Jazz for aficionados

O-10, my sons and I refer to my wife (their mother) as “No.1 elf”. She loves Christmas. The house gets decorated with (tasteful) Christmas decorations in and out every year, and I must say that in spite of my mildly intolerant bemusement at all the commotion I have grown to appreciate her efforts immensely. A truly wonderful time of year that doesn’t necessarily have to be colored by others’ commercialism or others’ cynicism about it all. Keep gazing at that tree if that is what it takes to get in the spirit. I will say, however, that from my very limited vantage point you have a great deal to help you get in the spirit. Most importantly, you beat cancer! Doesn’t get much more important and positive than that. Not as important, but certainly important to you, your Jazz thread is thriving. I wish you much Christmas cheer.

The Stitt/Parker connection, or lack thereof, that you mention is one of my favorite stories in Jazz. I have commented on it a couple of times previously and the story goes that when Bird played a road gig in Stitt’s hometown, to their mutual amazement they found that their respective styles were remarkably similar. This, in spite of the fact that Stitt had never heard Bird play; not even on recordings. Fascinating. Much is correctly made of the issue of “influence” of players on one another as concerns the evolution of Jazz, but this goes to what I like to call the inevitability of evolution in Jazz. Many creative artists are always pushing the envelope and this evolution seems to take on a life of its own. Some artists are just like some listeners. Some resist the movement of the art toward something new and different and others embrace it and go with it. To a significant degree the music itself and where it is at any moment dictates where it goes next.

Schubert, fabulous “Cherokee”. One of my favorite Stitt records.
I completely understand your reaction to Shadow Wilson. Wonderful drummer. Here’s more Shadow, except on “Off Minor” and “Epistrophy” on which Art Blakey plays drums. Fascinating contrast between the two drumming styles. I know it is considered heresy to say anything remotely negative about Blakey, but this contrast is a great example of why, while I acknowledge his greatness and importance, he is not always my favorite drummer. Compared to Shadow, he sounds a little heavy handed. I prefer Shadow’s more lithe and lighter approach.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0q2VleZJVEk3Tmv67HXOebr_CzZwuARj

Btw, methinks you are way too modest in you assessment of your ability to assess what’s what in Jazz.  You are a very musically astute listener, IMO.

Frogman, as you pointed out, I have so much to be thankful for; the fact that I'm alive and survived a time when I was prepared to see the other side would seem to make me ecstatic, but it doesn't. I'm a victim of too much knowledge, but I thank you for your well wishes.

That "Monk" you submitted is among the best that I've heard, and I'm listening to it all. I have to be in a "Monk frame of mind" to really hear him, and today is that day; yes this is the best Monk I've heard, it must be a "Monk day".


"You are a very musically astute listener, IMO."



I consider that quite a compliment coming from a master musician, and I wish you and your family loads of "Holiday Cheer".

acman3,

Thanks for the Christian Jacob links. Great jazz!

Listening to this now:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_eujpDyGmQ

acman 3 + Frogman ,thanks so much for the Shadow Wilson stuff .
His light touch was a perfect contrast to Sonny’s power.
pjw , I did a bad by no mention of Laurie Pepper . I have no doubt that if everyone had such true love and kept the " in sickness and in health" " vow the way they both did the world would  be a much better place.
. Families are the essence of humanity not the I must be this and that is pounded in your head today .

Thanks frogman , I get that once in a while .I operate on what the greatest Christian Theologian , St . Augustine said .

" Humility is having an accurate assessment of your self "

In jazz I have not heard as much as the others here. A fact .
And though I like jazz very much I don’t have the deep love of same
others do . A fact .

What I do have is what anyone who has been to several thousands of classical concerts and listened almost every day to Bach for almost every day for 50 years has.

The ability to know , within my limits , any genre, to hear if a piece is good, bad or indifferent in about 30 seconds . Have to listen for all of it , often more than once, to find if it is Great .
Anyone who has done this can do what I do, perhaps a little less , a little more .

Since I did not create myself , the music, , the air I breathe and play anything but my stereo, etc , etc, etc , no credit whatsoever resides in me , a sinner, and knowing what I know does not make better than any other human being .I can ONLY express my gratitude to the one who did create me and let me listen to all I have ,


In your case , takes one to know one , but I am not in your class which is quite unique . A fact.

I always remember what my Scottish grandmother told me when I was about 10 . "Never forget that every person you will ever meet knows how to do something better than you. "