fasstrack

Gavin's book was dreadful. Completely out of his depth to analyze things musical about Chet, etc., he tried anyway---with laughable results. The rest of it was a journey through hell...

Has anyone read Jeroen Davalk's (sp?) book? It's very good...

Yes, 2 sets: 7:30 and 9...

There is a very special gig coming up this Saturday, the 18th at Smalls that I will be participating in: It's the 80th birthday celebration for the great guitarist Eddie Diehl. Eddie almost never plays NY, so this is a rare opportunity to hear this legendary player. In the group is myself (Joel Fass), guitar, John Beal, bass, and Taro Okamoto, drums. Saturday, June 18th, 7:30-10 PM. Smalls, 183 W. 10th St., NY. Hope to see you there!

I used to have his recording Dark Secrets---with a very funny picture of him holding a purported CIA ID up outside their HQ. Joe Magnarelli is on it, and the tunes and playing are very nice. I also heard him at Trumpet's with the late Jimmy Ponder sometime ago. I think we even jammed once, at the old Augie's...

Met her a few times here in NYC. Good singer, nice lady. She has an interesting repertoire and approach, worth checking out...

What's happening with my man Tim Scully? Still doin' it?

The book aside, what I like about him is that his playing evolved. Though he had the life-changing opportunity to work with Charlie Parker as a young man, he didn't stay stuck in the harmony and conventions of the '40s-'50s piano style as some other pianists of that period did. (Of course, Bird is of and for the ages). You can really hear him absorbing newer piano ideas on the recording he made with Charlie Haden (As Long as There's Music). He was about learning and evolution.

Sad to say, I'm taking Lorazepam every night again. At least I'm sleeping, but I'm not happy about this at all...

I have never, ever heard Chet Baker play badly---whatever shape his personal life may have been in. He was a poet, and a great swinger. I only regret that he was 'immortalized' by a horrible image-pimping film by Bruce Weber (the music was great, though), and a disgrace of a book by James Gavin---both of which missed the point entirely. Oh, well, that's Show Biz... I believe he eventually became an adequate reader. I think, yes, that's somewhat of a myth. He had to have put in plenty of work, at least as a young player... Sorry, but I truly hated that book. For one thing, Gavin's musical 'insights' are laughable. For another, he seems to get off on that outlaw-junkie-craggy-faced-burnout image of Chet in the same way Bruce Weber was enchanted. Even if the truth is ugly it doesn't need to be romanticized in the way Gavin did. Simply execrable. I much prefer Jeroen De Valk's (I know I mangled his name, sorry) volume---which doesn't ignore the substance issues, etc., but doesn't make a big deal of them. He really deals with the reason we love Chet Baker: the music...

I know. Mea cupla, and all that. The gig with Eddie (and John Beal, and Taro Okomoto) will happen at Smalls on Saturday, June 18. 7:30-10. I will post it close to the date, thanks...

A nonpareil human has left us. I grew up with Ali. My brother and his friends never missed a fight, and would ape his braggadocio (sp.?) in mock interviews. His courage in standing up against the Vietnam war cost him dearly, but it didn't stop him. I don't share his Muslim beliefs, but admire that he spent his later years making up and signing tracts to be delivered to local schools, etc. His generosity was legion, and in the end most his amassed riches were gone---partly because of this. He was a unique personality and a humanitarian. A one-of-a-kind man...

NYer's, especially Bronxites: If you are looking for something to do early Monday evening, there is an art exhibit in beautiful Riverdale at the Bayit (Hebrew Institute of Riverdale). Admission is FREE! The paintings are by Diane Harzinova-Djirova, who will be there from 5:30-8 PM. Music will be from 6-7, provided by myself on guitar, and my wonderful colleague Sean Smith, bass. 3700 Henry Hudson Parkway East.1 train to 242nd St., then #10 bus to 238th St and Henry Hudson Parkway East., walk back to the Temple. Light refreshments will be served. Hope to see you there!

We did---going way back. Used to ride bikes to the beach, etc. A wonderful friend...

Thank you all. It helps. There probably will be a memorial for Mr. Olin, most likely at St. Peters church. I will post the event before it happens. Thank you all again...

Late gig announcement: Tonight, Sunday, May 29 8-11 PM. Joel Fass, guitar and Sean Smith, bass. Walker's Restaurant 16 N. Moore St. (corner of Varick, one block north of the Franklin Ave. stop on the 1 train). The music is in the back room. No cover, but you must buy at least a dessert. The food is excellent. Hope to see some of you there...

It is my very sad duty to report the death this past Thursday of NYC area multi-reed player Tom Olin. A spry 68, and riding his bicycle everywhere, Tom came through prostate removal surgery quite well. Then an unrelated blood clot took him. Tom Olin is best remembered by jazz listeners for his tenure with Illinois Jacquet's big band. In truth, he played thousands of gigs of every stripe: Dixieland and Swing, Broadway subs, club dates, sax quartets (which he composed and arranged for), on and on. I met Tom back in 1980, and we became fast friends. He got me into the very helpful Marshall Brown workshop. We played in myriad situations, gigging and recording, or just practicing. Tom owned a house with wife Janet in Bedford-Stuyversant, Brooklyn. We would spend hours on the phone dishing about the NY scene, and taking down the stuffed shirts. He was gentle, funny, and flakey in the best possible way, with his own lovable way of self-expression. Since hearing the horrible news yeaterday I have been inconsolable4--shaking, and with a tight stomach. Yes, I've taken it badly. Please keep a good thought for this gentlest of men...

Pretty amazing that he lasted til 90, and is still going strong...Happy birthday!

According to (yes, again) Shecky Greene, Jack E. Leonard grew very bitter and jealous of Rickles, accusing him of 'doing me'. I think he said it in this interview: http://classicshowbiz.blogspot.com/2011/06/interview-with-shecky-greene-part-one.html

They can?

I used to try to never miss Gil Noble's Like it Is. It was amazing the criticism of U.S. policies towards blacks, and third world peoples generally that were allowed to get past the ABC suits. I guess the 'dead' non-prime-time slot (Sundays at noon) didn't hurt his case. I've also enjoyed interviews with Sonny Rollins, and Jackie McLean. A show from 1972 on Charlie Parker won, I believe, a Grammy or other award. (Unfortunately, I could not locate these). I met Mr. Noble once, in 1995, and he was very warm and gracious. Here is a Like it Is broadcast about the true origins and importance of jazz, from slavery times on up: 'Like It Is' w/ Gil Noble - Jazz: The American Art Form YOUTUBE.COM

Same age as Shecky Greene. To quote Billy Crystal (a lesser comedian IMO) these guys are 'machines'...

Happy birthday, Chuck! Long live heroes of the indie music world, of which you are foremost...

It doesn't look like Louis, but I take your word for it...