Comments on: Adventures in Jazz Collecting: Red Carraro, Part 1

By: In the Eye of the Beholder | jazzcollector.com

In the Eye of the Beholder | jazzcollector.com — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 14:32:04 +0000

[…] and VG+ or so for the cover. I was walking around carrying the record when I ran into my old buddy Red Carraro. He had been to the show well before me and had seen the record and passed on it. He sees me with […]

By: The Lasting Value of Blue Notes. Or Not | jazzcollector.com

The Lasting Value of Blue Notes. Or Not | jazzcollector.com — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 15:04:45 +0000

[…] at a trio of articles I wrote in 2010 when my friend Red Carraro passed away. Original articles are here, here and here. Anyway, I dug a little deeper and the new viewers came from this site, Steve […]

By: sgcim

sgcim — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 04:22:01 +0000

I never hoid of this site before, but I googled Red’s name, and this page came up.
Sorry to hear so late of Red’s passing. RIP.
I first met Red back in the early 70s, when we used to get our parents to drive us to Red’s house to buy jazz LPs.
We became regular customers of his, and he used to say that he had to put sheets on the basement floor before we came, because he was tired of wiping up all the cum when we looked through his record collection ; – )
He sold me my first (and still favorite) Tal Farlow LP for $40.
That was a lot of money back then for a high school kid, but I had to have it. After that, I was too broke to afford anymore Tal, so Red got his son to tape a few of Tal’s LPs on his reel-to-reel deck for about $10.
One time I met Red at Eisenhower Park on LI, where I was playing a concert with a kid jazz band.
I was using my Dad’s D’Angelico guitar, and when I turned up the volume for a solo, it would feedback like mad, much to my disgust.
When I asked Red what he thought of my playing, he said,”I didn’t like it. I don’t go in for that rock crap.” I tried to tell him I had a major feedback problem that day, but he wouldn’t have it.;’)
The last time I saw Red back then, I was broke, and tried to sell him a bunch of my jazz records, which were in terrible condition.
He looked at them and said “Nah, I can’t use any of them, they’re in lousy shape.”
I got so mad, I ran out of his house and left my maroon windbreaker at his house. He called me up and told me I forgot my windbreaker at his house. I was still mad, so I told him he could keep it.
I didn’t see him for another 30 years, till I bumped into him at Infinity Records.
The first thing he said to me was, “You know, I still got your maroon windbreaker that you left at my house.”
RIP, Red.

By: George Ziskind

George Ziskind — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 18:45:35 +0000

Billy, I’m going to snailmail you a photo of Red, Keizo Takada, and me in front of Peter Luger’s.

George

By: George Ziskind

George Ziskind — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 18:38:15 +0000

Here it is a week since Red passed, and I just found out about this site an hour ago – by way of a phone call from France from my friend Ruud Fliterman (that’s the “Rudolph” you see several emails above).
Everyone who knew Red was aware what a rare bird he was – a friend in need, with a heart of gold. In the early 70’s I got a phone call one day and the voice at the other end said “This is Lamont Cranston!” It was Red of course introducing himself to me in his own unique way. (Anyone old enough will know Lamont Cranston was the every-day name of the radio hero “The Shadow” from the 1940s.)
My love goes out to Amy and Billy at this difficult time.

George Ziskind

By: Cathy Carraro

Cathy Carraro — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 02:08:07 +0000

While I did not get to spend much time with Uncle Willie, I will always remember him fondly. As his niece-in-law he always made me feel welcome in the Carraro Family. He had a smooth, easy-going personality. I will never forget the first time I saw his basement and his massive record collection. I hope they like Jazz in heaven! But hey, if they don’t, Uncle Willie will convert them all into Jazz fans. I will always be grateful for the affection and attention he and his son Bill’s family showed my daughter, Elizabeth, when she was living in NYC several years ago. He made her feel like his own daughter. His reputation spread far and wide and I can remember the first time someone here in Kentucky asked me if I was related to “Red” Carraro – the Jazz Collector and I proudly said, “Yes – he’s my Uncle”. I will miss him. Love, Cathy

By: Bill Carraro Jr.

Bill Carraro Jr. — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 00:38:56 +0000

If you would like, visit Red Carraro’s memorial page set up by the family:

http://memorialwebsites.legacy.com/Bill-Red-Carraro/homepage.aspx

By: Jim Livingston

Jim Livingston — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 21:14:46 +0000

Red was my neighbor, Bill a childhood friend. Red was as decent a man as any I have ever known. He was like a second dad to me. Red and my father had many common interests, especially music, and they always spoke so highly of each other. I had recently moved back after living away for 28 years, and moved away again 2 months ago.

Red made a hard time in my life bearable. Despite the recent loss of his oldest son, he told me he “was keeping an eye on me” for the sake of my own departed dad. It mattered to him how I was doing. Whenever I spoke to him, he listened, and when he spoke I was enthralled. He would spin wonderful yarns, often about his hardscrabble childhood, yet he never complained. He spoke like a man that felt blessed, and I am blessed to number him amongst my friends. The only man I will miss more than he is my father. And it helps knowing they are reunited now and talking about “real” music.

By: jack

jack — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 18:28:14 +0000

I also went to Red’s house many times. His prices were quite high(but fair) by the time I caught up with him but it sure beat buying on EBAY.
He once had Zoot over with a few other guys who were preparing for a local gig sans drummer. He kinda hinted I should come over and maybe sit in but I didn’t have the nerve. pretty dumb huh.
anyway I could tell he was a caring person, a man like my Dad who worked his tail off for his family. whatever it took! which in his case involved dealing in records besides his regular job.
Red, thanks for the sounds.
Miss you!

By: Allen

Allen — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 17:23:50 +0000

I just got the call from Red’s daughter-in-law Jacqui about this sad event. I’ve known the Carraro family for about 20 years. Red was one of those people I felt really privledged to have known. First his son John passed away last November and now this. I will miss both of them greatly.