On Toshiko Akiyoshi
Toshiko has led one of the most underrated bands in contemporary jazz history. There is a lot of originality in her music. She and Elaine Elias have contributed so much to the music and have disbursed the notion of feminine as opposed to masculine form of playing the music.
Her collaboration with Lew Tabackin has been a splendid marriage of styles. Lew, with his big and sensual sound on the Tenor saxophone and she with that post Bud Powell feeling.
on Art Blakey
It's really hard to imagine a jazz world that does not include Art Blakey. He's gone, but what a roster of talented people who passed through the Jazz Messenger organization. I guess it can be said that Art left a piece of himself with every one of them.
On Michael Brecker
If there is such a thing as fusion (More like con-fusion at times) I think both Brecker brothers have had the best ideas. This album (Now you see it,now you don't) is dynamite from a technical standpoint. However, Michael shows he's not all gymnast with a reed on "Meaning of the Blues."
On Dave Brubeck
There is a CD from CBS Sony containing all the evergreens from Brubeck. It recalls a wonderful musical era; an awakening from innocence. All of the famous Brubeck explorations are included. The lyrical Desmond, a greater jazz musician than few do realize, is always a joy to remember. This was the height of Brubeck's popularity.
After finally hearing this several times I have to say this is a gem. Not only does the music hold on through the passage of time, there is some beautiful technical qualities in the recording aspect.
On Gary Burton
Gary Burton can play a duo with anyone! He is so remarkable at adapting to another's style without ever losing any of his own "chops. "
On Donald Byrd in Paris
Wow! It's September 1958 John Machado, Vernon Young and myself take off on a three day pass to Paris in John's old and rickety Mercedes. While there touring and doing all of the things that tourist would ordinarily do: The Louvre, Eiffel tower, Napoleon's tomb and the Arch D'Triomphe, on the left bank I discovered an interesting and quiet looking jazz club called ; "Chat qui Pêche ." A sign outside the club listed that Donald Byrd, Walter Davis, Bobby Jasper, Arthur Taylor and Doug Watkins were appearing . Pointing this out to John and Vern I suggested that we return that evening to hear some fantastic music by equally fantastic musicians. Not only did we go for that evening, but ended up coming back for the three nights we stayed in Paris, closing the club on each night. The music was memorable, the club and the people in the club equally memorable - I can remember Quincey Jones coming by one evening completely absorbed in the music. It was around that time that Clifford Brown left us and Benny Golson penned "I Remember Clifford". Byrd played a long and mournful rendition each night at the club accompanied only by Walter Davis on piano.
Today, 10/16/93 I stumbled upon this CD featuring the musicians in the same time period that we were there. There are two volumes featuring this group, in time I will be picking up the other one. It is unfortunate that "I Remember Clifford" is not among the tunes featured in either CD.
This music is very special for me, not only for its artistic and creative content but also for a particular time in my life that is an incredibly cherished period forever ingrained into my memory.×