Pony Poindexter, any fans?

[Hardbopjazz]

I was listening to him tonight and wonder why he never made it big like other horn players. He is talented beyond words.

If you're looking for a nice recording with him, "Annie Ross & Pony Poindexter" is a great recording. Pony also played on some Lambert Hendricks & Ross recordings.

[BeBop]

I was listening to him tonight and wonder why he never made it big like other horn players. He is talented beyond words.

If you're looking for a nice recording with him, "Annie Ross & Pony Poindexter" is a great recording. Pony also played on some Lambert Hendricks & Ross recordings.

I consider Pony to have been a musical friend, and about as close a personal friend as we could be. (Read his autobiography to learn a bit more about the limits on such things. You'll also get some insight on why he never became "big".)

To pick one of his recordings as a fun/interesting example, I'd choose Pony's Express. Look at the musician lineup.

I'm not really of the mindset to go on right now about Pony; perhaps later. Complex cat.

Edited October 31, 2011 by BeBop

[mikeweil]

The two albums he cut for Prestige are nice, too. There was a 2 LP on 1 CD reissue un the British BGP label:

But Pony's Express may be his masterpiece - one of the most astonishing all star saxists meetings ever recorded!

[mjzee]

I liked the one released on Inner City, tho the sound quality wasn't wonderful. IIRC, it was recorded in Seattle.

[Brownian Motion]

Don't know Pony's work, but I always liked his name.

[BeBop]

Don't know Pony's work, but I always liked his name.

And ya gotta like Neal Hefti's (Count Basie's) "Little Pony". Yes, same Pony.

[AllenLowe]

I did read the autobiography, interesting stuff. My impression from musicians who knew him was that his alcoholism caused professional problems.

[BeBop]

I knew him late in his life, where age and general deterioration from a hard life were probably having as much impact as substances. For anyone who has met James Moody - open, friendly, and light-hearted, with everyone - well, Pony was not James Moody.

[mikeweil]

He said in his autobiography that he liked the life in Europe, but wasn't always satisfied with the sidemen. I saw him live with a local backup trio, and he was right ... his whole life was a combination of bad luck and circumstances, and, I think, lack of recognition for mainstream players during the turmoil of the 1960's and 70's.

[mikeweil]

FWIW, here's a Pony Poindexter discography I compiled ... please contact me if anything is missing.

Disco Pony Poindexter.pdf

Edited November 2, 2011 by mikeweil

[romualdo]

FWIW, here's a Pony Poindexter discography I compiled ... please contact me if anything is missing.

nice one - thanks for the discography

[mjzee]

Thanks, Mike.

[jeffcrom]

FWIW, here's a Pony Poindexter discography I compiled ... please contact me if anything is missing.

This is another of those "I love this place" moments. Thanks!

[Hardbopjazz]

FWIW, here's a Pony Poindexter discography I compiled ... please contact me if anything is missing.

Thanks Mike

[six string]

I have had Pony Express and Plays the Big Ones for quite a while and concur on the former's standing to the latter. I also picked up a copy of Gumbo! w/Booker Ervin on Prestige recently.

It hasn't drawn me in yet but to be honest I haven't played it many times. I should give it a spin tonight and see what happens.

Edited November 8, 2011 by six string

[mikeweil]

On 1.11.2011 at 9:15 PM, mikeweil said:

FWIW, here's a Pony Poindexter discography I compiled ... please contact me if anything is missing.

Disco Pony Poindexter.pdf

The download link doesn't work anymore - I'm in the process of typing all the data into BRIAN and will make it available again after I'm done. Added some new issues and details I found out in the meantime.

[clifford_thornton]

Oh, I like him a lot!

This one is superb:

[soulpope]

19 minutes ago, clifford_thornton said:

Oh, I like him a lot!

This one is superb:

More from this concert can be found here ....:

https://www.discogs.com/de/Pony-Poindexter-Frank-Rosolino-Fritz-Pauer-Art-Farmer-The-Exciting-Jazz-Of-The-Early-70ies/release/10312566

[JohnS]

I've always found Plays The Big Ones and Gumbo very disappointing..   Pony's Express  gets a regular play.  That's as far as my knowledge goes.

[mikeweil]

L to R: John Handy, Pony Poindexter, John Coltrane, Frank Fischer, at Bop City.

https://www.harlemofthewestsf.com/gallery/#jp-carousel-396

Pony Poindexter and Leo Wight at Bop City

[JSngry]

 

[sonnymax]

Any relation to "Poinsy” Poindexter, friend to Felix the Cat?

 

[Peter Friedman]

To be honest, Pony Poindexter has never been a favorite of mine. One I do like is Pony’s Express mainly because it has many other saxophone players I like, and the arrangements are good.

When I think of the alto sax players I like, Pony comes far far down the list. I sense a certain shrillness to his sound, and I don’t find his solos to be interesting, though there are likely a few exceptions.

My comments are not in line with what others here have said, but it is just my personal opinion.

[JSngry]

I like how he seems to turn up in unlikely places and/or in unlikely settings.

 

 

[mikeweil]