We met in the early '60s (wow, 50+ years ago). His friendship, his poetry and the magazine he edited, the records we exchanged (he turned me on to Albert Ayler's first album) formed lifelong memories. Decades later I was able to bring him to read poetry at the college in Monterey where I was an inst...

Sonny Rollins laments the passing of Yusef Lateef (on Twitter). This news was confirmed by Lateef's niece.

Thanks, Ron!

Before I sign up, Ron, any idea of what's there to be seen/heard?

I loved seeing him with Sonny Rollins (about three months before they recorded "The Bridge"), Art Farmer, and numerous times with his own groups, including one with Chris Potter.

I will never forget going with Don & Connie to hear Ravi Shankar in Rochester, NY (they were living on Grand Island and I in Buffalo) and Don trying to count along...

Yes, the conclusion is wonderful (and many of Wayne's comments about improv).

Thanks. The club was the Royal Arms in Buffalo, New York, not long after the Newport gig in 1963.

Remember Sally Forth? It was a good comic. Anyways, it"s always been my feeling that the younger generation wasn't aware of what a huge influence the Bean was on generations of tenor players. Until Prez came along, he was at the pinnacle alone. I have always been blown away by the power he cou...

Different strokes, indeed. Scott LaFaro is on my short list of favorite bassists of all time. Marc Johnson is also on that list, though. A conversation with Marc where he didn't pay homage to LaFaro would really surprise me. Remember, Scott died at the age of 25. He was a kid. Tragic. http://image2...

Thanks you so much, Ron! What a treat. When Bill mentions Eddie's 'avant-garde' work with Jeremy Steig, I recall an album called "Monium" (on Columbia) with those two which I loved. Never saw/heard it on CD.

Clint Hopson and Bill Evans


Years ago I remember Clint posting that he listened to some Bill Evans every day. Today, as I am listening to Bill Evans, I quickly realized that I may be close to Clint's practice...

Yusef Lateef LIVE AT PEP'S, recorded 50 years ago, sounding good on this rainy day in Key Largo...

Listening now to Lee Konitz Meets Jimmy Giuffre (with Bill Evans)...

http://beatsboxingmayhem.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/minnie-riperton-come-to-my-garden.jpg Featuring the Ramsey Lewis Trio, with Maurice White on drums. I assume GG knows this, but I only recently learned that Maya Rudolph (SNL, Bridesmaids) is Minny Ripperton's daughter. If you crank up the volume...

Introduction? Well, I was at JCS and JC for many years. Live in Monterey, CA for most of those years, now in Key Largo, FL. Poet. Most recent collection, THE JOURNEY HOME, available from Amazon. Former jazz dj and jazz photographer.

Ron Thorne wrote:Welcome, David Gitin! Very nice to see you here.

Hope things are swell in Key West.

Key Largo (100 miles NE of Key West). Yes, all's well. Thanks.

Long strange trip from JCS to JC to Jazztalk.

Ron, I'm here! Thanks.