clifford_thornton

People left and others joined. I think after Hopper came on (SM 2nd LP) and then Elton Dean, everything changed. There was also a fair amount of crossover between the Softs and the Keith Tippett Group of the same period.

I wonder if it's just the simple fact of available recordings... Middle Earth Masters is one of the few live gigs I've returned to from the early Softs. I do like everything up to Seven and can work with either vocals or not. But like you I have not seen too many concert CDs of pre-Elton Dean material.

Sun Ra, Amina Claudine Myers (though both played the instrument frequently enough that I'm not sure which would be primary). Call Cobbs Fred Van Hove

That's too bad. Alvin Fielder told me he was a real fan of Frank's playing, and that perked my ears up.

I should try that one again -- didn't hit me years ago, but that's probably me rather than the record.

I suppose Arthur Edgehill is one of a few in that generation of drummers (aside from Roy) still alive. Last I heard (pre-pandemic) he was chilling out in an assisted living facility in Florida. He too was born in 1926.

Her voice on Byron Morris' "Blow Thru Your Mind" (specifically the track Kitty Bey) is excellent, not to mention Steve Reich's "Music for 18 Musicians." I also enjoy her Anima LP quite a bit: https://www.discogs.com/release/3230281-Jay-Clayton-All-Out

According to family posts on Facebook, the vocalist Jay Clayton died on December 31, 2023 at 82. Very interesting artist; I never saw her perform in person, alas, but have long enjoyed her diverse body of recordings. RIP.

The great French horn player/multi-instrumentalist and educator Willie Ruff has died at 92: https://www.newhavenindependent.org/obituaries/jazz_master_willie_ruff_dies Always really enjoyed his Frh playing. RIP.

+1

Well put. Was lucky to see him a few times, twice with Cecil and once in duo with Min Tanaka (as part of a Cecil fete). Two of the occasions he was on electronics, but the first time in 2002 he was behind an extended kit. Beautiful. May he RIP.

Great tribute.

Great record. Also worth investigating: Four Jazz Compositions Based On Japanese Classical Themes.

This album is really good and I've never had it. Time to rectify.

There is a record called Katonah from 1986 on DIW that I think offers some of the strongest Grossman I've ever heard. It is definitely in the vein of the performance in this video.

Damn, this is not good news. Anyone have his email? Would like to send him well wishes.

no, other materials for the project in which I was to be involved. Tapes are gone, IIRC.

Yeah, '35 makes much more sense!

Me too. With Mtume's death and some other organizational complications, it seems to have stalled. But I remain hopeful and have the raw materials at the ready.

Wow, fascinating character who I never really knew much about. RIP.

Michael Downs was a west coast guy and also worked with Virgil Gonsalves.

Franklin wasn't credited on the original, either.

ah, interesting. Also, no more Tower Records in the US -- its NoHo/East Village location was pretty fun shopping back in the day. I also had good CD luck at the Northside Chicago one.

If any of our Canadian or Mexican brothers and sisters order it, let me know and I'll kick in on postage for an extra!

ooh, nice one...