Lou Donaldson Quartet with piano!

[Michael Weiss]

It must be with the organ group. But hopefully in the future Lou will begin appearing more often with piano. He's having a great time and can't stop talking about how he can now play all these other songs he hasn't been able to do, like Autumn in NY and Autumn Nocturne.

That's odd...I was just listening to a recording of Dr. Lonnie Smith playing beautifully on Autumn In NY.... That said, I'm sure Lou's loving playing with Michael!

I just reported what Lou said on the mic. Personally I have no interest in a debate about organ vs. piano. All I can tell you is Lou really enjoyed himself and was inspired all week. Other tunes we played: If I Should Lose You, Caravan, Laura, Don't Get Around Much Anymore, Cheek to Cheek, Stella By Starlight, The Best Things In Life Are Free, Midnight Creeper

Edited June 30, 2008 by Michael Weiss

[Jim Alfredson]

He's been doing the organ thing for a long time; it's always nice to change it up and with someone like Michael Weiss on piano, the sky's the limit!

[sidewinder]

Lou's coming up at the Jazz Cafe in London in a few weeks' time, backed by the good doctor. It'll be tempting to make the long (and $$$) journey in.

Edited June 30, 2008 by sidewinder

[Dan Gould]

For those wondering, a little birdie has told me not to expect any audience recordings to pop up on a certain website. Apparently the staff at the Vanguard were shining flashlights at people's laps throughout the night, to make sure that no surreptitious recording was going on. Kinda sucks since a lot of LD shows have been captured at the Vanguard in the past, and I think this engagement was really something special if it could have been shared with people who don't live near NYC.

[CJ Shearn]

man, did Lou play Cherokee at a ridiculous tempo? I've been listening to "Here 'Tis" a lot lately.

[Michael Weiss]

Cherokee was typically fast, but not ridiculously fast. Caravan, Fine and Dandy, Best Things in Life Are Free were faster.

The only one I know who plays ridiculously fast is Grant Stewart. He plays Cole Porter tunes faster than Max Roach and Johnny Griffin. I never thought I'd play with someone who played tempos faster than Johnny Griffin, but Grant does and rips too.

[Chuck Nessa]

He didn't play "Summertime"? Jimmy Smith told me that was "Lou's song".

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

He didn't play "Summertime"? Jimmy Smith told me that was "Lou's song".

The duet Jimmy and Lou did without rhythm on the "Incredible Jimmy Smith" was sublime. I was listening to the version he played in Buffalo on "Fried buzzard" earlier and it doesn't approach the JOS duet for shimmering heat haze and longing!

MG

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Lou's coming up at the Jazz Cafe in London in a few weeks' time, backed by the good doctor. It'll be tempting to make the long (and $$$) journey in.

Hmm. I've never seen Lou live, though I've seen Lonnie...

I need to think about that. When is it?

MG

[Michael Weiss]

Found this photo so I thought I'd post it here.

David Wong on bass and Tiger, a Japanese child prodigy sitting in on drums. Dig the ten gallon hat.

[Hardbopjazz]

Wow, I'm pretty sure I see myself in the photo. Two behind you Michael, the one without any hair.

Thanks for posting.

[cymbalgroove]

That's very cool to hear, particularly if that means a little freshening up of the setlist.

It's definitely been a little static for a while now - but it often depends who's playing with him. There was a time when I was working with him a lot in the mid-80s when he might play anything. Suffice to say he never announces the tune beforehand. Neither does he count off a tempo. He just starts and everyone falls in line. I learned a lot of tunes on the bandstand with Lou! I remember a gig in Connecticut (Jamil Nasser on bass) when after about eight bars he turned to me and said in that high pitch, "You don't know that, man?" He was playing the tune "You." After one or two choruses I did. One of the best training grounds in jazz. I was fortunate to cut my teeth with Lou, Junior Cook, George Coleman, Bill Hardman, Slide, Clifford Jordan. Young players coming up today rarely get that kind of training anymore.

True Michael!!

[cymbalgroove]

Cherokee was typically fast, but not ridiculously fast. Caravan, Fine and Dandy, Best Things in Life Are Free were faster.

The only one I know who plays ridiculously fast is Grant Stewart. He plays Cole Porter tunes faster than Max Roach and Johnny Griffin. I never thought I'd play with someone who played tempos faster than Johnny Griffin, but Grant does and rips too.

Amen to that!! Grant is the best tenor player today in his age group that I've worked with BAR NONE!! Not only does Grant cut those tempos but not a wasted note EVER! He's so creative it's scary!!