fasstrack

I WAS harmed. I don't want to sound like a crybaby but this was pretty shattering. There are other things going on I won't broach, and this has put me on pretty thin ice, let's say. I will be haunted by that smirk-and the FUN that MF was having for quite some time. I'm not throwing my eggs in any one basket anyway. I'll seek the counsel of the wise before doing anything.

I did agree, after a minute. But, like I said, his mind was made up. My mistake was in going back there, even if partly to apologize. It was raising a red flag to a bull. Or bully. I could've gone to a different office. But I just wanted to get it over with, and my nerves were already shot.

Not all of them, Allen. This guy's boss was a pro and a gentleman, for but one example. And they have an unenviable job, especially dealing with a pissed-off public, not to mention actual bad guys. But the trend is heading downward and that is disconcerting.

I hope the Civilian Complaint Review Board actually looks into this and is not a facade or paper tiger. The woman taking my complaint seemed professional at least. It's best I don't discuss any legal action I decide on publicly.

Ditto from moi.......

I think it's Housing----Authority. Not sure what the 'R' means. It's where you go to apply for benefits. Okay. I find it strange that an Authority that's there to help people would require police frisking, but maybe they have experience with disgruntled clients. Still, it seems a LOT over the top in the first placce, and then that you received such treatment... The more you discover about city services for the poor and indigent, and especially the people employed and in positions of authority---I can only speak for NY---the more shocked and dismayed you may be. Not that everyone is like that. I'm grateful that this cowboy's boss was watching him and me both. I shudder to think of what could've happened if this bully got me alone. The best face I could put on this is that I got a bad apple. There are always people trying to do a good job, under very trying conditions.

I'm not looking to be a hero or anti-hero. I think this guy will hurt someone, especially if given a gun. I don't want that to happen.

I think it's Housing----Authority. Not sure what the 'R' means. It's where you go to apply for benefits.

I wasn't sure if I should mention this b/c I may end up suing the city, HRA, and NYPD and should watch what I write. I did contact some friends in the press, though, and if this gets any play I'd like to tell my side of it. Trust me, I'd much rather be known as a musician than rogue cop victim. I was at the HRA office in Queens Monday morning (why, I'd rather not say publicly. Privately, I might). I had my guitar with me and a handbag. All bags are subject to search. I've been through many such searches lately and my nerves are wearing thin. I objected to having my guitar case opened and perhaps my instrument manhandled. I made some noise about this and a guy I thought was a security guard (he was in fact a cop) didn't like it, or me, too much. We had some words and he got nasty right away. He was smirking--a smirk never left his face the entire ordeal. I wanted to know if he was a police officer. He said he was and to 'hit the road', or he'd lock me up. I told him I would agree to the search, but he was in full cowboy mode and again said 'I told you to hit the road'. I was angry because I had to be there, didn't want to, and didn't need this on top of it. I left and figured maybe I could come back, apologize, take care of my business, and get the hell out of there. Bad idea. When I did return the guy (I'm leaving his name out b/c a CCRB complaint is pending and I don't want to ruin my chances of prevailing) immediately grabbed me, and HARD. He slammed me against a glass door, threw both my arms behind me, hurting me and scaring the hell out of me, and cuffed me. I begged to be let go, to no avail. Instead, he and 2 other officers paraded me through the entire full room to a police holding area. Continuing to smirk, he took a full hour and a quarter with me sitting in painful handcuffs to write 2 tickets, one for 'disorderly conduct', one for 'trespassing'. I was told if I don't show up for a court date a warrant for my arrest would be issued. They went through all my stuff: bag, guitar case, wallet. All the while his superior was getting increasingly pissed. He told the guy to 'do this by the book', and started rolling his eyes at how long the guy was taking. He seemed sympathetic, and in fact walked me out and said he would 'talk to' the guy. There was a young officer there too, also acting professionally and respectfully. When they led me out the two (not the rogue) tried to cover the cuffs. They knew it was BS and the guy was a jerk. I was badly shaken by the incident. I have been wanting to leave NY for some time. Once released I called a friend in the press and another member of the press today. Both are well-known and sympathetic. One is a friend. I have decided to take legal and other action. I was not an angel in my own behavior, but only went there to get help, and nothing I said warranted this outrage. I am not threatening in any way, have never been in any kind of trouble, and outside of music have worked as a teacher and librarian. For an hour and change I was treated the way 'black males' are routinely. I feel it my civic duty to make a statement for the poor and defenseless and make sure this bozo never gets a gun and really hurts someone, b/c he absolutely will. Poor people have been crapped on too long in this nation and IMO the standard for police officer competency is getting lower by the day in NY and it's downright scary. People need to speak out, and now I have. I could use the group's support and advice. I haven't yet spoken to an attorney, and anyone interested in representing me would have to accept the case pro bono.

Thank you. Actually when I started reading this thread now (had never noticed it before) the original question immediately made me think of Frank Strozier too. Actually, when I started reading this thread, it made me think of Aric's thread back in the BNBB days asking whether Herbie Nichols was gay or not. Sshhhhhh. Don't get 'em started here about gay musicians. Especially dead ones. I say, in the name of Billie Tipton...... Actually when I started reading this thread now (had never noticed it before) the original question immediately made me think of Frank Strozier too. Actually, when I started reading this thread, it made me think of Aric's thread back in the BNBB days asking whether Herbie Nichols was gay or not. Sshhhhhh. Don't get 'em started here about gay musicians. Especially dead ones. I say, in the name of Billie Tipton......

I'm very surprised his passing was not mentioned here. Unless I missed it, in which case, sorry. I thought he was brilliant. Spoke to him on the phone and met him. He helped me with my dream of getting a lifetime achievement award from ASCAP for Bill Finegan (one of his heroes---who he called every day after Bill's wife died). If anyone ever gets to the Museum of Television in NY or LA (it's called something else in NY now) in the collection there's a 1968 show of jazz performers made after RFK was killed. Called A Contemporary Memorial, artists include---among many others---Duke Ellington, Bill Evans with symphony orchestra, the Horace Silver Quintet, and the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra---which featured Brook playing on and conducting his arrangement of St. Louis Blues. Pretty great stuff.

You'd be surprised how relaxing that can be to a performer---compared to some other venues where I feel like the teacher might fail me or something if I don't produce. I think I play my best here (I'm actually here). I did hear Frank here maybe a month ago with Ilya Lushtak and co. He sounded great. Ilya is also a very nice player and always improving.

Wow, this thread is still active. That was a weird (under-rehearsed) gig. But the people seemed to like it and I'm happy. I'm typing this on Fat Cat's computer, BTW. Great people. If you get a chance and are in NY this is a great place to play pool, etc. and hear good music for next-to-nada ($3 admission charge keeps us almost-fat-and-happy).

Calling All Romantics A Performance of mostly original songs around Romantic themes of all sorts. Many world premiers of vocal and instrumental songs. Excellent players and vocalist Joel Fass, guitar, songwriter, leader Deanna Kirk, vocalist Britta Langschoen, trombone Burt Eckoff, piano Tim Givens, bass Charles Goold, drums Saturday, Jan. 14 4-7 PM at the world-famous Smalls Jazz Club 183 W. 10 St, NY, NY (212)252-5091 $20 at door---good for every show following ours. Cash bar available Live video stream also available: www.smallsjazzclub.com

He's also playing at Fat Cat in Jan., from whence I type this missive. For $3-----and a dream....

Fri., Dec. 23 6:8:30 Fat Cat: 75 Christopher St., NY, NY Joel Fass, guitar, songwriter, would-be comedian Britta Langshoen, trombone Burt Eckoff, piano Belden Bullock, bass Vanderlei Pereira, drums MOSTLY ORIGINAL MUSIC ONLY $3 ADMISSION! Cash bar, games (pool, chess, ping pong), makeout corner (bring your own girl/boyfriend *This program will be repeated, more or less, with the important addition of vocalist Deanna Kirk to sing my songs Jan 14, 4 PM at Smalls. (Many of the tunes have my lyrics, and the singer planned on dould not make it) The program is to be called Calling All Romantics. You will be harangued, er, informed, again that week. These are instrumental versions of the songs except when I pluck up the courage to sing.

OK. Nobody interested.....

Younger and middle aged, too. Like me.

Couldn't get anywhere with them. Total waste of time, and I don't even have a PC. Would it be against the rules to try to raise some of it here? I don't see it being different than supporting music by going to a live gig or buying a CD. You can listen to a variety of music including guitar playing and my tunes from various sources---recordings, gigs, radio at www.myspace.com/joelfass and get back to me privately if you want. Remember, there are virtually no record companies anymore. The Internet killed that. Well, maybe I can fight fight fire with fire to get some good music I really believe in out there. I have 0 money. Note to administrator(s): If this is not cool let me know in a PM, and I will delete the thread.

Probably the Jazz Foundation of America. They help a lot of musicians and should be supported. www.jfa.org

I like the one where they did a jokey 'false start' that made the record seem like it was skipping. I love the entertainment aspect of the swing era cats along with the virtuousity. They were real showmen. These kids nowadays.... I liked the Live at the Arcadia Ballroom. He recorded so much you can't really go wrong, but live is always best IMO. That's when you know where someone's really at, sans editing or other techno help.

Could not agree more-or have said it any better. Would humbly add only the work I so enjoy beyond the realm of being Monk's muse: Benny Carter's Further Definitions-inspired choice; his own date, can't recall any particulars but an old friend, Paul Metzke, was on guitar; Sphere must be good at the least-no slouches for miles...

[quote name='

I hear you---but he didn't last long as a teen god with me. For one thing I heard Buzzy Feitin, and had already heard Wes Montgomery. Charlie Christian would come a few short years later---and gone... Beck had---and has lyricism, and a unique and beautiful sound---I never would take that away. But as a guitar player myself he never really settled into the time, or maybe that's a recent development. My main problem with Beck, though, is he's too much of a 'trickster', at the cost of musicality: up and down the neck. That's musical tripe you'd never catch B.B. King, or even the white Brits, dead doing. Peter Green play up and down the neck shallow stuff? Never. Too much of a pure artist and soul. Maybe if Beck had gotten grabbed by Mayall somewhere along the line, who knows? You couldn't play any old BS in that band, I'd wager. But when he wants to he can touch souls, Jeff Beck can. He's pretty unique. And I admire anyone who makes a living with the guitar, sans vocals. I wish he'd forget that other nonsense, is all.... Youi may have noticed, BTW, I'm not God (neither is Clapton---hate to break it to you aging hippies ). In other words, my opinion, nothing more.

Thanks Michel. It sure was a drag the way he went out. Thanks Michel. It sure was a drag the way he went out.