Jazz for aficionados

Rok, "The Three Sounds". Chico Hamiltons West Coast CD's were lacking in the sonic department, they weren't as good as the "You tube's". That's why I asked.

Frogman et al.

I listened to the Buddy DeFranco youtube. It was what I expected. Good stuff. Buddy is a big time player. No surprises.

The Frank Viguola youtube was very interesting. As I listened to it, I was impressed with his skill on guitar. But, I felt something was missing. I thought it needed a different instrumentation. A rhythm section and horns?? A guitar and clarinet just didn't seem enough to do that type music justice. I thought to myself that this is happy music, up there, or down there,If you ask O-10, with Sweet Georgia Brown.

As it happened, my eyes wander over to the right side of the screen and there was a clip of Viguola playing Sweet Georgia Brown with the Wynton Marsalis quiintet. I played it.

If you ever want a demostration of my argument, these two youtubes are it!! Great musicians on both tapes. Music of the same degree of difficulty. DAY & NIGHT in overall effect!! Check it out!

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

Cheers

O-10: I didn't get what music you were speaking of: The Three Sounds or the Lee Morgan set? The one you will buy if the sound is good.

If this doesn't put a smile on your face, you're probably dead and don't know it :-)

http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=related&v=9MUwb3eNZzE

About time the clarinet was represented. My favorite post-Benny Goodman jazz clarinetist.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xKGL9MWe8RE

Anyone who thinks jazz is dead just needs to get out more often. Listen to these guys swing their a&%#s off. Heard here is Scott Robinson, a genius of this music. Sessions like these are commonplace in small clubs around NYC.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=716XrlpuSbM

Joseph Beuys?? No kidding!

Those Germans go from one extreme to the other. No half-way measures with them!

Cheers

Certainly, and If I were to say that I appreciated everything in the classical raisonne, I'd either be an idiot or a liar. One thing that I do sympathize with is opposition to this notion that anything can be great, or creative or easily labeled and then placed in a drawer with something else. I had professors who would make comments like 'everyone is an artist' because that is what Joseph Beuys said and I have always considered that claim to be at the top of my B.S. list. You know, we don't want to come off as being elitists or insensitive in any way. Creating incomparable comparisons like 'is King Oliver in the same class as Bud Powel'; might amount to doing something to pass the time, like memorizing baseball statistics, but it really won't address art, music or aesthetics.

"but I listen to jazz because there is some of it that I find interesting or entertaining and that's about the only reason".

Well, that's about the only reason for listening to any music. I can't think of any genre in which I like it all. As Duke Ellington once said, there is good music, and there is bad music.

I have no problem cherry picking any genre for the good stuff. Sort of like listening to just the 'good parts' of an Opera. I guess that's why they make 'highlights' discs. Some of it just has to be seen to be appreciated. Or the 'warhorses' of the classical repertoire.

Cheers

I found Eric Alexander years ago and the band All for One. If you like what you hear,goto CrissCross record's website and give a listen. From what I've read so far a lot of you guys will like what Criss Cross has to offer. You will have heard of a lot of the artist there, and the ones you don't know... there good as well. Also check out Whirlwind Recordings ltd. What there doing in Europe with jazz will keep you listening for a while. I have a lot of the old recordings mentioned here and my turntable still gets a real workout. But these new cats are putting something down, and worth a listen.

Rok2id, there's still a lot of great music being made but there needs to be a willingness and an open mindedness in order to invest in it. Jazz is more of an art form than most other popular styles of music and so it takes a little work but it's well worth the trouble. I still plan to buy a 78 turntable however so that I can listen to a friends donated Charlie Parker recordings. Personally, I have more trouble with listening to music that is outside of the realm of legitimate or what we call in the vernacular, 'classical' but I listen to jazz because there is some of it that I find interesting or entertaining and that's about the only reason.

Acman3
I took the Lee Morgan thingy the way you meant it.

The tragedy that has befallen Jazz, is not limited to Jazz. You can substitute Jazz, with Rock & Roll or R&B or POP or Country or folk / protest or Gospel.

They have all suffered. The problem is, no one sees or hears the decline, except the people who are familiar with and / or grew up with the previous stuff. This is true of most things in society.

Think about it, Lee Morgan died over 41 years ago!!. I find myself waiting for his next Cd. We just said he was 19 a few posts ago, didn't we?

Jazz has the added problem or being an improvised music. That creates major problems.

How does a current player, play the great Jazz music? A current classical player can play Mozart today because it's written down on paper. How do you play Charlie Parker?

The next big problem is that because it is not a written down on paper music, and it is improvised, ANYONE, can play ANYTHING, and call it Jazz. And, I guess it is. Today.

So, the soloution is this. As a fan, or aficionado, You pick your stop on the railroad and get off. Just like the classical people did. you say, when this era,(fill in the blank) ended, that was the end of MY Jazz. The same goes for all the other genres. I will henceforth, live off compilations, reissues and remasters. And the odd surprise or discovery.

So there should not be any argument. Music does change. The public changes. Just pick the stuff you like and live with it. Just like the people that watch Verdi and Mozart operas year after year after year.

The Jazz stuff that I like most, was coming to an end, almost before I became aware of it's existence. Wow!!

Cheers

Pnmyer, I listened to some Roy Hargrove recordings a few years back. He had a bright future , but had IMHO not matured as a musician at that time. I will certainly check him out. I will also check out Eric Alexander as I have, not to my knowledge, actually heard him play.

Charles Lloyd has turned into one of my favorites. His music with BoBo Stenson was magical. If you like Enrico Rava you might like Tomas Stanko. Both are very good.

Thanks,

As with most, not so well thought out rants, the point gets lost on the side issues.

Rok, the usage of Lee Morgan's " Live at the Lighthouse" was only used as an example of how he and his music had changed, not a recommendation for the music. Also, I only have a double album, and not the CD which has more music added as usual, so YMMV.

Orpheus10, I have mainly commented in the past through a lens of what you were trying to say/learn on this thread. I lost that perspective on my last post, which was written only to say Jazz is in good hands, although different. I agree with your wise earlier statement that once we start arguing ''What is Jazz',' the thread will disintegrate into chaos and I don't want any part of that.

I do not feel qualified to lead any comment on newer jazz styles, as I like most of you, listen mostly to older music, especially since going mostly vinyl about 5 years back. Some of my newer Jazz favorites are now 10 years old, and the musician's are not young anymore. Also for the same reason you have chosen not to identify your mystery musician friend, I will respectfully have to keep some good, but controversial musicians off any list. It is easy to tear down.

I listen while I travel around town to the local college station KNTU, and hear great straight ahead music all day. Some new, some old. I will get some names for you if I think they have possibilities.

Ken Schaphorst- anything, but "Over the Rainbow " is an overlooked GEM.

William Parker- A virtuoso bass player known more for his group interplay and writing than his bass playing. ( sound like any one you know) Some of his music is harder to get, but most is surprisingly accessible. Never boring.

Earl Harvin- "Live at the Gypsy Tea Room" has been a regular on my system since around 2000. Earl plays a lot of styles and plays in Jazz to Funk to Rock bands. A monster on the drums. UNT professor Fred Hamilton on bass and guitar, and Dave Palmer on electric piano.

Benny Green
Kurt Elling
Kurt Rosenwinkle
Marchel Ivery
Dennis Gonzalez- Great trumpet player, getting a little more Avant-garde, but worth hearing.

What about John Abercrombie? I have left off about 1,000.

Music has to change, art has to change. It wouldn't make any sense for someone today to write like Haydn or maybe less so, like Art Tatum. Uri Caine seems interesting to me now. It's rewarding to listen to musicians playing Stan Kenton, Mozart, Billie Holiday but these are old ideas in terms of composition.

I'm not suggesting that musicians like Sonny Rollins write in the way that Cecil Taylor might. We should savor and respect what these musician/composers naturally developed into within the span of their careers, but all artists need to grow. Most accomplished jazz musicians write their own pieces. Musicians who make a living playing the music of Monk, Ellington, etc... are a different matter, as they can choose to invest in the works of their contemporaries or limit their repertoire to music of the past.

Composers, with exceptions being in rare cases, will try to avoid repeating what another composer has already written and since the rules of harmony have been stretched beyond all boundaries, the possibilities are endless. Since everyone is wired differently, every composer will create differently. Nevertheless Picasso said 'good artists borrow from other artists but great artists steal from other artists'.

Rok, if the sound is good, I'm going to buy it.

Yesterday I received The Three Sounds, 'Eight Classic Albums'.

I had wondered if the Eight Classic Albums sets were a good deal. If this set is any indication, they are a great deal.

I have listened to two, and the sound quality seems to be equal to that, of the one Three Sounds Blue Note CD I have.

Documentation is OK. The overall package looks good. Two albums on each of the 4 CDs.

This is a good way to get a lot of music from an artist you might like, but don't feel you need the individual Cds.

Cheers

Based on someone's recommendation in this thread to consider Jimmy Giuffre,I just got the album "Jimmy Giuffre 3, 1961", 180 gram vinyl reissue by ECM, which combines the "Fusion" and "Thesis" albums both recorded in 1961 on the Verve label. Personnel was Jimmy Giuffre on clarinet, Paul Bley on piano and Steve Swallow on bass. Some of the songs, including Ictus, were composed by Bley's then -wife, Carla Bley. Amazing stuff! I am the first to admit I am not fond of most free verse stuff. However, this is accessible, at times very melodic and very beautiful sounding. A lot of use of space. The recording is first rate. It also is available on CD. Thanks for the recommendation.

Ref: Lee Morgan, 'Live at the Lighthouse'. I don't have it, but I listened to a little online. I have no problem with it.

He evolved or was trying to evolved. It was sort of different, but still good. But, I guess Coltrane gets everyone in the end.

There is a difference from an established Jazz player evolving and someone right out of the gate making strange nosies.

It's now available from 'these sellers' for a few hundred.

Cheers

Acman3, don't be sorry for the rant; put up or shut up. Now that we have "You tube", play like we're from Missouri and show us.

Enjoy the mmusic.

People have been saying Jazz was dead since that delinquent Benny Goodman came along. Then it was really dead when Bird and those crazy boppers started going nuts. Then Coltrane planted jazz six feet under?Jazz is dead in the water? It just mutates to the next phase, but it will not sound the same as it did, until the keepers of tradition try to drag it back to where they want it to stay. Real Jazz.

Look where Lee Morgan had progressed to at the time of his death. He wasn't playing straight ahead soul jazz, but was challenging and stretching in new directions. His music on "Live at the Lighthouse" would be to radical for some on this forum to even be called Jazz. Sound familiar? Jazz will always move forward and challenge the artist and the listener. Btw, some these innovations will flop and some will be wonderful. I hear composers today and I think, that sounds like where Mingus or Monk would be today.

Sorry for the rant, but it strikes a nerve.

One of my favorite jazz recordings is the album "Let My Children Hear Music" by Charles Mingus. It is a musiczal oddysey with compositions that shift moods and take you places that never get tiring. Sheer genius.

Hank Garland, Jazz Winds from a Different Direction. The 1st jazz album (1961) by a Nashville session guitarist (patsy cline, everly bros, etc) recorded in Nashville w/a 17 yr old Gary Burton, Joe Morello & Joe Benjamin. A tragic life story but the incredible music lives on Forever.

Agree we should be listening to our current crop of Jazz artists, not just the greats that have passed on. I'll start by throwing out a few suggestions. I have been listening a lot to Eric Alexander lately. Nice sounding tenor sax player, who has recorded some nice stuff on the Venus label. Roy Hargrove is someone I like a lot. Just got Charles Lloyd's new CD, Hagar's Song. He has a lot of great albums. Enrico Rava has some very interesting stuff.

Why is everyone trying to bury Jazz? Sure a lot of the greats have passed on, but the same can be said of classical. And they have been dead for centuries!

I would suggest that the 'new masters' get a little more creative. They seem to be more intent on changing Jazz than playing it.

The Cds you recommended were great! Outstanding recordings. But, I did not think the music was Jazz or blues. I thought it was all sort of, Baez / Saint Marie- ish. Which is not a bad thing. The problem is, they will not attract the Jazz / Blues crowd.

for example, listen to 'don't let me be misunderstood', then listen to Nina Simone do it.

same with 'the thrill is gone' listen to B.B. King

'I just wanna make love to you' -- try Etta James.

A person would not think the tunes are from the same genre.

Supporting new Jazz artist is important, but they have a responsibility, to us the customers / fans, to play Jazz.

Cheers

Erroll Garners "Concert By the Sea" appeared in more aficionado's collection than any other LP I can recall, maybe the beautiful cover also had something to do with it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rH_GF4nw3JI&list=AL94UKMTqg-9Bp5HendeturB7B3gAH6W7J

Enjoy the music.

"Jazz is not dead it just smells funny",No!
Let's not forget that Jazz music is still very much alive,and it is not true that it just smells funny.
but to make sure that it stays that way, we do have to keep updating our listening experiences.Let's not forget the old Masters but encourage new Masters as well.
Check out these three audiophile albums on the small dutch label Sound Liaison.
Carmen Gomes inc. 'Torn'..best Blues ballad album ever.
Poul Berner Band 'Road to Memphis'.. beautifully told Elvis Presley "saga"
and Carmen Gomes inc. 'Thousand Shades of Blue'..intimacy, the band is so well recorded that you can practically reach out and touch them,and there's an absolutely haunting version of Bruce Springsteen's I'm on Fire.
http://www.soundliaison.com

Rok, how do you like this Diz. Kush is one of my favorite compositions by the "Bop master".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbVRM5-bcJo

(1) Dizzy Gillespie and his Orchestra -- AFRO

(2) The Original Mambo Kings -- An Introduction to Afro-Cubop

Most of the music on the Mambo Cd is by Machito and his Orchestra. At first I did not realize these two Cds have common music. Half of the Dizzy disc appears on the Mambo Kings disc, which is a complilation. Charlie Parker and Mario Bauza also appear on the Mambo CD.

Both are very good examples of what is called 'afro-cubop.'
I thought the Dizzy Cd was exceptional! We get so wrapped in these younger guys, we tend to forget why Dizzy is one of the true GIANTS of Jazz. I must listen to him more often. Just great trumpet playing. Gillespie seems to have a great affinity for latin music.

There is a lot of brass on both CDs, the difference is, on the Dizzy Cd, the brass is Dizzy! I think the brass was a little too much on some of the Machito cuts.

(3) Erroll Garner -- Concert By The Sea.

Great playing by a man who cannot read music. That's amazing. Mostly standards, but done very well and fresh sounding. Live recording with great ambience. Some hiss on the CD, but not a distraction. I understand this is one of the best selling Jazz records of all time! He appears with a trio. The sort of performance that makes you wish you were there.

Cheers

I would agree that most Jazz musicians are serious practitioners. As a horn player, I can speak from experience that you cannot develop the chops needed to play without practicing-talent only gets you so far. Recall the story of Sonny Rollins, who took a three year hiatus from performing to practice 10 plus hours a day on the Williamsburg bridge (apparently he practiced there so he would not disturb his landlady) because he was unhappy with his playing. Extreme example but many other Jazz players had rigorous practice routines. Art Farmer and John Coltrane come to mind.

This is one of the more interesting and informative threads on audiogon in a while.Orpheus, your friend very well have been an exception. The jazz musicians I've known put considerable hours into practice, serious practice.
Regards,

Frogman, I looked at his Bio. and discovered he was self taught, which meant he was truly gifted.

Not long ago, I was telling another professional jazz musician that my friend was one of the best ever. "He was good, but he wasn't that good", was the musician's Reply. "I'll show him", I thought.

In order to prove my point, I bought every record and CD I could find by my friend, but none of them was as good as the music I remembered that summer. This caused me to reflect back on that time. He played like a man obsessed at every performance. I never have, and still don't like it when a musician plays a lot of notes/music like crazy, but when he did it, the music was coherent.

That was a long time ago, and I discovered he never recorded anything else after that summer, before he died. The music I heard, was new music that he was working on; the only place it's recorded is in my mind.

Enjoy the music.

Hi Orpheus - I will second Frogman and say that your friend MUST have put in very serious hours. Also, the process of jazz musicians who haven't played together before but who sound like they have is not so mystifying as it may seem. Each jazz standard is usually performed in the same few keys, and with the same basic chord changes. What the discussions were about that were unintelligible to you were making sure everyone knew the tunes, what keys they were going to be played in, and anything that might not be standard, such as a different chord change than normal, for instance. Jazz musicians have what they call a "Fake Book" that has standard keys and chord changes for literally hundreds of standard tunes. They will often review such a book before a gig, especially when they are new to the group they will be performing with. Frogman will definitely have much more knowledge of that sort of thing than I, so please chime in on this if you wish. As an orchestral French horn player, the only jazz I have ever played is in a big band, where the parts were of course written out, or on a pops show where again, the orchestra parts are written out.

I tried to stop doing my 'reviews', but the public outcry was so great, that I was forced to continue. So, by popular demand, todays listen.

'The Quintet' -- Jazz At Massey Hall

The Quintet consisted of: Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Bud Powell, Charles Mingus and Max Roach. Therefore, the only comment to be made, is on the sound quality.

The concert was recorded by Gillespie and Roach on their personal tape recorder, so the sound is uneven. No hiss or noise, just not a professional job. Some players seem to fade in and out. Except Dizzy of course. After all, it was his tape machine. This is the concert where Bird played the plastic toy sax. Didn't seem to matter.

One of the highlights was when Bird referred to Dizzy as his 'worthy constituent' during the intro to 'salt peanuts'. There seemed to be bad blood between the two, which they expressed during their solos.

Took place in Toronto. May 1953. Same night as the Marciano / Walcott Championship fight. Affected the attendance.

A must have for any serious 'Real Jazz' fan.

Cheers

Orpheus10, there are exceptions to every rule; as I am sure you would agree. Actually, Art Pepper was one, he seldom practiced. But, as a rule, jazz musicans practice, or practiced, a great deal. If your jazz musician friend is able to do what you describe, I am certain that at some point he put in the hours.

Thanks for the Bobby McFerrin links. Great stuff.

"We", like the music and musicians we admire, are individualistic, and nobody's going to take that away from us. With this thought in mind, I sought a musician we could all agree on, and I think Mr. Gene Ammons meets that criteria. Here are two of my favorites by "Jug", as his friends called him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ol5E37pMaiw

"Hitting The Jug" and "The Happy Blues"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVu_g_9oFwU&list=AL94UKMTqg-9At3fTg1zCEz7G9SAWVsmO3

Enjoy the music.

Frogman, I'm absolutely certain it's jazz. He plays his voice better than many musicians can play their instruments. Here's more Bobby McFerrin.

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?gmusi&1361722327&openflup&240&4#240

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ith4w442xFA

Not sure it's jazz; but a lot closer, IMO. And no looping! I can do without 2:50; however:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5wqplKtzWpI

:-) :-)

Pnmeyer, what's most astounding about my assessments and recommendations, is the fact that they are making me aware of all the CD's not currently in my collection.

Enjoy the music.

"Rok, if the JATP is your concept of jazz, that was dead a long time ago"

Well, I guess I was duped into thinking it was Jazz. But it did say Jazz on the cover of the CD. And the reviews I read said it was Jazz. But the thing that really sucked me in, was the guys in the band!

I thought I read somewhere that Dizzy Gillespie, Roy Eldridge, Ella Fitzgerald etc.... were Jazz musicians. I guess not. Boy, I feel like a chump now.

But I do want to thank you for exposing me to some 'real' Jazz. That Youn Sun Nah is something!! And to think, I used to think Ella Fitzgerald could sing!! I see now I have been misled. I spent three years in Korea and never knew they did Jazz, let along at such a high level. WOW!!

Thanks O-10. I think, for the first time, I completely and truly understand your concept of Jazz. What can one say? (amadeus)

Cheers

Frogman, A professional jazz musician lived in my apartment for 3 months and he never practiced. I wont mention his name because every time it's mentioned, some clown pops out of the woodwork with garbage. In regard to,"If I don't practice for a day, I know it. If I don't practice for two days, the critics know it. And if I don't practice for three days, the audience knows it".

For an entire summer, I chauffeured him and his lady friend to gigs at least 3 times a week. We were only at the apartment long enough to take care of the necessities of life, the rest of the time we were on a set, or digin a set. What astounded me more than anything, was when we arrived an hour before show time, and he was introduced to musicians he had never played with before. They would talk this musical gibberish, that meant absolutely nothing to me, "All right Mac, when I come in on the... and hit a chord on the piano, point to the drummer who seemed to know what he was talking about and go "Wham bang". They would do this for an hour, while I watched in fear of every thing turning out lousy.

When they played as if they had been together for years, I was all ways truly astonished. Those performances never failed to mesmerize yours truly. Each performance was uniquely different from the last one. I had surgery that summer, and he entertained me during my recuperation time, with stories about his life as a professional jazz musician; that was an unforgettable summer.

Orpheus10,
Agree with your assessment of Lee Morgan-he was a great player. One of my favorites. I have the XRCD version of Candy and the sound is excellent. I was listening to his Tom Cat album yesterday, also the XRCD version, and it is very good.

Frogman:

That was hilarious!!

When I opened it, I just happened to be listening to 'Boss Tenors' Gene Ammons and Sonny Stitt.

Cosby is one funny guy! Thanks for sharing it.

Cheers

A little humor, and the subject of jam sessions. Hysterical!

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1Zn-P0ZH3_M

A very insightful post; and I agree completely. This is one of two very common misconceptions about musicians held by many music lovers. This quote by Louis Armstromg addresses this point and shows that he cares deeply about what the audience thinks, and also touches upon the second misconception:

"If I don't practice for a day, I know it. If I don't practice for two days, the critics know it. And if I don't practice for three days, the audience knows it"
- Louis Armstrong

The second common misconception is the idea that jazz musicians don't practice relentlessly; that their art is just the result of inspiration and innate talent. Clearly, there needs to be a great deal of innate talent. But, the greats were incredibly dedicated to the rudiments of playing their instrument and for years spent countless hours "woodsheding". Bird, by his own admission, spent one period of four years practicing 8-11 hours a day (!!!).

Orpheus10:

I listened to both 'The Cooker' and 'Candy'. Both were excellent. The most amazing thing is that Morgan was only 19 when he recorded both.

On Candy, I agree with 'since I fell for you'. I also liked 'C.T.A.' The notes say this is his only recording with a Quartet.

On The Cooker, I liked 'night in Tunisia' and 'New-Ma 8:11'.
This was his 5th recording for Blue Note, and still not 20 years of age. WOW! Pepper Adams and Bobby Timmons were standouts on this CD also.

The notes say Miles and Gillespie were the only trumpet players ranked above him when he recorded these LPs. Still not 20.

Cheers

Jazz musicians thrive on public acceptance,they need an audience,they need feedback,they need to test their mettle-constantly.Even the most anti-social,introverted musicians feel this way.One of the most private musicians i ever knew was Warne Marsh,a gifted (beyond words) saxophonist and an improvisor on par with the best.He was a man of few words,but when he did you know it was something of value and a life lesson.I asked him once what part the audience and listener played in his art and i was shocked by his reply..."It is everything to me.The listener is fifty percent of my world" We need to bethere as listeners,as an audience.For Art to suceed it has have it's audience.The value of discourse can't be discounted,and Art must have it's critics and it's public.
Jazz,like boxing,runs the peril of being dominated by lightweights.Where are the heavyweights?

Jazzcourier, Mintons, a small joint in New York city, could hardly be called a "Public forum". Rok, if the JATP is your concept of jazz, that was dead a long time ago. Some reasons for the death of jazz are quite controversial, some aren't, like economics for example.

Beyond the death of jazz in this country, it has evolved in other parts of the world. Here's one example of the evolution of jazz.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2iGwIl-qig

Enjoy the music.

Jazzcourier:

A very interesting and informative post. I don't agree with the following statement:

"This is one thing that eventually eroded Jazz was the lack of public humiliation to make youyrself a better player"

I don't think the 'public' was / is qualified to pass judgement on the players we are talking about. The Jazz players excelled in spite of the public, not because of it. And if the current public taste is any indication, it was a good thing. I think Jazz was 'eroded' by social change. (progress) Same thing that killed Boxing.

I did order the book about Ganz. It seems like it would be a good read. Thanks for the tip.

One of the JATP concerts was performed and recorded at the SYRIA MOSQUE. I could not believe it! Then I learned it was just a venue at which everyone from Sousa to Dylan to the Pittsburgh symphony had performed. Torn down and is now a parking lot on the Univerity of Pittsburgh campus. Never did get the name.

Cheers

BTW, I have all of Tatum's solos. Thank you Ganz. I think? :)

I don't think i would characterize Norman Granz as a "robber"...stealing the "mystery" of the jam session, and exposing it to the public? In reality, few were privy to the "Jam Session" as it was the musicians domain,lets say the hunting grounds for the lions and tigers of the late night,feasting on the young and unproven musician who had to prove they could stand next to the kings of the Jungle.This is one thing that eventually eroded Jazz was the lack of public humiliation to make youyrself a better player.How do you think the young Bopper's matured so quickly?...they played.played,played! Thank goodness for the Harlem spots like Minton's Playhouse and Clark Monroe's uptown house, where nighly jams brought the older players to joust with the youngsters,albeit the Boppers were working on their own" alchemy" of variations on the "changes".The question became what older established players would get with the new and adapt, and forge, the way to the new music.Such is the way in the veldt...eat or be eaten.The "Jam Session" was a proving ground....the story aboput Bird being gonged off the stage by a cymbal being thrown....over ten years later a similar humiliation would be suffered by Ornette Coleman in Los Angeles.
What Granz did,among MANY things,was bring the excitement of this competion to the public with a new found dignity,a showcase for the myriad of talents within the music..Bird,Prez,Ella,Tatum...he took the greats of the music and brought them to your town.
An amazing look at the reclusive and innovative Norman Granz is ..."Norman Granz....The man who used Jazz for Justice" University of California Press 2011.Author Tad Hershorn spent years just getting the interviews with Granz and finally suceeded and opened the mysterious world of this man.Hershorn is a member of the Rutgers based Institute of Jazz studies,his is a multi-layered,scholary approach.The evolution of the "JATP" concept is a major part of this book,the tours,players,recordings and the fight for the dignity of the musicians of "color",not always easy in the 1950's.He shares the details of Granz' musical adventures with an ease and a flow that make this great reading.You will come away with a respect for the man who realized that Art Tatum needed to sit in the studio and record over one hundred solo performances.He was among the very first who listened to the artist and gave them freedom.You will lament the unfulfilled sessions (Lester Young with strings and Charlie Parker and Art Tatum duets)You will be amazed at what one man accomplished for Jazz.