fasstrack

Another acquaintance from the Jazz Cultural Theater days. He hung out there almost every day. Yes, good choice.

Has anyone mentioned Donald Brown? He's also a very accomplished composer. He's really good. I'm not sure he rises to the level of "piano giant" yet. He is very good. I played with him in Den Haag. He's a friend. Recorded with Joe Cohn as sideman a few times.

That's too bad. Sheila would know, as she visited him often in the nursing home. He was a singular talent. RIP.

OK. Cool.

In the Beginning is the one I meant. Just checked the website.

One of us is confused. Do you mean Beginnings?

Resonance records just released or is about to release In the Beginning, a compilation of Wes Montgomery performances from 1949-57. Mostly from Naptown, but included is a road trip with Hamp from '49 where Wes is captured accompanying a singer (Hamp is not on it). They are smoking, and even have a cut of a jam session with Wes on Fender bass including a solo. Enjoy!

A few years ago I wandered into a joint in East Harlem. There was Joe Magnarelli, Mike Rubbio, and others playing in a band led by Killer Ray Appleton. He was pretty sick by then, but still doin' it. RIP

Thanks. I guess I was confusing it with The Montgomery Brothers in Canada.

Thanks.

Jonathan Schwartz played her version of Let's Face the Music and Dance yesterday. Very original. I wonder who does her arrangements, they're intriguing.

Was Jorgie's the same club in Canada that Wes Montgomery recorded in years ago?

Don't think she's been mentioned before here, but she's my favorite among current singers. Her interpretations of standards are fresh and daring without being forced. And she has a wonderful instrument. I really like Gypsy in my Soul from Show Me. The tempo is right down Broadway, and she nails it. Also, Heather on the Hill from the Target. Any other fans?

Actually it's the guy next to him who's smoking. But he was a heavy smoker, agreed.

In the back of my mind I was thinking of a Tom Harrell album called Wise Children, featuring four singers interpreting some pretty hack-like lyrics to Tom's tunes. Dianne Reeves did a credible and professional job on the song she was assigned (can't remember the name), bringing her considerable talent and chops to bear on a lame lyric. There are so many examples of lyrics tacked on to jazz instrumentals laying king-size eggs, don't even get me started. Noted, Down Here on the Ground had lyrics first (although I remember it as a guitar instrumental as the theme song of the movie Cool Hand Luke).

Marketwise it evidently fits in very well, since she's a very hot commodity. BTW, I'm not in love with singers covering jazz instrumentals. Usually the lyrics are lousy, tacked-on-after-the-fact affairs. It's not like a composer and lyricist working together. Things like West Coast Blues ('gig out on the west coast, man out on the east coast' or some such) which I'm sorry to say was covered by the selfsame Ms. Allyson, make me wince.

I get something more personal from Karrin Allyson than Dianne Reeves, who I find an excellent but generic singer. BTW, people looking for originality in interpreting the standards plus a great instrument IMO should look no further than Kate McGarry. I think she's about the best around now. Check out her version of Gypsy in my Soul, with a tempo right down Broadway.

The Rodgers and Hart CD is very nice. With Kenny Barron.

Barry did have a Ted Harris record in the display case at the Jazz Cultural Theater. I believe there was another (Ted) Harris LP featuring C. Sharpe.

Absolutely. A classic IMO.

Anyone ever hear of Tony Zano? He was from the Boston area and sort of influenced by Tristano and Bill Evans. He made a nice trio record in the '60s called, I believe, Everything Swings. Also some fine solo work thereafter. Very interesting cat worth checking out.

I've never heard Greek Cooking, but according to a radio interview with Phil some years ago (Jazz From the Archives, WBGO?) it wasn't one of his favorites. He was promised a date that he wanted to do by the producer (whoever it was) if he did Greek Cooking. According to Phil said producer reneged on that second date. Still, I'd like to hear it. Looks like an interesting affair.

I'm heartbroken. He was a friend besides giving me countless hours of pleasure. He also was a real jazz warrior. R.I.P.

I always thought their 'polls' were silly. A lot of clashes if those folks played together. At least they covered jazz, though....

Wow. Steve and I played together in Jaki Byard's Apollo Stompers in 1984-5.