Alexander Hawkins

Thanks for that link! Red McKenzie should be better known, if only for having convened the session which yielded Bix's 'Singin' the Blues' (but that's another thread..!)

I was lucky enough to catch George Benson sitting in with the Lonnie Smith/Ronnie Cuber group. That guy - is it Peter Bernstein? - who usually plays with them is awesome, but Lonnie and Benson? That is something else!!! Soul Stream, I didn't realise that he had that love for the organ setting, but after that night..!

Thanks for all that! I had no idea whether they'd cut more than the Hawkins date, but I'd love to track some down. Especially if it's got Eddie Lang! Thanks for that Lon - instructive as ever!

I wish I had the Powell set! I would definitely have nominated in conjunction with the quintet bit!

Ferris Benda for Jackie McLean was one I always found quite far out, on the subject of these names. Could he possibly have coupled a fairground attraction with a lesser-known classical composer? Hmm.

I'd open a book on this one. It's too tight to call it.

Check their bedrooms. I'll bet they're just listening to them . Seriously, though, that's unhelpful: I hope you get them back.

Spurred into action by Chuck's comment re. our 1955-65 proclivities, maybe we could talk about this group? I know very little about them, but absolutely LOVE 'One Hour' and 'Hello Lola'. For my money, some of the really great pre-'Body and Soul' Coleman Hawkins (as if it wasn't all inclined to greatness ) But I wonder, did they record much else? Or can anyone suggest some other bands in this vein? I always think of 'McKinney's Cotton Pickers' in the same bracket as the Mound City BBs; I don't know whether that's a Coleman Hawkins connection? Anyway, any thoughts appreciated as always!

couw - thanks for posting the image! I'd like to pretend that my precision timing was deliberate, but.. RT - Let's face it - there are worse ones to own! Seriously, though, apologies in advance if I stoke an addiction to the stuff!

Having kindly been nominated by Pryan to select AOTW for May 25-31, I'd like to choose the quintet portion of the Massey Hall concert. This is a special 50th anniversary choice; the gig was in 1953! It's painful having to choose, in fact(!), so the fact that the date has some significance makes it slightly easier! I think it'll be nice to discuss what is a pretty seminal event in the music. Plus, if ever there was a doubt that we might overlook 'those who came before' (i.e. pre- late 50s), let's dispel it!!! Furthermore, we might toss around ideas as to what constitutes genius, and who comes in the category, but I'd stick my neck out and say that anywhere between 1 and 5 of the band on show on that night fit the bill! I'm afraid I'm not sure I'm up to posting the customary image of the album, so if someone else would be kind enough..!

Thanks for these pointers - I'll have to try to track a couple down!

Elmo Hope doesn't seem to get discussed much. I'd like to remedy the situation, but unfortunately, don't know that much about him myself! Decided I'd start this thread yesterday whilst listening to his brilliant playing on Harold Land's 'The Fox'. Whilst this album is probably more often discussed re. Dupree Bolton or re. very fast tunes (the title track ), I love hope here. Sort of a midway point between Bud Powell and Monk, whilst not derivative in any sense. In fact, his playing really seems to foreshadow Andrew Hill's. A similar touch on the keyboard and jagged sense of melody. The similarity between the second track on 'The Fox' - 'Mirror-Mind Rose', I think - and 'Dedication' from Hill's 'Point of Departure', for example, in language and feel, is striking. Anyway, opening the floor for an Elmo Hope discussion!

Doesn't it appear somewhere on Charlie Haden's 'Liberation Music Orchestra', as well..? Will be back with something more substantial (hopefully) to say when I've re-listened to this one a bit. For now, all I'll commit to is that I think McCoy Tyner's 'Aisha' is a really beautiful composition.

Thanks John - does that mean the only way (short of going to Barcelona) to pick up these things is via their brochure?

Thank you, Chuck!

Thanks for the information - I'd be curious, do they have a website?

Thanks David - just recently I've really been enjoying the Art Ensemble, and trying to get hold of some of Muhal Richard Abrams' stuff. I enjoy almost all of the avant-garde stuff from the 60s - early 70s that I've heard; but I'm not really sure where Leo Smith fits into the picture!

Could anyone recommend 'Red Sulphur Sky' to me? I don't know anything by Wadada Leo Smith, but he's mentioned so much, I get the impression I should get going on him! Thanks in advance

b3-er, would I love it if they did release a Lonnie Smith live album! I've always got slightly frustrated with him in studio sessions. However, that Lou Donaldson 'Relaxin' at Sea' on Chiaroscuro...Lonnie plays the hell out of Confirmation!

Could I suggest, as a special 50th anniversary AOTW, the Quintet at Massey Hall?

No Don Cherry.

There are others who'll know far better than I, but I think Joseph Jarman or Roscoe Mitchell must have picked one up at some stage. Come to think of it, does Jarman play a bit of bassoon at the opening of side II of 'People in Sorrow'? I guess Rahsaan must have played a bit at some stage..!

I couldn't agree more, and I'll give my recommendation as someone who is pretty new to the AEC. It is an amazing work, and one I just can't get enough of. Really inspired playing. I can only imaghine what it must have been like to see these guys play together. Genuine masters.

Another witness... Agree with everything that's been said so far. I reckon Dolphy's an incredibly consistent performer on record, but perhaps would stay clear from the 'In Europe' material to start with. Absolutely NOTHING to do with his playing; just the rhythm sections are not too great..! Do you have 'Mingus at Antibes'? If you like Mingus and his sidemen, this is an opportunity to hear Dolphy in a context you're happy with. I always feel that Dolphy's dates as a leader have a sound all of their own, which is maybe what makes them harder to get into (and all the more astounding when you do!).

Thanks Sundog, I'll have to try that one out; it looks pretty interesting. It 's almost, but not quite, substituting its way around the normal bridge, except up a fifth...hmmm. Pretty cool... ...Unless you're on the receiving end when it's called - that's a bit unkind! Thanks again, much appreciated!