JSngry

It's ok.

Waiting for the Mothership

I selected the shows to see based on time (a lot of family time/sightseeing during the day) and things that I figured my wife and our daughter/boyfriend would enjoy. Scores on all points, thankfully! Karim Riggins (Friday) - a really smoking djs/horns/guitar set with MadLib(!!!!) on board. This was some intense stuff at times reminiscent of Pangea-era Miles, at other time of a slinky 70s Soul Jazz, always propelled by Riggins strong drumming. Outstanding! Balance (Saturday) - A local tenor/p[iano duo that plays original, introspective material that also had some bite. Very enjoyable. Kenny Garrett (Saturday) - I've heard reports that Garrett's current show was weak and rambling, but none of that here. Again, strong playing that had references to both Vernard Johnson in the alto playing and Eddie Harris in the presentation. Also, maybe it was playing in front of a hometown audience that was heavily African-American, but this set more than a few times felt like church music, and the recurring raised hands throughout the show certainly reinforced that impression! A very strong set of PeopleJazz. DeeDee Bridgewater (Sunday) - DeeDee is 72, looks like she's 22, and prowls the stage like a lioness. I wasn't sure exactly what to expect, but she put on an incredibly varied show backed by her all-female trio. She's got megachops to spare, and is a master dramatist, telling a different story with every song. Ws it a "show"? Well of course it was! But it was a masterful show. Jason Moran James Reese Europe/Harlem Hellfighters Tribute (Sunday) - I was curious more than anything else about this one. Ended up with some of it working better than others, but it was good enough, and the multimedia finale proved to be pretty moving. Europe is still an important figure in American Musical history, and Moran's project is calling that out. Louis Hayes (Sunday) 86 years old and still kicking ass! The band was Abraham Burton, Steve Nelson, David Hazeltine, and Dezron Douglas. All played well, but Hayes held my attention through out, just watching a master at the old-school cymbal techniques (getting infinite textures out of a ride cymbal by varying the stick angle and attack point) and keeping up that chsttering snare drum that is never too busy but never docile. It was a true blessing to see and hear this master at work. The weather had been GREAT all week, but it turned hot on Sunday, and my wife found it too much, so we had to cut the day short. But when we got back the young folks wanted to stream (all three stages were available for every show, free!) the last show of the night, a Karim Riggins revue of contemporary R&B/Hip-Hop singers/rappers (again with MadLib on board in a supporting role). They were all very good, but nothing new happened. On the other hand, the argument has always been that "Young Black Musicians" are unaware of their past. Watching this show, the thought occurred that the argument works both was, that "Older Jazz People" are unaware of this OTHER reality. this young Black reality. It seems a shrewd move on Riggins' part to get both sides to see what the other is/has been up to. It's a good idea, imo. It keeps the street vitality as an option for the music going forth. If I had been alone, I would have seen a lot more shows. Lord knows, this festival offered a pleathora of top-shelf talent. But as it turned out, everybody who came along enjoyed everything they heard to one degree or another, especially my daughter who loves being in the Detroit metor area. This is such a musical city, both in heritage and in current performances. I look forward to returning, hopefully multiple times! Also a special shoutout to Mark Stryker. We had a chance to chat a few times, and a nicer guy I've never met. And not only is he ultra-knowledgeable about the music and the city, but he also has an impeccable taste in hats. Long may he wave!

+ John Gordon and Barry Ries, ao. I tell you, at some point I stopped being surprised by ANYTHING on a Lionel Hampton record. I just buy them as I find them at worry about it later. As it turns out, they're almost all pretty good, sometimes better. I consider it a Personal Best Practice!!!!!!

This is a good record: https://www.discogs.com/release/5483569-Lionel-Hampton-His-Big-Band-Made-In-Japan

I don't know if he brought out the Jaki Byard in Roland Hanna, but that rhythm trio was just nimble as fuck.

But there he was! Lead alto and Musical Director for five years

Imo that band never sounded the same after Davis left.

He played in the Lionel Hampton band!

I got that from my phone! I mean, I had to call collect, but oh well. Life is not free

The guy was gifted and ambitious.

You can hear that on the Hodges live date. At times he almost sounds like Al Sears!

Sloppy Joe Donaldson - Wipin' It Off!!!

When did Atilla Zoller get a lot of airplay? What record was that? And the thing about the singing lessons, that sounds sketchy to say the least. He could already sing just fine!

Max went to combat every time out, and no doubt left some people dead as a result.

Indeed it is!!!

It's skipable, imo, although it's admirable that Goodman continued playing as long as he did as well was he did.

The Grandassa book mentioned in the New Yorker is still available on Amazon, but at a greatly reduced price, down from $45.00 to $25.99. I can afford that, so I ordered. Next day delivery!

Yes, see upthread. From 1951.

You've written in the past about your encounters with him and how meaningful they were toy you. Sincerest condolences, and RIP

ROTFLMFAO!!!!!!!

I met Teddi Davis a few years later. She was living in a very well-to-do suburb of Fort Worth, one of a very small handful of African-Americans living there. I was the only Anglo-American present, so all I mentioned was that I had fond memories of her Tyler show. She appreciated it, ut was very disdainful of the station, Tyler, and East Texas in general. I could not disagree with that, and the environment was such that to ask her if she used to get high and/or take a shit during that cut would have been faux-pas in the extreme. Contrary to the impression of some, I know how to act in social situations! 👁️‍🗨️🆗 Ok, good prices here on a later digipak prepared by Cuscuna, so I'm taking a chance that this was not one of his occasional/rare brainfart days. I would be shocked if it was! https://www.discogs.com/release/1549175-Sonny-Rollins-East-Broadway-Run-Down I left the cheapest ones for my fellow Organissmoite-ers!!!!!

Giving credit where credit is due: A wonderful (and wonderfully important) photographer. https://www.google.com/search?q=James+Barnor&source=lmns&bih=733&biw=1400&client=firefox-b-1-d&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwik2ISQ8JmBAxUzMN4AHUEQAr4Q0pQJKAB6BAgBEAI