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Just my opinion, of course. This was around 1982--I recall reading all this praise in the local entertainment paper and being extremely disappointed (live jazz not being very available in Austin at that time).

I saw that guy in Austin years ago--one of the worst concerts I've ever seen, and a truly awful saxophonist.

I haven't really found a good online source (or for that matter, any other source) that has a deep catalog of Classics in stock, with good prices. I've ordered a few from Tower. You might also try J&R.

The sound is variable, but it's a very fine and valuable series. I have fifty or so in the series and wish I had alot more. The Blues series is also excellent.

Dannie Richmond Quintet (the last Mingus band, with Cameron Brown)--Dionysus (Red).

If you live in a city with no jazz clubs, it is amazing to hear complaints about a place which has such great music like the Iridium does.

The only time I've not gotten a good seat there (and I do not eat dinner there) is on a Friday or Saturday. Also, the waitress I usually have is very friendly and remembers me, even though it can be months between visits to New York for me. It is an expensive club (comparable to Birdland and the Blue Note). I like it a bit better than Birdland and definitely more than the Blue Note. The Mingus Big Band only plays Tuesday nights, by the way.

I like the Iridium. I don't like it as much as the Village Vanguard or Jazz Standard, but it's a fine club, and I wouldn't hesitate to go there. Don't be discouraged, I've seen alot of excellent music there. Last October, I saw Charles Tolliver and Billy Harper there together, and the Mingus Big Band. You will probably get a better seat and the house is unlikely to be turned after the first set if you go on Wednesday, Thursday or Sunday.

I just had this print of Jason Moran and Bandwagon, available from his website, framed, and it is very nice. http://www.jasonmoran.com/store.html

I recommend the Steve Kuhn.

Those Jack DeJohnette "Special Edition" groups in the 1980s really were special. The two editions I got to see had John Purcell, Howard Johnson and Rufus Reid, with either Marty Ehrlich or David Murray.

Chico Freeman was established before the Young Lion movement, with several albums on India Navigation and other labels. Whether he still qualifies as a Young Lion, I have no opinion. As for his album with Wynton Marsalis--as a student journalist (using that term very loosely) I had an opportunity to interview Wynton Marsalis in the spring of 1982. He told me that he did not enjoy recording that album because "Chico Freeman did not know the changes to his own tunes! He did not know the changes to his own tunes!" Wynton was quite emotional about it. I'd rather listen to Chico Freeman than Wynton. I saw Mr. Freeman perform live a couple of years ago, in a group with Geri Allen, Richard Davis and Andrew Cyrille--that was assuredly better than anything I've ever heard from Wynton Marsalis.

The LP Basic Miles was the second or third jazz recordings I purchased.

I ordered Blows Against the Empire from Yourmusic.com. So I'm wondering, what did I do to deserve to receive instead a copy of the "Best" of Humble Pie? Some wanton act of cruelty? Please make it stop. I ask forgiveness.

Gil Evans--The British Orchestra (Mole)

I have this one, & it doesn't have Chapin on it. It does have Sonny Sharrock & John Stubblefield, though, & is well worth a listen. Oops. You are right. All the others do have Chapin (I promise)!

Another interesting sideman appearance: John McCracken--Blood from a Tone.

An excellent pre-trio recording by Thomas Chapin as a leader is Radius (Mu). Here are some recordings with Thomas Chapin as sideman worth looking for: Misako Kano--Breakthrew and Watch Out Peggy Stern--The Fuschia Ned Rothenberg Double Band--Overlays, Parting, and Real and Imagined Time Pheeroan Aklaff--Sonogram Robert Musso--Active Resonance

Sir Roland Hanna--A Gift from the Magi (West 54)

By the way, the three out-of-print Blue Notes are available on CDBaby as a box set.

That's the best Phil Woods record I've ever heard.

Magic Sam--West Side Soul--Delmark Junior Mance Trio--Live at the Village Vanguard--Jazzland LP (original I think--kind of noisy surface but otherwise nice sound).

I've been required to use Dell laptops at my job the last eight years. I would never spend any money on one of their products.

Screw Dell and their crappy PCs.

The Fez is closed. The Mingus Big Band plays at the Iridium on Tuesday nights now.