duaneiac

Since I had not heard any news of him performing in a while, I wondered if his health was in decline. I only got to hear him perform once and it was an unforgettable experience. He sang a version of "Some One To Watch Over Me" that would make grown men weep. His autobiography is well worth reading. May he now find the peace that was often denied him in this world.

I needed a little inspirational boost from the life lessons of Jerri Blank, so I've been re-watching Season 1 of Strangers With Candy. "I cried because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet -- and then I laughed really hard."

The Small Bachelor -- P.G. Wodehouse

At the top of my list would be Dave and Iola Brubeck. I never met either of them although I got to see each of them at concerts (Dave performing, Iola in the audience). They seemed like truly nice, caring, down to earth, first class folks. Of the musicians I've had the opportunity to meet, I'd say. Clark Terry (who should be listed in the dictionary under "nice guy") Hank Jones Bob Dorough Karrin Allyson Jimmy Scott Bobby Hutcherson Dr. Lonnie Smith Smith Dobson Louie Bellson Bud Shank Hugh Masekela Some who I never met, but their stage presence sure suggests them to be nice guys/gals: Billy Higgins Pat Metheny Joshua Redman Dianne Reeves Benny Green Kenny Burrell Stefon Harris Gene Harris John Pizzarelli Charles Brown Taylor Eigsti Jessica Williams oh, and Keith Jarrett --

Back in March he was supposed to play a week long stand at Yoshi's. They had to cancel the whole week at the last minute. I suspected it was something sad like this. I truly hope he succeeds in recovery because he is one very talented musician. It would be a shame to see him waste that talent.

I was at the first of 2 nights of recording for these CDs. I don't know how much of the first set may have been used because during the intermission guys came out and rearranged the mikes around the drum kit. I don't know if they were having audio problems with the recording, but the sound was fine (as usual) in Yoshi's. I was disappointed by the concert and never sought out the CD. I guess that was the last time I saw McCoy Tyner. Dick Conte is a pianist/radio host in the SF area. Drummer Bill Moody was also the author of the Evan Horne series of jazz detective novels.

I've always loved this collaboration with Branford Marsalis. http://youtu.be/cxQW4rMCRxI May she rest in peace.

Mr. Z is 73 today!

I guess I'm an absolute die-hard Rosemary Clooney fan. She was just a marvelous interpreter of American songs. She had a wonderful, warm voice, but came of age in an era when wonderful female pop vocalists were practically a dime a dozen with Jo Stafford, Peggy Lee, Kay Starr, Margaret Whiting, Jeri Southern, Patti Page, Keely Smith, Georgia Gibbs and others were regularly hitting the charts. While I love all of those singers, Peggy Lee and Rosemary Clooney were probably my 2 favorites. Their voices and styles really connected with me. I have all of her Concord recordings. As far as I am concerned, her voice was quite good up until the final few albums where things did become a little rougher at times. That said, she was still one of the greatest singers around, much like Tony Bennett is today. Mr. Bennett's voice nowadays is not what it once was, but he has such an understanding of what he is doing and of the material he is presenting, that his interpretive abilities make up for any lack in his vocal abilities (some would argue -- I haven't really paid much attention to his recordings of the past 10 years or so). I look forward to this Mosaic set. How much? http://youtu.be/iodCc2zR-io

Was that an actual E-Z Pop Popcorn commercial? Do they still make E-Z Pop Popcorn these days? I wonder where they would have shown a film like this back in the day? Was the sponsor's name "Mr. Hemp"? thanks for sharing this.

I'm curious what led you to that conclusion.

As I said, he most definitely can play. Is he the most amazing and innovative trumpet/flugelhorn player you have ever heard in your life? No, he is not, nor, I would think, would he ever claim to be. Goodness is not the prime criteria in liking a jazz musician, nor was I making a case that it was. However, goodness, in and of itself, in any individual in any occupation, isn't a bad thing to have. I have attended and enjoyed performances by Keith "SILENCE OR ELSE!!!!!!!!" Jarrett. I have attended and enjoyed performances by Hugh Masekela. There is room in jazz for both. Jazz needs the "jazz is America's classical music" crowd, determined to see that jazz is performed in plush concert halls before hushed, reverent crowds so that the music gets the level of respect they feel it so richly deserves. Jazz also needs the "jazz is music to shake, shake, shake yo' boo-taaaaaay" crowd who honor jazz's birth in bars and brothels and want to present jazz as a fun and funky music for people to actively, physically (not just intellectually) enjoy. There is the old Charlie Parker quote, "Music is your own experience, your own thoughts, your wisdom. If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Mr. Masekela has lived a life with many turbulent and traumatic experiences which by all rights should have crushed the heart, soul and human dignity of the man. By all appearances, he is instead a man at peace with himself today, able to face the world with grace and understanding and joy. To me, that comes though in his playing, but that may not be the case for every listener. Que sera, sera.

He most definitely can play. Is he a great innovator or a profoundly influential musician? No. I've seen him perform a few times and he is one of the most capable and comfortable jazz musicians when it comes to forming a rapport with the audience. He doesn't treat his audience as a necessary evil which must be endured or an unwashed mass which should consider itself fortunate to be granted an opportunity to be in the presence of his genius. He treats his audience as welcome guests, as friends even. Sure, there is a place for influential/pretentious asshole geniuses in jazz, but jazz also needs some people like Mr. Masekela. Once, when I saw Mr. Masekela at a free concert in San Francisco, they announced that he would be signing autographs after the show. I got in line behind maybe 30 or 40 other people. It seemed like the line was going awfully slow. When I got near the front of the line, I found out why. Mr. Masekela greeted each person with a hug, signed however many items each one had brought, and then said good-bye to each person with another hug. Given some of the truly horrific abuse and violence that he had received and witnessed in his life, one could not have blamed him if he had become a very bitter and reclusive man. That he has had the strength of character to overcome the many obstacles life gave him, and that he has not surrendered to the darker aspects of human nature but instead has maintained an outlook of respect, love and understanding, is quite an accomplishment. Sure, Lee Morgan, Freddie Hubbard and Chet Baker, to name a few, were outstanding trumpeters. Hugh Masekela is a good trumpeter and an outstanding human being. I like that combination.

The young Mr. Masekela's joyful reaction upon receiving this trumpet from his idol made for the wonderful photo used on the cover of his autobiography. It's also a really good book. Mr. Masekela has had an eventful and fascinating life that makes for a very dramatic story -- a tale which includes the years of violence and apartheid in his homeland, years of segregation and discrimination in America, years of substance abuse, failed marriages to Miriam Makeba and Chris Calloway, and finally his much longed for return to a free South Africa.

LONDON (Reuters) - Bob Dylan has released a version of "Full Moon and Empty Arms", a hit for Frank Sinatra in 1945, and will follow it with a new album later this year. The song, posted on Dylan's official website, was written by Buddy Kaye and Ted Mossman and is based on Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2. Artists ranging from Sarah Vaughan to the Platters have also covered it. Rolling Stone magazine quoted a spokesperson for Dylan as saying: "This track is definitely from a forthcoming album due later on this year." No title was given for the album but the website's home page cryptically featured a picture of Dylan and the words "Shadows in the Night". Hear this song here: http://www.bobdylan.com/us/home

I don't know how many fans she may have here, but I have two excellent recordings by Sheila Jordan on High Note

The obit in the Washington Post concluded with this: "Joe Wilder," trumpeter Warren Vache once said, "is the only guy in the music business I would ask to hold my wallet." That's an honorable legacy indeed. R.I.P.

This is a lovely, well-crafted song from the 1970's that never got the attention it deserved http://youtu.be/E9N6n52LoSA While it may be an automatic instinct to deride Barry Manilow, he certainly did a good job in putting a fine melody to these Johnny Mercer lyrics. http://youtu.be/NIwp6xZdoRc

I caught part of it. You can still view the recorded proceedings here: http://sonnyrollins.com/hangout/