Jazz for aficionados

Lest you folks think I am some sort of Xenophobe. It don't get better than this. What voices! And this is right down the road from the U.S.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6MTmGnolbs

Cheers

****"Gypsy Jazz"! Just when I thought I had heard it all, Acman3, you come up with something new; I like it.*****

I can't wait until you get to Papua New Guinea Head-hunter 'Jazz'. Maybe you, The Frogman, and Acman3 could then fly over and catch a few shows.

I hear their instrumentation is rather limited, but boy, do they get down!!

Cheers

O-10:

I remember back in the day when heart transplants were a lot more iffy and rarer than they are today, a famous doctor listened to 'Inside Moves' by Grover washington jr, while performing a transplant. Blew my mind!

That's what I call a Jazz Lover!!

I have 'Mister Magic' and 'Then and Now'. I also have 'winelight' which I have on the Pop rack. He did a few records with a non-Jazz guy whose name I cannot recall now. I suspect he was a lot of folks entry into the world of Jazz.

Nice clips

Cheers

Learsfool:

Yes I have the Peterson CD. The 'story' about the Doctor was just me messin' with The Frogman.

I only mentioned the 'all the notes' thingy because I was pretty sure it was Paganini and his '24 Caprices'. Which from what I read, gives you classical folks a bit of trouble. So I thought there was a chance some of the notes were missed, which would be astounding to me!

But it was probably as you said, just a repeat thing or the conductor's shortening of the work.

Cheers

Rok, the Oscar Peterson at the Concertgebouw album is a good one, if you are not familiar with it already. I would definitely second that recommendation.

Frogman definitely answered your orchestral questions very nicely. I would agree with his speculation about #3 having to do with optional passages, or more likely, actual cuts in the music that were NOT specified by the composer. Another even stronger possibility would be repeats designated by the composer that were not observed, thus messing with the form of the work. Many, in fact most conductors often omit some repeats in Classical era symphonies, for example, which would have horrified the composers of these works - Mozart has some hilarious comments on the subjects in his letters. Frankly, I agree with him. In my opinion, it does mess with the intended form and balance of the composition, and I personally believe all of those repeats should be observed, as they were back in the day. When they are not, for instance in the symphonies of Brahms and others in the Romantic era, the audience is literally not hearing some of the notes he wrote that are played only if the repeat is going to be made, but are not played in the continuation. That's maybe not very clear, but hopefully you get the meaning. I think that this is what the reviewers are most likely referring to, and that it has nothing to do with the technical ability of the players, but with the choice of the conductor not to observe a repeat.

Today's listen:

Benny Goodman -- BENNY GOODMAN LIVE AT CARNEGIE HALL

2cd Set. Recorded in 1938. The liner notes say this is one of the most important Jazz concerts ever. Sort of like a coming out party for Jazz in the presence of Polite Society and at a big time venue. Not to mention that it seems to have been a totally integrated affair. Not a trivial thing in 1938. Goodman was courageous that way.

A lot of big time players here. The Goodman Band, parts of the Basie and Ellington Bands.

Some of the more notables include:
Goodman, Basie, Teddy Wilson, Lionel Hampton, Johnny Hodges, Cootie Williams, Lester Young, Buck Clayton, Harry James, Gene Krupa and others.

The music is good and played with enthusiasm. The entire effort is let down by the recording. It's uneven. Not much noise, but the volume seems to come and go at random, and sometimes the soloists fade.

A later reissue on CD brings out the music a little better, but more noise along with it. I guess we can say it would be the 'audiophile' edition.

All great tunes. My favorites were 'bei mir bist du schon', 'sing sing sing' and 'honeysuckle rose'. Krupa shines on Sing Sing sing.

It's a shame events like this were let down by the technology of the day.

It was a significant event, and I am glad I have it. Jazz lovers into more modern sounds, and not that much into the history of the music, can probably pass.

Cheers

"Take two back-beats and call me in the morning" :-)

The Frogman:

Thanks for the info. If I run across the magazine with the 'all the notes' thingy I will let you know.

I called my personal Physician today. She is a Jazz lover also. Told her I had absorbed a full dose of European pseudo-Jazz. She said the best antidote is to immeediately listen to the real deal.

She prescribed 'Oscar Peterson Trio at The Concertgebouw', with Herb Ellis on guitar. And, if needed, Wes Montegomery's 'Smokin' at the half note'

Didn't need Wes. Brother Herb was the cure. :)

Cheers

Rok,

1) No. Although there are traditional seating arrangements for certain sections, certain instrument sections may be positioned differently according to the particular orchestra's traditions, a particular conductor's wishes, or a particular work's requirements per the composer. Although as concerns a particular work's requirements (usually a modern work) "all bets are off", orchestral seating arrangements that seldom change are:

- 1rst violins: left/front
- woodwinds: center/ front to back with horns usually closer to center behind woodwinds
- brass: right/rear
- percussion across the left to right/ rear

Seating for 2nd violins, violas, celli and basses can vary. In opera orchestras, because of the shallowness of most "pits" seating varies even more.

2) Most members are permanent. "Auxiliary" instruments (bass clarinet, piccolo, harp) in major orchestras, with a few exceptions (saxophone), are also permanent. In orchestras with smaller budgets they are not.

3) Given the amazing level of proficiency in today's orchestras there is little chance of an unusually technically demanding work not being executed to near perfection (technically); and, it certainly would not be acceptable if that were the case. That wasn't always the case with earlier recordings of the modern repertory on which one can sometimes hear the players struggling with difficult passages. However, it is not clear from the "every note heard" comment wether the reviewer refers to the execution of the parts or (more likely) to wether that particular recording or performance includes a passage or section of music that, either because of traditional performance practice, or the composer's designation as "optional".

BTW, was I pulling your leg? :-)

When an artist is popular and makes a good living, he can't be playing jazz, his music must have a qualifier; like "soul Jazz".

Grover Washington was popular, and his music was "jazz" without any qualifier. All jazz musicians in the past have given their versions of popular tunes without getting the title of "soul jazz musician"; whatever, as long as he was able to take it to the bank.

Here are two of my favorite tunes by Grover:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i80HVojYPdA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUFd3c2HZvI

Enjoy the music.

Django?

You guys!! Always pulling my leg. But I must admit, you had me convinced you were serious for a while. :)

Cheers

To anyone:

(1) Do all symphony Orchestras utilize the same seating arrangement? I.E. are all the different instruments seated in the same place relative to the conductor in all orchestras?

(2) Are all memebers permanent? What about instruments that may not have parts in most symphonies. Harp? Are they full time employees?

(3) And lastly, this has been driving me nuts. Both BBC and Gramophone magazines have a monthly article where they discuss and make recommendation on a particular piece of music. They will review several performances and give their take on each, including ones to avoid.

While reading one of these articles I THINK, I read the following. "and for those of you that DEMAND THAT EVERY NOTE BE PLAYED", they then named a CD.

I think it was Paganini. My question is this: Is it ever 'acceptable' or permitted, or even expected, that all of the notes of ANY piece of music will not be played? Even by a soloist.

Cheers

"Gypsy Jazz"! Just when I thought I had heard it all, Acman3, you come up with something new; I like it.

Enjoy the music.

Too hip for the room! :-)

Lawd, Lawd, my burden is great!

Cheers

He wrote many good tunes. His best known is "Nuages" which O-10 posted a link to above; it's been recorded by many jazz greats. "Minor Blues" is another one, as is "Belleville". If this ain't jazz:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nS2ylPAUxzA

What do you call this? (Notice the great similarities):

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xiWCUIY6ClQ

Rok's comments about Louis Armstrong above are particularly appropriate. From The Louis Armstrong House Museum:

*****In 1930, Django's friend Emile Savitry played for him Armstrong's new recording of "Dallas Blues," Accord to Savitry, when Django heard it, he broke down weeping, holding his head in his hands and exclaiming in the Romani language, "Ach moune," or in English, "My brother." Here is the recording that changed the life of Django--and the guitar--completely:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=789Co-Ad1AY

Django Reinhardt is most definitely considered a jazz guitarist, and a great many jazz musicians have great respect for him, including a couple of very good friends of mine. Personally, I tend to dislike any form of electronic music, so the electric guitar is no favorite of mine. I believe Reinhardt also wrote quite a few good tunes, Frogman am I totally off base on that??

I was going to play a little Hot Club of Detroit and ran smack dab into this singer I had not heard of.

With the Hot Club of Detroit….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-bGLGb-_Hw

With Friends…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8htJVyavMvo

A lot of good Jazz from her on youtube.

****there was one odd pea in the patch in that compilation we got, and his name is "Django Reinhardt". The book says 'Nuages' reflects his interest in bebop; I can't hear it. While I like Django's music, it's certainly vastly different from the rest of the 99 tunes.******

The reason for this is because the music he played was not Jazz as we know it. He was a Gypsy musician. Played the guitar.

I think he was considered a JAZZ player in early 20th century Europe, because they didn't know what else to call it. It didn't sound French, and he didn't look French.

In many places the word Jazz has has meanings, usually negative, much different from what we now think of Jazz. Often it was just a catch-all for music out side of the norm. Esp it it was fast and sounded exotic.

Raed the Wiki thingy, and you will see what I mean.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Django_Reinhardt

As the Germans always said "If you can't goose step to it, it must be Jazz" :)

Cheers

Rok, there was one odd pea in the patch in that compilation we got, and his name is "Django Reinhardt". The book says 'Nuages' reflects his interest in bebop; I can't hear it. While I like Django's music, it's certainly vastly different from the rest of the 99 tunes.

“The Quintet of the Hot Club of France” was a jazz group founded in France in 1934 by guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stéphane Grappelli, and active in one form or another until 1948.

One of the earliest and most significant continental jazz groups in Europe, the Quintette was described by critic Thom Jurek[1] as "one of the most original bands in the history of recorded jazz." Their most famous lineup featured Reinhardt, Grappelli, bassist Louis Vola, and rhythm guitarists Roger Chaput and Joseph Reinhardt (Django's brother) who filled out the ensemble's sound and added occasional percussive effects.

Maybe Frogman and Leersfool can chime in on "Django". While I could listen to his music all night, it's different from "American jazz", that's my only point.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DY0FF4iR9Cw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCJ5E8AnlWk

Enjoy the music.

O-10:

Before you posted, I was listening to R&B you-tubes and ran across Horace Silver playing 'Nica's Dream'. Thought you might also find this interesting. Apparently Monk died at a house she owned also. This woman was on pace to wipe out be-bop!! :)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pannonica_de_Koenigswarter

So to recap, within the last several post we have:
Battle, von Stade and Marsalis making magic at Carnegie Hall, and just down the street we have a future Fed Chairman running around a hotel lobby naked, and around the block we have two winos lolling around inside a Sport Bently 'Guarding it'. What a place! Reminds me of the Last Poets' 'New York, New York, the BIGGG Apple.

hahahh all in jest, of course.

Cheers

Today's Listen:

Louis Armstrong & Duke Ellington --
THE COMPLETE LOUIS ARMSTRONG & DUKE ELLINGTON SESSIONS

Armstrong(vocal, trumpet),Ellington(p),Bigard(c)Trummy Young(tb), Mort Herbert(b), Danny barcelona(d)

This is amazing. 17 tunes. All written by Ellington and ALL are now, instantly recognizable standards. What other musician could even attempt this?

When you listen to this CD it makes all other players seem just a little bit lesser. Now we are really hearing musical greatest. Closer to the holy grail.

Seems as if the closer you get to the source, the less clutter. Everything just seems clearer and simpler. It seems as if Duke's music was made, to be sung by Armstrong.
What a voice!

Armstrong sings and plays on almost all of the tunes. Starts with a swinging 'Duke's Place' and ends with a beautiful 'Azalea'. Nothing but magic in between.

Curiously, no saxophone appears.

Ain't got it? Why Not?? Go to your room!!!

Cheers

Rok, "Nica's Dream", has been my favorite tune for ages, my favorite jazz musician died in "Nica's" apartment, and until recently, I didn't know any more about her than you or Frogman.

Although she was disowned by the family, she got her share of the money. Nica traded a long Rolls in for the sport Bentley in order not to lose any races down 5th Avenue around midnight. Picture a long cigarette holder, a mink coat, a sport convertible Bentley, and you got Nica.

I was trying to present Nica's point of view, but you made me realize, I'm still quite "animalistic". The fact that the only person she was alone with was Monk's 9 year old son, when he was with her on mercy missions to help other jazz musicians; rent, food, and she even nursed Coleman Hawkins when he refused to go to the hospital; might account for her lack of intimacy.

The lady soaked in a tub with only a cigarette in that long cigarette holder to keep her company, while she listened to some of the very same musicians we just acquired on "The 100 best tunes of the 50's", having a jam session downstairs. (They always gave "The Baroness" the respect they felt she was entitled to, whatever she did)

Nica lived for the moment, and her life after she became "The Jazz Baroness" was one continues set. She told one of her nieces to meet her at a club: "How will I recognize the club"?

"Look for the car" was Nica's response. The niece instantly recognized the club, it was the the one with the badly parked Bentley in front, that had two winos lolling around on the leather seats. "They keep anyone from stealing the car", she was told after finding Nica. This was in a tiny basement club, where Nica was the only white person in the joint.

"Smoking a cigarette in a long black filter, her fur coat draped over the back of a spindly chair, Nica gestured to an empty seat, and picking up a teapot from the table, poured something into two chipped china cups. We toasted each other silently. I'd been expecting tea. Whisky bit into my throat; I choked and my eyes watered. Nica threw back her head and laughed."

"Thanks", I croaked. She put her finger to her lips, and nodding at the pianist on stage, said "Sssh, just listen to the music Hannah, just listen", as she swayed to the sounds.

Now you know why I'm so fascinated by Nica.

Enjoy the music.

Learsfool, agree about that record. Fantastic!

Hi guys, been away from this board for a few days. Frogman, that was a very interesting Ornette Coleman clip, never seen that before.

Rok - you recently reviewed perhaps my favorite Ella album - the 40th Birthday Concert. If anyone out there reading this has not heard that, it is a must. There are so many great moments in that. No other jazz singer has ever sounded anywhere near as good, IMO.

Yes, THAT Greenspan. In Leonard Garment's (attorney and top advisor to Nixon during Watergate) biography "Crazy Rhythm: From Brooklyn And Jazz To Nixon's White House, Watergate, And Beyond", there is a very funny picture of a big band; in the reed section, at opposite ends, are the tenor players: Leanard Garment and Alan Greenspan.

Agree re Ayn Rand.

The Frogman:

Are we talking about Federal Reserve, Greenspan? If so, I guess I could see him playing tenor sax, in his younger days.

***“The worst part of Ms. Rand's parties was Mr. Greenspan running around naked in the lobby.”***

That would be the worst part of anything I can imagine. That's too awful to contemplate, even by New York standards. Unless, he under-went one hell of a metamorphosis from youth to old age.

The Baroness definitely had better taste in Be-Boppers. :)

Of course, Ms Rand was no raving beauty. But a brilliant mind!

Cheers

“She really liked younger men. Sometimes we would take off our clothes and listen to jazz.”
~ Alan Greenspan on Ayn Rand

Rok, in case you didn't know, Alan Greenspan was a jazz tenor player.

“The worst part of Ms. Rand's parties was Mr. Greenspan running around naked in the lobby.”
~ Doorman at 36 E 36th Street on Ayn Rand

:-)

O-10:

The Ursula Dudziak clip was interesting, but not my thing. Why does she have trouble with words?

I see she was born in Poland in 1943. Tough time and place to be born!

If you have three books by and about the Jazz Baroness, you must find her very interesting. I think I saw her on the documentary about Monk.

She was 'married off', by her family, to a French control freak. Can you image what that was like? Came to America and didn't go back. I don't blame her. She was disowned by the family, but apparently she got her share of the money. I think "Rothschild" means money, in all languages. Drove a Bentley!

Were they having sex? Here is a multiple choice answer.
1. Yes
2. Absolutely
3. Without doubt
4. all of the above

These were Jazz Musicins!! And that does not make them 'animalistic'!!! hahhhahah Your Baptist is showing. :)

I have quite a few books by Ayn Rand, my favorite author. She changed my outlook on life. I bet she loved Jazz.

Cheers

Rok, I've got three books by and about "Nica". "Three Wishes" is the only one worth the freight. From a story book point of view, her life was far more interesting before she became "The Jazz Baroness".

The rumors that she was intimate with "black" jazz musicians constantly swirled around her; especially after Bird died in her apartment, and she never attempted to stop any of them; with so many musician friends, it would have been pointless.

In regard to her intimacies, including with Bird, no one has evidence of "any". Everyone who knew, including Bird, said their relationship was purely platonic. The alleged musicians, beside Monk of course, said they wished the rumors were true.

Stop and think about it, she was a 42 year old Baroness with 5 kids when Bird died in her apartment. While it's not uncommon for people of different races to become intimate, "Class" is another matter. Once people get past their animalistic youth, they take a great deal more consideration into "intimacies". A 42 year old Baroness would have instilled requirements in regard to someone she chose to become intimate with. It's my opinion, and I stress that fact without one iota of evidence, that none of the musicians, black or white met her instilled requirements for intimacy.

Musicians put it differently, they said that after having 5 kids, she wasn't interested in such things. Now you can scratch the other two books off your list.

Enjoy the music.

Jon Hendricks gets my vote for "The King of Scat". I bought "Jon Hendricks and Friends" after you recommended it Rok.

Ursula Dudziak is a very unusual vocalist I've been enjoying lately, and she's not new, I just discovered her again while browsing through my old LP's. Since she doesn't like words, this is Ursula.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1W-Tr5dzyI

Enjoy the music.

This is special.

A CARNEGIE HALL CHRISTMAS CONCERT (DVD)
Kathleen Battle, Frederica von Stade, Wynton Marsalis (septet) Andre Previn.

You must have it. Not only will you be treated to a great performance, you will probably be smitten by the foxes doing the singing. They were so into it.

Marsalis was brilliant!! A young Wynton. This was done 22 years ago. His work, arrangements, are always so tastefully and appropriately done.

It is great. Had me and the wife tearing up. Don't pass on this one!! Make sure you have it. You won't regret it.

Cheers

Why is all the good stuff performed in NYC? I ain't trying to start nuttin', I'm just saying!

The Frogman:

I have that CD by Jon Hendricks. Jon Hendricks and Friends. A lot of big time people on the set. Turrentine, Marsalis, Basie and of course McFerrin and Benson.

I remember the first time I heard him do 'cloudburst'. WOW! That was with Lambert, Hendricks, & Ross. One of the best Jazz LP covers. Just oozes New York sophistication. Love the mike.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDbAsndZGW0

Cheers

O-10:

Nice clip of Rawls. Back in the day we would say, the boy is strung out! I felt sort of sorry for him.

I probably would not have received the tune the same, if I heard it without reading your comments. You have a good feel for the music.

I have learned a lot on this thread. Thanks for the clip.

Cheers

NOT scatting in the usual sense, but check this out. First you have to listen
to the original, followed by the vocal version:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RPfFhfSuUZ4

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ASFCs4IUolI

Biggest surprise for me was George Benson. He kills on this, sounding the most relaxed and less "practiced".

Not much that can be said that hasn't been said many times over about, probably, the greatest composition of the 20th century. In order to (slowly) bring things back to the subject this thread (and possibly change Rok's opinion of this composer) this is THE recording of a work written for Woody Herman and his "First Herd":

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8M4VZJ8qpcU

Lou Rawls has a resonant voice that sounds musical when he's just talking; that's why it's so recognizable. He also has the deepest respect for the classic songs; for example, "Summertime" becomes even more "Summery" when he sings it, each song he sings becomes more of what it was when he sings it.

"Don't Explain", the tune made famous by "Billy Holiday", becomes even more heart wrenching. when Lou sings it, we can see him pacing the floor all night long waiting for his lady to come home. It's 6:AM, and the Sun is shining bright when she finally walks through the door with all kinds of explanations as to where she's been all night. That's when he calmly says to her "Don't Explain".

As he gazes upon her radiant beauty, where she's been or who she was with is so unimportant; once again he's in the presence of her magic charms that fill him with a joy he's never known before.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1SoDpej7-M

Enjoy the music.

Stravinsky??? That's like comparing apples to apples. I asssumed the answer would be classical since you barred The Learsfool, but, STRAVINSKY??

Stravinsky is known as the Ornette Coleman of the Classical world. Or is Coleman known as the Stravinsky of Jazz. I get them confused.

I have a few of his LPs. Nothing on CD. I always enjoyed his album cover art, and at that time LPs cost $2.50, so what the hell. Can't recall listening to any of his stuff more than once.

Congrads to Acman3.

Cheers

We have a winner. The latest recipient of the "Labotomy Award" is Acman3. Congratulations!

Today's other Gem:

Willis Jackson -- BAR WARS

Jackson(ts), Charles Earland(o), Pat Martino(g), Idris Muhammad(d), Buddy Caldwell(congas)

WOW! Honking Tenor and Screaming B-3, with Pat Martino with them every note of the way. This is just great happy music fit for a good happin' bar. Reminds me of a group I used to listen to in Binghamton, NY.

If you are not up and dancing around on 'The Goose Is Loose', Check your pulse, you may be deceased! I thought we were about to have a 'hog calling blues' event. or at least a Gonsalves 'interval' thingy.

Pat Martino is the real deal.

I would say you gotta have it, but the only one on Amazon is from 'these sellers' and they are asking $230!!

This could be the most valuable CD I own!! :)

Cheers

Today's Gems:

Ella Fitzgerald -- ELLA IN ROME - THE BIRTHDAY CONCERT

Recorded in Rome on Ella's 40th birthday.April 25 1958.
All standards. 18 tunes. No filler, but how can anything by Ella be considered filler.

The Italians are very enthusiastic and appreciative. Some great singing here. 'Midnight Sun', which she owns, the best 'that old black magic' since Louie Prima and Keely Smith, and a great 'Carvan'.

I have concluded that this woman does not sing, she 'plays voice'.

The last tune was 'stompin' at the savoy'. She was backed by Oscar Peterson and his group on this one. Great tune to close with.

She verbally 'introduced' Oscar's solo, while singing the song. Never missed a beat! She just made the words part of the song. Amazing.

It's Ella in her prime. Enough said. If you don't know what that means, Git outta Jazz!!!

Cheers

O-10:

Glad you are enjoying the '100 greatest' set. I keep mine handy on the desk, because I listen to at least one disc everyday. I like the element of surprise as to what's next.

I saw Lou Rawls live in Baltimore, back in the day. I read where he had the third most recognizable voice on the planet. After Howard Cosell and Muhammad Ali. How do they determine this stuff? :)

Cheers

The Frogman:

**Can you name the composition that is quoted in this performance?**

I tried. I really tried. This is like a musical version of the Rorschach Inkblot Test. Everyone hears what they hear. I heard noithing that I could recognize as melody or a theme. But I do admire their audacity.

On a more positive note. They performed at Ansbach Castle. I have visited Ansbach many times. Great place to eat and shop during the Christmas season. Great old world European ambience.

The U.S. 1st Armoured Division was / is headquatered there.

BS?? Yep!

Cheers

This is the second installment of the "Labotomy Award" contest. The title says it all; and, no, I don't think that this is an example of "bullshit".....maybe.

Can you name the composition that is quoted in this performance? As usual, being the gentlemen that we all are, no cheating!
Hint: Learsfool, you are automatically disqualified from participation ;-)

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=d0HB8ybKJzo

As usual, thanks to Rok2id for the inspiration :-)

Shame indeed, thanks for your impressions.

Rok, I just found time to give Lou Rawls the serious consideration he deserves; review coming tomorrow.

Frogman - I was actually pleasantly surprised at Teagarden's technical ability. Over this three album set (48 tunes in all!) he didn't do that much that was very technically difficult, however there were several times when he suddenly, though unobtrusively and nicely within the context, did something that was actually quite difficult (the sort of thing perhaps only another brass player would even notice). So he could definitely play. Based on this limited exposure to him and certain other famous jazz trombonists I have heard, I would put his technical ability above that of say Curtis Fuller, who I have heard live. That said, quite a bit of the time he wasn't playing trombone at all, just leading the band, I guess. His singing was actually pretty good, I was reading that some people liked him better than Frank as a singer!! But I would have liked to hear him play the trombone more than he does on this set. He was certainly an impressive musician. After hearing him, I found myself wondering why I had never heard anyone even mention his name before - I think he is mostly forgotten now, which is a shame.

Lou Rawls had a long and very successful career; he's well represented in my collection.

I just received "The 100 best jazz tunes of the 50's", and I only quit listening to go to bed. This compilation is the perfect compliment to the book "Three Wishes". Bird's photo does not appear in the book, I believe the thought of Bird and the way he died in her apartment was too painful for Nica; but all of the other musicians in this compilation, also have photos in the book.

While I already have 90% of this compilation, I still find it a great asset; my record collection is totally unorganized since I primarily rely on CD's for my listening pleasure, that makes finding an LP a really big job. At this time I'm in a jazz aficionado's heaven.

Enjoy the music.