COOL AUTOGRAPHS FROM COOL PEOPLE #4-THE PIANO PLAYERS part 1

My idea of the perfect group is the piano trio; piano, bass and drums. I’ve always loved the piano, and will always be there when a great trio is in town.

Barry Harris

Detroit Jazz Festival (2006)

Always been a big fan of Barry Harris. He’s equally esteemed as both an educator and player, having nurtured hundreds of great musicians at home in Detroit, in New York and internationally. I love his records from the late 60’s such as Luminescence!, Bullseye! and Magnificent! (yes the exclamation marks are part of the titles). I’ve recorded one of my favourite Barry Harris compositions Sun Dance with the trio. This particular time I met Mr. Harris was at the Detroit Jazz Festival in 2006. Barry wasn’t playing on this occasion but was walking around the grounds of Hart Plaza when I noticed him meeting and embracing the great Gerald Wilson, whom I had seen perform earlier that day, and Wilson’s wife Josefina. I took a photo as it was something else to see two legends sharing a moment.

Barry Harris with Gerald and Josefina Wilson, two legends. Detroit (2006)

Cedar Walton

Detroit Jazz Festival (2002)

Cedar Walton was playing the 2002 Detroit Jazz Festival as part of a group named Legends of the Bandstand. The group included Louis Hayes, Curtis Fuller, Reggie Workman and David Fathead Newman. I don't normally go in for ‘all-star’-type bands as sometimes just because there’s great names on the marquee, it doesn’t always translate to great music. This was definitely an exception as the band roared out of the gate and through a great set which included Delilah, Arabia and a very soulful feature on Hard Times for Newman. If I remember correctly the set ended with Caravan, and I do recall Louis Hayes playing with fire and creativity, like someone half his age.

Herbie Hancock, Roy Hargrove and Dave Holland

Massey Hall, Toronto (2003)

Massey Hall in Toronto was the site of a historic jazz concert in 1953 featuring Charlie Parker, Dizzy, Max Roach, Bud Powell and Charles Mingus. The record which followed, with all its technical flaws and distribution dramas became steeped in jazz lore. Personally, it’s never been, to me, representative of anything close to the greatest work of any of these masters. But, I don’t say that in public :) It’s just great to know that all of them walked the same steps I walked in Toronto, and that they came together for the only time and it was recorded.

This concert was to celebrate the 50th anniversary of that event, happening exactly 50 years to the day. The band was Dave Holland, Herbie Hancock, Roy Hargrove, Kenny Garrett and Roy Haynes (there are not enough explatives). Among their set they played April in Paris (Kenny Garrett with rhythm if I remember), Night in Tunisia (in 6/4), and a stunning version of In the Still of the Night, my favourite Cole Porter tune, Roy Hargrove featured on that one. The balance of the show was comprised of be-bop standards, but mercifully, none played in a straight jazz-club-jam-night fashion. The music was abstract, and paid homage to the spirit of the music far better than any re-hashing of Bird licks.

After the Quintet played Hot House, Max Roach, by then quite unwell, took the stage to speak and play his famous 'Mr. Hi-hat’ solo. It was the most moving part of the evening, as Max was certainly feeling the effects of Alzheimer’s, although we showed him the respect he deserved as a master of the music. It was Max’s last public performance, and I was lucky enough to be there.

At a panel discussion the day before the concert, there was a meet and greet where I was able to get Herbie, Roy and Dave to sign the playbill (Roy Haynes and Kenny Garrett were not there), and I was quite happy to shake their hands and let them know how much their music, collectively and together has meant to me.

Kenny Barron

Montreal Bistro, Toronto (2003)

Kenny Barron played the terrific Montreal Bistro (now sadly closed) in 2003. Playing with Kenny were two legendary Toronto players, Dave Young on bass and Terry Clarke on drums. Terry Clarke is a huge influence on my playing and I always try to emulate his water-like time feel which seems to drift among the music rather than direct it. The band sounded lush and free, with the Torontonians a perfect match for Kenny’s wistful elegance.

Kenny sat down on the empty stool right next to me after the first set (I went for two evenings) and I asked Mr. Barron for his autograph on a napkin, as I had nothing else handy.

McCoy Tyner

Detroit Jazz Festival (1997)

McCoy Tyner played the Detroit Jazz Festival many times over the years. This time he was playing with an all-star big band. I remember I had seen Roland Hanna before the big band show and was anxiously waiting for Geri Allen later that evening. Anyway McCoy was doing a meet-and-greet and was only signing items purchased from the store. I purchased a second copy of my favourite Coltrane album, the one with Johnny Hartman.

Not the Detroit Jazz Festival performance, but how’s this for an all-star lineup! McCoy Tyner, Steve Turre, Wallace Roney, Donald Harrison, Eric Alexander, Charnett Moffett and the great Eric Gravatt, Toronto 2006.

George Shearing

Orchestra Hall, Detroit (1996)

I’ve always loved the ‘George Shearing Sound’, which is of course based on block chords tightly harmonised, with the vibes doubling the top and guitar doubling the bottom. It’s really a beautiful, unique sound. It was the Quintet’s recording of September in the Rain which made me aware of that beautiful tune, with Marge Hyams’ vibes sounding clear and bell-like and Denzil Best’s sublime brush work. This time Shearing was playing at Orchestra Hall in Detroit. I snuck up the stairway after the show where there were a few others waiting for an autograph. Mr. Shearing’s handler was taking charge, holding George’s hand so he knew where to sign and generally moving people along as quickly as possible. It was great to hear the Shearing Sound reverberate through Orchestra Hall.

COOL AUTOGRAPHS FROM COOL PEOPLE #3-THE HORN PLAYERS

I’m starting to uncover some of the archives I’ve accumulated over the years. Also discovering during my seemingly nomadic life I’ve lost so many rolls of film, showbills and autographs. But I’ve managed to hold on to a few. These are some of the great horn players I’ve had the privilege of meeting.

Sonny Rollins

Orchestra Hall, Detroit (1998)

I’ve seen Sonny Rollins a few times. This particular performance was at Orchestra Hall, a terrific venue to see any performance as the acoustics are stunning. The band for this performance was Stephen Scott on piano, Cliffords Anderson trombone, the great Bob Cranshaw on bass and Perry Wilson drums. There was a percussionist, Victory Yuen who really added beautiful textures. Sonny played songs from Global Warming, which was at the time his latest release. His playing was, of course, virtuosic, stream-of-consciousness at the highest level.

After the show I left, thinking I would take a chance at an autograph. Orchestra Hall is quite cavernous and nearly impossible to approach someone anywhere near the stage. To my surprise, while standing alone outside, Sonny Rollins walked out and approached an awaiting black car. I nervously approached him and asked him to sign the evening’s showbill, which he graciously agreed to do. I told him I loved the show. He asked me what I had liked the best, and if I remember I said I loved Island Lady, and thought his cadenza was the highlight of the night. He said ‘yeah that felt good, thanks for coming out’ and off he went.

Sam Rivers

Markham Jazz Festival, Toronto (2001)

The great Sam Rivers was in Toronto for a gig with the Neufeld-Occhipinti Jazz Orchestra (NOJO) and with a quartet made up of the NOJO rhythm section for 2 nights at the Top O’ the Senator. I caught all shows, and got an autograph at the Markham Jazz Fest. The NOJO big band is a unique, forward-reaching ensemble led by guitarist Michael Occhipinti and pianist Paul Neufeld. I felt the adventurousness of the large group was a perfect fit for the sometimes brittle searching quality of River’s horn. It was a beautiful show, as were the quartet gigs.

Ravi Coltrane

Detroit Jazz Festival (1991)

Ravi Coltrane was performing with the Elvin Jones Jazz Machine at the Detroit Jazz Festival in 1991. I’d waited years to see Elvin, and the group here included the great Sonny Fortune, also on tenor. It was Ravi’s delayed plane en route to the festival which necessitated Elvin playing a solo set before the band hit.

Teddy Edwards

Serengeti Ballroom,Detroit (1998)

The Serengeti Ballroom was an unusual venue on Woodward Ave in a questionable part of Detroit. However, I saw many great shows by Milt Jackson, Sonny Fortune, Cecil Payne and Kirk Lightsey. This show featured Teddy Edwards, a powerful underrated tenor titan who lived in Detroit for a short period of time in his early years. On this gig the great Harold McKinney was on piano.

James Moody

Orchestra Hall (1995)

James Moody was part of a tribute to Milt Jackson at Orchestra Hall in Detroit. My friend and I bravely snuck up the stairs leading to the green rooms after the show and encountered a bubbly James Moody, who proceeded to hug us enthusiastically for having the gumption! Moody then grabbed Milt who warmly shook our hands and gave us an autograph. Quite an evening.

Curtis Fuller

Detroit Jazz Festival (1998)

Curtis Fuller was in town appearing in a sextet with Marcus Belgrave, Charles McPherson, Barry Harris, Louis Hayes and Robert Hurst. Wow. I’d posted a picture of that group in the description for my Louis Hayes autograph in an earlier post.

Kenny Garrett

Detroit Jazz Festival (1997)

Kenny Garrett arriving for his set at the Toronto Jazz Festival, 1997

Kenny Garrett lit up the Toronto Jazz Festival in a brilliant show with Doug Dezron on bass, Joe Farnsworth drums, William Henderson on piano and the great Pharoah Sanders on tenor. The music was wild and inventive, with Farnsworth’s extended solo a highlight of the evening.

My blurry 2006 mobile phone shot of Pharoah Sanders, Doug Dezron and Kenny Garrett Toronto, 2006

Doc Cheatham

Windsor Jazz Festival (1995)

Doc Cheatham was celebrating his 90th birthday (which was in 4 days) at the Windsor Jazz Festival in 1995. Playing with him were Detroit legends Jim Dapogny on piano, Paul Keller bass and Pete Siers on drums. It was a great show which I reviewed for the local musician’s union newsletter. And to our great pleasure Marcus Belgrave sat in and played much of the evening.

Doc Cheatham with Marcus Belgrave, Paul Keller and Pete Siers. Jim Dapogny not visible on piano.

Nicolas Payton

Jazz Showcase, Chicago (2005)

I was in Chicago for a work conference with my good friend Rob. We managed to take in this great show at the Jazz Standard. I remember Marcus Gilmore was on drums. There’s something quite unique about Chicago. Much like Detroit they appreciate the music and it shows. My mom was born in Chicago, and I’m pretty sure she was there with us digging Nicolas Payton.

The late-great Joe Segal introducing the Nicolas Payton group.

Nicolas Payton, Jazz Showcase Chicago (2005)

Terence Blanchard and Ed Love

Detroit Jazz Festival (1999)

I’m actually not sure of the year here. I put 1999, but I actually think it might have been earlier. Anyways, I do remember the show as a ripper. Plus, I got to meed the great Detroit DJ Ed Love, who’s Destination Jazz show I had been listening to for many years.

Branford Marsalis

Chene Park Detroit (1991)

Chene park is a quirky venue on the Detroit River. Essentially it’s a big tent with a stage. I saw Miles and Branford Marsalis months apart, so it hosted some damn good music. This band was touring after Crazy People Music, and had the devastating band with Kenny Kirkland, Robert Hurst and Jeff Tain Watts. This show was really a turning point for me as I had not heard music of this intensity and beauty so closely. I sat right next to the stage and breathed it in all evening. I managed to get Branford and Tain’s autographs on the back of my 60’s band’s business cards (the same cards which Elvin Jones and Ravi Coltrane signed). I’ll never forget the power and beauty of this show.

Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts, Chene Park Detroit (1991)

Houston Person and Joey DeFrancesco

Detroit Jazz Festival (1999)

Another great show at the Detroit Jazz Festival. The ‘99 Festival was a particularly stellar roster of jazz greats. I saw Tommy Flannigan, Yusef Lateef, Elvin Jones and Dave Brubeck among others I can’t remember. Being a great fan of the organ trio I was first in line to see the great Houston Person with Joey Defrancesco. I remember they played Blue Moon, a favourite of mine and many other grooving, swinging pieces. If I remember it was Byron Landham on drums, a great swinging shuffle-master drummer, whos feel I have always loved.