sheldonm

A friend just sent me a note indicating the Lakers, Pacers and Raptors may be making a big swap today with Artest and Jalen Rose going to the lakers....not sure of additional details at this time. m~

Sounds like a perfect Christmas, Pete. I was looking forward to Christmas service at our church, but I spent part of Christmas day in the hospital having surgery to remove a kidney stone. I was out of the hospital Christmas afternoon, but was under the weather for a couple of days. My wife and I waited until last night to turn the tree light on and exchange gifts. She gave me a watch, several shirts that I like very much (even though one is pink - not my usual thing), a tie that I like, and another tie I'm going to return - multi striped - gold, green, pink, etc. - definitely not my thing! My mother gave me the second season Northern Exposure DVD set - I picked that out myself. It's nice to receive gifts from someone who loves and cares about you, but my recent illness has made it clear to me that the best gift of all is good health - a cliche, but true. Having had surgery within days of Christmas in 2003 and 2004, I would agree! Hope you're feeling better and enjoy that pink shirt! m~

...we're all different lookin'!!!

I've also never had a speeding ticket (31 years) but have been stopped for speeding twice and always seem to be going at a little faster than the posted limit. Once was given a seatbelt violation ticket instead and the other time I was on vacation in Maine. The officer asked where I was going and I told him Acadia National Park and he got into a story about how beautiful it was. He also noted that I hadn't had a speeding ticket before and let me off; nice guy. Neither of these incidents were more that 5-7 miles over; can't believe they even stopped me . I have had plenty of parking tickets!!! m~

Man, I love that Jamal recording!!!

...what I find hard to believe is that any of the stores mentioned sell "high end" clothes and accessories!

...was he living here at this time? Great line-up btw!

It was ordered directly from Amazon.com (Usually ships within 24 hours. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com) While you have to wait a bit, the book is worth it....spectacular!!! m~

Matt, Did you get it from Amazon or another dealer in their buyer's network? I ordered mine through Amazon but really from caiman and it was shipped rather quickly. Mark

~~~Have a great day~~~

God bless Brownie. What an artful master....but I digress. Oddly Brownie and Dex have a similar effect on me, even though their playing is almost opposite. Whenever I pull one or the other of them off my shelf after not having listened in a while, it usually kicks off an obsession that involves listening to the whole catalogue. I attribute this to style and expression. I know that Dex had problems with drugs and alcohol, tragic problems. I don't attribute what I hear on his recordings as impared probably because they are just so damned consistent. He sounds like he sounds. At least on the recordings I know. So, it's convincing that it is what he is trying to play and I dig it. Same with Clifford Brown in a totally different way, whether he is playing slow or fast every note is exactly where he put it with exactly the accent that he was feeling, no doubt, no mechanical arpeggios while waiting for the next idea to come, no sheets of sound. I think both people played with tremendous conviction and I feel like expression of what was inside of them. There are players who I feel like I'm hearing the effects of drugs on their playing because a session will show up where they are playing below their capabilities as set on other recordings. Of course, everyone's entitled to a bad day, but we do tell ourselves stories. With respect to Dex, I have a tenor playing friend, who's playing I like, who HATES Dexter Gordon's tone. Won't even discuss it with me and he and I generally have pretty similar taste. I think that the fact that people tend to come down strongly on one side or the other is attributable to a unique style. Stand out as an individual and be prepared to be loved and hated. But that's art, right? ....right you are!!! Actually, that's life!!!

Having had the opportunity to go to dozens of shows and festivals this year, I will need to think about my top ten but I would agree, having gone with Sal to the Grimes/Anderson show at the Velvet in March, that this was absolutely one of the best I've seen all year. Sitting inches from the stage and on it at times, it was intense and in-your-face from start to finish!!! Hard to put into words!!! m~

I would agree with David. I ordered three Selects with some Christmas cash yesterday and will probably order some overdue sets in January when that deal with Jazztimes takes effect. m~

SS, I'm sure they are in today as I've had a couple emails from them. m~

...not that it really matters to me that you don't care for Dexter, why not just ignore and move on rather than drop a turd in the punchbowl???? m~

...ordered the Tolliver, Brookmeyer and Pacific Jazz Piano Trio Selects today with a little christmas cash!!! m~

I see Nicole from time to time in Chicago; she is also a member of the AACM. Here is one image I made of her recently. m~

....kinda "smarmy"!

Where was he playing? Jazz Showcase in Chicago

Here is one image I made of Frank Morgan last night. m~

...the book can be had on-line for $120.00 or so; worth every penny IMHO~~~ It may take me until the end of spring to read it completely . May have to build a new book case to hold it....it's freakin' huge!!!

Mel will be at the Green Mill with Peter Bernstein the week before we play there in January. ...another great show at the Green Mill on January 27th will be Dana Hall with Tim Warfield and Terrel Stafford!

.....you're killin' me!!!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from me as well. I'm off to Chicago to see Frank Morgan tonight, spending Christmas Eve with my better half's family in Lafayette, Indiana and Christmas Day with my family in Indy~ Looking forward to a great and properous 2006 for everyone! Drive safely and don't over eat !!! m~ ps. Thanks to Jim and the guys for the hospitality in 2005~~~

He's now in NY. The trio will play in a tiny (non-jazz) club in Indy tonight but I'll be out of town......that just killls me to miss it! m~