Here are two songs from the updated edition of The Jazz Standards, my new guide to the 267 essential jazz compositions—published a few days ago by Oxford University Press.
Thank you for pointing me to the Kirk vs Hibbler track. Rashaan is one of my most beloved musicians. To me he was a man who could 'by mere playing go to heaven.' I often think about the time I saw him in a small club in Boston in '71 or '72. He was honest, and open with the audience, glad to reply to comments, even if they were scary. One of the audience had a big meat cleaver and said something like 'bring the revolution' to Rashaan. Of course he was blind to the cleaver, but still calmly talked the fellow down. Kirk fully utilized the power of music to excite, surprise, elevate, communicate bare painful truth.
What a story! I saw Rahsaan Roland Kirk around that same time, and it was one of the most memorable jazz performances I've ever witnessed. It's a shame he isn't better known nowadays, but in many ways he had to be seen live to experience the full impact of his work.
The Seeker. I had a chance to meet and chat with Leroy Jenkins about 25 years ago. I was learning to play violin at the time. He told me that his contribution gave him some street credit among the black musicians who were fiercely competitive at that time.
Interesting background on "Don't Get Around Much Anymore". The title has a timely meaning for many people nowadays. I lost my sense of smell and taste in December 2019 which means that I haven't been to a restaurant since then. I would have to go with the Johnny Hodges Billy Strayhorn version as my favorite.
Thank you for pointing me to the Kirk vs Hibbler track. Rashaan is one of my most beloved musicians. To me he was a man who could 'by mere playing go to heaven.' I often think about the time I saw him in a small club in Boston in '71 or '72. He was honest, and open with the audience, glad to reply to comments, even if they were scary. One of the audience had a big meat cleaver and said something like 'bring the revolution' to Rashaan. Of course he was blind to the cleaver, but still calmly talked the fellow down. Kirk fully utilized the power of music to excite, surprise, elevate, communicate bare painful truth.
What a story! I saw Rahsaan Roland Kirk around that same time, and it was one of the most memorable jazz performances I've ever witnessed. It's a shame he isn't better known nowadays, but in many ways he had to be seen live to experience the full impact of his work.
this is the track that bound me to Kirk's work. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DBw4oTIW7M
The Seeker. I had a chance to meet and chat with Leroy Jenkins about 25 years ago. I was learning to play violin at the time. He told me that his contribution gave him some street credit among the black musicians who were fiercely competitive at that time.
Interesting background on "Don't Get Around Much Anymore". The title has a timely meaning for many people nowadays. I lost my sense of smell and taste in December 2019 which means that I haven't been to a restaurant since then. I would have to go with the Johnny Hodges Billy Strayhorn version as my favorite.