Original Pressings, Reasonable Prices
Jun 28, 2004 10-Inch LPs, Blue Note, Clef, Impulse, Jazz Vinyl, Jazz Vinyl on eBay, Prestige, Verve
Back from the weekend, so it’s time to catch up on eBay. Here are some of the records we were watching.
Donald Byrd Sextet, Transition 5. This was an original pressing in what seemed to be M-/VG++ condition. The LP had the booklet and sold for $300.
Eric Dolphy at the Five Spot, Volume 1, New Jazz 8260. This was an original pressing with the purple label. The seller listed it in M-/M- condition, although there seemed to be ringwear on the cover, based on the photo. Still the price was $278.99.
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Tags: Ben Webster, Charlie Parker, Dial, Dizzy Gillespie, Donald Byrd, Eric Dolphy, Impulse, New Jazz, Oliver Nelson, Roy Eldridge, Tadd Dameron, Transition
What Makes a Jazz Hero? Our Readers Weigh In
Jun 24, 2004 Jazz Memoirs
In our newsletter last week we asked readers to tell us about their heroes. Here are some of the responses. We’d like to thank everyone who took the time to write to us.
“Please keep up the fantastic work with the newsletter…every one just gets better. As for heroes, I’d have to start with Art Pepper, then Dave Pell, Shorty Rogers, Zoot Sims and who can forget Cal Tjader? All mostly West Coast cats but they had ‘the sound’ and knew what we wanted. Guess I better add my most favorite and versatile sax man: Charlie Ventura. Man, could he wail!
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Tags: Clark Terry, Count Basie, Downbeat
What’s A Signed LP By Frank Sinatra Worth?
Jun 23, 2004 Autographs, Blue Note, Jazz Vinyl, Jazz Vinyl on eBay, Prestige, Verve
Here are the results of some of the items we were watching yesterday on eBay:
Jackie McLean, The New Tradition, Ad Lib 6601. This was an original pressing of this very rare record. The dealer uses different terminology than we use for grading, but it seems like the record was what we would call VG++ and the cover was VG+. Price: $798
Lee Morgan, Candy, Blue Note 1590. This was an original pressing from the same dealer as the Jackie McLean record. This was in VG++/VG++ condition. It sold for $713. We expected this to go for a higher price. In our Price Guide
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Tags: Ad Lib, Frank Sinatra, Jackie McLean, Lee Konitz, Lee Morgan, Sonny Rollins
Rarities From Lee Morgan, Jackie McLean
Jun 22, 2004 $1000 Records, Blue Note, Jazz Vinyl, Jazz Vinyl on eBay, Prestige
Back watching eBay today and we’re pleased to see that the seller JBLD44000 is back with two of the rarest of the rare jazz LPs. We expect both of these to net prices near or above $1,000. We’ll watch and let you know tomorrow: Lee Morgan, Candy, Blue Note 1685. This is an original pressing in nice condition. As of the time we posted today the price was $685. Jackie McLean, The New Tradition, Ad Lib 6601. This is an original pressing in what appears to be decent condition. As of the time we posted today the price was $618.
In addition to these items, this seller has several others closing today, tomorrow and later in the week. Interesting, he sold a copy of the Art Pepper LP Modern Art, Intro 606, for more than $2,000 last week, but it’s up on eBay again for a start price of $1,500. We assume something happened to prevent the other sale from going through. Here are some of the other items we’re watching:
Sonny Rollins Volume 1, Blue Note 1542. This is an original pressing with the Lexington Avenue address on the label. At one point there was a question in our Forums whether this LP was issued with that address. Here’s definitive proof.
Sonny Rollins, Moving Out, Prestige 7058. This is an original pressing with the New York address on the label. It’s not in great shape but, for those who are not sticklers for condition, it’s an opportunity to add a rare record to the collection at, perhaps, a reasonable price. We’ll see: Sometimes even records in not-so-great condition fetch hefty price tags on eBay.
The seller Atomic_records is also back on eBay with some nice items. Take a look at this one and click “View Seller’s Other Items” for a complete list. Donald Byrd at the Half Note, Volume 1, Blue Note 4060Another dealer with some interesting records is sadg. He is selling several later Blue Notes and Prestiges. Check this one out and look at the others. John Patton, Let ‘Em Roll, Blue Note 4239
Finally, the seller bullsite2000 has this item and several others in very nice condition. Take a look: Sonny Rollins Plus Four, Prestige 7038
That’s it for today. See you at Jazzcollector.com tomorrow. — Al
Tags: Ad Lib, Art Pepper, Donald Byrd, Intro, Jackie McLean, John Patton, Lee Morgan, Sonny Rollins
Summer Doldrums?
Jun 21, 2004 10-Inch LPs, Blue Note, Jazz Vinyl, Jazz Vinyl on eBay, Prestige
If it’s Monday, it must be time to check in on the weekend’s activity on eBay. A few high-priced items sold over the past few days, but my general sense is that activity is beginning to slow down for the summer. At the bottom, I’ve listed a few items that failed to meet reserve prices this weekend. In some cases, the reserve prices may have been a bit high, but in others the items were selling for bigger prices just a few weeks ago. We’ll continue to monitor pricing and keep you posted. Anyway, here are some of the items we’ve been watching:
Sonny Rollins, Worktime, Prestige 7020. This was an autographed copy in VG++/M- condition. Price $482
Tina Brooks, True Blue, Blue Note 4081, in M-/VG++ condition. Price: $1,625. Of course $1,625 is a high price for any record, but we anticipated this one might break the $2,000 barrier, considering its rarity and the condition.
Curtis Fuller Volume 3, Blue Note 1583. This was an original pressing with the West 63rd Street address on the label in VG++/VG++ condition. Price: $401.88
Jim Chapin Ensemble featuring Phil Woods, Prestige 213. This was a 10-inch LP in VG+/VG++ condition. Price: $202.49
Sonny Rollins, Sonny Boy, Prestige 7207. This was an original yellow-label in M-/VG++ condition. Price: $79.99
Sonny Stitt, 37 Minutes and 48 Seconds, Roost 2219. This was an original pressing in VG+/VG+ condition. As we anticipated, the price was not too high. Price: $39
Miles Davis, Steamin’, Prestige 7200. This was an original yellow label in VG++/VG+ condition. Price: $34.33
Mal Waldron, Mal-1, Prestige 7090. This was an original yellow label with the New York address in M-/VG++ condition. Price: $274.99
The following items all failed to meet their reserve prices:
Richie Kamuca Quartet, Mode 102, in VG++/M- condition. High bid: $178.49
Horace Parlan, Speakin’ My Piece, Blue Note 4043, in M-/M- condition. High bid: $158.50
Gil Melle Quartet Featuring Lou Mecca, Blue Note 5054. This was an original 10-inch LP in M-/M- condition. High bid: $178.50
Sabu, Palo Congo, Blue Note 1561. This was an original pressing with the West 63rd Street address in M-/VG++ condition. High bid: $338
We’ll spend some time today looking ahead at eBay for the coming week. We’ll post the results tomorrow on Jazzcollector.com. See you then. — Al
Tags: Curtis Fuller, Gil Melle, Horace Parlan, Jim Chapin, Mal Waldron, Miles Davis, Mode, Phil Woods, Richie Kamuca, Roost, Sabu, Sonny Rollins, Sonny Stitt, Tina Brooks
The Tal Farlow Album, Autographed
Jun 17, 2004 10-Inch LPs, Autographs, Blue Note, Clef, Jazz Vinyl, Jazz Vinyl on eBay, Norgran
For those of you keeping score at home, here are some of the items we’ve been watching on eBay:
Tal Farlow, The Tal Farlow Album, Norgran 1047. This is an autographed copy in M-/M- condition. Price: $249.95. This was one of those records I planned to bid on but figured the price would go too high because of the condition of the LP and the presence of the autograph. The first bid was $249.95 and I expected it to go way up from there. But nobody else bid, including me.
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Tags: Andy Warhol, Art Pepper, Billie Holiday, Bobby Jaspar, Cecil Taylor, David Stone Martin, Dexter Gordon, Donald Byrd, Fran Thorne, Freddie Redd, Intro, Jutta Hipp, RCA, Rene Thomas, Ronnie Scott, Roost, Sonny Stitt, Tal Farlow, Tempo, Transition, Tubby Hayes
What is Soul in Jazz?
Jun 16, 2004 Verve
Quote of the Day:
“What is soul in jazz? It’s what comes from within: It’s what happens when the inner part of you comes out. It’s the part of playing you can’t get out of the books and studies. In my case, I believe that what I heard and felt in the music of my church was the most powerful influence on my musical career. Everyone wants to know where I got that funky style. Well, it came from the church. The music I heard there was open, relaxed, impromptu – soul music.” – Milt Jackson, from the liner notes to the LP Plenty, Plenty Soul, Atlantic 1269, liner notes by Nat Hentoff.
One of the criticisms of the Modern Jazz Quartet was that the structure of the band held back the playing of the brilliant vibist Milt Jackson. This was Jackson’s response when he was asked if, indeed, being in the MJQ held him down:
“No, not actually. It may not sound or look like it when you’re listening out front because it’s all so well planned, but I still get to play more or less what I want to play. I’m relaxed. I’ve always been able to adjust myself to a situation. When I first joined the MIQ, there were times when I looked at the planning as a handicap, but now I’ve come to look on it as an asset. In terms of the business, and musically too. Discipline can be a good thing and having been under discipline can be a help when you do let loose.” – Source: Liner notes to the LP Milt Jackson, Plenty, Plenty Soul, Atlantic 1269. Liner notes by Nat Hentoff.
“Lester was a one or two take man. He’d say, ‘I can’t do anything better than that,’ and usually that was it. His statements were emotional ones and when they were done, they were done.”
Norman Granz on Lester Young. Liner notes from the album The Lester Young Story, Verve MG V-8308, 1960. Liner notes by Nat Hentoff.
Tags: Atlantic, Jazz Quotes, Lester Young, Milt Jackson, Modern Jazz Quartet, Nat Hentoff
The Gift Of Hindsight
Jun 16, 2004 Impulse, Jazz Vinyl, Prestige, Riverside
One of the pleasures of having an extensive jazz collection is that it gives you the opportunity to go back and review the history of jazz in real time, as it was happening. This is particularly the case when you look at old issues of Downbeat or Metronome, or review old liner notes, an art form that began approaching extinction with the advent of the compact disc format. In any case, allow me to share some interesting stuff from my archives.
Downbeat, January 18, 1962
Review: John Coltrane, Africa/Brass, Impulse 6
This record was a departure for Coltrane: The first time he ever played with a brass section. It is now regarded as a classic, rightfully so, particularly the title cut, which makes up the entire first side of the album. At the time, however, the Downbeat reviewer, Martin Williams, didn’t see it that way. He gave it only two stars, out of a possible five. Here’s a sample from the review:
Tags: Bill Evans, Cannonball Adderley, Downbeat, Impulse, Ira Gitler, John Coltrane, Metronome, Philly Joe Jones
Billie Record, Warhol Cover
Jun 15, 2004 10-Inch LPs, Autographs, Clef, Jazz Vinyl, Jazz Vinyl on eBay, Prestige
More eBay watching today. Here are some of the items and dealers we’re keeping an eye on for you:
Billie Holiday at Jazz At the Philharmonic, Clef 169. This is a 10-inch LP with the beautiful illustration on the cover that is either by David Stone Martin or Andy Warhol. We looked in our price guide for earlier mint copies of this LP and it sold twice recently, for $610 and $325. This copy is also near mint and was only in the $70 range as we posted this.
Tags: Andy Warhol, Ben Webster, Benny Green, Billie Holiday, David Stone Martin, Emarcy, JATP, Jutta Hipp, Kenny Burrell, VeeJay, Wynton Kelly
Lots and Lots on eBay
Jun 14, 2004 Blue Note, Jazz Vinyl, Jazz Vinyl on eBay, Prestige
Back from another weekend away, so it’s time to see what happened on eBay the past few days. We were watching auctions from a group of dealers that had some amazing records. Here are some of the dealers and their wares. You can do a general eBay search on completed items for any of these dealers to see more.
Here are items sold by the dealer Jazz5060. This dealer also has a bunch of great records for auction now.
Charlie Persip, Jazz Statesman, Bethlehem 6046, in M-/M- condition. Price: $157.50
Walter Benton Quintet, Out of this World, Jazzland 28, in M-/M- condition. Price: $449
Zoot Sims, Stretchin’ Out, United Artists 4023. This was a promo copy in M-/VG++ condition. Price: $460
Freddie Hubbard, Goin’ Up, Blue Note 4056, in M-/VG++ condition. Price: $349.95
The Return of Howard McGhee, Bethlehem 42 in M-/M- condition. Price: $676
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Tags: Art Blakey, Art Farmer, Bethlehem, Bob Brookmeyer, Charlie Persip, Clifford Brown, Clifford Jordan, Dexter Gordon, Dootone, Emarcy, Frank Foster, Freddie Hubbard, Gigi Gryce, Howard McGhee, Jackie McLean, Jazzland, Kenny Burrell, Kenny Drew, Lee Morgan, Lou Donaldson, Louis Smith, Max Roach, Miles Davis, Sonny Redd, Thelonious Monk, United Artists, Walter Benton, Zoot Sims
Reader Comments: Dinah Washington, Prestige Covers
Jun 10, 2004 10-Inch LPs, Blue Note, Prestige
If it’s Thursday, it must be mail day. Today we have a couple of thank-you notes, plus a request for information about Prestige 10-inch LPs. If anyone out there has the answer to the Prestige question, send a note to us. And please, keep those cards and letters coming.
“Just wanted to say thanks for the Dinah Washington Sings Fats Waller LP I won a month or so back. Only got to listen to it last night and, wow, was I impressed. My orbit for jazz vocals has always had Ella at the center, with Sarah Vaughan, a little early Nancy Wilson and not much else. I’d never really heard Dinah before. Oh, what I’d been missing.
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Tags: Art Taylor, Charlie Parker, Curtis Fuller, Dial, Dinah Washington, Downbeat, Euclid Records, IAJRC, Thad Jones
Another Day, Another Thousand Records
Jun 9, 2004 10-Inch LPs, Blue Note, Jazz Vinyl, Jazz Vinyl on eBay, Prestige, Riverside
Another day, another thousand or so records on eBay. It’s a tough job, but somebody’s got to go through them all and it may as well be me. Here are some of the items we’re watching over the next couple of days: Don Sleet, All Members, Jazzland 45
After you click this item do yourself a favor and click “View Seller’s Other Items.” You will see some great records in great condition that will sell for high prices.
This is another dealer with some good items this week. Art Taylor, Taylor’s Wailers, Prestige 7117
One of these days we will get this record, but not this week. The price tag of $450 is already a little too steep.
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Tags: Art Taylor, Charlie Parker, Chet Baker, Dial, Don Sleet, Fontana, Jazzland, Kenny Dorham, Miles Davis, New Jazz, Paul Chambers, Sonny Rollins, Thelonious Monk, Tubby Hayes
Tubby Hayes, Art Taylor, Shades of Red
Jun 7, 2004 10-Inch LPs, Blue Note, Jazz Vinyl, Jazz Vinyl on eBay, Prestige
Back from the weekend and finally caught up on eBay. Here are some of the records we’re looking at over the next day or two:
The dealer JBLD44000 out of Seattle has still more highly collectible records in nice condition at high prices. He has a few closing today, including:
Tubby Hayes Quintet, Down in the Village, Fontana 680-998, with a price of $750 as we posted this.
This dealer has many more high-priced, interesting items over the next two days, including:
Art Taylor, Taylor’s Wailers, Prestige 7117 in M- condition.
The price on this is already $450. We missed out last week on a copy in VG++ condition that sold for $307.
Freddie Redd, Shades of Redd, Blue Note 4045 in nice condition, but not mint. This is priced at $295. I’m watching this because it is a favorite of mine – I think the music is terrific, with Jackie McLean and Tina Brooks – and the only copy I have is a Japanese pressing. My copy sounds great, but it’s not like having the original.
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Tags: Art Taylor, Bethlehem, Charlie Parker, Clifford Brown, Dial, Donald Byrd, Fontana, Freddie Redd, JJ Johnson, Mal Waldron, Sonny Clark, Tubby Hayes, Zoot Sims
Hot Records, High Prices
Jun 7, 2004 $1000 Records, 10-Inch LPs, Blue Note, Jazz Vinyl, Jazz Vinyl on eBay, Norgran, Prestige, Riverside, Savoy
Back home after a weekend away. Let’s see what happened on eBay the past few days.
The seller JBLD44000 out of Seattle, who has been selling some nice records the past few weeks, had a bunch of items up this weekend, with mixed results. A few of the records sold for high prices, including:
Hank Mobley, Soul Station, Blue Note 4031, for $1,337.28
Kenny Drew, Walkin’ and Talkin’, Jazz West 4, for $532
This dealer also had several high-ticket items that didn’t get bids at all. Based on our previous experience watching his auctions, we anticipate that these records will be back on eBay in the near future with somewhat lower start prices and, perhaps, Buy-It-Now prices. Among those records are:
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Tags: Blue Mitchell, Cecil Payne, Charlie Parker, Dial, Fontana, Hank Mobley, Jazz West, John Coltrane, Kenny Drew, Pacific Jazz, Phil Woods, Ronnie Scott, Signal, Tal Farlow, Teddy Edwards, Zoot Sims
Some Stories on Sal Nistico
Jun 3, 2004 Autographs, Blue Note
We received some interesting letters about our item last week on Sal Nistico. Here are a couple:
“I enjoy your newsletter very much. Your encounter with Sal Nistico Jr. struck a chord with me. From the first I heard Papa Sal on the Mangione Brothers albums I was a huge fan. The only time I heard him live was a complete surprise for me. Sometime in the mid-’60s I went to the Prom Ballroom in St. Paul, MN., to catch a one nighter by the Basie band. The fist set had just started and as I entered the room my eyes went immediately to the stage to see who as blowing that torrential tenor.
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Tags: Art Pepper, JR Monterose, Lee Morgan, Miles Davis, Sal Nistico
The Value of A Reliable Dealer
Jun 2, 2004 10-Inch LPs, Blue Note, Clef, Jazz Vinyl, Jazz Vinyl on eBay, Norgran, Prestige
As promised, we spent the past couple of days catching up on eBay, looking ahead and looking back. Here are some of the items we’re watching over the next couple of days:
Curtis Fuller, Volume 3, Blue Note 1583
We take note any time we see an item from the Jazzrecordcenter for two main reasons: (1) They are probably the premier jazz dealer in the world and (2) Because they sell with integrity, knowledge and credibility. In addition to this Curtis Fuller LP, click “View Seller’s Other Items” for some more nice records, including George Wallington, The Prestidigitator, East-West 4004 and
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Tags: Bud Powell, Cannonball Adderley, Chico O'Farrill, Columbia, Curtis Fuller, Don Rendell, Hank Mobley, Ian Carr, Imperial, James Moody, Kenny Dorham, Lester Younr, Mercury, Sonny Criss, Ted Brown, Urbie Green, Vanguard
A Potpourri of LPs
Jun 1, 2004 10-Inch LPs, Blue Note, Jazz Vinyl, Jazz Vinyl on eBay, Norgran, Riverside, Savoy
I went away for the long Memorial Day weekend and didn’t look at eBay for three days. Here are some of the things I missed:
Howard McGhee, Music From The Connection, Felsted 7512. This was in nice condition and sold for more than $1,000.
Benny Carter, Cosmopolite, Norgran 1070. This was an original yellow label copy, autographed by Carter and, according to the dealer, directly from Carter’s own collection. A nice collectible, indeed.
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Tags: Ben Webster, Benny Carter, Curtis Fuller, Donald Byrd, Elektra, Elmo Hope, Ernie Henry, Felsted, Fontana, Fred Jackson, Hank Mobley, Howard McGhee, John Coltrane, Pepper Adams, Tal Farlow, Teddy Charles, Tubby Hayes, United Artists, World Pacific
