Guest Posted April 2, 2006 Report Posted April 2, 2006 this thead is going in the wrong direction --let us share anicdotes and stories et al about jackie 1st of all: how many people here saw him live in the 50s, or 60s, 70s, 80s or 90s or even 00s Quote
Kalo Posted April 2, 2006 Report Posted April 2, 2006 Not much left unsaid. Definitely the end of an era. This has hit me as hard as any jazz death since Monk. But the man made his mark. Like all the greatest jazz players, he was unmistakable after only a few notes. I'm listening to Destination Out right now. Beautiful stuff. Jackie's playing was always so direct. (I'm surprised that I haven't heard about this until just now, as I've been hanging out in some pretty heavy jazz circles for that past two nights: ICP Orchestra concert Friday, Ran Blake and Charles Gayle concert Saturday.) Quote
ejp626 Posted April 2, 2006 Report Posted April 2, 2006 What a body of work! Not a bad record in the bunch! Either you haven't heard or are deliberately repressing Monuments, which is a righteous stinker. I am certainly sorry to hear this. One of the last of the greats. He led or co-led many of my favorite BN sessions. Very sorry not to have seen him live, but I came to jazz only fairly recently when he wasn't really touring (or at least not where I was living). Quote
bertrand Posted April 2, 2006 Report Posted April 2, 2006 The Washington Post obituary confirms that his last gigs were in the summer of 2004. Europe and the Middle East are mentioned, so I must be remembering Turkey correctly. Sobering to think that I attended his last NYC gig. Bertrand. Quote
Guest Posted April 2, 2006 Report Posted April 2, 2006 I don't have much to add except this made me very, very sad. And like so many others have mentioned, his passing more than any other has affected me. I can't really recall the moment I first heard his playing - he kind of "snuck up on me" over the years, but has grown into one of my absolute favourite saxophone players of all time. You can just tell that he is plugged right into the soul of jazz. Always "on"! Actually, I felt sadder about it today than yesterday, so I'll go spin some records right away to blow away the sadness. How can you not feel uplifted listening to "Right Now!"? Quote
djcavanagh Posted April 2, 2006 Report Posted April 2, 2006 I am certainly sorry to hear this. One of the last of the greats. He led or co-led many of my favorite BN sessions. Very sorry not to have seen him live, but I came to jazz only fairly recently when he wasn't really touring (or at least not where I was living). I'm in the same boat - unfortunately came to jazz too late to get the chance to hear him live. Very sad news. Quote
clifford_thornton Posted April 2, 2006 Report Posted April 2, 2006 Actually, I felt sadder about it today than yesterday, so I'll go spin some records right away to blow away the sadness. How can you not feel uplifted listening to "Right Now!"? Well, that record does contain the tune "Poor Eric," which is a weighty and somewhat depressing tune - probably appropriate considering our earthly loss... I had the pleasure of seeing him, Grachan, Bobby and Rene in Summer 2004 at the Blue Note. It was a great gig and a very kind crew. Glad I got the chance. Quote
Larry Kart Posted April 2, 2006 Report Posted April 2, 2006 Sorry if this has been mentioned before, but it was news to me -- according to Ira Gitler, Rene is not Jackie's son but his stepson. Quote
Chuck Nessa Posted April 2, 2006 Report Posted April 2, 2006 Sorry if this has been mentioned before, but it was news to me -- according to Ira Gitler, Rene is not Jackie's son but his stepson. That is correct. Quote
Aftab Posted April 2, 2006 Report Posted April 2, 2006 Thanks for the great music and the legacy you have left - peace. Quote
alocispepraluger102 Posted April 2, 2006 Report Posted April 2, 2006 freedom ring is still alive and will love it as long as i am concious. Quote
Stereojack Posted April 2, 2006 Report Posted April 2, 2006 Sorry if this has been mentioned before, but it was news to me -- according to Ira Gitler, Rene is not Jackie's son but his stepson. I've never heard this either, but I guess it explains the 1946 year of birth that most jazz references give for Rene. Jackie would have been 14 or 15 (depending in which year of birth you believe for Jackie) when Rene was born. Not impossible, but unlikely. Quote
Daniel A Posted April 2, 2006 Report Posted April 2, 2006 It was brought up here once, but that thread went wrong (skin color related) and disappeared. Quote
Jim R Posted April 2, 2006 Report Posted April 2, 2006 Has anyone seen the documentary of him teaching in the 1970's? My memory is foggy. Was this ever aired on tv?... PBS? I do distinctly remember a profile of McLean- probably a 20-minute segment of an hour-long magazine show- years ago. In fact I may have taped it. I want to say it was hosted/narrated by Ed Bradley, but I could be wrong. At any rate, my recollection is that it was excellent. Jackie's warmth and "presence" as a leader and educator really came through loud and clear. Quote
ghost of miles Posted April 2, 2006 Report Posted April 2, 2006 I've now seen McLean's age reported as being 73, 74, and 75. Anybody know for sure? NPR's saying 75. Quote
Stereojack Posted April 2, 2006 Report Posted April 2, 2006 I've now seen McLean's age reported as being 73, 74, and 75. Anybody know for sure? NPR's saying 75. Most of the reference books give his dob as May 17, 1932, but I've heard from more than one source that the real year is 1931, and that for some reason he had shaved a year off long ago. Quote
Evonce Posted April 2, 2006 Report Posted April 2, 2006 A sad surprise to see the title of this thread. The passion in his music will definitely live on for a long time. Quote
mikeweil Posted April 2, 2006 Report Posted April 2, 2006 R.I.P. Mr. McLean .................... Quote
clifford_thornton Posted April 2, 2006 Report Posted April 2, 2006 Sorry if this has been mentioned before, but it was news to me -- according to Ira Gitler, Rene is not Jackie's son but his stepson. I've never heard this either, but I guess it explains the 1946 year of birth that most jazz references give for Rene. Jackie would have been 14 or 15 (depending in which year of birth you believe for Jackie) when Rene was born. Not impossible, but unlikely. That does make sense. I didn't realize Rene was that old and consequently had to do a double-take... I mean some people start early, but sheesh! Quote
Guest akanalog Posted April 2, 2006 Report Posted April 2, 2006 mr. mclean played at my local middle school a few years ago. he and phil woods sort of dueled but it wasn't really a contest. woods played the part and played like a frumpy dumpy old man and mclean played with fire. who else was up on stage at that point? billy drummond? john lee? it was so cool seeing mclean up on that stage where i had to watch stupid assemblies and whatnot for 3 of my formative years. if i were listing my top 10 blue note albums (as a man permanently burnt out on hard bop) i would have 3 or 4 mclean albums on the list. Quote
clifford_thornton Posted April 2, 2006 Report Posted April 2, 2006 if i were listing my top 10 blue note albums (as a man permanently burnt out on hard bop) i would have 3 or 4 mclean albums on the list. At least! Quote
paul secor Posted April 3, 2006 Report Posted April 3, 2006 Thanks for all that you gave, Mr. McLean. You'll be missed, even though your music will always be with us. Quote
sal Posted April 3, 2006 Report Posted April 3, 2006 This is so terribly sad. He is one of the greatest musicians ever. Thank you so much for all you gave us, Jackie. RIP. Quote
Johnny E Posted April 3, 2006 Report Posted April 3, 2006 I been playing your music all day. Thank you Jackie. To my ears your playing helped redeem humanity. Quote
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