HutchFan

What that story also shows is that Stitt had a deep, DEEP understanding of chords and chordal relationships -- and that was the basis of his playing. Stitt's ability to analyze the situation and call out a tune that he KNEW his "adversary" would not be able to play well indicates that Stitt's approach to music is comparable to the way an expert chess player can analyze a chess board. That is, he thought in pattern-like, even mathematical, terms. And that's (one reason) why Stitt could cut other sax players so effectively on the bandstand. Of course, I'm not saying that Stitt was a literal mathematician. No more than I'm saying that Dexter wrote poems. They're just analogies. EDIT: By the way, I don't think Jim's description of Stitt as a "comfort" player is a contradiction in any way to the analogy that I'm offering. I think we're just focusing on different aspects of the same thing. For example, when we think of "comfort food," we think of things that are regular and familiar and predictable. Biscuits and gravy. Mashed potatoes. Chili. BBQ. We like these foods because we know what's coming, and we LIKE what's coming. Turning to music, the Blues is just the same, right? I, IV and V. The familiarity -- the knowing what's coming -- is what makes it feel so good. ... Well, what's more predictable than math? 2 + 2 always equals 4. That ain't ever gonna change. Of course, Stitt was operating on a MUCH higher level than that. But it was still mathematical -- regular and predictable.

Sonny Stitt / Don Patterson - Brothers-4 (Prestige, 2001)

Surely that's a minority opinion though, right? IMO, comparing Dexter to Stitt is like comparing apples to oranges. Even though they both played sax, their approaches are entirely different. Stitt's like a mathematician. He's about being analytical and precise. Dexter's a singer, a poet. His charisma is part of the musical equation because his music is about feeling -- to use Lester's expression, Dexter wants to "tell a story." Stitt didn't want to tell a story. His playing has more to do with shapes, patterns, geometries. Of course, I'm generalizing. Perhaps even generalizing too much. But don't we all hear that?

Prompted by Rab's Bob Degen spin above: trio with Isla Eckinger (b) and Makaya Ntshoko (d) Beautiful!

Stitt's own Dean Benedetti.

IIRC, I've told this story before. But it's worth repeating... and it fits this thread. Early in my marriage -- I think it was my birthday -- my wife gave me these four CDs: - Charles Mingus - Pithecanthropus Erectus - Bill Evans Trio - Waltz for Debby - Miles Davis Quintet - Workin' - Thelonious - Genius of Modern Music, Vol. 2 Obviously, I was just beginning to explore jazz back then. I probably owned a total of 50 albums (in every genre, not just jazz). I'm lucky. My wife digs jazz. This morning, I was listening to Hank Crawford & Jimmy McGriff. "I Only Have Eyes for You" came on. She walked in the room, and said, "Wow! That sounds good." Don't get me wrong: Occasionally, she gets PISSED OFF with me because I spend so much time listening to and obsessing about jazz (and music in general). But she still digs it, and I'm still lucky.

LOL

Yes sir. I agree.

James Moody's Moods (UpFront) Originally released as Running the Gamut (Scepter, 1965)

Les McCann & The Gerald Wilson Orchestra - McCann / Wilson (Pacific Jazz, 1964)

with Lonnie Smith on organ

More Moody: Hey, It's James Moody (Argo, 1960) Original pressing, I think.

Moody plays flute on four of the eight cuts -- and either alto or tenor on the others. It's a terrific record.

Now spinning on my 'table: James Moody (Argo, 1959) My LP is the 1970s Cadet/GRT reissue.

Previously released as: - Giants of the Organ Come Together and - Giants of the Organ in Concert (LP 1)

That's terrible news, Larry. I'm so sorry.

Les McCann Plays the Hits (Limelight, 1966)

Bennie Wallace Plays Monk (Enja, 1981)

Jasper van't Hof - Solo Piano (Timeless, 1989)

Yeah, I saw that too. It's a bummer. But I don't see how it could be otherwise, given the circumstances.

Hard to go wrong with any released in that Atlantic series.