Organissimo with Nelson Rangell

[Lazaro Vega]

How did it go? How did it work out musically?

[Werf]

I loved it. The first set was a mix of Organissimo tunes, and some standards---"Moanin'" a Rollins tune (I think it was "Oleo"), and some other bop tunes. Rangell's tone was much more hard-edged than is reflected in his recordings (I haven't heard many, though). The guy is obviously a virtuoso, he was blowing multiphonics, making lightning runs up and down the horns (soprano, alto, tenor, flute and piccolo), and screaming high notes or below-the-belt low tones. It appeared that he enjoyed playing with the boys, and made special note of "Life Wish," which was a beautiful rendition. Bill Vitts joined in during the second set on bongos, tamborine and shakers; and Mike Lutley on clarinet. A highlight of the night was Rangell whistling the lead and solo during a Jobim song. It was mostly straight whistling, enhanced by his single piccolo solo of the night. If I recall correctly, through the pleasure of sound and Bell's Amber, they did "The Sermon" and a bunch more jazz standards, with a few more Organissimo tunes in the mix. I don't think they played any of Nelson's originals, but I may have just missed them. Z's was packed, standing room only for much of the night, which made it the best attendance of Jazznight so far. The place went nuts; standing ovation. Lots of musicians, including many students, there. Everyone I talked to was ecstatic.

[Joe G]

Yeah! It was a fun gig. Nelson turned out to be very gracious, funny, and interested in making everyone comfortable, considering that we met for the first time about half an hour before the hit. Making things mesh turned out not to be a problem; we had plenty in common musically.

[Dan Gould]

Was this broadcast live? Does the station have a website and archived concerts?

[Werf]

Was this broadcast live? Does the station have a website and archived concerts?

The first set was broadcast live on 88.5/95.3 FM WGVU. We don't stream our FM on our website, nor have archived concerts, I'm afraid.

[Lazaro Vega]

Werf, you don't stream? Man that's news to me. Do you know why?

After our conversation I listened to Rangell's American Songbook album on Koch from last year, much of which has a highly produced pop quality to it, but listening to him and you were right, he's coming more out of the cutting sound of Sanborn than the lighter tones of Grover. His multi-instrumentalism produces music that wouldn't be confused with David. He does the whistling thing on the Jobim tune on this disc.

Hey, maybe GVU, Organissimo and Nelson can work out a web hosting agreement for here?

Congratulations to everyone! Glad it was a sucess!

[Werf]

Werf, you don't stream? Man that's news to me. Do you know why?

After our conversation I listened to Rangell's American Songbook album on Koch from last year, much of which has a highly produced pop quality to it, but listening to him and you were right, he's coming more out of the cutting sound of Sanborn than the lighter tones of Grover. His multi-instrumentalism produces music that wouldn't be confused with David. He does the whistling thing on the Jobim tune on this disc.

Hey, maybe GVU, Organissimo and Nelson can work out a web hosting agreement for here?

Congratulations to everyone! Glad it was a sucess!

We stream the AM, but for some reason there was a problem with the FM. It's supposed to happen but our engineers are consumed with getting digital tv/radio together.

Nelson was somewhat dicey about the simulcast and didn't want us to record the sets, so I'm not sure he'd want a web hosting agreement. It's all Dolphy, in the air, beaming into the solar system.