chitownjazz

With gall like that, he could have run for office.

Could be he's alive, but I don't think you get into the SSDI without providing some sort of documentation. Odd too, that he'd be "Irving Russin" in the phone book but "Babe Russin" in the SSDI (I realize Irving is his given name but then why isn't it Irving in the SSDI). I guess somebody needs to call Irving in Florida and see what he has to say. A couple of years ago I was looking for info on an old "Conavay-McCoy" sax mouthpiece that was made in Springfield, Illinois. I wound up tracking down a phone listing and talking to the then 99 year old Melvin McCoy. Definitely an increasing number of old-timers out there these days.

For what it's worth, the Social Security Death Index includes a record that seems to match Russin. I feel that a little skepticism is warranted here. BABE RUSSIN 18 Jun 1911 Aug 1984 91606 (North Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA)

That's been common knowledge ever since "Another Froggy Evening" came out.

Thanks to the assistance of a member, I've got a copy on the way. Gracious!

Sorry, the government's already tapped out from helping the more needy and deserving like Wall Street and the auto industry.

The Amazon listing for this set has five of Brown's solos among their audio samples: two each on Nagasaki and Maple Leaf Rag and one on When You Live In The Land Of Dreams.

PM query sent for... Williams, James Talkin' Trash featuring Clark Terry DIW-Columbia 3

I am. Maybe it's like Billie Holiday's Lady in Satin. To me she sounds like Michigan J. Frog when he refuses to sing. But some people claim it's good. Anyway, thanks for all the posts everyone, this gives me a great start. "Eccentric" is exactly what I'm looking for.

Then the question becomes whether it's worth it for the album cover alone. How often do you see a friar playing jazz alto?

Thanks Carnivore, looks like the Shade of Bix LP is easier to turn up (or maybe it's just that "Chicago Jazz" is such a generic search).

Thanks Allen, if you have a chance to look up titles it would help me search for them. Has anyone heard the Brother Matthew LP? Sudhalter dismisses it while AMG says Brown is in top form.

Awesome Chuck, it sure is. For anyone else that's interested, Worlds Records carries it, New Orleans Rhythm Kings The Complete Set on a reasonably priced double CD.

This source mentions that Boyce is on "four sides on Okeh, with Wettling and Stacy". This evidently refers to the Mares session. This Classics CD has four of the eight Mares tracks.

In partial answer to my own question, looks like some of this material is on this CD: Chicago Jazz Style. Now if I can find the CD...

I am interesting in exploring some of the work of alto saxophonist Boyce Brown / Brother Matthew. I would like help with recommendations and, where appropriate, information on CD (ideally) or LP availability. Here are the items I am aware of, mostly taken from Sudhalter's Lost Chords book. 1935 recordings with Paul Mares and His Friars’ Society Orchestra. Sudhalter mentions 2 takes each of 4 tunes, I’ve only found 2 of the 8 tracks on CD, on Chicago White Small Bands 1935 recordings with Charle La Vere - Available? 1939 four tracks with Jimmy McPartland, evidently available on Shades of Bix double LP, has this made it to CD? 1940 two tracks with Bill Davison – I Surrender Dear and On a Blues Kick - Available? Squirrel Ashcraft live sessions - Do any of these feature Boyce, and are they available? Kansas City Frank Melrose – Bluesiana (Delmark CD) Brother Matthew with Eddie Condon’s Jazz Band (ABC Paramount LP) Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Anyone have an extra copy of 14 Compositions (Traditional) 1996 by Anthony Braxton and Stewart Gillmor Leo Records CD LR 259? Seems to be out of print and hard to find. Thanks for any leads!

Has anyone heard the CD by the Albert Mangelsdorff Percussion Orchestra called Lanaya? Thoughts?

Todd was the first guitarist in the Vandermark Quartet and is heard on Ken's first Platypus CD Big Head Eddie. He had a group called Torque-tet whose one and only CD, Walk in Space, is filled with wonderfully off-kilter tunes. Oddly enough, given its obscurity, the CD is available used on Amazon. Todd was a denizen of the original Hothouse in Wicker Park in Chicago in the early days. Anyone know what happened to him and if he is still playing? Just curious.

In this NYTimes obit for Andy Kirk, it mentions that his son, who died in 1967, was an exceptional early be-bop saxophonist.

One of Chicago's free weeklies, The Reader, this week has a cover story profile of Nicole Mitchell by Peter Margasak. It's online, along with color photos of the black-and-whites in the print version, here.

I love her playing in general and agree that Printmakers is especially good. Terrific sound too. Got to put that Zodiac Suite Revisited on my shopping list!!

John Law & Louis Moholo - The Boat is Sinking, Apartheid is Sinking - Impetus 19322, released 1995. Disk and inserts in excellent condition, jewel case is scuffed up. $12, first class shipping to U.S. included. $13 to Canada, probably $16 elsewhere but I'd have to check the latest USPS rates if anyone is interested. Shipping from Chicago. Payment by Paypal.

Thanks Jazztrain! And I was actually able to find and purchase a copy of this LP from an online British dealer. Three of the four Merle Johnston Saxophone Quartet cuts were transcribed and recorded by the Beau Hunks Saxophone Soctette on a CD of the same name (Basta 30-9089-2). I'll be interested to hear the original recordings.

OK, I think I've answered my own question - the sax quartet cuts are actually on VLP-59, Persian Rug. Can anyone confirm?