BlogHer - be-bop - Comments

I wouldn't miss hanging out with both of you!

lauriewrites — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 21:20:03 -0500

I've met Professor Kim in person, Mata...she knows she is one of my BlogHer heroes, and you will undoubtedly be next. : ) I'm in DC which has its fair amount of jazz music, but nothing like NYC. I heard no live music in Chicago which really disappointed me...someday!

I'm always up for a show!

Laurie

Don't forget Sonny

Mata H — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 21:02:37 -0500

Sonny Rollins still has his chops as well -- and is due to be putting out another CD soon, I hear. I had not heard Miche before -- thanks for the tip. We are still blessed with Jon Faddis. Also, have you heard Renee Rosnes? She smokes on piano.

Abbey Lincoln (who used to be married to Max Roach) is a trip and a half. I loved the CD where she did a duet with Savion Glover. She played, he tap danced.

Laurie -- you -- me -- straight ahead and old school ! Plan on it for the next BlogHer. Now we need the right city with a good jazz club!! This will definitely influence my vote on cities... :-)

~~ Contributing Editor, Mata H. also jazzes along at Time's Fool

By the way, Abbey Lincoln is still with us

Kim Pearson — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 18:00:08 -0500

And still singing -- her latest is Abbey Sings Abbey. Here are she and Max together, doing "Love for Sale."

I am a jazz baby to my heart. My mother had a minute doing backup for Arthur Prysock, I'm told. She knew a lot of jazz musicians during her time in California in the 60s. Some of my best memories with her involve her sitting wth me, playing Miles, Lee Morgan, MJQ, or Billie, and telling me stories. She stopped telling those stories once she focused her singing on Gospel music, but the lessons about the music remained. I've done my best to pass that appreciation on to my kids, and it's one of the things we share.

Yes, the old guard is passing, but what is amazing is that we still have so many treasures still with us: Nancy Wilson had a CD out within the last couple of years, for example. I saw Gloria Lynne a few years ago -- she still had it.

And there are younger people out there -- Dizzy Gillespie's daughter, Jeannie Bryson is wonderful. Orrin Evans is a young piano phenom from the old school. And part of the reason I love Miche Braden so much is because she swung with the legends -- Hamp, Betty Carter, Brubeck, the Funk Brothers -- but she's can still jam with young Turks like James Carter and Regina Carter. And Stanley Jordan is playing again.

Next BlogHer -- You me, Laurie -- we'll get together and swing it straight-ahead and old school . Whaddya say?

One of the reasons I am such .

BlogHer Contributing Editor|Professor Kim|

Laurie , thanks !

Mata H — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 17:56:28 -0500

The Mingus big band that his wife got together used to have a regular gig in NYC and I saw them a couple of times -- it is so important to hear the music that we love in a live setting. It is a totally different experience.

If you are a piano lover you might want to pick up a Bill Evans CD if you have not already -- or Ahmad Jamal or Oscar Peterson or John Lewis or Errol Garner or Red Garland ..oh lordy me, do not get me started..I will deluge you with names.

~~ Contributing Editor, Mata H. also blogs jazzily at Time's Fool

Thanks for covering this, Mata

lauriewrites — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 16:19:38 -0500

I love music and am learning to appreciate jazz much more in this phase of my life. I started with Miles Davis and the female vocalists like Billie Holliday and Ella like many people but moved on to Charles Mingus and now the Charles Mingus Big Band that his wife organized. I am a big fan of the older musicians both living and dead, and as a piano lover really enjoy Ellis Marsalis. I don't think many people know that the patriarch of that family is a great performer in his own right.

There is so much to listen to and so many different styles. Just the amazing things that are done with traditional instruments move me. It is sad to see the older generation pass on, but the way they've influenced music will surely continue. I heard of Roach's passing this morning on NPR and resolved to find and listen to some of his recordings. Thanks for the tip.

laurie

High (hat) Fives Kim

Mata H — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 15:53:23 -0500

Kim, when I saw the video of him playing Mr Hi Hat again, it was like all time just fell away...can you imagine Max and Connie Kay in some heavenly combo with Krupa, Rich and Belsen? Holy mercy, the stars would tremble in the firmament. I saw Connie a bunch of times -- what a low key genius he was !! The MJQ tribute album that they released after he passed (some previously unreleased tracks) is breath-taking.

The night I saw Max play Mr Hi Hat was a benefit and Dizz was with him that night. It was one amazing night.

So you are a jazz fan too, eh? Great stuff!

--Mata

~~ Contributing Editor, Mata H. also blogs relentlessly at Time's Fool

Thanks for this appreciation

Kim Pearson — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 15:01:35 -0500

It's nice to hear the master on the high-hat one more time. There must be one heck of a jam session in Heaven right about now. The rhythm section alone! Max, Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich, Connie Kay, Louis Bellson...man oh, man....

Your fellow jazz lover,
Kim

BlogHer Contributing Editor|Professor Kim|