Mike Longo R.I.P. (COVID-19 victim)

[ghost of miles]

Reports circulating online that pianist Mike Longo has died of COVID-19.  He was 81.

[felser]

12 minutes ago, ghost of miles said:

Reports circulating online that pianist Mike Longo has died of COVID-19.  He was 81.

 

so sorry to hear that.  Enjoyed much of his 70's work as a leader and sideman.  

[Justin V]

I've been worried about older jazz musicians during the pandemic.  I have a couple of his instructional books and dealt with him once during my AAJ tenure.  Rest in peace, Mr. Longo. 

[clifford_thornton]

^ Same.

I am sorry to hear about Longo; heard he was hospitalized the other day. Awful.

[Hardbopjazz]

This is sad. I will seeing him live. Prayers to him and his family. 

[Jason Bivins]

RIP.

[JSngry]

Always seemed to be a faithful servant of the music.

RIP.

[Peter Friedman]

Sad news. Enjoyed his recordings as leader, and as a sideman with Dizzy.

Is he the first jazz musician who has died as a result of the Coronavirus?

[ghost of miles]

6 minutes ago, Peter Friedman said:

Sad news. Enjoyed his recordings as leader, and as a sideman with Dizzy.

Is he the first jazz musician who has died as a result of the Coronavirus?

No--saxophonist Marcelo Peralta died several days ago.

[sidewinder]

RIP - so sorry to hear this.

[GA Russell]

RIP.  I've really enjoyed his recent albums.  I'll listen to one this evening.

[sgcim]

RIP

[Gheorghe]

R.I.P. Really sorry to hear this.

[Late]

Listening to this album right now:

With Sam Jones, Ron Carter, and Mickey Roker on board. Excellent music.

 

[Teasing the Korean]

On 3/24/2020 at 5:40 PM, Late said:

Listening to this album right now:

With Sam Jones, Ron Carter, and Mickey Roker on board. Excellent music.

Will spin this weekend! 

[Kevin Bresnahan]

I could swear that I saw Longo on piano at one time but I simply cannot remember who he was with or when it was. I saw a Dizzy Gillespie tribute band once with Jon Faddis on trumpet. maybe that was it?

[clifford_thornton]

Regret passing on a couple of opportunities to see him at the Baha'i Center. He was really good. 

[JSngry]

I think I saw him with James Moody @ Fat Tuesday's in 1980(?), but that might have been Kenny Barron...all I remember about that gig was that Moody played his ass off, and that Al Harewood was on drums. I was shocked as hell that Al Harewood was alive and playing (this was pre-instanet spped of communication), and not at all surprised that Moody was a total badass as both bandleader, presenter, and player.

[Teasing the Korean]

I love his easy/funky/groovy stuff from the early 70s. He has a conga in the group and does stuff like "Last Tango in Paris" and "What's Going On." Decadent cocktail music for the man who reads Playboy. I've never heard any of his "jazz" albums.

[clifford_thornton]

There's some video on YouTube of recent/ish live performances that really cooks.

[Teasing the Korean]

Enjoying an afternoon with Mike Longo:

"Matrix" on Mainstream

"Piano Giants" on Groove Merchant

"Talk with the Spirits" on Pablo. 

Safe travels, friend.   

[felser]

A shame that Pablo never made it onto CD.

[Teasing the Korean]

1 hour ago, felser said:

A shame that Pablo never made it onto CD.

It sounds like a blaxploitation soundtrack! My favorite of the three.

[DMP]

Years ago he was in town (Pittsburgh) for a concert with Woody Shaw and Eric Kloss, sort-of a pick-up affair. They were planning to do “Maiden Voyage” the second half, I encountered him in the hall at intermission, struck up a conversation, nice guy, unassuming,  he asked me to hum the song so he could figure out the structure.  Don’t think I was any help, but he figured it out. 

[felser]

1 hour ago, DMP said:

Years ago he was in town (Pittsburgh) for a concert with Woody Shaw and Eric Kloss, sort-of a pick-up affair. They were planning to do “Maiden Voyage” the second half, I encountered him in the hall at intermission, struck up a conversation, nice guy, unassuming,  he asked me to hum the song so he could figure out the structure.  Don’t think I was any help, but he figured it out. 

That's one heck of a pick up team!