Linn Halliday

[DukeCity]

I remember Linn Halliday as a fixture at the Get Me High when I lived in Chicago for a few years in the '90s, but I never knew much about him, other than enjoying hearing him play. Swingin' and very straight ahead. Not much came up from a quick google search, but it appears that he died ca. 2004.

Does anyone here remember much about Linn? His background, etc? I heard stories about him being offered a gig with Miles, but never got much confirmation.

[Spontooneous]

'Nother thread here.

Great pic!

[Chuck Nessa]

I knew Lin a bit. He was a "nut case". He was his own worst enemy. Bob Koester was an angel for him and issued a bunch of cds. Bob will ultimately be responsible for any reputation Linn will have.

Linn claimed to have made a date for Riverside (aborted and never completed) with KD on trumpet. I've always wondered if this really happened and if any tapes survive.

Edited January 3, 2006 by Chuck Nessa

[Chuck Nessa]

I have now read Spontoon's link and see I'm repeating myself. Sorry.

[DukeCity]

Sorry for the repetition. I did an organissimo search with the two 'n' spelling of his first name, and that thread didn't come up.

But since we're up... any other recollections?

[Chuck Nessa]

Sorry for the repetition. I did an organissimo search with the two 'n' spelling of his first name, and that thread didn't come up.

But since we're up... any other recollections?

Yes. I have memories of a band (I think of them as the white losers band) with Lin, (sometimes) Bobby Roberts, Carl Leukaufe and Jack Noren.

Noren had a joyous way of outshining everyone.

[Free For All]

He had many "caretakers" in Chicago. Green Mill owner Dave Jemilo let him live in an apartment above his other bar, the Deja Vu, for awhile (probably rent-free). I drove him to several gigs, sometimes gave him some bread (voluntarily, not solicited).

Although Lin was frequently a basketcase, when he would focus a bit he could tear off some mean choruses. A lot of Rollins (circa late 50s) in his playing.

[Free For All]

I have now read Spontoon's link and see I'm repeating myself. Sorry.

Me too. Oh well, WTF.

[Chuck Nessa]

Although Lin was frequently a basketcase, when he would focus a bit he could tear off some mean choruses. A lot of Rollins (circa late 50s) in his playing.

My memories are of rare choruses. Mean group of phrases sometimes but few choruses. Lots of reed licking and thoughtful grimaces.

[Larry Kart]

I remember writing of a hesitant (to say the least) but I thought personal and moving Halliday performance at the Chicago Jazz Festival, perhaps as part of a jam session set. The next day, with the review in the paper, I ran across Dan Morgenstern, who had been there the night before and who said something along the lines of "So you play favorites and/or give people a pass, too." A weird moment, because I didn't think I'd done that at all, but maybe I had.

As possible confirmation, one way or the other, I also have positive memories of Carl Leukaufe's playing. And Jack Noren, on a good night, could be like a be-bop Baby Dodds.

[DukeCity]

Here's Lin circa 1955

from a webpage here with an obituary.

It mentions Lin replacing Wayne Shorter in Maynard's band in the early '60s, and also losing his cabaret card at some point.

[Free For All]

Cool pic Glenn!

The trumpet player seems to have a halo. Quite rare for a trumpet player.