Chuck Nessa Posted February 9, 2005 Report Share Posted February 9, 2005 (edited) I used to have the following session, but don't remember much about it other than being delighted Mr. France was on it. -Presents Le Quartet- : Percy France (ts) Cliff Smalls (p) Leonard Gaskin (b) Oliver Jackson (d) New York, September 27, 1982 How am I to know Black & Blue (F)33180 You've changed - Brittwood rag - Sugar - You stepped out of a dream - C.C. rider pt. 1 - C.C. rider pt. 2 - For once in my life - You're gonna hear from me - Limehouse blues - Edited February 9, 2005 by Chuck Nessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllenLowe Posted February 9, 2005 Report Share Posted February 9, 2005 As sad as it makes me to think about Percy I'm delighted there's this much interest - in his last years he was living with Singsy Kyle, widow of Billy Kyle and a very sweet lady herself (she has since died as well). I remember one funny Percy story - as was mentioned earlier, he recorded and used to play with Lance Hayward, a blind pianist. Herman Foster, another blind pianist, used to work as a sideman from time to time at teh West End. One time Percy walked up to him, should his hand, and said, "Hi Lance." It was the most embarrassed I ever saw Percy. Percy was vey unassuming. I tried to match him up with Barry Harris, who was working at the Angry Squire in downtown NYC. I knew Barry would have loved his playing, and he would have let Percy sit in, but Percy stayed to the side and declined to play that night. On that same night someone hanging out at the bar walked up and said to him: "Are you Percy France? You're a legend." Percy was clearly thrilled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSngry Posted February 9, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2005 Allen, why do you think that Percy was seemingly so reticent to step out into the spotlight? I'm excited to learn that there's so much more Percy France on record to discover, and that it is apparently of such high quality. Like I said, I only knew of him from a few things, none of which show him playing as sublimely as he does on this recording (and from the sound of it, these others) . Something new to learn, that's why I love hanging out in places like this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul secor Posted February 9, 2005 Report Share Posted February 9, 2005 Percy was a very good friend of mine who died in a very tragic way - he was suffering from cancer, recovering slightly, but was hit by a car and killed - one of the nicest people I've ever known, and a major influence on my own saxophone playing (he taught me more about mouthpieces than anyone else). I will say it is still hard for me to discuss him - I spent a lot of time with Percy when I lived in NYC in the late 1970s, he was a frequent performer at the West End Cafe with various groups, including one that I was proud to have put together - a trio with Percy, Bob Neloms on pianio, andf Leroy Williams on drums. What a group - Percy was an amazing performer, one of the hippest I knew, had a nice old-school feeling with plenty of bebop. The Endgame CD you are referring to was recorded for a jazz history class I taught in new Rochelle; it was something of a still-born release, a CD I put together and then withdrew because of a problem with the Japanese, so I have not made it readily available, through there are a few copies floating around. I have plenty in my basement and would be happy to sell for cost, say $4.00 with shipping first class. Sir Charles Thompson (with whom Percy recorded on Columbia) loved Percy's playing, and he was something of an underground legend. Like some other jazz musicians of great ability he seemd to work hard at avoiding the limelight. He was an interesing guy; somewhere I have an untranscribed tape of an interview; he knew Gigi Gryce well, played in a late 1940s rehearsal band with Miles, also knew Sonny Rollins. A great man, both musically and personally. If you want a copy of the CD email me at alowe@maine.rr.com - I bought my copy from Cadence maybe four years ago and paid full price. I've enjoyed it so much that if I'd paid $40 for it, it would have been worth it. Anyone who doesn't grab this for $4 is just plain nuts or doesn't like music. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Gould Posted February 9, 2005 Report Share Posted February 9, 2005 I'm excited to learn that there's so much more Percy France on record to discover, and that it is apparently of such high quality ... That's why I've got a bead on that Black & Blue LP Chuck mentioned! B-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Nessa Posted February 9, 2005 Report Share Posted February 9, 2005 I'm excited to learn that there's so much more Percy France on record to discover, and that it is apparently of such high quality ... That's why I've got a bead on that Black & Blue LP Chuck mentioned! B-) I forgot to mention the leader was Oliver Jackson. Hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Gould Posted February 9, 2005 Report Share Posted February 9, 2005 I'm excited to learn that there's so much more Percy France on record to discover, and that it is apparently of such high quality ... That's why I've got a bead on that Black & Blue LP Chuck mentioned! B-) I forgot to mention the leader was Oliver Jackson. Hope this helps. Yeah, a quick google revealed that. Black & Blue has put out an Oliver Jackson disc in their "Definitive" series but from what I can tell its with Cliff Smalls but is only trio. I did find a copy of the vinyl, but I'm hoping I can find it a bit cheaper so I'll keep looking before I decide if I should just go ahead and pounce. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllenLowe Posted February 9, 2005 Report Share Posted February 9, 2005 like more than a few musicians I've known Percy was very comfortable in his hometown, had his own little niche, and may have been just a little bit nervous about trying for wider exposure - I've seen this in more than a few musicians who just didn't want to deal with a lot of the business aspects of the music and the complications of greater fame - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzkrow Posted February 11, 2005 Report Share Posted February 11, 2005 ALLEN: Just sent you an e-mail about the France cd. -Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllenLowe Posted February 11, 2005 Report Share Posted February 11, 2005 thanks - will have to check my other machine in the morning - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ariceffron Posted February 11, 2005 Report Share Posted February 11, 2005 ALLAN LOWE-- the times u saw warne there, how many did he have a b3 backing him?? --also re: percy, i have the columbia lp and its good but what do u mean 'banded for airplay'- are you refering to the 'bands' of the lp? please explain.. ....also- i do recall that home cookin is one of jimmys better blues dates on blue note, a step above chicken shack et al-- it was one of my 1st bluenotes-- i should listen to it now in trib. 2 jimmy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllenLowe Posted February 11, 2005 Report Share Posted February 11, 2005 I honestly don't remember who was backing Marsh (it's been almost 25 years); the banded for LP thing was posted by someone else, I think - and as an added comment on Percy's other recordings, which are very good, none, I think, captures him as well as my little "live" recording - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Posted February 11, 2005 Report Share Posted February 11, 2005 --also re: percy, i have the columbia lp and its good but what do u mean 'banded for airplay'- are you refering to the 'bands' of the lp? please explain.. The tracks are short; there's little "stretching out". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Bresnahan Posted February 11, 2005 Report Share Posted February 11, 2005 I have had great luck going with recommendations from Jim Sangrey. That Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis set on Jasmine that he recommended was absolutely wild. Based on what I'm reading here, I've got to get myself a copy of this CD. Allen, I sent an E-mail. Let me know how you want the money. Later, Kevin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSngry Posted February 11, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2005 I have had great luck going with recommendations from Jim Sangrey. Well, gawrsh! Thanks! Now, I recommend that everybody who reads this send me $100 cash. Don't ask what it's for, I'll let it be a surprise. But believe me when I tell you that this is one thing I highly recommend! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllenLowe Posted February 11, 2005 Report Share Posted February 11, 2005 thanks to everyone who ordered the CD - I've been a little delayed because of a fair sized snow storm - will try to mail out a bunch of stuff tomorrow - if I missed your email please email me directly at alowe@maine.rr.com - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlhoots Posted February 11, 2005 Report Share Posted February 11, 2005 (edited) Looking forward to this Percy France trio CD from Allen Home Cookin' & the Freddie Roach CD with Percy are also on the way to me from Dusty Groove. This thread is an example of what makes this board so great. Edited February 11, 2005 by jlhoots Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Gould Posted February 12, 2005 Report Share Posted February 12, 2005 Got this from Allan in today's mail and stuck it right into the stereo. Believe everything that's been said on this thread and get your email to Allan to get your copy pronto! Percy does not disappoint and it is very nice to have him stretching out like this. Thanks again, Allan! One question though: Did Percy often perform with no drummer? Was he a no-show for the gig or did Percy prefer no drummer set-ups on his own gigs? If anyone's wondering, you don't miss the drummer one bit. BTW, I'm glad to report that I hunted down a copy of the Oliver Jackson/Percy France Black & Blue LP that Chuck mentioned earlier. Should have it by the middle of next week. B-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllenLowe Posted February 14, 2005 Report Share Posted February 14, 2005 just to let everyone know - I believe I have shipped all orders, as of yesterday - I did get a little confused as some orders I shipped out in advance and some I did not - my apologies in advance; if you do not get your Percy Franc CD by, say, next Monday (and it should be sooner as everything went out first class) - shoot me an email at alowe@maine.rr.com - thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Gould Posted February 19, 2005 Report Share Posted February 19, 2005 A big thanks to Chuck for mentioning the Oliver Jackson Presents Le Quartet (Black & Blue) album. I hunted it down on Google and it was well worth it. Lots of great sounding Percy on this. My only complaint is that "C.C. Rider" was split into two tracks for radio airplay and there's a fade out and fade up in the middle of Cliff Smalls' piano solo. Otherwise, If you see it, go for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Bresnahan Posted February 19, 2005 Report Share Posted February 19, 2005 Percy is in the house! I've spun the first few tracks and loved what I've heard so far. I'll give it a proper listen this weekend. Thanks Jim, for getting me to get this and thanks Allen for getting it to me. Later, Kevin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chewy-chew-chew-bean-benitez Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 what does banded for airplay mean? are the "bands" extra noticable on a banded for airplay lp or is that not right Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chewy-chew-chew-bean-benitez Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 never mind Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fasstrack Posted August 31, 2016 Report Share Posted August 31, 2016 (edited) On 07/02/2005 at 0:27 PM, AllenLowe said: just to mention the West End Cafe, as Larry has - though run by the much maligned Phil Schaap (and I like Phil for all of his foibles), it was at the West End that I saw the following:  Earl Warren (best swing alto player I ever heard - I would take him even over Benny Carter, and he never recorded to advantage) Sammy Price - Joe Albany Jo Jones Warne Marsh Dickey Wells Willis Jackson (I sat in with the band; biggest asshole I ever met; scowled the whole time at the white boy playing tenor next to him) Jabbo Smith - still had some trumpet chops, and the most beautiful singing voice I ever heard Joe Turner - was a friend of Percy's, and he used to sing with a mocrophone from a side table. Everything in the key of C -  all for under $5.00. A great place - Benny Carter and Sweets Edison also played there. Also Lonnie Hillyer. Dick Katz put together a Monk tribute band with Lee Konitz, John Eckert and Leroy Williams. I remember him getting tired or something, and saying 'Let's play a couple of choruses of Nutty, and go home'. It was a great place for a young musician to hang out, sit in, and gain experience. My first gig there was with George Kelly's Jazz Sultans. Percy recommended me. One night I was playing with Percy, and Art Blakey and Lou Donaldson came in to listen. They sat down and applauded us. The 1st owner I remember was a rackets guy who actually treated me nicely. Then it was sold to a snake, whose name I won't mention, nor an unpleasant encounter I had with his slimy self. He ran it into the ground. But my memories are fond... Edited September 1, 2016 by fasstrack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjzee Posted September 1, 2016 Report Share Posted September 1, 2016 On February 7, 2005 at 1:07 PM, AllenLowe said: Percy was a very good friend of mine who died in a very tragic way - he was suffering from cancer, recovering slightly, but was hit by a car and killed - one of the nicest people I've ever known, and a major influence on my own saxophone playing (he taught me more about mouthpieces than anyone else). I will say it is still hard for me to discuss him - I spent a lot of time with Percy when I lived in NYC in the late 1970s, he was a frequent performer at the West End Cafe with various groups, including one that I was proud to have put together - a trio with Percy, Bob Neloms on pianio, andf Leroy Williams on drums. What a group - Percy was an amazing performer, one of the hippest I knew, had a nice old-school feeling with plenty of bebop. The Endgame CD you are referring to was recorded for a jazz history class I taught in new Rochelle; it was something of a still-born release, a CD I put together and then withdrew because of a problem with the Japanese, so I have not made it readily available, through there are a few copies floating around. I have plenty in my basement and would be happy to sell for cost, say $4.00 with shipping first class. Â Sir Charles Thompson (with whom Percy recorded on Columbia) loved Percy's playing, and he was something of an underground legend. Like some other jazz musicians of great ability he seemd to work hard at avoiding the limelight. He was an interesing guy; somewhere I have an untranscribed tape of an interview; he knew Gigi Gryce well, played in a late 1940s rehearsal band with Miles, also knew Sonny Rollins. A great man, both musically and personally. If you want a copy of the CD email me at alowe@maine.rr.com - Allen, do you still have any of these for sale? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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