fasstrack

great guy. We know each other some years, gigged-which was fun. When I lived in Riverdale, NY I saw him a lot. He's just up the road in a Hudson River town. Has a band called Eye Contact, Hispanic in orientation-and nice. There he goes by Harvito. Hope the MF doesn't have a hard time cashing checks! Great cat, a character, and a player of experience and accomplishment. Forget names if you meet him, though. Try nods, grunts, ASL, or that thing they used to do with their hands on home movie screens (;

I dug Eddy Louiss Trio out (w/Klook). No gtr. player could keep up w/Eddy. Rene just did his thing. Some comments on that thing from a guitarist: Rene Thomas IMO could have been more original and grown had he not had a drug problem-died from an OD, I'm told . I feel the same way about his latter-day influence Grant Green. When you're in that thing you care about 2 things: getting high and then getting paid so you can stay high. Back to Thomas: He was more than a Raney copycat, but less himself than he might have. What he did have was a big, dark sound, swinging beat, a looseness, and soulfulness. Jimmy Gourley was a more obvious Raney imitator and not the talent Thomas was IMO. Thomas got repeated minor arpeggios from Raney, but was earthier, the touch heavier.I dig him. I would've liked him to haved lived and cleaned up to reach his potential. Two European players who did were Wim Overgrouw (sp), a risk-taking improvisor-and Attila Zoller (also friend I dearly loved and miss).

That's your opinion. I've known Dwane since he came up here around '86. We played then in some bands. He feels the bebop thing deeply, didn't get it from a book. And he and the alto player brought Freddie's music out. That's the gig.

I was there. Stayed after 'Ralphie Boy' to listen. It was great to see Leroy, who I hadn't hung w/since JCT. He, and the rhythm sec. did a great job-as did Duane and The Man himself. Nice phrasing, spacing, esp. comping.His tunes came off. Jazz lived last night at Smalls. 'Just a street where old friends meet'

You said it all with 'wonderful'. Like a cross between Jimmy Raney and Django---but blusier and with a heavier sound than both.

Never doubted Rosenwinkel's talent BTW. He's talented indeed. (I know you meant Chick) The self-absorption is what gets old fast. It's All Kurt All The Time. So the F%$k what? Show me you care about something else in music or life than what a bad MF you think you are. Otherwise IMO not only are you BORING, you pretty much miss the point of it all. It reminds me of Pat Metheny (also very good but doesn't do it for me most of the time) offering to break a guitar over Kenny G.'s head for overdubbing over Pops. He had a point, but who made him God---or spokesman for jazz. When I can 'pat' to Pat---mainly my foot on 2 and 4---when he makes me move in my body, and gives me that 'healin' feelin'---like Pops does I may give more credence to his opinion---Kenny G. or no. That hasn't come close to happening yet. He's a great guitarist, though. Just not Charlie Christian---different time and vibe---and I'm an old fart, I guess... No wonder a tenor player friend complained about guitar player egomaniacs. He didn't mean Paul Meyers, Toninho Horta, Ed Cherry, James Chirillo, er, myself, though.

Sorry to say this may never happen--at least not through kickstarter. Too much trouble. Also, bet you didn't know if you can't raise ALL the loot you get none! Wik try something else, sports fans-and am open to ideas. Like open a leg-waxing joint instead. Nyuk, nyuk.. (cue 'The Magpies)Aaaandd---Blackout...

OK! Sports (and Fass) fans: I decided to sit down w/a 'personal banker' (not as 'personal as I'd like, in fact-the lady's smoldering!) and incorporate Exemplar-my publishing name. Funds will go to it through Amazon. I hope this tale of woe is instructive to dreamers realizing their dreams. Research 1st, and HAVE PLAN B in place.

Allen: Risking the always-stupid 'I like my guy best' argument: Stan Getz was not well-liked. Bird pawned fans' horns. From personal experience: Woody Shaw-what a dick. But I love them as-choke, sputter, PTOOEY-artists. Tristano? Perhaps a genius, but for me unlistenable. Great ideas/constructs, zero warmth. Swing? Sure TALKED a good game. His cult was sicko-I met many. The major talent of that crowd IMO: Warne Marsh. (early Lee great too.

...yes, they do create from themselves, and no, they don't do audience polling ahead of time. Lee, I answered you sev. posts ago-but have a mere cell ph. to wk. W-hence abbrvs., also can scroll but so far so I can't answer your latest. Ah, the joys of poverty (;

Thanks, guys. Yes, her voice is pitch in the coloratura range. All the better for me, since I don't have to transpose squat! I think she may be one of the best working right now. My other favorites I've worked w/: MY's own Deanna Kirk-a real original sound-and Vicki Doney-who lives out in the Phil Woods of the Delaware Water Gap.

Leeway, don't you hear the humanity, the love of humans in the work of Dizzy, Wayne Shorter, etc? Ellington's Black Brown, and Beige-if that doesn't celebrate/uplift his (and ALL) people, I give up. Of course w/ the 'pure music' approach much worthwhile, even great, music is made. Artists, above all, must be/believe in themselves-or risk being failed artists. How do I know? It's only my life. Leeway, it's NOT either/or.

Make that 'the past 50 yrs. or so'.

...yes, they do create from themselves, and no, they don't do audience polling ahead of time. There's a self-absorption that has crept into jazz performance in the past-innovation and progress notwithstanding. It's as if many people are in a bubble. I find it so disturbing I do not wish to play with certain people. They simply are not about what I stand for. It's not about taking audience polls. IMO it IS about using art to bring out people-to uplift, and I don't mean merely oneself. But what was good enough for Pops and Pres and other real greats who were incredibly creative besides doesn't seem to cut it for, ahem, 'geniuses' like Kurt Rosenwinkel (whose playing I like BTW). With this new breed it's not about the people. It's not even about the songs anymore-unless they are used to show how clever one is. Now 'jazz' is about me me me.

I took one lesson w/him in '92-right before he slipped away. He did talk about Wolpe, no great stories. I won't bore you w/my lesson. One thing he did was write out intervals-like 6ths. 'OK, kid. Go bust your ass and do something w/THAT'. He showed me the gtr. pt. on Counterpoise #2. My man James Chirillo told me he sweated his part! John was a master of counterpoint, as is Bill Holman. The tunes didn't matter. He recycled-so did Haydn. Me, I'm a songwriter and my head's in a different place just now. But when you hang w/ a master like John and others it has to rub off. We won't see the likes of that generation again.

Has no one heard of her?

Leave Adolph and Eva alone already. They had such nice teeth..."Zuh Fuherer zid not say zis 'baby'"...

I dunno, Allen. I think maybe he was TRYING to say the bit about a tree falling, etc. I myself would've said what I believe: it's best when live performers communicate and bring people (of whatever) rather than merely being about themselves. I dunno, Allen. I think maybe he was TRYING to say the bit about a tree falling, etc. I myself would've said what I believe: it's best when live performers communicate and bring people (of whatever) rather than merely being about themselves.

Fabulous singer. Daughter of Ellington bassist Jimmy Woode. I found her when a fellow from Italy played his CD w/her vocalizing. Floored me. Now I've hired her to sing my songs on 2 gigs-and hope to record her w/my group. You can hear clips at www.shawnnmonteiro.com and her myspace page. Happy listening!

Silly me, and I thought it was a GUITAR amplifier. Was gonna order 3. Because I'm a rich guy---NOT(;

See below. And add self-expession, haminess, and a seemingly botomless need for attention. Mommies out there: take heed. This is what happens when the kid doesn't get hugged enough...

Singing by musicians is controversial w/fans. But many of us wish we could sing. I myself am certainly in that category-being into song, songwriting, the ASB. It breaks it up and is charming when we sing IMO.And Johnny has a real talent and smooth voice. He sang When October Goes (Manilow-yes THAT Manilow/Mercer). No one could touch Nancy Lamott's version IMO, but he held his own-and the crowd, including me.

It takes a minute. My last gig in May wasn't up for months. But Johnny's a regular. Check the site for past shows.

Hadn't heard him in over 25 years. Last time was when he blew into the Jazz Cultural Theater. I remember we jammed that night around '85 b/c it was a jam session night and I was in the house band. Johnny sounded great, but back then he was more player than listener. I remember yielding to him and laying out b/c there was no room for a guitar. But did he play 'beaucoup piano' Sometimes you just step aside and let a MF have his night. And O 'Neal was out to show the world what they were missing. He was on fire! He ended around 7 AM singing Soldiers for the Lord-rhythm section collapsing, looking like they had taken a shvitz! Owner Barry Harris and Monty Alexander-also passing through-were standing in back. Monty said 'what are we gonna do with him?' Barry replied 'Tie him down'. So to last night. Smalls. it's Johnny O'Neal! An old-school entertainer! Still plays a gang of piano. But he spelled himself, singing in a winsome baritone. And he warmed the crowd up, owned'em from the 1st tune. 'That's Entertainment!'

I finally figured it out! :party: Doh!! (Insert Homer Simpleton icon here ). They (Amazon, in case you are following the convoluted proceedings) require a bank account # to deposit funds to. And that # is (are you writing? ). Nah, fooled you. Nyuk, nyuk. Seriously, that's all it is. Except that I lost the little paper with the # from my wallet. (Goes sulking to corner, dons dunce cap ) STAY TUNED FOR THE NEXT INSTALLMENT OF THE PERILS OF JOELINE. COMING AS THE SCRIPT CONTINUES TO WRITE ITSELF Excuse me. I'm due back in the rubber room about now. OK, Cuddles. I'm ready....