Anyone know why Stan Levey quit the drums to

[BERIGAN]

Was listening to the cd Stan Levey 5 this A.M. and was shocked to find out it was his last recording,(1957) and that he then retired in the 60's! Was he tired of the road? No more chances to record?

He just seems too good a drummer to just stop playing(At least this is what allmusic says)

[tonym]

Hi Berigan.

From what I remember from the 'Ken Burn's Jazz' series (I think they used his dialogue a fair bit because of his lucid, clear and articulate speech --- and the fact he's still around!), and reading liners from various Getz albums, Levey said that he thought he had taken his art as far as he could, he had enjoyed good times but wanted to stop touring and devote himself to something different.(Correct me if this contradicts what others have heard/ read).

I'm not sure if he was part of the JATP troupe but he was an extremely busy bloke during the 50's. I wouldn't blame him .

Perfect guy for those Getz dates wasn't he.

cheers, tonym.

[brownie]

Berigan, Stan Levey was Ella Fitzgerald's drummer on an European tour in 1963. He left the music scene in 1973. By then he had played with the musicians he cared about.

He turned his attention to photography.

That was our loss! Hope he is happy wherever he is.

And Levey did some records after 1957. He was the drummer on the 1961 'Clap Hands, Here Comes Charlie' by Ella Fitzgerald on drums.

[BERIGAN]

damn, but you guys were fast! I was curious if he did record more than Allmusic was aware of(Shocked, simply shocked that they could be wrong! ) Perhaps he will pick up the sticks again....of course, I just know Artie Shaw will come to his senses any day now and record once again!

Edited January 13, 2004 by BERIGAN

[brownie]

Perhaps he will pick up the sticks again....of course, I just know Artie Shaw will come to his senses any day now and record once again!

Hope he will have Stan Levey behind him on drums B)

[king ubu]

Berigan, make sure you get hold of a copy of the Avenue/Rhino reissue of "This Time the Drum's on Me" as long as that one is around. Originally on Bethlehem, it features Conte Candoli, Frank Rosolino and GREAT Dexter Gordon. Recorded in 1955.

ubu

[Vincent, Paris]

I don't know the answer to the original topic/question but you might find it there :

Sold directly by Stan Levey himself !

Be sure to check the sample.

Edited December 19, 2004 by Vincent, Paris

[Dan Gould]

I don't know the answer to the original topic/question but you might find it there :

Sold directly by Stan Levey himself !

Be sure to check the sample.

Thanks for that link! This one's definitely leaped to the top of my wish list, and since I anticipate some cash gifts for Christmas, I will definitely be ordering this soon.

[White Lightning]

I like these sessions:

Stan and Roach switch places. Every one of them is on 4 tracks. All is with Howard Rumsey's Lighthouse group w/ Frank Rosolino, Conte Candoli & Bill Perkins.

Another fine disc is this:

2 1954 sessions, one is 4tet lead by Conte Candoli, with Levey. The other one is a 6tet lead by Stan Levey w/ Conte Candoli, Zoot Sims, Jimmy Giuffre (bari).

Botj CDs are

[BruceH]

Berigan, make sure you get hold of a copy of the Avenue/Rhino reissue of "This Time the Drum's on Me" as long as that one is around. Originally on Bethlehem, it features Conte Candoli, Frank Rosolino and GREAT Dexter Gordon. Recorded in 1955.

ubu

Excellent album!! I got the Bethlehem issue a while back, and it's a real gem.

[Jim R]

A few more post-'57 recordings...

Victor Feldman- 1958; The Arrival Of Victor Feldman (Contemporary)

Frank Rosolino- 1958; Free For All (Specialty)

Howard Roberts- 1959; Good Pickin's (Verve)

Richie Kamuca / Bill Holman- 1959; West Coast Jazz In Hi Fi (Hi Fi Jazz)

Lou Levy- 1962; The Hymn (Philips)

Barney Kessel- 1966; Contemporary Latin Rhythms (Reprise)

Johnny Hartman- 1966; Unforgettable Songs By Johnny Hartman (Impulse)

Jack Wilson- 1968; Song For My Daughter (Blue Note) (Levey on vibes)

[garthsj]

Stan's son, Bob, is a regular on the jazz west coast list .. I will post the original question there, and see if we can get a definitive answer ... Stan also regularly turns up as a spectator at the Jazz Weekends that Ken Poston hosts in L.A.

BTW, the upcoming weekend in May will feature music from the Stan Kenton Neophonic orchestra era, and other similar aggregations. Exactly my cup of tea ...

Garth.

[Chuck Nessa]

Stan Kenton Neophonic orchestra era, and other similar aggregations. Exactly my cup of tea ...

Garth.

Is that why I hate tea?

[garthsj]

Bob Levey offered this response to the original question in his thread ....

No Way!

He made almost 2000, record albums with names you would not believe. I did

not realize haw many record dates he was on with who. In his day he did 3

albums a day. Plus he did 3000 TV shows and 300 movies. He had a great

career and actually retired in 1973. He got bored with the studios and was a

great photographer.

Go to stanlevey.com he has a new DVD out on his life in music from the

beginnings of BeBop all thru his career. He has a full discography include.

It is called The "Original Orginal". Enjoy!

Sincerely

Bob Levey

[garthsj]

Stan Kenton Neophonic orchestra era, and other similar aggregations.  Exactly my cup of tea ...

Garth.

Is that why I hate tea?

Actually tea is good for you; far better than coffee .... try it, you might like it ...

[Chuck Nessa]

Actually tea is good for you; far better than coffee .... try it, you might like it ...

Yup, but all that brass is poison.

[MartyJazz]

I don't know the answer to the original topic/question but you might find it there :

Sold directly by Stan Levey himself !

Be sure to check the sample.

Thanks for that link! This one's definitely leaped to the top of my wish list, and since I anticipate some cash gifts for Christmas, I will definitely be ordering this soon.

Ditto! Terrific link. Gotta have it.

[JohnS]

Fine drummer. On his Bethlehem album "Stan Levey Plays" he names one of his tunes "Exaktamo" after his camera ".

[jazzhound]

Reminded of another West Coast musician, Russ Freeman who left music business to become choreographer. He said there were to many ups and downs to deal with. (working with Chet Baker probably had something to do with it.)

[charlesp]

Stan Levey will be on San Antonio's jazz radio station on Wednesday, December 29, 2004 - you can listen @ KRTU.

[brownie]

Stan Levey will be on San Antonio's jazz radio station on Wednesday, December 29, 2004 - you can listen @ KRTU.

Thanks for the link. What time is that Stan Levey scheduled?? Will try to tune in...

[Larry Kart]

Stan had one of the nuttiest ride cymbal beats I've ever heard; it sounded like the cymbal itself was about the size of a pie pan, maybe even smaller, and while the results arguably were a bit tic-tocky in terms of size and preciseness, the time feel was also unique and very hip -- remarkbly even and also laid-back in a way that had its own flavor.

[garthsj]

Tony Agostonelli posted this note on the jazz west coast list this morning. I thought that many of you would be interested ... I certainly am going to get this ....

I have just seen "Stan Levey: The Original Original." This is a one hour & fifty-three minute documentary masterpiece....a true documentary....the makers of the music reflect upon Stan Levey's career, and the music in which Stan played a great part...I have never seen such an exposition and discussion of the music, and the place a great player like Stan Levey played within it!

There are special appearances from Stan's musical friends -- Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Quincy Jones, Hank Jones, Lalo Schifrin, Terry Gibbs, Bill Holman, Charlie Parker, Charlie Watts, Lee Konitz, Howard Rumsey, Bill Henderson....and so many others.

As for big bands, Stan has worked with Benny Goodman, Boyd Raeburn, Woody Herman, Stan Kenton, Lalo Schifrin, and others.

The times, the music, the personal recollections -- they are all there! I was captured, mesmerized, and swept into the music and lives that I grew up with -- personally and musically.....Stan Levey himself plays a central role in telling about his careers -- jazz with the be-boppers, with Kenton, with various others for whom he played, his photography, his work on films, and his stint with pro boxing....you'll love it, as I did.

If you need to know any more about it, here's the details -- The film was produced by Arthur S. Pritz and Stan Levey. StanArt Productions, 1626 North Wilcox Avenue, #487, Hollywood, CA 90028......Phone: 818-981-1178; FAX: 818-783-0484. ($24.95, plus $7.35 UPS Ground -- Total $32.50).

http://www.stanlevey.com

info@stanlevey.com

All the best, stay well and in touch,

...and may the Joy of the Season be yours,

Tony

[JSngry]

To to be sordid or anything, but is it true (as I might have even read Levey himself mention somewhere), that his switch to photography from music as a profession was motivated at least in part by a desire to avoid the temptations of narcotics?

[garthsj]

To to be sordid or anything, but is it true (as I might have even read Levey himself mention somewhere), that his switch to photography from music as a profession was motivated at least in part by a desire to avoid the temptations of narcotics?

I believe that you are correct Jim. Stan himself has discussed his long, and finally succesful battle with narcotics. For many musicians at that time, taking narcotics was "going along to get along.." He is a rather formidable man in person; definitely a physical presence ...