Random Musings From the Jazz Collector World
Here’s some random stuff from the world of Jazz Collector.
No more J & R Music World in lower Manhattan. The iconic outlet closed last week, as reported here in the New York Daily News. The combination of music sales moving online and consumer electronics sales moving online makes it inevitable that brick-and-mortar stores such as these will struggle and ultimately have to find new revenue streams or face going out of business. I remember J&R back in the day, before CDs, when it was the place to buy records that were in print. It stocked pretty much everything and the prices were fair. But that was a long time ago. Last time I was there, maybe three years ago, they were trying to revive vinyl sales with reissues and even some used vinyl, but, with the used vinyl, the prices were way too high for regular buyers like me. Another one bites the dust.
This one is kind of silly, but it came in the mailbox: The CBS program “60 Minutes” conducted a survey and ask respondents to choose which was more important, jazz or hip hip. 73% chose jazz and 19% chose hip hop. And this means . . . .?
Our friend CeeDee sends the following link and note regarding a 45 by The Precisions that sold for $4,350: “Ok,it’s not jazz. I thought you’d get a kick out of the winning bid,though..which just confirms that the big bucks are out there for the “right” items(and a heads up as you come across collections of various types). A 45,for cryin’ out loud!
Here’s the story of a collector donating his records to a university. As I think about my own legacy, I ponder taking a similar route with a lot of my records — not all of them — as well as my books, magazines and other ephemera. Doing research on a suitable donee is on my list of things to do. Any suggestions are welcome. I think the only pre-conditions would be that the records and collectibles would be accessible and that my name would somehow be attached to the collection.
Not sure the best place to post this, but since when are Div of UA pressings fetching nearly $80?! I was hoping to get this one at a reasonable price, as it’s a lowly UA, and figured on a good day it would close for half of what it did: http://tinyurl.com/ldz35jd
And why did this original copy of Soultrane only sell for $3 more? http://tinyurl.com/k93em6z Someone got a bargain!
I have decided not to try and understand the UA and Liberty prices. There seems to be examples of highly inflated auctions each week. I do, however, now keep more of an eye out for them and pick them up if I see them for around $10. I figure that my collection isn’t getting Jutta Hipp or Kenny at Cafe Bohemia originals any time soon and these will have to do.
I think it is as a result of people being priced out of the original label w/ ear copies, which results in higher prices on the Liberty/UA/etc. Perhaps now is the time to unload several of mine that I have upgraded to original pressings. In the past selling a $10-20 record just wasn’t worth the hassle on Ebay.
Sorry for double post, Aaron- Point Of Departure is available as reissue on Music Matters. I think it is just as good as my original stereo pressing. Just different is all.
university use might really wear down the records. i’d be concerned about that if it were me.
http://www.bluenote.com/news/blue-notes-first-sessions-to-be-reissued
new pressings by blue note…. 25 euro in europe, they are gonne re-release 100 albums
I love the idea of folks donating the jest of their record collections to music school libraries. If they are valuable, They would need to put them in a rare books and manuscripts archive and use special gear. A model for this is the hogan ransom jazz archive at Tulane. When I did research there a while back, the librarians played the old 78s and LPs in the back room and CDs and then fed the sound into a listening room. This prevented theft and carelessness. Whether they used a high end dynavector, Lyra, etc cartridge is doubtful. But the donator could help out with that. Just don’t expect the nonprofit library to pay eBay prices for your collection lol. It’s meant for scholarly purposes not a cash grab. As a professor who teaches jazz history let me ask you all to consider this.
Back to the column,shall we?
I first went to J&R in the original location downtown. I found it a much hipper spot with informed help and cheap prices-a good combo.All that was lost in the move to a bigger space. It was also around the corner from Dan Serro’s home-a huge loft in one of those renovated factory buildings,with plenty of room for his massive lp collection. He was doing good bizness in the(then new)’70’s Japanese Lp import field-I’d make trips there whenever the budget allowed. Dan’s enjoying life-and his collection-in Florida now,but my memories remain fresh.
$4350 for a 45 is certainly not out of the realm of believability. Those Northern Soul and hard funk collectors have incredibly deep pockets.
And how about a little blues. Last two bidders went atomic. Wonder if the winning bidder will pay up:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/371039975195?ssPageName=STRK:MEDWX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1435.l2649
Paul — thanks for the insight. From my end, I’m thinking of leaving the most valuable records to my children for the money, and leaving the bulk of my records/books/magazines, etc., as a donation. I’ll start researching soon, not that I’m planning to go anywhere for a long time.
A memorial will be held for my father DAN SERRO in New York City on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at 12:00pm to 2:00pm in the 5C Cultural Center, 68 Avenue C, New York, NY 10009.
Daniel Serro-Boim born March 22, 1934 in New York passed away on January 26, 2018. His wife Nola Simmons passed away September 2003. Dan resided in Miami with his longtime companion Cassandra. He was very proud of his children and grandchildren. He loved and collected jazz and wrote poetry, produced a ten records, and published 4 books of poetry. He was an avid photographer and traveled to different countries like Japan, Spain, Trinidad, etc. He is survived by his sister Dorothy and his children Jeff, Richard, Jennifer, Christine, Anastacia and grandchildren.
Attendees at the memorial will be welcomed to say a few words, read poetry, or play music in his honor.