Phenomena

luhem: In Raise Up Off Me, Hamp employs the pseudonym "Wally Shade” in reference to the bass player playing with him at Sherry’s in Hollywood in the summer of 1958 that was involved in the narcotics sting that got Hamp arrested for possession. Looking up old newspaper clippings, I came across one notice in the Pasadena Independent Star-News, dated July 20, 1958, where it lists Hampton Hawes and Ralph Peña playing duo. That's just one sole listing; it could've been any number of bassists.

Justin V: According to the album's original liner notes, "Stevie" was written for Duke's nephew Stephen James, also a former drummer (and pianist); he is the son of Duke's sister Ruth and Daniel James. Bradford Steven "Steve" Ellington was reported to be Duke's grand nephew.

Although the record states M. Jackson, M. J. Q. Music, it could be Clifford Jordan's composition, since he is playing on the record and the BMI catalog also lists him as a composer of a song with that title. Credits often misattribute compositional credits.

I just saw her playing a bit part as a maid in "The Party" {1968} with Peter Sellers.

Remember the 1974 flick "The Conversation" with Gene Hackman? Well, early in the movie (13:10 - 13:54), you can hear a medium-tempo Bb blues being played while Gene Hackman "plays" the saxophone in the scene. The circa mid-60s Gerry Mulligan record cover (Crown 5411) can be scene in the background behind Gene. However, the vinyl spinning track 3 (probably "Criss Cross" or "Lights Out?") on the turntable clearly states the light green label as Ember. (The catalog number is 811 under the title "The West Coast Jazz of Gerry Mulligan; "Knights of the Square Table" is AKA "Nights at the Turntable.") Source: http://lcweb2.loc.gov/natlib/ihas/warehous...003721/0001.pdf This recording is live apparently?

Well, I wouldn't say "no one else" but, he is certainly developing cult status rapidly! Well, you have discovered the humor/irony in being everybody's favorite unknown piano player. Difficult to sneak one by the encyclopedic knowledge of Organissimo board members!! But we kept trying! Has anyone come across this YouTube clip? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gD8aRXkXJTs. It features Jack playing with the Gerald Wilson orchestra.

You got me on those two. John Dennis stumped Wikipedia. I hope Brownie or Bernard cruises this thread, we might have a chance. How do you like Jabbo Smith? I'm wondering if there'd be much demand for a book of some sort of the unsung heroes of Jazz, but something really interesting that would make folks think, "Man, I really gotta find out more about THAT guy!"

You got me on those two. John Dennis stumped Wikipedia. I hope Brownie or Bernard cruises this thread, we might have a chance. How do you like Jabbo Smith? So, we're including trumpet players too? I've heard the name for years - wouldn't recognize his work if it licked me in my ear canal. After traipsing over to iTunes for some samples, I liked what I heard.

Well, I wouldn't say "no one else" but, he is certainly developing cult status rapidly! Well, you have discovered the humor/irony in being everybody's favorite unknown piano player. Difficult to sneak one by the encyclopedic knowledge of Organissimo board members!! But we kept trying! Let's see if I can sneak a couple in. (If not - I certainly tip my cap.) To save me the time of looking, can you tell me if there's been much conversation about Herman Chittison or John Dennis?

Well, I wouldn't say "no one else" but, he is certainly developing cult status rapidly! General consensus here concludes no recordings have surfaced with Jack as leader beyond 1993 and that he was in poor health fairly soon after that. I saw him at the Iridium in NYC a few years ago, wheelchair-bound and somewhat distant. When I was about 11, tenor saxophonist Hadley Caliman’s younger percussionist brother, Roderix (Rod), played “Jackleg” for me and I almost fell off my seat! From then on, I was all over Jack Wilson!

Sorry for the redundancy, I wasn’t able to register before you’d received the news about Jack – glad the word is getting out. Writer and WBGO disc jockey Sheila Anderson and I went to Jack’s wake out in Bohemia, NY yesterday afternoon. His widow, Sandy, had some wonderful photos that included Ahmad Jamal, Frank Bulter, Leroy Vinnegar, Clark Terry, Kenny Washington, Sonny Stitt on display. There’s been talk of a musical celebration being planned in his honor. Hope we can all stay in the loop.

Chicago-born jazz pianist Jack Wilson died of natural causes on Friday, October 5, 2007. The AllMusic bio is about a British Jack Wilson (1907-2006}, but I've added the correct one to Wikipedia (still requiring some neutral editing because I mistakenly wrote it like a blog,) for American Jack.