Catching Up: Dial S For The $1,000 Bin
Aug 31, 2009 $1000 Records, Blue Note, Norgran
Time to catch up on some of the items we’ve been watching on eBay the past couple of days:
There was this copy of Sonny Clark, Dial S for Sonny, Blue Note 1570. We had spotted it at $484 with a few hours left to go, and we expected that the price would probably double. It actually did more than that: It surpassed the $1,000 mark and sold for $1,025. This was an original pressing in M- condition for both the record and the cover. We looked this record up in the Jazz Collector Price Guide and, interestingly, it had previously sold for as much as $1,750, in worse condition.
Speaking of Sonny Clark, he was on two of those Buddy DeFranco LPs we were watching. He was on Buddy DeFranco, In a Mellow Mood, Norgran 1079. This was an original yellow label pressing in VG+ condition for the record and the cover. It sold for $67.78. Sonny Clark is also on The Artistry of Buddy DeFranco, Norgran 1012. This was also an original yellow label and
Tags: Buddy DeFranco, JR Monterose, Jutta Hipp, Sonny Clark
Watching & Ruminating on Some Buddy DeFranco LPs
Aug 30, 2009 Norgran
I’m watching some records that are closing soon from Buddy DeFranco. These are original Norgrans in pretty nice condition. They are all being offered from the same seller: Odalisque, Norgran 1094; The Artistry of Buddy DeFranco, Norgran 1012; and In a Mellow Mood, Norgran 1079. When I started watching these records last night they were all in the $9 range. Now they are in the $20s. Still, not very much at all. Two of these records — The Artistry and In a Mellow Mood — feature Sonny Clark on piano, which usually means some enhanced collector interest, and some higher prices. I guess what I’m wondering is what happens to an artist like Buddy DeFranco. He was great for his time and he put out some beautiful records, but as time goes on does there continue to be interest in his music, or does he fall by the wayside the way interest in some of the traditional players has fallen? I’ll be interested
Tags: Buddy DeFranco, Sonny Clark
More Today on Ebay: Jutta, Jazz West, Trane
Aug 30, 2009 Blue Note, Jazz Vinyl, Jazz Vinyl on eBay
Here are a few more nice items to watch today on eBay:
Jutta Hipp at the Hickory House, Blue Note 1515. This is an original Lexington Avenue pressing. The record is in M- condition and the cover is VG+. The current price is $630. I’m keeping an eye on this because I have a copy in my collection in similar condition and I’m thinking about selling it. Perhaps I’ll offer it first on Jazz Collector before going to eBay.
Lawrence Marable, Tenorman, Jazz West 8. The record is listed as VG+ and the cover is VG. The current price is $360.
To this listing we say “ugh.” It’s another copy of John Coltrane, Giant Steps, Atlantic 1311. It’s quite reputable seller, but somehow this myth of the bulls-eye label is being perpetuated. The seller lists this as
Tags: Atlantic Records, Giant Steps, Jazz West Records, John Coltrane, Jutta Hipp, Lawrence Marable
Today on eBay: More Bird, More JR, Sonny Clark
Aug 30, 2009 10-Inch LPs, Blue Note, Jazz Vinyl, Jazz Vinyl on eBay
Had some time to kill last night so I went through several days’ worth of upcoming eBay listings. There are quite a few interesting items up today. Let’s get to them quickly:
Lots of Bird this week, which seems fitting, since yesterday would have been his 89th birthday (thank you to Colm O’Sullivan for pointing that out). Here’s a beauty: Charlie Parker, Dial 201. This is an original 10-inch pressing listed in VG++ condition for both the record and the cover. The current price is $565, which is higher than we’ve normally seen for these 10-inch LPs in the past. It’s nice to see Bird getting his due again in the collectibles market.
We had all that discussion a couple of weeks ago on J.R. Monterose. Here’s one of his rare records closing today: J.R. Monterose, Blue Note 1536. This one is an original Lexington Avenue pressing and is listed in VG+ condition for both the record and the cover. It is currently priced at $300. Here’s an update on those rare J.R. Monterose tapes
Tags: Charlie Parker, Dial Record, JR Monterose, Sonny Clark
Another Rare Bird, This Time For the $2,000 Bin
Aug 28, 2009 $1000 Records, Savoy
When we were updating the $1,000 bin yesterday, we came upon this quite rare collectible: Charlie Parker, The Bird Blows The Blues, Dial LP 1. The seller lists this as the “first 12-inch LP ever” and having been issued in 1948. We have heard before that this was the first 12-inch long-playing record, which we’ve never been able to confirm, but we think the original issue was in 1949. It was issued without a cover. The seller here claims there were only 50 copies originally issued, which, of course, sounds like one of those claims aimed at making the record seem rarer than it actually is, which is quite rare. This copy was listed in “VG to VG+” condition and sold for $2,250.
This also gives me another chance to remind you all that we are still running our contest to give away a free copy of
Tags: Charlie Parker, Dial Records
For the $1,000 Bin: Jordan/Gilmore On Blue Note, Saxophone Colossus
Aug 27, 2009 $1000 Records, Blue Note, Prestige, Price Guide
It’s time to throw a few more items into the $1,000 bin. These are some of the rare jazz records that have recently crossed the $1,000 price threshold.
Cliff Jordan and John Gilmore, Blowin’ in From Chicago, Blue Note 1549. This was an an original pressing with the West 63rd Street address and deep groove. The record was listed in M- condition and the cover appeared to be at least VG+, perhaps better. The price was $1,199.99.
Sonny Rollins, Saxophone Colossus, Prestige 7079. This was an original pressing. The record was in VG++ condition and the cover was VG+. The price was $1,266.66. The item had more than 500 page views, compared to less than 200 for the Cliff Jordan/,John Gilmore LP. The seller, bobdjukik, seems to have a knack for getting people to view his records.
Tags: Cliff Jordan, John Gilmore, Sonny Rollins
Price Guide Update: Wallington, Drew, DeFranco, Tal
We’ve missed a couple of days posting. Sorry. Up in the country. The weather is beautiful and the Internet connection is inconsistent. We will attempt to be more regular. To get back into posting shape, this morning we will list some of the new items we’ll be entering into the Jazz Collector Price Guide. Nothing in the $1,000 bin — we’ll save those for later — but some nice, interesting collectibles. Here are several:
George Wallington Quintet at the Bohemia, Progressive 1001. This is an original pressing and the seller listed it as near-mint condition for both the record and the cover. It sold for $810.
Kenny Drew, Undercurrent, Blue Note 4059. This was an original pressing, also in near-mint condition and was one of the items sold by the seller herschel78. This one also sold for $810.
Here’s a record I actually bid on (and lost, by $1):
Tags: Buddy DeFranco, George Wallington, Kenny Drew, Progressive Records, Tal Farlow
New Study Confirms The Truth: Jazz Fans Are Cool
Aug 24, 2009 Features
There’s this new study from the University of Cambridge that concludes that people make assumptions about other people based on their musical tastes. Classical music fans, for example, are expected to be dumb and boring. Rock fans: emotionally unstable. Who fares best in this study? Jazz fans, of course. We are regarded as imaginative, peace-loving individuals with friendly and outgoing natures. In other words, people think we’re cool. Sounds about right to me. Of course, if they really knew about the obsessive side of us jazz collectors, perhaps they might alter their view.
Tags: University of Cambridge
A Couple of Rare Birds, One For the $1,000 Bin
Aug 24, 2009 $1000 Records, Blue Note, Jazz Vinyl, Jazz Vinyl on eBay, Price Guide, Savoy
We’re still running the contest to give away a free copy of The Charlie Parker Memorial Album, Savoy 12000. Please comment on the site to be eligible to win. Meanwhile, here are a couple of nice bird collectibles that sold recently on eBay, including one for the $1,000 bin.
Charlie Parker, Alternate Masters Volume 2, Dial 905. This was an original 12-inch Dial, quite rare. It was in very nice VG++ condition and was sold by the seller Herschel78, who has been selling some beautiful items lately. This was fetched a price of $1,350.
Also from Bird is this: The Charlie Parker Story, Savoy 12079. This was an original pressing, with a great cover of a relaxed Bird sitting on a throne. This was from the same seller and was listed in M- condition for both the record and the cover. It sold for $150. You don’t often see the Bird Savoys selling for these prices.
Joining Bird in the $1,000 record bin is this:
Tags: Charlie Parker, Dial Records, Louis Smith
A Couple More Surprises For the Price Guide
Aug 23, 2009 Blue Note, Impulse
Here are some of the other interesting items we’ve been watching on eBay. Nothing for the $1,000 bin, but there are other collectibles, aren’t there?
This is one I’ve never thought about as a major collectible, but it seems to be getting more popular among collectors, as are some of the other records on the Impulse label: Roy Haynes, Out of the Afternoon, Impulse A-23. This features Roland Kirk as a sideman and is a nice record. Perhaps the value is going up because Roy is still alive and well and playing formidably, keeping the tradition alive. Anyway, this record was listed in M- condition for both the record and the cover. It sold for $136.49.
Would you feel comfortable bidding on this record: Dexter Gordon, Our Man in Paris, Blue Note 4146? The seller listed the item as
Today on Ebay: Such Stuff As Dreams Are Made On
Aug 23, 2009 Blue Note, Prestige, Price Guide
The seller Herschel78 is back with some very nice items that are closing today. Here are a few:
Jackie McLean, Lights Out, Prestige 7035. This record is VG++ and the cover is near and it’s an original pressing with the New York address and yellow label. A real beauty, at least in the picture. The current price on this one is $620 and there are still a few hours to go. Tempting, but I’m trying to get rid of records, not acquire them.
Also, Here Comes Louis Smith, Blue Note 1584. This is an original pressing in near mint condition, “the finest copy you’ll ever see,” according to the listing. This is now at $800 and is a near certainty to crack the $1,000 barrier. In the Jazz Collector Price Guide we’ve seen it go for as much a $1,420.
This one is also in beautiful, near-mint condition:
Tags: Jackie McLean, Jazz Collector Price Guide, Kenny Drew, Louis Smith
All Things Considered, Some Surprising Prices
Aug 22, 2009 Blue Note, Jazz Vinyl, Jazz Vinyl on eBay, Prestige, Riverside
Time to catch up with some of the items we’ve been watching this past week. We will do this in a few posts throughout the weekend. We’ll start with some of those items sold by the seller bobdjukic, who’s clearly got something going on that enables him to get wacky prices as well as staggering numbers of page views.
We’ll start with Thelonious Monk, Monk’s Music, Riverside 1102. This was a later stereo pressing, with that gold stereo stamp that many of the Riverside’s carried. Clearly not an original, which was a white label mono. One time on eBay, an original copy sold for more than $3,000. We chronicled it on Jazz Collector and it created quite a stir. See here. In any case that price for a mono was an aberration, just as we feel the price here for a stereo is an aberration. This copy, in M- condition for the record and cover, sold for $413.55. The seller actually wrote this in his listing: “Monstrously rare stereo pressing, many times rarer than the mono.” Yikes. The other amazing thing about this record: It had more than 1,700 page views in eBay. Yikes again.
Speaking of second pressings, there was the copy of John Coltrane, Giant Steps, Atlantic 1311. This was the one with the bulls-eye label, that was characterized as being of the same provenance as the black label. This record
Tags: Arthur Taylor, Atlantic Records, John Coltrane, Johnny Griffin, Thelonious Monk
Win A Free Collectible: Original Bird on Savoy
Aug 19, 2009 Free Collectibles, Savoy
Okay, we are going to celebrate the impending end of summer with our best give-away to date: This is a genuine collectible, an original pressing of an all-time great LP: Charlie Parker Memorial, Savoy 12000. Yes, this is an original pressing with the red Savoy label and the deep groove. The record is not in perfect condition, but it sounds real nice, with just enough surface noise to certify it’s authenticity as a release from the mid-1950s. This features Bird in a variety of settings, with Miles Davis, Bud Powell, Dizzy Gillespie, Max Roach, Duke Jordan, Curley Russell and others. It’s a mix of Bird’s Savoy material, from his earliest dates with Tiny Grimes, to his tenor sessions with Miles, to classics such as Steeplechase and Barbados. In order to be eligible to win this record, all you have to do is
Tags: Charlie Parker
Quickie Quiz
Aug 19, 2009 10-Inch LPs, Questions
The other day we pointed out the Phil Woods 10-inch LP on New Jazz. This is a tough one: Altogether, how many 10-inch LPs were issued on the New Jazz label? For extra credit, you can name as many as possible. If you get desperate, the answer can be found somewhere on the Jazz Collector site.
Tags: New Jazz Records, Phil Woods
My Favorite Things: The Winner Is . . .
Aug 18, 2009 Free Collectibles
Time to do the drawing for the winner of the great LP, John Coltrane, My Favorite Things, Atantic 1361. This is a near mint stereo pressing, not an original, but it sounds great and it’s one of the classics, despite the surprising criticisms from some of our favorite commentators. For me, this is a real favorite and one of the first records I fell in love with when I fell in love with jazz. I find the title track powerful and innovative and am a huge fan of the way Trane does “But Not For Me,” with an echo of his Prestige years, but the clear growth he had shown in Giant Steps. And then there is Everytime We Say Goodbye, which Mrs JC and I took for our wedding song. Speaking of Mrs. JC, here she is to select this week’s winner. As most of you know by now, the rules for our contests are simple: All you have to do to be eligible to win
Tags: Atlantic Records, John Coltrane
Today at Jazz Collector: Trane Reigns
Aug 18, 2009 Prestige
This is a busy day here at Jazz Collector, with a particular emphasis on John Coltrane collectibles. Some of the heavy-ticket items we’ve been watching are closing today, including that copy of Giant Steps, which is now more than $200; later today we will be announcing the winner of our contest to win a copy of My Favorite Things; and we are closing our last auctions for a couple of weeks, as we head off for a brief holiday. Have no fear, during the holiday we will still be doing our daily posts, and more, on Jazz Collector. Meanwhile, some of the items closing today.
Art Taylor, Taylor’s Wailers, Prestige 7117. This is an original pressing and the record features an all star lineup of John Coltrane, Jackie McLean and Charlie Rouse, among others. The record is in M- condition and the cover is VG++. The price is now about $450. This is one of those records in the batch being sold by Bobdjukic, which also includes the Giant Steps LP. What I find incredible is
Tags: Atlantic Records, Charlie Rouse, Giant Steps, Jackie McLean, John Coltrane
Phil Woods & eBay Existentialism
Aug 17, 2009 10-Inch LPs, Prestige
I have a friend who is a big fan of 10-inch LPs and a big fan of 1950s Phil Woods. I was looking at eBay today and sent him this photo and this listing: Phil Woods New Jazz Quintet, Prestige New Jazz 1104. This one is only in VG condition, but I knew he would love it. Sure enough he wrote a reply: “You know me too well.” I love this one too, particularly the red and white New Jazz label, which you don’t see too often and, if I recall, doesn’t appear on 12-inch LPs at all. It is now in the $50 price range. So I’m picturing my friend now sitting at home pondering: To bid, or not to bid. The essential existential e-Bay question on a sultry summer day in New York. My bet on the answer? To bid.
Tags: New Jazz Records, Phil Woods
Miles, Introducing Trane, On eBay, In Metronome
Aug 17, 2009 Books/Magazines, Jazz Vinyl, Jazz Vinyl on eBay, Prestige
I was perusing eBay early this morning and came across this beautiful item: Miles, The New Miles Davis Quintet, Prestige 7014. I’ve always loved this LP, not just for the music and the great cover, but for the historic value as well: The introduction of the great Miles Quintet of the ’50s and, in particular, the introduction of John Coltrane. So, I put this item on my watch list and took a further look and it turns out to be a listing from Rudolf, our faithful friend and commentator. So we are happy to help Rudolf publicize this listing on the Jazz Collector site, but we also noticed a nice teaser in the listing, which notes that they album will be offered with a copy of Metronome’s July 1956 review of the album. Furthermore, the listing notes that the Metronome review is
Tags: Downbeat, John Coltrane, Metronome, Miles Davis
Some More Blue Notes, Some More $1,000 LPs
Aug 15, 2009 $1000 Records, Blue Note, Jazz Vinyl, Jazz Vinyl on eBay
We casually mentioned the Lexington Avenue version of Sonny Rollins Volume One, Blue Note 1542 and there, lo and behold, is a beautiful M- copy that is ready for the $1,000 bin. This one sold for $1,225.
Also entering the $1,000 bin is Dizzy Reece, Blues in Trinity, Blue Note 4006. This was an original West 63rd Street pressing that was in M- condition, both record and cover. It sold for $1,595.
John Jenkins with Kenny Burrell, Blue Note 1573. This was an original pressing n VG+ condition with a light scratch. The cover was listed as excellent-minus, which is, what, VG+ at best? It too is in the $1,000 bin, fetching
Tags: Cafe Bohemia, Dizzy Reece, John Jenkins, Kenny Burrell, Kenny Dorham, Sonny Rollins
A Question About Blue Note Labels in Transition
Aug 15, 2009 Blue Note, Collecting Tips, Questions
Tags: Dexter Gordon
Giant Steps: Black or Bulls-Eye or Both?
Aug 14, 2009 Jazz Vinyl, Jazz Vinyl on eBay
The real reason I was looking at the listings of bobdjukic was the copy he is selling of John Coltrane, Giant Steps, Atlantic 1311. This is a mono pressing with the bulls-eye label. Here’s what he says about the record: “Believed by many to be of the same vintage as the black Atlantic stereo label — in other words, as strangely as it sounds, one of two ‘co-equal’ first pressings.” This depiction is a new one for me, and I’m quite skeptical of its accuracy. A few years ago, I was scolded on this very site for purchasing a bulls-eye stereo copy of Giant Steps, even though I only paid $50. That’s my copy in the picture. The value has subsequently gone up. But this is the first time I’m hearing that anyone believes the bulls-eye and black labels are
Tags: Atlantic Records, John Coltrane
Jeepers Creepers, Where’d You Get Those Eyeballs?
Aug 13, 2009 Blue Note, Jazz Vinyl, Jazz Vinyl on eBay
If you’ve been on eBay this week, you’ve probably noticed the listings of the seller bobdjukic, who has a few hundred records listed, not all jazz. He’s a seller who often puts up nice stuff. I’ve never bought from him, so I don’t know his reputation. One thing I do know: His listings get noticed. I was glancing at the listing for Johnny Griffin, A Blowing Session, Blue Note 1559. This seems to be an original pressing in less than VG condition with a cover that’s just in G or G+ condition. Not great by any means. I was not surprised at the $100 price tag — nothing about Blue Note prices surprises me anymore — but by the number of page views the item received: It has a staggering total of 1,579 views and there are still four days to go. In all the years I’ve been listing on e-Bay, I’ve never had a single record receive that kind of viewership. I’m not sure what this guy does to attract eyeballs, but whatever it is, it is working.
Tags: Johnny Griffin
Updates: More Monterose and More Blue Note
Aug 13, 2009 Blue Note
Jazz Collector is certainly expanding my horizons. Today I spoke to a bass player in Rochester who was friends with J.R. Monterose and, in fact, produced a CD that is probably J.R.’s last recording. He’s sending me a copy and I’ll let you know about it when it arrives. Quite possibly we could end up as a repository of the first and last known recordings of J.R. Monterose. Pretty cool. Also, I had a long conversation with Ron Rambach, who has a company called Music Matters, which reissuing of a good portion of the Blue Note catalogue as
Tags: JR Monterose, Music Matters
Les Paul Dies
Aug 13, 2009 News
News travels so fast these days: I go on Facebook and there are notes from a bunch of people that Les Paul has died. He was not a great jazzman, but he was an innovator and certainly influential. Now that I convinced my friend Dan Axelrod to write something about Tal Farlow, I will ask him to do something about Les Paul, because I know he has a few personal stories.
Tags: Les Paul
Does Jazz Really Need Saving?
Aug 13, 2009 Features
There was an article in the Wall Street Journal the other day entitled “Can Jazz Be Saved?” It cites a bunch of statistics showing that the audience for jazz in the U.S. is both dwindling and aging, which is not a good combination. It’s somewhat of a sad commentary on the state of the jazz scene in America, but it does ignore the other reality that jazz is still revered and treasured to a much greater degree in Europe and Asia. It also talks about jazz following the route of classical music, in the sense that it is now viewed a an art form of high culture. I thought it might be interesting to share with everyone. In a way, the article supports what we’re seeing in the jazz collectibles market — the belief that jazz is a high art form and its history should be cherished and preserved: Thus, the subsequent rise we’re witnessing in prices for the original artifacts.
Tags: The Wall Street Journal
