Much love from Perth, Western Australia - your Do The M@th and now Transitional Tech’ articles, interviews and essays have been an essential resource for myself as an up and coming (or at least trying to..) young pianist trying to catch up on the last 100 years of recorded, written and performed music!
Self-educating (while still entering university this year) is a process made all the more enjoyable when you have such great academics to source from - seriously thank you! I hope to get over to New York sometime to come and say hi/G’Day!
As Melbourne based legend Barney McAll would say “Music Power to you” !
Ethan: Many thanks for all your reviews, insights, opinions, transcriptions, and all the rest in ‘24. I look forward to seeing you at Regattabar in ‘25.
Funny, the older I get (I'm 67) the more I want to hear loud drummers! My post was about most drummers I hear in clubs now. In the 80s I heard Elvin, Al Foster, Jack, Tain. And I was fortunate to be sitting close enough to Art Blakey one night at Sweet Basil to feel the bandstand shake.
Ethan, as a passionate jazz fan (since 1974) and a non-musician, I have tried to educate myself by listening well, talking to musicians and reading. For me the writers were Amiri Baraka, Martin Williams, Gunter Sculler, Gary Giddens and Stanley Crouch. And, for the last 20 years, you.
Nice comment. I see what you mean although Jamal plays "Poinciana" pretty straight and that song predates "Canadian Sunset." I go into Poinciana a bit here:
In the 1940’s and 1950’s there was a lot of pretty piano on the radio. Not jazz, exactly, not classical music either, but mood music featuring elegant keyboard confectionery. Eddie Heywood, Don Shirley, Frankie Carle, Carmen Cavallaro, Liberace, Roger Williams, Eddy Duchin; there were dozens of others even less familiar today.
All those “mood” cats could play what they played at a high level, but few prioritized rhythm. None of them could have dealt with Israel Crosby and Vernel Fournier.
The point is relevant because the Jamal piano performance on “Poinciana” is closer to mood music than jazz. Jamal doesn’t improvise on this track, and much of the time he phrases his lush chords in a fairly stately and un-syncopated fashion. It’s gorgeous, it’s one of the best things ever, but there is a connection to the then-prevalent mood-music pianists…which is probably why some jazz critics of the era thought Jamal was a cocktail pianist or worse. (Those critics were apparently unable to hear the contribution of Crosby or Fournier.)
Even the song “Poinciana” is basically from the mood-music playbook. A nice and square 1952 video of the popular vocal group the Four Freshman, themselves beloved by “mood” fans, shows that Jamal didn’t do all that much to rethink the 1936 song by Nat Simon with lyrics by Buddy Bernier.
My goodness, what a wonderful set of photos you shared! Those of us who listen rather than play still feel a bond with those who come to life for us primarily through recordings -- although I must say that one of my New Year's resolutions will be to catch more live shows in 2025. I caught three last year, your trio (thanks again!), Bill Frisell's trio, and Pat Metheny solo. All were life-affirming, soul-satisfying experiences . Such a miracle is music, such a gift! Bless those who play, bless those who listen -- we all need each other, especially in light of what tense, troubling times might lie ahead. May we all enjoy a blessed 2025!
In December of 1999, I flew into NYC from LA for job interviews, but also to visit NYC for the first time. I had some poor interviews, but I saw some great bands.
One was Cedar Walton with Buster Williams, Billy Higgins, and Jackie McLean.
I always, always bring up this show, because it is still one of my favorite music experiences ever. It must have been one of Mr Walton's Xmas weeks at the Vanguard!
Man, I remember fumbling around in my wallet for my cash and the attendant getting annoyed with me, saying maybe I should let others go ahead. Luckily, the cash was found. Phew.
In retrospect, perhaps I had prepped more for what I was going to do after the interviews than for the interviews. Ha!
Wonderful! I finally knew something you didn't already know. "Canadian Sunset"! My mother had it on vinyl way back when. Can't remember the pianist. I'll ask her...she's 95 and remembers everything.
Happy and healthy New Year. Please come back to the Bop Stop to see more photos I took.
It’s me that didn’t know it! Ethan probably does. The famous instrumental recording which got to No. 2 on Billboard in 1956 is Hugo Winterhalter’s orchestra featuring Heywood himself playing his composition at the piano.
I do know "Canadian Sunset" but couldn't play it offhand at a session. Heywood is an interesting figure. He played fierce jazz piano in the '40s and became more of a mood musician later. I am pleased Kenny Barron includes this piece in his active repertoire!
I love the juxtaposition of Lee and Hank hanging with your pictures. It really reinforces the continuity of the scene. Thanks Ethan!
well that's cool, although I personally cannot claim to be as cool as Lee or Hank any day of the week!
Hallelujah!
Much love from Perth, Western Australia - your Do The M@th and now Transitional Tech’ articles, interviews and essays have been an essential resource for myself as an up and coming (or at least trying to..) young pianist trying to catch up on the last 100 years of recorded, written and performed music!
Self-educating (while still entering university this year) is a process made all the more enjoyable when you have such great academics to source from - seriously thank you! I hope to get over to New York sometime to come and say hi/G’Day!
As Melbourne based legend Barney McAll would say “Music Power to you” !
thanks so much!
Ethan: Many thanks for all your reviews, insights, opinions, transcriptions, and all the rest in ‘24. I look forward to seeing you at Regattabar in ‘25.
thanks so much!
Funny, the older I get (I'm 67) the more I want to hear loud drummers! My post was about most drummers I hear in clubs now. In the 80s I heard Elvin, Al Foster, Jack, Tain. And I was fortunate to be sitting close enough to Art Blakey one night at Sweet Basil to feel the bandstand shake.
Ethan, as a passionate jazz fan (since 1974) and a non-musician, I have tried to educate myself by listening well, talking to musicians and reading. For me the writers were Amiri Baraka, Martin Williams, Gunter Sculler, Gary Giddens and Stanley Crouch. And, for the last 20 years, you.
nice company to put me in, you are too kind!
Thank you for the photos and insights. Looking forward, hopefully, to seeing you again perform in San Diego. Happy Holidays
it has been a good year overall, great getting to know you better!
thanks Chris! hope to see you and Lora soon in the New Year!
Ethan,
Thank you for this year's TT emails - they have been delightful!
Doesn't Ahmad Jamal's "Poinciana" remind you of Eddie Heywood's "Canadian Sunset"?
Best wishes for 2025!
Nice comment. I see what you mean although Jamal plays "Poinciana" pretty straight and that song predates "Canadian Sunset." I go into Poinciana a bit here:
https://open.substack.com/pub/iverson/p/tt-240-ahmad-jamal-at-the-pershing
In the 1940’s and 1950’s there was a lot of pretty piano on the radio. Not jazz, exactly, not classical music either, but mood music featuring elegant keyboard confectionery. Eddie Heywood, Don Shirley, Frankie Carle, Carmen Cavallaro, Liberace, Roger Williams, Eddy Duchin; there were dozens of others even less familiar today.
All those “mood” cats could play what they played at a high level, but few prioritized rhythm. None of them could have dealt with Israel Crosby and Vernel Fournier.
The point is relevant because the Jamal piano performance on “Poinciana” is closer to mood music than jazz. Jamal doesn’t improvise on this track, and much of the time he phrases his lush chords in a fairly stately and un-syncopated fashion. It’s gorgeous, it’s one of the best things ever, but there is a connection to the then-prevalent mood-music pianists…which is probably why some jazz critics of the era thought Jamal was a cocktail pianist or worse. (Those critics were apparently unable to hear the contribution of Crosby or Fournier.)
Even the song “Poinciana” is basically from the mood-music playbook. A nice and square 1952 video of the popular vocal group the Four Freshman, themselves beloved by “mood” fans, shows that Jamal didn’t do all that much to rethink the 1936 song by Nat Simon with lyrics by Buddy Bernier.
My goodness, what a wonderful set of photos you shared! Those of us who listen rather than play still feel a bond with those who come to life for us primarily through recordings -- although I must say that one of my New Year's resolutions will be to catch more live shows in 2025. I caught three last year, your trio (thanks again!), Bill Frisell's trio, and Pat Metheny solo. All were life-affirming, soul-satisfying experiences . Such a miracle is music, such a gift! Bless those who play, bless those who listen -- we all need each other, especially in light of what tense, troubling times might lie ahead. May we all enjoy a blessed 2025!
Thanks Karl, and lovely to meet you earlier this year!
After reading some comments am i correct when you say you aren’t familiar with the Heywood version of Canadian sunset?
It reminds me of a lost genre … easy listening “ for lack of a better term. Pianists such as Horst Jankowski, Joe Harnell, and Heywood seemed to
Me to be more than proficient. But who knows who they are now?
Thanks for the great pics. Someone has to carry on the Jimmy Rushing tradition.
No I have heard the Heywood, and also know Jankowski's "A Walk in the Black Forest." However, Joe Harnell is new name to me...
Cedar Walton's wife!
In December of 1999, I flew into NYC from LA for job interviews, but also to visit NYC for the first time. I had some poor interviews, but I saw some great bands.
One was Cedar Walton with Buster Williams, Billy Higgins, and Jackie McLean.
I always, always bring up this show, because it is still one of my favorite music experiences ever. It must have been one of Mr Walton's Xmas weeks at the Vanguard!
Man, I remember fumbling around in my wallet for my cash and the attendant getting annoyed with me, saying maybe I should let others go ahead. Luckily, the cash was found. Phew.
In retrospect, perhaps I had prepped more for what I was going to do after the interviews than for the interviews. Ha!
Thank you for a year's worth of TT. Looking forward to 2025...at least the TT part of it.
Loved the photos.
right on
Wonderful piece and great photos. All the best for the New Year.
Great news about being open to comments. Looking forward to hearing you in London again.
Do you have any plans to make scores for the Playfair Sonatas available?
Yes, that should be done by next week. Watch this space
Wonderful! I finally knew something you didn't already know. "Canadian Sunset"! My mother had it on vinyl way back when. Can't remember the pianist. I'll ask her...she's 95 and remembers everything.
Happy and healthy New Year. Please come back to the Bop Stop to see more photos I took.
Tom
Gene Ammons' Canadian Sunset is the one for me. What an incredible gallery of photos, I feel privileged to share it.
Wishing you (and all people who play music) a good, sweet, creative and successful year
thanks so much Adam! Hope to see you again sometime sooner rather than later!
It’s me that didn’t know it! Ethan probably does. The famous instrumental recording which got to No. 2 on Billboard in 1956 is Hugo Winterhalter’s orchestra featuring Heywood himself playing his composition at the piano.
I do know "Canadian Sunset" but couldn't play it offhand at a session. Heywood is an interesting figure. He played fierce jazz piano in the '40s and became more of a mood musician later. I am pleased Kenny Barron includes this piece in his active repertoire!
Nice piece EI. HNY!!
Back atcha, Piers!