Idrees Sulieman & Ira Sullivan

[Late]

Idrees Sulieman

Ira Sullivan

Two trumpet players that don't get discussed too much, and I thought maybe we could change that. Has anyone here heard either musician in-person? I don't know much biographical information on either, other than Sullivan is one of those ambidextrous musicians who is equally adept on the tenor.

Favorite appearances on record?

Edited March 31, 2011 by Late

[Chuck Nessa]

I know Ira. Twenty seven years ago I produced one of his records. Very interesting human and a terrific musician.

[catesta]

Chuck, is Sullivan still playing much?

[Chuck Nessa]

As far as I know.

I last heard him about 2 years ago and he sounded fine.

[Dan Gould]

He lives in Miami and gigs when he feels like it. About a year or two ago I missed a chance to see Ira gig with Eddie Higgins.

And speaking of Higgins, after my interview with him, I tried to use that connection to get an interview with Ira. Eddie graciously agreed to call him. He told him that he had done an interview with me, it went very well, and would he consider doing one also?

Ira asked Eddie if he'd been paid for doing the interview and when told he hadn't been, said in no uncertain terms that without payment, he wouldn't do it!

Who did he think I was working for, the National Enquirer?

After relaying this, Eddie told me that Ira can be a bit of an "odd duck". No sh*t.

[kh1958]

After Hours is the only fairly recent recording by Ira Sullivan I've come across. It's a good one.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detai...=glance&s=music

[Michael Fitzgerald]

After Hours was actually recorded in 1996 and 1998. There are a few later things where he is not the leader.

Please see my website for a comprehensive discography of Ira Sullivan.

Mike

[Late]

Isn't that Sulieman playing with Dolphy at the end of the documentary Last Date?

[brownie]

An earl Ira Sullivan album I enjoy is the 'Nicky's Tune' session on Delmark with Nicky Hill, Jodie Christian, Victor Sproles and that other underrated musician Wilbur Campbell.

As for Idrees Sulieman I would like to hear the radio session he recorded with Lester Young in Paris in March 1959 just before Prez returned to New York. Sulieman must have been a good match to Lester Young!

[Spontooneous]

Anybody know of any Sulieman recording since his appearance on Randy Weston's "Spirits of Our Ancestors"? I can't recall seeing any.

Good to see my other favorite trumpet player, Benny Bailey, sitting just behind Sulieman in that photo at top.

[sal]

Ira Sullivan hosts jam sessions at the Jazz Showcase every year during jazz fest. Always a good time.

[Guest ariceffron]

i always thoght that these guys were the same person

[Chuck Nessa]

i always thoght that these guys were the same person

Do you know about Ira Shulman?

[Late]

Two-disc set (cut-out) on Veejay/Koch currently on sale for $6.99 from Moe & The Poets (a.k.a Dusty Groove).

[mikeweil]

The one Ira Sullivan album that really touched my heart was "Peace" on Galaxy, where he plays all of his horns with equal conviction. "Send in the Clowns" from this one is a classic.

Wish Fantasy would make a twofer CD of his two Galaxy LPs.

Edited November 25, 2004 by mikeweil

[dsgtrane]

I saw Sullivan this past Friday night at the Hollywood Jazz Fest. He led what was called the South Florida Jazz Collective, which featured a number of local musicians, most prominantly he and Turk Mauro. Switched off between sax, trumpet and percussion. I believe he spends most of his time in South Florida.

[AllenLowe]

Must mention that Larry kart's new book has an excellent piece on Ira Sullivan -

[Chuck Nessa]

Just curious. Anyone out there know the Ira Sullivan lp on Flying Fish?

Anyone?

[Michael Fitzgerald]

Know and love. (And thanks for the inside scoop for the discography)

Mike

[Chuck Nessa]

Know and love. (And thanks for the inside scoop for the discography)

Mike

Thanks Mike, but I really wanted to find out if anyone (else) knew this recording.

[Larry Kart]

Chuck, is that the one during which, frustrated with the way Ira was messing around with some New Age-y stuff flute-and-guitar stuff, you testily said, "Play bebop!" -- whereupon Ira literally played that tune?

[Larry Kart]

No, That would be "That's Earl Brother" that Ira played, not "Bebop."

[Chuck Nessa]

Chuck, is that the one during which, frustrated with the way Ira was messing around with some New Age-y stuff flute-and-guitar stuff, you testily said, "Play bebop!" -- whereupon Ira literally played that tune?

Something like that.

I had made a very specific deal with Ira to make a very specific type of recording. In the studio Ira opened up a briefcase, dug out some music and said "I know what Chuck expects, but have some stuff in here that's almost like art". My response was something like "what do you think jazz is?".

After messing around with endless "rehearsals" of Ira's "almost like art", Don DeMichael (a guest in the studio) said "Play bebop". Ira said "the style or the tune?" with contempt. I said "Your choice".

They wound up playing "That's Earl Brother". A fine performance, indeed.

This recording was a wonderful and very trying experience. I think I won the fight since Ira has repeatedly told me this is his best record.

[Larry Kart]

A good example of how a muddled memory of what you were told by someone else can become imbedded in your head as a non-factual fact. Need to watch out for that.

[Clunky]

The Incredible Ira Sullivan (Stash 1978) is pretty good for an over dubbed LP, sadly I don't know the Flying fish date ( not available on CD or LP I presume).

Edited November 26, 2004 by Clunky