sidewinder

I bought quite a few Verve UK reissues with my meagre pocket money in the mid 70s. They were pressed by Polygram I think, in very good sound. Some good doubles by the likes of Diz, Stitt, Getz and JJ plus Oscar P. Also some nice JATP reissues (now superceded by the Mosaic).

I was starting to think that the Resurrection might happen sooner. Welcome news though - and maybe these might ship by Xmas..perhaps.

To be in his 80s and still playing trumpet at that level I find astonishing. Few jazz trumpeters pull this off - at present time I can only think of Henry Lowther. Such physical demands - even so that telling solo on 'Effi' in the first half was worthy of admission on its own. Understandably, Charles is putting much energy now into band direction. The incredible level of energy directing the big band reminds me of Gerald Wilson's performance on stage at QEH at LJF over 20 years ago. I suspect he has taken on board Gerald, his former boss of over 60 years ago ! Too damn true !

Seeing this big band gig reminded me of the previous Tolliver Big Band performance in London, around 2007 I think, which I caught at QEH. Kevin Le Gendre introduced that one too. From memory, I remember Billy Harper, Howard Johnson, Kiane Zawadi, Kirk Lightsey, Reggie Johnson and Alvin Queen I think, as being in the lineup. Tolliver did a Q&A with Le Gendre before the show and at the interval break I somehow got roped into a TV recording being done by James May just outside the hall !

Bizarre ! I can't say I noticed said 'youngster' but I do recall us having to move position a couple of times due to excessive noise of other patrons, in order to get heard ! No doubt the 'aggrieved' will have fun tonight when the massed ranks of farmers pile in ! Obviously couldn't handle the discussion of Charles Fox on TV and who was in the various Blakey bands seen at Ronnie's. No sense of priorities ! Ended up getting in at around 3am due to extreme weather en-route. Around Stonehenge was particularly wild, not a place or time to break down. As a result I have slept for much of today - worth it though. Both sets were great - I was very impressed with Camille Thurman, both her fiery tenor and vocals. The drummer and pianist were excellent too. Incidentally, I found the sound in the first half to be OK, not noticeably muddy but that may be because of where I was sat. Agree that they did a great job with the big band in the second half - my Tolliver Big Band Mosaic Select has been on deck today. Notably though, the concert really succeeded as a tribute to Max Roach and managed to cover a lot of bases in his varied career.

Great music from the Tolliver Sextet and Big Band tonight and a real pleasure to meet board member adh1907/anthony. Thankfully I don't need to think about working tomorrow !

Blue Note Pop-Up Store in Ropemaker St. a non-event, closed for the day. Disappointing.

Will be seeing him in about 6 hours time !

I also hope to make the Tolliver/Roach Tribute concert and also have a ticket for the Tubby Hayes/Ronnie Scott 'With Strings' concert featuring Simon Spillett the following weekend. I would have probably gone for more but it's a train exped from the West. Time permitting I'm also going to check out that Blue Note 'Pop Up' store, which has relocated to the Barbican area this year. Last year I got to meet Charles Lloyd so you never know who you might see in there. Thinking about it, this will be the 3rd time I have seen Charles Tolliver in London. First with the big band in the 2000s, then the Strata East Tribute. First time I saw him was '89 in Toronto in the Louis Hayes Quintet, where he was partnering John Stubblefield in the front line. Sadly, that 70s film thing was sold out when I looked on line. Reminds me of those David Meeker/BFI hosted things 'back in the day' that they ran at places like the Scala. Reminds me that I saw him with a Canadian backing group in a club about 30 years ago and he was predictably excellent. Great that he is still playing !

Yes, it was a friendly short chat - with Shacho I think.

I was wondering about when I had seen him live in the past. At NorthSea around 2006 with his band was the last time, playing great and still looking good. Before that I remember catching him in 1980 I think in London at a Charlie Parker Tribute organised by George Wein. RIP.

I was introduced to one of the two leads, years ago, at Honest Jon's in Ladbroke Grove. He was stocking up on CDs.

Windypeg - 55.

This is very sad to hear but what a great life and career that Mr Donaldson had. It's over 20 years ago now but so glad I got the chance to see him with Dr Lonnie Smith. RIP - and 'fusion, not con-fusion'.

I agree - The packaging is fine. Not up to the sturdiness of the metal case sets but for the Bootleg Series it is as good as or better than previous sets. The essays didn't really tell me anything I didn't already know but that is a minor point. Sound quality well up to standard and the music is - as expected - superb. For anyone who has ordered the 'Italian Version' - this set is as per regular issue with notes in English. Well done Amazon Italy for offering the deal - no doubt it will come down significantly in price elsewhere at some stage. My set took 2 days to arrive from Italy - I'm assuming that it didn't physically travel that far and that they made a logistics arrangement with that distant trading partner the UK.