LWayne

Also done. Surprised this hasn't been agreed to without coercion. LWayne

Caught Cecil Taylor with Tony Oxley at the Village Vanguard a couple of years ago. Any performance by Cecil is truly an "event" not to be missed. Very viscerally demanding set, but sublime nonetheless. LWayne

Unfortunately it appears to be OOP when I tried ordering through my local "brick and mortar". Shame as the sound clips sounded promising. LWayne

Sadly I have no recordings of Stanley Cowell as a leader. I am looking to trade for some of his CDs to become more acquainted with his work. My only real exposure so far is his work with Charles Tolliver and a few other dates as a side man (most notably with Bobby Hutcherson). Any interest? Thanks, LWayne

Best shop for jazz and rhythm and blues in New Orleans is the Lousiana Music Factory in the French Quarter on Decatur Street. Barry Smith, the owner, is very knowledgeable about the local history and carries many small independent releases. They also have live, in-store, music performances on a regular basis. They are a fun destination during JazzFest. http://www.louisianamusicfactory.com/ Enjoy! LWayne

Thelonious Monk on Blue Note? Game, set, match! It doesen't get any better. LWayne

I saw Hendricks a couple of years ago here in Pittsburgh and enjoyed the concert very much for what it represented. LWayne

I didn't think that I would enjoy his playing either until I caught him live a couple of years ago in Pittburgh. It was really a tremendous show and he proved to be a very warm, engaging, individual who spoke to the audience at length about his experiences in Vietnam. He impressed me not only as a musician, but, more importantly as a human being. You will be missed Billy. Rest in Peace. LWayne

Last Wednesday, April 6th, my wife and I took the opportunity to travel to Baltimore to see Randy Weston’s African Rhythm Quartet at the Walters Art Museum. This event was all the more special in that it marked the 85th birthday of the pioneering musician, and his family and friends were in attendance from New York to celebrate with him. Henry Wong of An Die Musik did an exceptional job of arranging the show and the post-concert birthday party and book-signing. It was a fabulous evening! With the death of Benny Powell last year, the group has now become a quartet with Randy Weston on Piano, T.K. Blue on sax and flute, Alex Blake on Bass, and Neil Clarke on Drums. By their own count, the group has played together for more than 25 years, and the sense of simpatico, familiarity, and comfort among the members was evident from the start. They launched into an extended version of “African Sunrise” to start the show. It began with an extended introduction of “Chano Pozo” by Weston before launching into the song. T.K. Blue provided the highlight by quoting “Manteca” and leading the entire group in a rendition of “Feliz Navidad” before closing out the song. The rest of the set included “The Healers”, a combination of “Love, the Mystery of” / “Niger Mambo”, two beautiful variations of “Hi Fly”, and the gorgeous “Blue Moses”. For an encore, the group decided to play a blues song to represent that genre and chose an extended version of “T.K.’s Blues” To close the set, each member of the band feted their leader with birthday wishes and heartfelt testimony as to the impact that Weston has had on their musical careers. Neil Clarke summed it up best by paraphrasing the late Benny Powell in describing that Weston’s music was always represented an “adventure” for the group, not just another gig. Afterwards, Weston warmly greeted each member of the audience waiting to get a book or CD autographed with genuine interest and kindness. I had brought a copy of the “Live at the Five Spot” CD to be signed which was of particular interest to him. He recalled the gig as a rare opportunity to work with one of his idols, Coleman Hawkins, and how fortunate he was to have him play Weston’s own music. For that reason, this session really meant a lot to him. Overall, a truly memorable evening spent with one of the masters of the craft. LWayne

Ironically, while on the topic of Cleveland Jazz, my wife and I went to Nighttown last night to catch the Robert Occhipinti International All-Star Quartet (Occhipinti-Bass, Manuel Valera-Piano subbing for an ill Hilario Duran, Luis Deniz, Sax, and Dafnis Prieto on Drums. Very nice set of up-tempo post-bop originals from Occhipinti. LWayne

Just sent PM on the Johnny Hodges. Thanks, LWayne

Always enjoyed hearing him live. A great musician and a great man as well. RIP my friend LWayne

Andrew Hill "Black Fire" RVG Edition. Forgot how good this is... LWayne

Perhaps give the recent Florida Big Band disc a try first?? I found the RCA 'all-star' group discs (from '99) more than just a bit impenetrable at first (for a few years, actually), but have grown to like them (though I wouldn't go so far as to say 'love'). The Florida big band date, on the other hand, knocked me on my ass from the git go. The key difference, for me, was the rhythm section. Sam's got an electric bass player (saw him with Sam in Topeka a few years ago), who also plays with his local big band. I was skeptical at first (electric in that kind of context?), but he/they soon won me over. He and the drummer were very tight. To be perfectly honest, I'm probably a little more excited about this Rivers Select, than I might have been with his 70's small-group recordings. Anybody else got Aurora, can you help me testify?!! "Aurora" is indeed a great set! More accessible and enjoyable than "Culmination" and "Inspiration" from the late 90's on RCA IMHO. I saw the Sam Rivers RivBea Orchestra practice one night when visiting Orlando a couple of years back when they used the back room/ stage of a bar named Will's Pub. While they are "out", they do swing. Looking forward to this set.

Paul Bley is way cool... LWayne

means that I bought the Mosaic CD box. I did not think that this set was ever offered in heavenly vinyl.Correct? LWayne Wrong. It was also released (in 1998) as a Mosaic 10LP-set; it went OOP a long time ago. Interesting. I recall that being Mosaic's policy, but could not find the Vinyl LP set as "out of print" on their website. However, Mosaic CD set sounds fine to me. I won't compare to TOCJ sound as it is too close to call.

means that I bought the Mosaic CD box. I did not think that this set was ever offered in heavenly vinyl.Correct? LWayne

For sale, three CD box "Stitt's Bits: The BeBop Recordings, 1949-1952". Outer box has cut-out notch. Like new-only first CD played.(Have duplicates). $10 plus $6 shipping to USA destination. Regards, LWayne

I did! LWayne

Selling six Blue Note TOCJ (1500 series)CDs. Hank Mobley 1500 Series TOCJ CDs (with OBI Strip where indicated): Hank Mobley and His All-Stars TOCJ-1544 (with OBI) $10 ON HOLD Hank Mobley With Donald Byrd and Lee Morgan TOCJ-1540 (with OBI) $10 ON HOLD Hank (Hank Mobley Sextet) TOCJ-1560 (no OBI) $10 ON HOLD Hank Mobley TOCJ-1568 (no OBI) $10 ON HOLD Hank Mobley Quintet TOCJ-1550 (no OBI) $10 ON HOLD Poppin’ TOCJ-1620 (no OBI) $10 ON HOLD Will charge $2.50 per CD for shipping in continental USA (reduction for mutliples) and at actuals for international shipping. Willing to reduce price to $8 per CD if someone offers to buy all six at once. Please PM if interested. Thanks for looking. LWayne

The Mosaic Andrew Hill Blue Note Sessions is never far from the CD Player or turntable (since it so essential, I have both the CD and vinyl versions. I would be hard-pressed to choose a singular CD from that group. Today it would be "Smokestack". LWayne

Eye; Could you post link for Criterion 50% coupon that you referenced for those of us who might be interested? Much appreciated. LWayne

Wayne Macuga Orchestra at the Palisades Theater in McKeesport last night. They performed big-band versions of Sinatra songs and other period pieces. About 100 people attended including 25 couples dancing. An elegant blast from the past! LWayne

I agree. A great recording! I also agree with the plaudits for the new Joseph Daley recording. Got a copy from my friend in Germany and it is outstanding! LWayne

While it might be an obvious choice, Joe Lovano's new CD "Birdsong" is a killer... LWayne