John Tapscott

Cootie Williams. Great, great trumpet player in his prime and with the Duke. He's terrifically good on that 1932-40 Ellington Big Band Mosaic set. But man oh, man his last few years with the Duke. What a decline. . After he played the solo on "A Train" he basically sat there for the rest of the night (actually separated from the rest of the trumpet section.) Chops pretty much shot, I guess. And even in 1971 he was only 60, but he looked and sounded much older. As someone said, he sounded "ancient."

Bought this on the recent shipping sale. Just finishing up Disc 7. Amazingly good music. Arguably the best Mosaic set I own (and I have some dandies).

I enjoy some of Lovano's recordings more than others (and I don't have a complete set of them by any means), but I fully agree with your first sentence. Very friendly and helpful. When the pen I had wouldn't mark on the booklet of the CD I brought him to sign (I think it was Rush Hour with a glossy insert), Lovano himself went off to find a pen that would work, and found one! The concert I saw was just Lovano, Dennis Irwin and Willie Jones III. Two hours of just tenor trio with a short intermission. One of the finest concerts I've ever attended and honestly Lovano sounds way better live than on record.

Ellington Small Groups on its way here. Hope it's OK.

Yes, yes, I know all the reservations about Oscar and I sometimes share some of them. But Daahoud from the Opera House is just outstanding IMHO. Oscar at his best without any of the negative stuff. And very well recorded. Much better than the more celebrated Live at the Shakespearian Festival.

Track 8 - Jim McNeely's "Off the Cuff" - an outstanding baritone improv

oh, shi+ (in a good way, I think)

Gee, thanks for the reminder. 30 years ago. Man! The Brooks was the first Mosaic I ever purchased.

IMHO the absolute peak of aggressive (but still under tight control) big band jazz. This particular Rich band had a special name: Killer Force. In fact, the musicians would huddle just before hitting the stage, raise arms in the air and yell in unison - "KILL." They did, though of course, not to everyone's taste. I liked it myself, a lot.

These two should fill the bill nicely for almost over-the-top aggressive big band jazz. My ears bleed after listening to these. Whew! (I see jhoots mentioned Tolliver above).

I think this will be a fine set. I have several Beehive recordings and enjoy them all. I think Curtis Fuller's "Fire and Filigree" is an under-rated gem. But a big hit, financially. I didn't realize it was going to be a 12 CD set; rather I thought it was going to be 2 6 CD sets.

For some reason, this came to mind as I watched and listened. Yes, rather more hopeful than I had expected. Things were looking up for everyone, it seemed, except for Betty of course.

To answer the question posed by DB the answer turned out to be "Not really." Chris Connor made some nice records with the Kenton Band ("All About Ronnie" a.o.), but after 6 months she decided to go out as a single and by Sept. '53 Christy joined the band again for the European tour.

Me too. I think if I had to choose one out of the whole lot, it would be this one. Dizzy at Newport and the Buddy Rich are great too, but I already have them on CD (along with several others).

Yes, there's at least half a dozen there I'd like to obtain. Strictly speaking Mel Lewis and Friends is not a big band date, quintet mostly as I recall, along with a piano trio track (Hank Jones). Nice record. Freddie Hubbard, Gregory Herbert, Michael Brecker (IIRC), Hank, Ron Carter and Mel.

"Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams" from Bill Evans "California Here I Come" - Philly Joe Jones on drums who is a major reason I enjoy this track and CD so much.

Amazon.ca - today's price in Canadian dollars $34.28 + 6.49 shipping from Great Britain . Still a bit pricey but a definite buy at some point. Will keep my eye on it.

Because every drummer is not Buddy Rich who apparently had every chart (even the toughest) nailed down after hearing it played through once or twice at most.