A tribute to Ken Price (aka Grey)

[Jim R]

I suppose that very few of us really "knew" Ken. I did not, although I had three or four transactions/e-mail exchanges with him over the past few years. So, this is not an attempt to pretend that I knew him. As I said in B3-er's thread, I sincerely value his contribution to my music collection, though it's only a small portion of it. I just thought it would be nice if everybody posted about something (whatever everyone may remember) we got from Ken (actual CD's, recommendations, or whatever).

Here are some things I remember buying from Ken, most of which I may not have found otherwise...

Stanley Turrentine- Jubilee Shout!!! (Blue Note) (Japan)

Kenny Burrell- Concierto De Aranjuez (Meldac) (Japan)

Kenny Burrell- Listen To The Dawn (Muse/ 32 Jazz) (Japan)

Kenny Drew- Piano Night (Meldac) (Japan)

Kenny Drew- At The Brewhouse (Storyville)

[Big Al]

I may have purchased other discs from him, but the one that stands out is the Teddy Wilson Mosaic which he sold me right after it went OOP. And for a very good price at that! Like I said in the other thread, this set has taken on a more personal meaning now.

[catesta]

I've done a lousy job of keeping track of what I have purchased from fellow board members. I think I picked up maybe 4 or 5 cds from Ken since the old BNBB days.

He probably is responsible for most of the few JRVGs I have.

In absense of any cd purchasing details, I offer the birthday message grey posted for me in 2003.

Happy Birthday Catesta,

This year I plan to give you any TOCJ or JRVG of your choice as a show of my best wishes on this special day.

However, you must contact me at my private email address in the next five minutes to receive your present.

grey

[jazzbo]

He was a generous man. I mean I am certain he profited from his sales to us, but he could have sold these to others for more, I'm also certain of that.

One purchase that sticks out in my mind was four XRCDs in minilp format of Miles Davis Prestiges Workin', Steamin', Cookin' and Relaxin'. . . . Beautiful Japanese cds in both looks and sound, and at a price I could afford.

And there are four Kenny Drew Trio cds that I purchased from him that I really enjoy. And I managed to get a copy of the Blue Train JRVG from him that I listened to just last night.

Ken and I occasionally exchanged emails about the board and about music, and I wish we had done so more often!

[Jim R]

He was a generous man. I mean I am certain he profited from his sales to us, but he could have sold these to others for more, I'm also certain of that.

Absolutely, I think we would all agree on that. His prices were so good, he usually sold everything he had to folks in other time zones while I was still asleep.

[Chuck Nessa]

How many Teddy Wilson Mosaics did he sell to group members and how/why?

I was amazed by the care in packing of my shipments from him.

[Big Al]

How many Teddy Wilson Mosaics did he sell to group members and how/why?

I was amazed by the care in packing of my shipments from him.

Yeah! I couldn't believe how big the box was; then when I saw all the bubble-wrap, that explained that! Great care indeed! It looked brand-new!

[PHILLYQ]

I never had a chance to buy anything from Ken- his sales usually started while I was at work and ended way before lunch! But I did see what he sold and at what prices, and he was quite reasonable.

I loved the thread that Brad posted a link to, it brought out Ken's wit, which was sharp and subtle at the same time. Sorry to see him go- he did a lot of good and was ethical.

[connoisseur series500]

In truth, I cannot remember what I bought from Ken.

I missed most of his sales, but I did pick up perhaps 5-10 from him through here and the BNBB.

He will be missed.

[Brad]

I can't remember everything that I got from him but it was one that I didn't get that was notable: The Montgomery Brothers' Groove Yard. I eventually managed to find a copy of this and it was worth it. One I did get was Bob Brookmeyer's the Ivory Hunters. Wonderful cd. Waiting for those Mondays or Tuesday for those offerings was a lot of fun. Better still was getting a cd he had. He sort of became an institution and as far as institutions go, you don't appreciate them until they're gone. He'll be missed for that as well as his presence of being part of this grand community.

Edited December 31, 2004 by Brad