fkimbrough

I just returned home from Andrew's Hill's afternoon concert today at Trinity Church in Manhattan. It was beautiful...with John Hebert on bass, and Eric McPherson on drums, playing a new Suite called "Before I", which lasted about 40 minutes. Andrew's very weak and frail these days, and the concert started a bit tentatively(due partly to the fact that he forgot to bring the music and left it at home), but after a few minutes he seemed to gain strength, and if I closed my eyes, wouldn't have guessed that his physical condition is so fragile. John and Eric are arguably the most sympathetic rhythm section he's ever had, and they complemented his music perfectly. After the suite, they played another couple of recent tunes, and ended the concert with "I Should Care" - 1 drawn out and sensuous chorus. The concert was attended by about 500 people, who gave him a long standing ovation at the end. He has 2 dates booked in the studio, one later this month, and another the first week of May, to record the trio. Please think positive thoughts for this great man who has touched so many of us......

agreed - after a 27 year hiatus, Owl Records arranged a reunion, only this time the sessions were released under Bley's name rather than Giuffre's - there are solos, duos, and trios with compositions by Swallow, Giuffre and Carla Bley, and lots of improvised pieces as well. I bought these when they were originally released, and they have remained among my favorite recordings ever since. Simply beautiful music - three incredible melodic improvisors in their prime.

Andrew cancelled the Birdland gig because he doesn't think he has it in him to play 2 sets a night. Disappointing his audience is the last thing he'd want to do. I spoke with him this morning, and he's hanging in there. I think at some point Blue Note will release a CD with his rhythm section and a front line of two British musicians, recorded some time in the last few years. I'll try to get more info on that. He's also planning to do a new trio recording with John Hebert and Eric McPherson in April. I heard the trio at Merkin Hall in NYC a couple of months ago, and it was astounding. I'm sure Andrew would want me to thank everyone here for their kind thoughts and good wishes......Throughout all of this, he's been incredibly brave - He's truly an inspiration.

The recording with Tony Coe is Norma Winstone's CD (on ECM) - Somewhere Called Home - absolutely serene and beautiful. Another great one is Norma's duo with John Taylor, Like Song, Like Weather, on Koch.

Jazz Realities has been released on CD, by Fontana - I got a copy (Japanese import) at Tower a few years ago. One of the tunes, Oni Puladi, by Carla Bley, is Ida Lupino played backwards........ just realized I missed part of post #15 - sorry about that Clifford.........

Those who aren't into the "ECM sound" but like Bobo's music might want to check out "Very Early", another trio recording on the Dragon label from Sweden. It was recorded in the mid to late 80's with Anders Jormin and Rune Carlsson, and features nice takes of "Some Other Spring", "Countdown", Ravel's "Pavane", and an original or two in addition to the title track by Bill Evans. Maybe not easy to find, but worth the search. I just discovered that I've lent my copy to someone..........now, who? I need to get it back!

I heard 'em at Birdland, and they sounded great - it was Dizzy's loss...........

Frank Kimbrough Trio at The Kitano Frank Kimbrough – piano Jay Anderson – bass Matt Wilson – drums Friday and Saturday January 26 and 27 Sets at 8 and 9:45 $20 cover - $10 minimum/set The Kitano is an intimate room, and seating is limited. Reservations are suggested. The Kitano 66 Park Ave. at 38th St. tel. 212 – 885 – 7119 www.Kitano.com

There's another Bley book that is well worth checking out - "Time Will Tell" - conversations with Paul Bley, by Norman Meehan, a musicologist who is head of Jazz Studies at Massey University in Wellington, New Zealand. This book is an excellent companion to "Stopping Time", and well worth its price ($13.95). It's published by Berkeley Hills Books, and distributed by Publishers Group West. There may be some info on it at Paul's website. There's also another book on Bley (in Italian, don't know if there are plans for an English translation) by Italian pianist Arrigo Cappilletti - I think there's info on that one at Bley's site too. For the completist, there's a discography (up until around '93, I think called "Bley Play" by Henk Kluck. I think it's still available from Cadence.

Picked up a copy of Sound Grammar today at J&R in Manhattan - I think Ornette's doing an in-store there on Friday.........anyway, it sounds great. Nice to see and hear a new one from OC.

I just spoke with Andrew - the muscles around his vocal cords are collapsed, so it's difficult for him to speak, but he assured me that otherwise he's OK, considering his illness. We spoke for only a couple of minutes, but he told me that his doctor told him that his vocal cords may get stronger if he "keeps his mouth shut", so at least his sense of humor is intact..........

I remember telling Dewey after that gig that it was the most fun I'd ever had with my clothes on - he got a kick out of that...........we laughed a lot. That was definitely one of the most exciting gigs I've ever played - I'll never ever forget it. I'm going to miss him terribly.

I played in his quartet for the past year, starting in Montreal last July - he was the greatest, and the day I got the call was one of the happiest in my life. I remember him telling me to please call him and let him know asap if I couldn't make the gig, and I replied "But Dewey, you don't understand......" We shared some really nice time together, both on and off the bandstand, and I'll always cherish it. Last Sunday we played the Charlie Parker Festival, and he sounded beautiful.......the last tune he played was "Turn Over Baby", and he rocked it hard. I can't believe that less than a week later he's gone.

I just played with him at the Charlie Parker Festival in Tompkins Square Park last Sunday - he sounded great, but seemed a little detached, and arrived literally two minutes before time to hit. He played as well as ever, but hadn't returned a couple of calls I made to him since the gig - now I know why.....after a couple of phone calls I just found out he's in a coma........please remember him in your prayers.

Mary's Waltz - Herbie's (original) title was the Bebop Waltz. I think Mary Lou took the composing/publishing on this, but Herbie wrote it........FK

Frank Kimbrough – piano Jay Anderson – bass Paul Motian – drums Celebrating the release of Play, new on Palmetto Records Wednesday and Thursday, July 12 and 13 Sets at 7:30 and 9:30 - doors open 45 minutes before each set Music charge $20 – no minimum Jazz Standard 116 E. 27th St, NYC Reservations: 212 – 576 – 2232

Hi Ghost - thanks a lot for repeating that show - Herbie's smiling on you...........All best, FK

Academy - on 18th St. between 5th and 6th Aves., ground floor. Very good selection of used CDs, reasonably priced. Jazz, classical, world, etc.

Hugh was playing a lot in the Baltimore/D.C. area when I lived there in '80 and '81. I think he lived in Baltimore.

Hi Paul - thanks for your kind words. We had a great time in Greeley, and it was a pleasure to meet you. The drummer in Maria's band was Kendrik Scott - he stepped in with just a few days notice and no rehearsal other than going over a few things at the sound check. Everyone in the band was amazed at the incredible job he did.....When I asked him how he did it, he told me he "hadn't gone out much" last week. He really did his homework and practically memorized the music. Folks here may have seen him on the PBS Hurrican Katrina benefit concert a few months ago - he was playing with Terence Blanchard's group in what I thought was one of the most meaningful performances of the concert - I could only describe the music they played as heroic.

I spoke with Andrew yesterday - he's definitely not playing at Pizza Express on any of the aforementioned dates.

Ted has a new Still Evolved group (w/Marcus Printup, Frank Kimbrough, Ben Allison, Matt Wilson) CD in the can - it should be available in August or September, on Palmetto.

Ron has a new CD coming out on Fresh Sounds - "Everything in a Dream" features Ron's compositions (and one by Samuel Barber) with John O'Gallagher (alto sax), Tony Malaby (tenor sax), Frank Kimbrough (piano), Masa Kamaguchi and John Hebert (basses) and Michael Sarin on drums. Not sure of the release date, but it should be out soon. It was a fun date - those of you who enjoyed his last two will want to check it out.

Ok - I just called Ben Monder to get the skinny on this one - Saxophones: Tony Malaby and Chris Cheek Guitars: Steve Cardenas, Ben Monder, Jakob Bro Acoustic bass guitar: Jerome Harris Drums: Paul Motian

Nope, not Muthspiel.