fasstrack

Anyone seen the flick Come Back Charleston Blue? The soundtrack was written and performed by DH. BTW DH's daughter Lahla is supposed to be a great singer in her own right.

There was a European tour and probably some stateside gigs in 2012. Early in 2013 it was announced on his website that all performances through June of that year were cancelled. A later announcement cancelled dates after that. No word since.

He's been a great pianist since he came on the scene in the late '80s. Played organ back then, too, and graduated from the New School with Peter Bernstein. Began working with Jim Hall almost right away. There are 2 recordings out now which ought to remove all doubts about his piano playing: one solo, one duo with Harry Allen. Unfortunately I don't have titles. If it's any help Jonathan Schwartz has been playing both on his weekend WNYC shows.

http://www.mensjournal.com/magazine/sony-rollins-the-colossus-20130819 Recent article that discusses the respiratory condition, move to Woodstock, his feelings about not being able to play.

Which contributions were obtrusive, in your opinion? IMO, his playing on that Ruby Braff duo album (compare it to Ellis Larkins' sublime partnership with Braff), and I'm not that crazy about with work with Terry and Brookmeyer, although it is energetic. Perhaps "obtrusive" is not the right word BTW; better would be "much trickier than I tend to prefer." Braff and Terry-Brookmeyer probably were quite happy with his playing. Well, Braff and Larkins were born to work together. I think maybe, if memory serves, Kellaway has the harder touch of the two pianists. Perhaps he's more prone to throw things in that rocked the boat more than Larkins. It that makes him tricky maybe so. Never heard the recording. Anyway, my memory of Kellaway on various dates is far from stellar. I meant he plays busier than Larkins. Actually don't think Kellaway's touch that hard, it's just that Larkins's is so sublime. Anyway, is that what you meant by 'tricky', overly busy?

Which contributions were obtrusive, in your opinion? IMO, his playing on that Ruby Braff duo album (compare it to Ellis Larkins' sublime partnership with Braff), and I'm not that crazy about with work with Terry and Brookmeyer, although it is energetic. Perhaps "obtrusive" is not the right word BTW; better would be "much trickier than I tend to prefer." Braff and Terry-Brookmeyer probably were quite happy with his playing. Well, Braff and Larkins were born to work together. I think maybe, if memory serves, Kellaway has the harder touch of the two pianists. Perhaps he's more prone to throw things in that rocked the boat more than Larkins. It that makes him tricky maybe so. Never heard the recording. Anyway, my memory of Kellaway on various dates is far from stellar.

I agree about 98 percent, thought he has made nice contributions as a sideman from time to time, along with some darn obtrusive sideman contributions, too, IMO. Which contributions were obtrusive, in your opinion?

If I recall from the book it was Becker and Fagens' meddling on the tune order that did the damage.

He must be going stir-crazy. I hear he's been receiving visitors in Woodstock. Sheila Jordan wrote recently on her FB page that she had gone up there with Mark Soskin.

I was just about to post the same sentiments but you beat me to it. That "Alfie" soundtrack album is the proverbial desert island disc for me. Listen to it often. Kellaway, Burrell and Dunlop provide terrific support throughout. Not to mention Oliver's Charts. Just the right amount of background. Sonny, naturally, was brilliant throughout. Alfie's Theme!

Happy birthday, Allen! I'm right behind you: 60 in July. Dayum...........

I hear you, duaneiac. It's just hard to imagine Sonny Rollins not playing the saxophone. Let's hope he's at least playing a little at home.

Anybody have any info? His website has nothing on future touring, only info about Roadshows CDs. I don't know if he's practicing even. Recent articles alluded vaguely to a 'respiratory condition'. His public performing schedule seems to have ended before 2013, leading me to believe that this condition is pretty serious. Certainly he deserves a rest after years on the road, but if there's any way he could return to performing..... Just wondering aloud.

Was never a huge fan. I always found his humor somewhat mean-spirited.

I know it was long ago, but it bears mentioning that he added a lot to the Sonny Rollins soundtrack for Alfie. The entire cast played great on that.

Trane was a great ballad player, but I do have one pet peeve: replacing the beautiful contrary motion Strayhorn had in the last two bars of Lush Life with chromatic 7th#9 chords. I wish he hadn't done that. Oh well.....

Possibly in frail health? We'll miss hearing you, Toots.

Ha. I grew up on The Dating Game. RIP.

He was a hero. A great life lived by principles. Thanks for never selling out, Pete. RIP.

Toronto is where I saw him in '60s ,at the Town Tavern,with Frank Foster, during a hugh snow storm,only few people showed up, wish I had a recording of that set ,he played like it was packed ,what kind of cancer did he have ? I don't remember. I do remember that he had be diagnosed while abroad (in Scandinavia I think)). I think it was a brain tumor.

Try Jubilee Shout, with brother Tommy and Kenny Burrell in the front line. Originally a double LP (Blue Note?). Dandy stuff.

What he had to say about Jackie weren't put downs but citations of what he felt was immaturity. If you recall after he put McLean through his paces for not knowing the tune Yesterdays when Duke Ellington was sitting in the audience he sometime later said 'but by now he was a master and could play anything'. The comments about Duke Jordan are something else entirely.

They're in coherent form, and the sources and dates annotated.

Well, I finished it (with a lot of skipping ahead past SC's more tiresome digressions). My conclusion: despite the discursive writing style when on point the story of young Bird, his influences, his family life was well told. Interviews with people like Biddy Fleet, Bob Redcross, Joe Wilder, etc. were ones I've never seen in print. When the fat is cut away this is a valuable, if slim volume. Oh, and if I had a nickel for every time the word 'Negro' was used...

Ugh. What a year. Still, 93 years is a nice long run. I loved his playing and met him twice-a truly humble and beautiful man.