Monk with Dizzy Gillespie's big band, 1946 Spotlite

[ghost of miles]

Does anybody have Dizzy Gillespie's big-band performances with Monk on piano, May/June 1946 at the Spotlite? They came out on Hi-Fly 101 (LP) and on Dizzy Gillespie MASTERS OF JAZZ V. 7 and 8 (2-CD set). I'm trying to find 1-2 tracks that might feature Monk soloing...any assistance very welcome if you can contact me via PM or at johnsond@indiana.edu.

[brownie]

Got those that Masters of Jazz double CD. Monk is credited as playing piano solos on 'Round Midnight', 'Convulsion', 'Second Balcony Jump' and during a duo with Ray Brown on 'Algo Bueno'.

Wll PM you later!

[ghost of miles]

Thanks much for the discographical info, Brownie--that's a huge help! Hoping to run those tracks down within the next day or so.

[Chuck Nessa]

Jerry Newman recorded this stuff. Don Schlitten bought the original acetates and sent cassette dubs to a collector in Europe. Lps were issued from those tapes and the lps have been copied by a few folks for cd reissues.

Uptown purchased the original masters from Schlitten. In a few months Uptown will issue a "double" containing all the material from the "primary source". The sound still isn't "great" but it is what the discs deliver. We've been working on this a couple of years (with the Gillespie estate, unlike others). The final info will probably be different than the current info. Interviews with surviving members add a bunch of information.

Edit to say: A cheaper copy will be available from thieves in a couple of months after it comes out.

Edited August 20, 2007 by Chuck Nessa

[DukeCity]

Great news about the Uptown release, Chuck! Be sure to let us know when it's out...

[jazzbo]

Jerry Newman recorded this stuff. Don Schlitten bought the original acetates and sent cassette dubs to a collector in Europe. Lps were issued from those tapes and the lps have been copied by a few folks for cd reissues.

Uptown purchased the original masters from Schlitten. In a few months Uptown will issue a "double" containing all the material from the "primary source". The sound still isn't "great" but it is what the discs deliver. We've been working on this a couple of years (with the Gillespie estate, unlike others). The final info will probably be different than the current info. Interviews with surviving members add a bunch of information.

Edit to say: A cheaper copy will be available from thieves in a couple of months after it comes out.

Great news Chuck! I'll be eager to get a copy of that Uptown!

[ghost of miles]

That is fantastic news, Chuck. Thanks for sharing--adding that one to my "to-get" list for the fall for sure.

[ghost of miles]

If anybody has 1-2 tracks from previous issues w/Monk soloing on any of the tracks Brownie listed... I'm still hoping to find them in time for the show I'm taping this week. Seem to have pretty much exhausted the usual local options.

[brownie]

When these recordings surfaced, the pianist with Gillespie's band was identified as John Lewis or Thelonious Monk. John Lewis was the piano player who replaced Monk with the band after Dizzy could not accept any longer Monk showing up late too often.

Listening to the available material, the presence of Monk (a lot of comping and a few solos, all too short) is unmistakable!

Will be very much looking for the release of the material on Uptown!

[EKE BBB]

Will be very much looking for the release of the material on Uptown!

Same here!

[AllenLowe]

sounds great Chuck - is there any question that Monk is on these or is it as obvious as it probably should be?

[Chuck Nessa]

It is obvious.

[Brad]

Will be very much looking for the release of the material on Uptown!

Same here!

Ditto that (excitedly!)

[ghost of miles]

Any update on when the Uptown release will be coming out?