Tom 1960

When I first started listening to jazz music over 20 years ago, I was pretty amazed at how many classic dates from the 50's/early 60's these two played on. You always kind of figured if these 2 guys were teamed up it had to be a pretty decent session. I was just recently listening to Kenny Dorham's "Whistle Stop" a 1961 date and got to thinking when and why this dynamic team ceased recording together? Also, to make this fun what are some of your favorite dates that Chambers and Jones played on? That's a tough one for me.

Since I already owned the T-Bone Walker box set, I asked if there was a possibility they could do something with Lightnin' Hopkins? They did release a Candid Otis Spann/Hopkins set which is now OOP. Seriously doubt I had any influence though.

I was never a big fan of Art Farmer until I heard this set. Great collection. If you've got some extra cash lying around, grab it.

I'm sure they're a few out here that have had the unfortunate luck to have someone access there credit card and make unauthorized charges against it. I had that luck today. When I had gotten home from work, there was a message on my answering machine from my credit card company requesting me to call them for a security check. As it turned out someone in the past few days had gained access to my account and made a number of charges. One was for over $300 along with a few other smaller charges. The one real interesting thing was that there was a charge on 2/25 for an order from Concord Music Group for nearly $100. I explained to the operator at the card company that while I've dealt with Concord prior, it must have been a few months since I last made a purchase. I was told to call Concord to verify the order and as it turns out, no order was ever placed on the 25'th. In fact Concord confirmed what I told the credit card operator that my last purchase was back in December. Really weird stuff. I called the credit card company back and again she confirmed the purchase for me. As for now, no action is required on my part. Needlees to say, everything is now frozen and I'm waiting for a new card. I did thank her though for picking up on this. Anyone else here willing to share similiar stories?

For those who missed it, WNYC broadcast live last night a tribute to the music of Thelonious Monk featuring Charles Tolliver and other musicians from the Town Hall celebrating Monks legendary performance 50 yrs. ago. Thought you guys might be interested. Monk Tribute

Listening to the Charles Tolliver Big Band 50'th anniversary tribute to Thelonious Monk live from the Town Hall, New York City on WNYC.

Cliff, this set has already exceeded my expectations. Really happy to have made the purchase.

Art Pepper- The Hollywood All-Star Sessions, Disc 1

Discs 2 & 3 Pretty much what I expected and that's a good thing. Bennie Green, surprised this guy didn't get more noteriety. Fine work. Nice personnel on this collection which also includes Gene Ammons who played on the Soul Stirrin' date. Thanks to those who recommended this collection.

Any thoughts on this release? Gets a pretty good review from AMG.

Happy birthday, Hans!

Bennie Green Mosaic Select, Disc 1 Some nice Charlie Rouse on disc 1.

Charles Tolliver Big Band - With Love Yourmusic.com said the availability of this album was limited. I figured it was now or never to get this at such a cheap price.

Thanks guys for all the kind words. Lester was a great guy to know. Some of you guys may know that I'm a mail carrier and was his mailman. Lester used to receive jazz catalogues on a regular basis. What really caught my eye one day was the Mosaic Records catalogue. I mean how many people do you know receive the Mosaic catalogue? Right then I knew I had to meet him! I ran into his daughter shortly afterwards, she lived with Lester and arranged for us to meet up. I think the first time we met, we must have talked for a couple hours. In fact, most times our visits would last that length of time. I always wanted to get him on the forum here. I thought he would have been a great contributer. The stories he would tell were priceless. Unfortunately he had difficulty getting around and didn't have access to a computer. I will always cherish my memories with him as brief as our time was and while I'm very sad right now, I imagine he must be checking out some great gigs in jazz heaven. To answer Valerie's question, Lester I believe was 89?

Some of you guys here may be aware that I had developed a friendship with an elderly gentleman in the neighborhood who happened to be a huge jazz fan. He saw alot of the big names over his lifetime. Ellington and Armstrong were just a few. I just received the most unfortunate news that he passed away on February 14. I had some of his music and had the day off from work and wanted to get together with him to exchange music and talk jazz like we usually do. I will normally call ahead and check to see if he has time available to meet. His daughter answered the phone and passed on the sad news. He was a very fine man and I will always will be grateful to have had the privilage to have known him over the past year. For an older gentleman he had a great memory and had fabulous stories to share. He had a wonderful collection of music and is responsible for turning me onto some great music. I will miss our little visits. God Bless You, Lester!

I purchased yesterday from Newbury on Amazon Marketplace the 5 cd set Art Pepper "The Hollywood All-Star Sessions" for only $29.99.

Just purchased from Newbury for 29.99 :

I really enjoy his playing on alto on the recent Roy Hargrove release "Earfood". A real surprise for me. Some have compared his style to Jackie McLean. I see he has a couple of solo albums out. Has he played on any other dates worth mentioning? I'd definitely like to hear more from this guy! Your thoughts are appreciated.

WASHINGTON (AFP) — US satellite radio giant Sirius XM is considering filing for bankruptcy, The New York Times reported Wednesday. The newspaper, citing "people in involved in the process," said Sirius XM, formed last year through Sirius Satellite Radio's buyout of rival XM Satellite Radio, had hired advisers to prepare for a possible bankruptcy filing. "Documents and analysis are close to completion and a filing could come in days," the Times said. The newspaper said that with more than five billion dollars in assets, a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing by Sirius XM would make it the second-largest bankruptcy this year, following that of packaging manufacturer Smurfit-Stone. Chapter 11 provides protection from creditors while a company restructures. The Times said Sirius XM has 3.25 billion dollars in debt and is paying enormous contracts to on-air talent such as "shock jock" Howard Stern, who makes 100 million dollars a year. Unlike commercial radio, Sirius does not air advertisements and earns its revenue through subscriptions. The Times noted that the company's fortunes were tied to those of the struggling automobile industry since most of Sirius XM's 20 million subscribers are car owners who receive the satellite radio service with their vehicles. It said Sirius XM was unlikely to be able to make 175 million dollars in debt payments due at the end of February. The Times said Sirius XM's problems could pave the way for a takeover bid by EchoStar, a TV satellite company which has bought up Sirius XM?s debt. Sirius XM is not the only US radio giant in trouble. The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that Clear Channel Communications Inc.'s debt was trading at sharply lower levels after it announced Monday it was tapping an additional 1.6 billion dollars in credit. It said investors were growing skeptical about the radio and outdoor advertising giant's ability to pay back its loans. Clear Channel, which operates more than 800 radio stations, announced last month it was laying off nine percent of its workforce, or 1,850 workers.

Man, you and I are on the same page on this one. I was giving this some serious thought earlier today. I've read great things about this collection. Going back to the Village Vanguard dates, a local store was selling a used sealed copy of the Village Vanguard sessions for only 29.99. One part of me wanted to jump at the opportunity to pick it up at such a steal of a price. The other part is telling me are you realistically going to listen to a 9 disc collection of Art Pepper performances? I mean I really do enjoy Art Pepper, but am I really going to play this set that often? 9 discs seems to be abit overwhelming. Tell me I'm wrong!

They have my local mall(Hudson Valley Mall) on the list and though the writeup is about 6 yrs. old, it's hardly what you call dead. It can be quite active on weekends and Friday nights and of course during the holiday season. To be honest, I don't visit there too often unless I really need something. I just don't enjoy dealing with the crowds. It's not my thing. The mall is located on the outskirts of town in a very dense business district. The mall is pretty much responsible for killing business in uptown Kingston for which it has never recovered. A friend and I were talking recently just how bad things are uptown and I told him stories about what it was like before the mall moved in nearly 30 yrs. ago. It used to be a very vibrant area. You had Woolworths, JC Penney's, a couple very reputable clothing stores and many small storefronts. I miss that alot. It was part of growing up for me.

Those guys work real hard and provide a great service to us jazz fans. We're very fortunate. I'm sure by now, you know what to do.

Thanks for the recommendation. Gotta chance to check some of the sample tracks over at AMG and it sounds pretty good to me. Now added to the wishlist. Thanks also for the thoughts concerning the Marty Paich or Art Pepper led date depending on which recording you may own. I may also pick this up at some future date although I probably don't need to rush out too soon.