Alon Marcus

Great response Jim. That's why I love reading everything you write on this board. Each and everyone of almost 17000 messages, you wrote till now in this place, is a gem of knowledge and humor. Have a very happy birthday.

I'm happy to tell all the people around here that I finally discovered the exact definition of "jazz". Now I know what this is all about... Jazz

Have a swingin' year man. I have invited a band to play for you that's all I could get, though I know you would prefer this one, Anyway, Happy Birthday You are a great cat!

I think you guys will appreciate his playing. Pure genious playing "the Simpsons" theme http://www.drunkendelight.com/view.php?id=992

Glad to revive this thread to add John Kelman's very interesting review from AAJ http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=18765

Take a look. http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimwich/sets/796304/show/ What do you think about that?

Nothing special on Hope meets Foster, nice session (could you expect less?) but no more than this. My favorite Foster so far is Coalition from Elvin Jones, where he is teamed with another tenor genious; George Coleman. . This session is also on Jones' Mosaic.

Over the years there were many great tenor players in Basie's band. I know that you'll have a lot of interesting things to tell me about 'em and maybe some recommendations for recordings. I won't mention Prez. He already has his own thread. Herschel Evans is the first one, the antithesis of Prez. Some other exceptional players of the old testament are: Buddy Tate Don Byas Illinois Jacquet The wonderful Wardell Gray and recently deseased Lucky Thompson The new testament also had wonderful tenor players Frank Wess and Frank Foster Paul Quinichette (this is the best Quinichette picture I googled) and Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis Now this is a list of tremendous players and they all have been with Basie. What do you have to say about these guys and what's there to listen from their solo recordings?

Have a swingin' birthday and a groovy year!

Harrell is one of my favorite modern artists in everything that's related to trumpet/flugelhorn playing and writing. I like very much his big band project Time's Mirror and the intimacy of his collaboration with Jim Hall on These Rooms . Also like one of his recent projects Wise Children and Live at the Village Vanguard

i enjoy lovano's work very much, but i'm not sure if i totally agree with this statement. can you name some musicians who you feel bear the mark of lovano's influence? ← No! But I think the consistency and quality of his projects talk for themselves.

Probably one of the most influential and interesting tenors of our time. Always enjoy listening to his sophisticated and well crafted solo work. Can't agree with the common opinion that he sounds like Rollins. To me he is somewhere between Stan Getz (phrasing) and Ben Webster (sound) adding more contemporary tones. Here is a short list of favorite Lovano for me Celebrating Sinatra is an interesting record because of its diversity. The orchestrations by Manny Albam are very unusual and the small group cuts always have some zest inside. I love the duet with Foster on Chicago. Here is a nice review on it in Amazon Two all star projects that work nicely are his quartet with Scofield, Foster and Holland (one of my favorite albums) and the saxophone summit with Liebman and Brecker. OH! Gathering of Spirits Next on my listening list with Lovano is the lovely Dameron project 52nd Street Themes and Rush Hour . I'll be glad to here your opinions about him and to see some reviews and recommendations.

Well that's true, but it also can be said about the "Plugged Nickel" box. Depends on how much you like the group and the music.

This is one of the best sets I've heard, recorded live. Contains wonderful Corea compositions like Sifu, Molecules, Double Image and Hand Me Down. The love song Soul Mates is probably one of his compositions for sheer beauty of the melody. The set also contains tributes to Bud Powell and Monk two of Chick's main influences. It is also a chance to hear Chick stretching out for long solos on acoustic piano not mentioning the others. The sextet sounds rich.

This is one of my favorite Kentons from what I've managed to catch so far. Stompin' at Newport

Exactly my feelings - the difference between catchy jazz made by talented musician and worthless smooth sellout.

These sessions are some of my favorite Baker and George Coleman. They were reissued on 3 cd's (I have the first 2). Lonely Star Stairway To The Stars

I enjoy listening to Watson very much though familiar mostly with his work as sideman for others. One of the best places to hear him play is John Hicks NAIMA'S LOVE SONG.

Lester Young first played drums in his father's family band, later switched to alto and only then to tenor. He also played clarinet. Was Lester recorded playing instruments other than tenor sax?

I really like Chick's electric projects. Just enjoy the music. I like the diversity of his musical career and would hate preventing myself from listening to "Electric Band" albums. Jazz Kat - since you are in a fusion mood lately maybe you'll find some interest in the next names (maybe you have already explored some of them but it still worth mentioning). Mike Mainieri and Steps Ahead - one of the best fusion band that included people like Mike Stern and Michael Brecker. Their music surely cannot be qualified as an easy listening or smooth. The Brecker Brothers - lots of pop elements in their albums but also lots of great solos from Randy and Mike and other players that worked with the band. Yellowjackets - since Bob Mintzer entered the band they are tending more towards the hardcore jazz fan but use electric instruments. Scott Henderson and Tribal Tech create truly sophisticated and spirited jazz rock compositions. Allan Holdsworth - you should try and listen to this unique guitar player and composer. One thing that is in common to all the bands in this list is their ability of creating unusual songs with structures that deviate from the standart AABA form. Mostly the arrangments are also very interesting. Enjoy

Some more recommendations are found in this thread

Brownie, you're right! And I think I know why you were the one to guess first. The quote is from a book called "Count Basie and His Orchestra" by Raymond Horricks and you are credited there for your contribution to the discography.

No soory. Hint - it was a woman.

Who said the next about Jimmy Rushing:

New Age? Large portion of jazz community? First time I've heard this music being called New Age.