Marian McPartland honored

[brownie]

Marian McPartland has been made a member in the Order of the British Empire!

Article in The New York Times today!

Don't think she gets the Lady title for this!

She is a Lady in the heart of jazz fans!

[sidewinder]

Marian McPartland has been made a member in the Order of the British Empire!

Article in The New York Times today!

Don't think she gets the Lady title for this!

She is a Lady in the heart of jazz fans!

At last - an award of one of these Gongs to someone who deserves it !

They usually go to bankers, 'industrialists'/political cronies, civil service jobsworths and so called TV celebrities.

Congrats to Mrs McPartland - a fine Ambassador..

Edited January 2, 2010 by sidewinder

[Shrdlu]

She's a fine lady, and I loved her "Piano Jazz" on NPR. But it's ages since she moved to America.

But, what Empire?

I hate the U.K. government and would tell them to f off if they ever tried to offer me one of those rewards. (Fortunately, that would never happen in my case.)

[Christiern]

You profess to be some sort of man of the cloth, but I see only dirty rags in your post.

Great for Marian, she really deserves it—and more.

[Ken Dryden]

I think Marian merits any award that she gets. She's done more for jazz than most realize, while her stylistic range is formidable.

[JSngry]

I'm not really a "fan" of her work per se, but her apparent "do no harm" attitude is really beautiful & worthy of all the recognition (and emulation!) that the world can muster!

[marcello]

One of mine from 1975, where she played at a school for disadvantaged children:

[BillF]

The British jazz "nobility" is getting quite numerous - Shearing, Dankworth - you'll be able to name the others. Did Ronnie get a gong? Certainly, Tubby ought to get something posthumously and, as Marian has shown that American residence is no barrier, Victor Feldman should be included, too. Lyttelton turned one down, I believe.

Edited January 2, 2010 by BillF

[Jim R]

I think Marian merits any award that she gets. She's done more for jazz than most realize, while her stylistic range is formidable.

Well said. I thoroughly and enthusiastically agree.

[AllenLowe]

she's a great lady; she even had Matt Shipp on her show a few years back.

[Lazaro Vega]

And Cecil....

[Christiern]

she's a great lady; she even had Matt Shipp on her show a few years back.

Ain't that some Shipp! I'm jealous. Matt never did anything like that on my show.

[king ubu]

Her "Piano Jazz" show is terrific! I have the greatest respect for her achievements!

The guests she had with her, and how he makes them feel comfortable... most gracious! And she's able to play with just about everyone, without having to deny herself. Guests included Paul Bley, Ray Charles, Marilyn Crispell, Cecil Taylor, Tommy Flanagan, Chick Corea (on a battery of synths - she did that show at his home studio), Blossom Dearie, Herbie Hancock, Roland Hanna, John Hicks, Barry Harris, Gene Harris, George Shearing, Andrew Hill, Ellis Marsalis, Phineas Newborn, Jason Moran, Hod O'Brien, Shirley Scott, Roger Kellaway, Dick Hyman, Gerald Wiggins, McCoy Tyner, as well as horn players like Joe Wilder, Jimmy Heath, J.J. Johnson, Frank Morgan, Warren Vaché, Dave Douglas and Don Byron, guitarists Bill Frisell, Les Paul, Russell Malone, and Pat Metheny, vibist Milt Jackson, and of course many singers, such as Ruth Brown, Mel Tormé, Eartha Kitt, Tierney Sutton and Cassandra Wilson. I love listening to these shows!

[Shrdlu]

The British jazz "nobility" is getting quite numerous - Shearing, Dankworth - you'll be able to name the others. Did Ronnie get a gong? Certainly, Tubby ought to get something posthumously and, as Marian has shown that American residence is no barrier, Victor Feldman should be included, too. Lyttelton turned one down, I believe.

I think Ronnie was made a sir. Victor was not just a fine musician, he was a phenomenon.

As for Lyttelton, "Good on yer, moite!". Tell 'em where to put it.

[Guest Bill Barton]

I just now noticed this thread. My somewhat belated congratulations to Ms. McPartland. She richly deserves any award she receives.

As others have pointed out, the stylistic range of her playing on Piano Jazz is formidable. I can't really think of another pianist who would be equally comfortable playing with Bill Evans and Cecil Taylor (two of my favorites among the staggering number of fine programs she's done over the years.)

Another remarkable thing about that long-running program is its humanity. It's been awhile since I've heard her in performance. The "oh, my, this feels like a historic occasion" highlight for me was hearing her in a duo with Teddy Wilson many years ago in Vermont. I met her and talked briefly with her after that performance and - years later - went to hear her with the trio. When I again offered my thanks for the music afterwards, she remembered me by name! Absolutely amazing when you consider how many thousands of people she must meet. What a gracious lady. She truly lives in-the-moment with complete attention and love.