John Klemmer

Am glad Jwong spoke up. If you enjoy pretty sounding sax try Grover Washington too. To hear something a little different scoop up a Charlie Parker album.

I'll have to pick up "Touch" also. First heard Klemmer when his "My Love Has Butterfly Wings" provided the lead-in theme for Jumpin' J. Rich's late night jazz program in L.A. (Jazz 105) ... some time in the 70's. That piece was on an LP entitled "Blowin' Gold". That album, along with Klemmer's other early work, was on Cadet label - if I remember correctly. In about '75 I also had the good fortune to see/hear him live at a small club in Berkeley ... walked up between sets and made a request to which he graciously acknowledged and complied.

IMHO the whole ecoplex, pretty music, discussion boils down to a matter of style preferences. I thoroughly enjoyed Klemmer's sound (as much as Grover ... who I saw/heard several times) because of its "experience enhancing" properties. That's what it was about at that place and time. A lot of folks were starting to venture out and experiment with the "electric" sound ... Zawinul when he left Cannonball to form Weather Report with Wayne Shorter, Chick Corea, Miles, Herbie's Headhunter project, etc.

The thing about Klemmer, and these other artists, was the ability to create and maintain a certain "sound". Just like Coltrane, sounds different than Shorter ... than Sonny .. than Pharoh ... than Joe Henderson ... than Bird ... you know when you're listening to John Klemmer. I don't feel the same can be said about this latest crop of "smooth jazz" artists ... which by the way, is a misnomer (my peeve).

One last thing ... not to hijack the thread, but for the record the late Grover Washington, Jr. was a great sax man in his own right. He could create and improvise in the hard bop "straight ahead" style as well as anyone. He saved that for "live" settings; and judging from crowd reactions, most had come to hear the "commercial" stuff. After seeing/hearing him the first time, it was clear that he recorded to make a living, but when he put his heart into it ... the man could flat out play. Thanks for your indulgence.

Dear Almandog: I agree with Rockvirgo and Strateahed: Grover washington Jr is really nice: every single LP.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.

Yes I do agree on Grover Washington Jr. I did not like his sound at first but I had only head a few for his work at that time. But since I got into vinyl I started to go to the used record stores and Salvation Army stores and I come across many of his records. I started to listen to him and think that he did some great stuff. So far I have collected about eight of his albums. He and John Klemmer, Stanley Turrentine, and Tom Scott are among my favorite Sax players. Most of my other Sax guys like Boney James, Richard Elliott are not available on vinyl, only CD as far as I can tell.

Grover Washington Jr. is also a great choice if you enjoy John Klemmer's music. Another reco would be Sadao Watanabe, check out my personal favorite 'Fill Up The Night'.

Cheers,
John