Some Stories on Sal Nistico

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. Well, who to my wondering eyes should appear but the amazing Sal Nistico in full flight and as his was the only white face in an otherwise all-black aggregation, he really did stick out like a sore thumb. Basie looked like the cat that had just eaten the canary. He loved his tenor men and whenever Sal  stood up to play that night, Basie beamed like a proud new papa! That image is burned vividly in my memory. Maybe you could put out the word: Are there any recordings, public or private, floating around out there of Sal with Basie?” — Kent Hazen

“I have a copy of Just For Fun, though I’m not looking to part with it. I believe this was one of two albums Sal recorded for EGO Records. Sal Nistico was the first jazz tenor player that I was cognizant of back in my youth in the early sixties. I heard him perform only once back in 1979 in Boston with an organ trio led by Phil Porter, who was the organist in the band Chase in the early ’70s. Sal was on fire that night! He is one of the overlooked masters of jazz.” — Alan Case, University of New Hampshire, writer for The Wire magazine.

And here’s a note from another fan from Providence, RI.

“I join in your appreciation of Round Again Records, one of my home towns most noble business ventures. FYI, your eBay reviews are most helpful. Within the past year I sold a stone mint, unplayed copy of Lee Morgan Indeed! to a New York Blue Note collector for $2,800. I doubt that figure represents a Blue Note all-time high, but it’s probably close. Also to the same collector: J.R. Monterose on Blue Note for $1,600. Both LPs came from the same “score” and, as I’m sure you know, bear sequential catalog numbers. Life, if not fair, sometimes in lucrative. Keep up the good work.” Charles R. Drago, Providence, RI.

eBaying

Here’s a real interesting item that sold the other day on eBay. It is a copy of the great LP Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section, Contemporary 3532, with a very personal inscription for Art Pepper and his then-wife Diane. Here’s the inscription:

“To Lupe, When you listen to this record__ just remember that Diane and I are your friends forever__ if your (sp) ever in need of anything all you have to do is ask.  You and Frank have restored my faith in human nature as your help and hospitality came at a time when I was at my ropes end and it will never be forgotten.  My Very Best to you and yours.  Forever____ Art Pepper & Diane” 

The item is definitely a slice of history. It sold for $280.

Here’s another interesting item. A copy of Kind of Blue autographed by Miles Davis.

The album was signed: “To the next welterweight champion – Miles Davis.” The cover wasn’t in great shape, but it’s a pretty neat collectible and not too expensive. It sold for $37.

That’s it for today. See you tomorrow with our next newsletter. — Al