25, Drops 2.29, Sand 9.17, Easy Living 4.14, Algir Dalbughi 6.36, Blancasnow 2.35, Travelling Night 7.12, Hornette And The Drum Thing 7.10, Rain 6.46, Released 2004 and after three years of playing, its appael has not deminished but enhanced my love of this album.

Thanks Guy's, thats about the feel I got. Cheers Ray

I have a promotion copy of a 1991 album on GRP. Its by Amani A W Murray and that is the name of the album. He has some very good players with him, Billy Hart, Bob Cranshaw, Nicholas Payton and others. I just wondered who he is/was, did he make any other albums and any other info. Cheers Ray

I don't know this album but will keep an eye out for it. Thanks The Rep

When put this forward as album of the week it was just my surprise at how nice it was and when I listen to it after such a long period of not owning it I got a lot of joy from the music. The funny thing is I did not think if only there was someone else playing the piano or bass or drums, I did not try to annualise this album but just enjoyed the music.