Gig Pick #1 Play Misty For Me
I thought I’d share a few favourites from past gigs. Over the last 30 years there’ve been many which stand out.
I thought I’d share a few favourites from past gigs. Over the last 30 years there’ve been many which stand out. Not all for musical reasons. I remember on my first professional gig, 1985. I was playing at a place, the name of which escapes me. Midway through one of our classic-rock anthems the place filled with police as they took down a prostitution ring, which evidently operated out the back.
What I’ll share on this series of posts are favourite musical moments. I’ll mention the players, the venue and whatever I can remember.
Today’s offering is from one of my favourite trios. Damien Slingsby is playing piano. Damien is easily one of the most swinging, musical pianists I’ve ever played with. He’s returned to Canberra, and I wish he’d show up in Melbourne again one day. Kain Borlase is on bass. Again, a favourite payer of mine. We don’t play together as much as we used to. Kain leads a variety of always-interesting groups, including one of my most enjoyable, an exotica ensemble now called Mondo Kain. I wish we’d work together more.
This is from a little club in Richmond, now gone called Kojo Brown. The song is Errol Garner’s Misty, taken medium tempo, with great solos by Damien and Kain, as always. Me, I had a great time and generally stayed out of the guys’ way.
Cool Autographs from Cool People
For many years I traveled and went in search of people I admire in hopes of catching a moment and a scribble. I've had a few lucky encounters.
I love collecting autographs.
For many years I traveled and went in search of people I admire in hopes of catching a moment and a scribble. I've had a few lucky encounters, like running into Max Roach at the State Theatre in Detroit, having dinner with Jimmy Cobb at the Top 'O the Senator in Toronto and coffee with Kenny Burrell at Baker's Keyboard Lounge.
Then, there's the missed opportunities; not going to see Art Blakey because I had a gig, and he passed not a week later. There's a handful of autographs I can't find, the occupational hazard of a nomadic existence I suppose. But these autographs bring back the memories, the moments, the smell of the bar, the feeling of spending a moment with greatness.
