Best Concert You Have Been To?

[.:.impossible]

Most recently, hearing Wayne with Herbie, Dave Holland and Brian Blade was almost like being sent back in time. Just before them, I heard Ornette play with two bassists, his son behind the kit.

Sam Rivers was also a real joy.

[PHILLYQ]

I've been lucky to have been at a bunch of memorable concerts, but one sticks out. In April of '74, I went to see Sonny Rollins at Carnegie Hall, and his special guest was to be Freddie Hubbard. Freddie was a no-show that night, and I was OK with that, as seeing Sonny Rollins was quite enough for me.

Rollins played a set with his band, then he brought out the first special guest- it was Diz! He was in fine form, improvising some blues lyrics and playing some incredible trumpet. In the middle of one of the tunes with Diz an upright bass came through the curtain with hands already playing it, followed by the body- Mingus! I nearly crapped my pants from excitement! Here I was, not yet 18, into jazz for about two years, and three legends of the music were together on stage having a ball. The music swung like crazy and was so relaxed that it felt like we were in Sonny's living room and a few friends just popped in for a visit. The sheer joy and excitement was palpable in Carnegie Hall that night. Too bad it wasn't recorded...

[medjuck]

I saw so many of the living jazz greats '61-'65 that it's easier to list those I missed: Coleman Hawkins, Pee Wee Russell and Ornette-- and I still haven't seen Ornette. I almost saw him in Toronto but they wouldn't let me in because I was wearing jeans!!

Most memorabale concerts: Ellington just before his birthday in '65. The audience kept calling out requests for non-Ellington big band numbers. He'd play one chorus solo on piano, then Johnny Hodges would do a chorus then the the whole band would come in with what seemed to be a head arrangement. I never figured out whether the audience were referenicing his "Will the Big Bands Ever Come Back" Lp or were just old swing fans. They seemed real old to me at the time. But then they knew enough to sing Happy Birthday to him.

A double bill of Roland Kirk and Wes Montgomery. Kirk was great then Wes came on and just burned. One great solo after another. I knew people who said that he was never as good on record as in person. After I saw him I believed them.

Gil Evans one night at Sweeet Basil.

Best Rock concert: Bruce Springsteen in 1976.

Best classical: Horowitz in what I think was his last NY concert. And Rostropovitch with a not very good piano accompiainist. After i suggested that he was probably an old friend of Rostropovitch Josef Skvorecky told that he was probably his KGB keeper.

[Guest che]

I saw so many of the living jazz greats '61-'65 that it's easier to list those I missed: Coleman Hawkins, Pee Wee Russell and Ornette-- and I still haven't seen Ornette. I almost saw him in Toronto but they wouldn't let me in because I was wearing jeans!!

Most memorabale concerts: Ellington just before his birthday in '65. The audience kept calling out requests for non-Ellington big band numbers. He'd play one chorus solo on piano, then Johnny Hodges would do a chorus then the the whole band would come in with what seemed to be a head arrangement. I never figured out whether the audience were referenicing his "Will the Big Bands Ever Come Back" Lp or were just old swing fans. They seemed real old to me at the time. But then they knew enough to sing Happy Birthday to him.

A double bill of Roland Kirk and Wes Montgomery. Kirk was great then Wes came on and just burned. One great solo after another. I knew people who said that he was never as good on record as in person. After I saw him I believed them.

Gil Evans one night at Sweeet Basil.

Best Rock concert: Bruce Springsteen in 1976.

Best classical: Horowitz in what I think was his last NY concert. And Rostropovitch with a not very good piano accompiainist. After i suggested that he was probably an old friend of Rostropovitch Josef Skvorecky told that he was probably his KGB keeper.

I have seen Bruce Springsteen twice, and without doubt it was the best non-jazz concert I have been to. Three hours plus, almost no breaks and the energy and the music was fantastic.

Che.

[Jeffro]

I've been to *lots* of outstanding jazz & rock concerts, with Springsteen, the Who, Neil Young, and Dave Brubeck being among the best. But none of them could match the performance by Michelle Shocked and her band at the Rio Theater in Santa Cruz, CA in August, 2002. The combination of instrumentation, stage presence, songs I recxognized and could have sung along with, surprises, length of show, and effort expended by the performers were top notch.

Edited March 4, 2005 by Jeffro

[Jazz Kat]

Wow, must of been cool. Now, if only Mobley...

Got to hear Hank Mobley with Miles, Wynton Kelly, Paul Chambers, and Jimmy Cobb a couple of times. The second time the group had J.J. Johnson in it as well

(Jazz Gallery, NYC) but no recording has ever emerged with that lineup.

[Alexander]

I've been to *lots* of outstanding jazz & rock concerts, with Springsteen, the Who, Neil Young, and Dave Brubeck being among the best. But none of them could match the performance by Michelle Shocked and her band at the Rio Theater in Santa Cruz, CA in August, 2002. The combination of instrumentation, stage presence, songs I recxognized and could have sung along with, surprises, length of show, and effort expended by the performers were top notch.

Funny you should mention this. One of the best concerts I've ever seen was Michelle Shocked at the now defunct Berkire Performing Arts Center in the summer of 1990. This was right after the release of "Captain Swing" and 'Chelle was touring with the Tower of Power horns. Absolutely captivating performance. She was amazing. I had a front row seat and, I'm telling you from experience, she was a very fetching woman to see in person. I've seen her three more times since then. The second time was in the fall of 1991 at Harvard University. She was touring with the Bad Livers and performing songs from her then-upcoming album, "Arkansas Traveler." Again, it was a wonderful evening (I remember it doubly well since I also picked up two Krazy Kat books at the Million Year Picnic in Harvard Square that evening. One was "A Katnip Kantata in the Key of K." The other was possibly "Inna Yott On the Muddy Geranium.") The third time I saw her was right after "Traveler" came out, and it was a real disappointment. The concert was over an hour late in starting. Michelle had a breakdown on stage in front of the audience (I believe it had to do with the fact that Rink Danko and Levon Helm, who were touring with her, were no-shows due to a delay). It was a mess (although Taj Mahal's set was wonderful). My wife and I saw Michelle at a free concert a couple of summers ago, and it was pretty darn good. Disappointing, though, that she seems to have found Jesus and spent too much of the second set talking about it. Otherwise, she was in good form. Her most recent album, "Deep Natural," is quite good. I've been picking up her reissues as well.

[MartyJazz]

Got seriously into jazz around '64 when I went to the Newport JF with a bunch of buddies - in those days, they let you camp out and sleep on the beach - and remember one terrific concert that featured Nina Simone, Stan Getz and topped off by Thelonious Monk!

Rollins in '68 at the Village Vanguard at which point he went on one of his sabbaticals so I then caught him again at the Vanguard in '72; both times in very great form!

Mingus at the Vanguard in '74 with George Adams, Don Pullen & Jack Walrath

Some great Thad & Mel big band at the Vanguard on so many Monday nights between 1970 & 1972

Ornette at Slug's with Don Cherry & Bobby Bradford, Dewey Redman in '71

Rahsaan Roland Kirk at the Vanguard in '70 with Don Byas sitting in

Thelonious Monk at the Vanguard in '72 with Paul Jeffrey in place of Rouse

Joe Henderson Sextet at Slug's in '72

Dexter Gordon at the Vanguard in '76 with Sonny Stitt sitting in

Archie Shepp at Sweet Basil in '81

George Adams-Don Pullen at the Prospect Park bandshell for a free concert in the summer of '82

Jackie McLean at Essex Community College, NJ, around 1990

Abbey Lincoln for a terrific set at the Mount Hood JF in Portland, OR this past summer of 2004

There's lots more memorable moments I'm sure, but I think it's best to just put down what pops into one's head right off the bat.

Edited March 5, 2005 by MartyJazz

[GregK]

Ornette with two bassists and his son drumming, Hill Auditorium

Keith Jarrett trio, also Hill Auditorium

Wayne Shorter's current group, Michigan Theater

Herbie Hancock's quartet, Michigan Theater

Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock, Michigan Theater (Herbie plucking the piano strings with Wayne soloing on the soprano!)

[Guest che]

I've been to *lots* of outstanding jazz & rock concerts, with Springsteen, the Who, Neil Young, and Dave Brubeck being among the best.  But none of them could match the performance by Michelle Shocked and her band at the Rio Theater in Santa Cruz, CA in August, 2002.  The combination of instrumentation, stage presence, songs I recxognized and could have sung along with, surprises, length of show, and effort expended by the performers were top notch.

Funny you should mention this. One of the best concerts I've ever seen was Michelle Shocked at the now defunct Berkire Performing Arts Center in the summer of 1990. This was right after the release of "Captain Swing" and 'Chelle was touring with the Tower of Power horns. Absolutely captivating performance. She was amazing. I had a front row seat and, I'm telling you from experience, she was a very fetching woman to see in person. I've seen her three more times since then. The second time was in the fall of 1991 at Harvard University. She was touring with the Bad Livers and performing songs from her then-upcoming album, "Arkansas Traveler." Again, it was a wonderful evening (I remember it doubly well since I also picked up two Krazy Kat books at the Million Year Picnic in Harvard Square that evening. One was "A Katnip Kantata in the Key of K." The other was possibly "Inna Yott On the Muddy Geranium.") The third time I saw her was right after "Traveler" came out, and it was a real disappointment. The concert was over an hour late in starting. Michelle had a breakdown on stage in front of the audience (I believe it had to do with the fact that Rink Danko and Levon Helm, who were touring with her, were no-shows due to a delay). It was a mess (although Taj Mahal's set was wonderful). My wife and I saw Michelle at a free concert a couple of summers ago, and it was pretty darn good. Disappointing, though, that she seems to have found Jesus and spent too much of the second set talking about it. Otherwise, she was in good form. Her most recent album, "Deep Natural," is quite good. I've been picking up her reissues as well.

I always wonder what happened to Michelle Shocked, she created quite a stir the time and then seemed to disappear.

I saw Neil Young in Brimingham, UK a few years a go, he was fantastic and I have some great pics of the show. I have seen the Pogues a few times, and when they play it is something else. They have just reformed.

Che.

[JSngry]

Reformed or re-formed?

Either way works for me...

[sheldonm]

Disappointing, though, that she seems to have found Jesus

.... that's just awful!

[makpjazz57]

Dexter Gordon at the Vanguard in '76 with Sonny Stitt sitting in

Dexter with Sonny Stitt sitting in!!!! That would be very memorable for me, too!

I did get to hear Mobley live (Kevin B has heard this one before) at the Angry Squire in NYC, not too long before he passed away. Mobley was with Duke Jordan. Sadly, due to his health problems, his playing was not of the quality of the 50's and 60's. He did, however, have a few great Mobley moments during the second set. I did approach him; wanted to meet him. I had a 4 x 6 black and white promo photo, which he graciously signed. He was sitting with the Barrronness, Nica and her daughter. The nice thing about this gig - so many younger Mobley fans approached him with old Blue Note LPs, asking for his autograph!

Marla

[Guest che]

Reformed or re-formed?

Either way works for me...

Well the reports say that Shawn is just the same as before.

Che.

[Guest che]

Dexter Gordon at the Vanguard in '76 with Sonny Stitt sitting in

Dexter with Sonny Stitt sitting in!!!! That would be very memorable for me, too!

I did get to hear Mobley live (Kevin B has heard this one before) at the Angry Squire in NYC, not too long before he passed away. Mobley was with Duke Jordan. Sadly, due to his health problems, his playing was not of the quality of the 50's and 60's. He did, however, have a few great Mobley moments during the second set. I did approach him; wanted to meet him. I had a 4 x 6 black and white promo photo, which he graciously signed. He was sitting with the Barrronness, Nica and her daughter. The nice thing about this gig - so many younger Mobley fans approached him with old Blue Note LPs, asking for his autograph!

Marla

Man I wish I had the opportunities that you guys have.

Here in the North of England things are much more difficult..

Che.

[DMP]

I've lost track, but a couple interesting bills were Miles Davis and Ornette Coleman (August, '67 - Village Gate) and a triple bill (!!) of Dizzy, Carmen McRae, and the Horace Silver group with Woody Shaw and Tyrone Washington (Village Gate - 65?). Also Roland Kirk (with Horace Parlan - he was plugging his new Mercury "flute album") and Ramsey Lewis (pre- "In Crowd") at Leo's Casino, on Euclid Avenue in Cleveland - Flip Wilson was the MC. Also saw Coltane at Birdland the summer of 63 - Terry Gibbs was the other group, that's where Coltrane met Alice. And the last time Cannonball Adderley played.

Never saw Lee Morgan or Wes Montgomery. Had tickets to see Wes, but he passed away before the concert.

[paul secor]

Cecil Taylor - early 1966, with Jimmy Lyons, Henry Grimes and Andrew Cyrille. I felt things that I haven't felt before or since.

[makpjazz57]

Getting to hear saxophonist Steve Grossman at the Grand Street Bar, NYC was a very memorable live gig, too.

Marla

[minew]

Die Like a Dog trio plus Kidd Jordan at the CAC in New Orleans, Spring, 2001. Radically changed my listening habits forever.

[brownie]

Cecil Taylor - early 1966, with Jimmy Lyons, Henry Grimes and Andrew Cyrille. I felt things that I haven't felt before or since.

I remember hearing that band augmented by Eddie Gale and Alan Silva in early '66 (Pittsburgh, PA)...

I was allowed to attend rehearsals of that Unit (with Alan Silva on bass, not Grimes) for a full three weeks when they traveled to Paris in 1966. I had a daily concert of my own!

[medjuck]

Cecil Taylor - early 1966, with Jimmy Lyons, Henry Grimes and Andrew Cyrille. I felt things that I haven't felt before or since.

I saw that group around the same time I think. I was knocked out by Andrew Cyrelle. My (often faulty) memory is that I saw a Steve Reich concert the same week . A great musical week.

[Soul Stream]

Best concert I ever saw was a Blue Note reunion of sorts at the Jazz Standard...

Big John Patton, George Braith and Ben Dixon. That show changed my life.

[Alexander Hawkins]

Sonny Rollins here in London. Staggering.

Followed, distantly, by everything else...That's the way Sonny Rollins concerts are supposed to leave you feeling, I guess!

But in all seriousness, 2nd up, Anthony Braxton's extraordinary quintet gig in London last year.

[littleleekonitz]

So far the best show i have been to in my 24 years of life was keith jarret at boston symphony hall last year with gary peacock and jack dejonette.

[alankin]

AEoC at Haverford.