Jim Alfredson

Where's the Twizzler when we need him? I'm sure he could find something in his collection of old newspapers/magazines that says the exact same thing about Little Richard, Chuck Berry, etc.

What about the 80s?

I'm in the same boat Jim. (actually wish I could read, it's on my 'to do" list in life). Although, I thought you went to music school with Joe Gloss? ← I was not majoring in music. But I was in every choir I could get in at Michigan State (how did I sing in choir if I couldn't read? Easy... listen to what's going on around you!) and at that time the jazz program was not a major so anyone could get into it if you had some talent.

Regarding Smith's reading abilities, check out his bio on Pete Fallico's page: http://doodlinlounge.com/Stories/Smith-Jimmy.html

Ghost of Miles and Mrs. Ghost of Miles are coming up from Indiana to see us! We should have an organissimo forum hang!

Well, I can read simple chord charts, like in the real book. I can follow along with bar lines. But as for reading a melody line, (slowly or not) forget about it.

I haven't heard this before. Just wondered what was the source. I know I've seen pictures of him w/scores in front of him at recording sessions (the big band stuff I presume.) Of course, he could have been using that as a chord chart. This seems strange to me, as both of his parents were music instructors from my understanding. And taught him piano in his youth. I could be wrong on this information. Just curious. As for the intent of the original thread.... Opinions like his are more the rule than the exception I believe. Sophistication is acquired. I've always been curious about that statement also, and I've heard it many times. This quote is straight from AMG: He attended the Hamilton School of Music in 1948, and Ornstein School of Music in 1949 and 1950 in Philadelphia. It always seemed to me that if someone spent three years in music school he would at least know the rudiments of sight reading. ← Totally forgot about this old thread! Concerning Jimmy's ability to read, I believe there was an interview with him in Keyboard magazine... I think ... I know I read it somewhere, where he talked about the Verve big band sessions. I guess one of the first sessions he did... was it Oliver Nelson or Lalo Schiffrin? Anyway, they were running through the tune and the conductor said "Okay, you come in at the B section" and Jimmy said, "Ok". So they run through the tune and they get to the B section and Jimmy is just sitting there, not playing. "What's wrong?" the conductor asks. "Man, just point at me when you want me to play!" says Jimmy! It's true, both his parents were educators. But I have a friend who took piano lessons all the way through high school who couldn't sight-read a note when he got to college. I saw him give recitals of Chopin and Bach and he couldn't sight-read a note. He learned it all by ear. And there is no doubt that Jimmy's ears were huge. I bet he could've faked his way through any music school.

I don't think you understand the music business very well.

The old CD is supposed to be on e-music and so is this new one. According to CDBaby, e-music is dropping the ball on this stuff.

Yes they did. Good to have you back, frank!

The radio interview is up on the site, for all those who wanted to know. http://www.organissimo.org/themusic.htm Look in the bottom right corner.

Just got the new CMJ chart and "This Is The Place" moved up from the #28 spot last week to the #15 spot! Groovy!

Can anyone answer this? ← Sorry. It's "Smokin' Section".

It's pretty bad. As much as I love Jimmy Smith, he was no vocalist.

Well, let's ask him: Jim, do you laugh about that now? ← Hell no, I'm serious!! Coltrane?! Fuck that shit. Honestly, I didn't know Joe when he was 20. I think he even might've had hair back then.

I'll archive it on the site.

Dang straight! Rock that baby out!

Yeah, that was the lil Pumpkin herself! I remember I had to move into my bedroom because she was excited about something and vocalizing like mad.

Um... uhhh... they probably edited that part out, Skid. I gave you MAJOR props, dude. Major.

Will do... There has always been an incredible amount of hidden potential with RD and I'm very excited that it's finally being realized. Freddie Cunningham, the lead singer, has one of the most amazing baritone voices you'll ever hear.

I'd be living in a van down by the river, of course!! But I'd still be playing some funky B3!

I am a busy man. Thanks for the kind words, Ed, but those tracks on the site are OLD. The new stuff from the upcoming CD are really killin'. I've been playing with RD for 7 years now and they've been my bread and butter bar band and not much more but Greg has really helped me light a fire under their collective asses and I think this new CD is something that I will be very proud of... not unlike my discs with the mighty organissimo.

The interview is already taped, so they edited out all my swearing. It should sound something like this: Jamie Lynn: So, "This Is The Place" is your second release. Can you tell us a little more about it? Me: Sure, Jamie. With this side, you know what I'm sayin', we attempted to <bleep> up all those <bleeeeep> who think they know what a <bleep> organ trio is all about. So we laid down some serious <bleep>. It's music that you can <bleep> your woman to or shake your <bleep> or even play for your <bleep>.

This just in from Jamie Lynn Gilbert at WCMU in Mt. Pleasant, MI: This will air tonight at around 10:00pm EST. You can listen via the internet at http://www.wcmu.org/radio.html

It brought back fond memories of my youth in Mason... mullets, corndogs, goat poop.... ... um ... ok, maybe not so fond.