Jay McShann RIP

[Hot Ptah]

Sad, sad news. In 20+ years of weekly recording of artists at Toronto's Cafe des Copains and then Montreal Bistro, I recorded Jay at least 30 times (and listened to him at least a hundred). Whether as a soloist, duo with bass, trio, quartet or big band, he never failed to lift the room, and my spirits. I'd have dinner with him on almost every occasion. He was a lovely man -- warm and generous of spirit. I'll miss him, and so will the world of jazz, though he (and his style of music) was woefully underappreciated by the hipnocracy.

We are all in your debt for recording Jay McShann at least 30 times. Maybe everyone else on the board knows you--are you the man behind Sackville Records?

[Hardbopjazz]

Thanks Jay for all the music you left us. I will be spinning some of your records tonight.

[Lazaro Vega]

John Norris is the man behind Sackville, but it takes a village: thank you Mr. O'Reilly for those great sessions. Love that date with Claude Williams, too.

There was a tenor player here in West Michigan, Curt Purnell, who came out of St. Louis and idolized Jimmy Forrest. Curt talked about hearing the McShann band when the sax section included Bird as well as Jimmy Forrest. One of his greatest musical memories.

With the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor drawing so few of the veterans who where there when it happened, and most of them saying they probably won't make it back next year, we're seeing a generation pass from our midst. McShann was a key part of that generation, leading the last of the Kansas City big bands to barnstorm out of the mid-west, the "last of the whore-house piano players," the last of the Blue Devils.

"Baby here I stand before you with my heart in my hand..."

[Peter Friedman]

I was fortunate to hear Jay McShann live many times. Usually in the company of John Norris of Sackville records, and often with Ted O'Reilly, the jazz radio boss man of Toronto for many decades.

John Norris recorded Jay McShann numerous times for his Sackville label. If you don't have any of those recordings in your collection, now is the time to rectify that oversight.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

I've got a Chiaroscuro album of his on order; my first by him. That saddens me a lot.

Chewy - in the 70s, Jay made quite a few mainstream recordings for the French label Black & Blue, and probably other continental firms. I've no knowledge of a disco album

MG

[Hot Ptah]

I've got a Chiaroscuro album of his on order; my first by him. That saddens me a lot.

Chewy - in the 70s, Jay made quite a few mainstream recordings for the French label Black & Blue, and probably other continental firms. I've no knowledge of a disco album

MG

Jay McShann did not make any disco albums. In the mid to late 1970s he recorded several great albums for Sackville, and two for Columbia--Last of the Blue Devils and The Big Apple Bash. All are wonderful, swinging jazz.

Another album which should not be missed is "The Man From Muskogee", with Claude "Fiddler" Williams.

Edited December 8, 2006 by Hot Ptah

[Spontooneous]

Small correction: Last of the Blue Devils and Big Apple Bash were on Atlantic.

Yes, The Man From Muskogee on Sackville is probably my favorite McShann record of later years.

The Sackville people should be thanked profusely for letting Jay record what HE wanted to record, and not keeping him in the blues shackles that some other producers kept him in.

[Aggie87]

Last of the Blue Devils apparently includes John Scofield - is this worth picking up for Sco's contributions, or is he even noticeable? Heck, is it worth picking up anyway?

[The Rep]

RIP Jay, you left behind a lot of music which we shall go on enjoying. Tonight I shall pour a very large Bushmills malt and listen to one of my favorite recordings. The track Willow Weep For Me from the Sackville album Kansas City Hustle. Thanks.

[Dan Gould]

Last of the Blue Devils apparently includes John Scofield - is this worth picking up for Sco's contributions, or is he even noticeable? Heck, is it worth picking up anyway?

Its worth picking up, definitely, but if memory serves, Sco appears on a couple of cuts, not the whole thing.

[BruceH]

I hate to admit this, but he's one of those guys whom I had half a notion had already passed away. He certainly lasted a good long time, thank God. I was first introduce to his music through an old Charley vinyl compilation that I bought in the 80's. A very talented man, and, from all reports, a nice guy too. RIP

[Hot Ptah]

Last of the Blue Devils apparently includes John Scofield - is this worth picking up for Sco's contributions, or is he even noticeable? Heck, is it worth picking up anyway?

It's a great album, very much worth picking up. Scofield plays well and fits in well with McShann. It was early in Scofield's career, and his playing on the album is not much different from what I heard him play live with Gary Burton at that time.

[Late]

This has been my go-to album (actually been spinning vinyl!) this holiday season. Jubilant stuff.

What other Sackville records (or compact discs) do you recommend?

As I type, I'm listening to this Decca comp:



So hip. Hard to believe his star wasn't larger, at least to the broader jazz listening public.

 

[medjuck]

3 hours ago, Late said:

What other Sackville records (or compact discs) do you recommend?



 

The Man from Muskogee (sp?)

[duaneiac]

6 hours ago, Late said:

This has been my go-to album (actually been spinning vinyl!) this holiday season. Jubilant stuff.

What other Sackville records (or compact discs) do you recommend?



 

If you enjoy holiday music, this one is a real winner:

[mikeweil]

15 hours ago, duaneiac said:

If you enjoy holiday music, this one is a real winner:

Duly noted for next year!