Another Adventure, Part 4: Ornette, Monk, Dee and Me
Bobby Bradford
Dee had already been in contact with a guy who has a record store in Maine. He was disappointed that I wound up with the records. He had no way to know and didn’t realize, I’m sure, I had no intention of keeping them all. Dee put him in touch with me and we arranged for him to come to The Berkshires and make an offer for whatever he wanted. We struck a deal and he took about 220 records, including many of the rock and blues records. There were probably about 400 jazz records left. I reached out to a friend who owns a record store around here and invited him to take a look and make an offer. He came, but didn’t take anything. He did, however, bring a friend who did buy a few choice items, including the two Monk Blue Notes, which, for the record, were not original pressings but early West 63rd labels.
At that point, I didn’t really know what to do. I had reached out to one of our loyal readers immediately when I got the collection, but he was only interested in a few items and I put them aside for him. Then on Dec. 12, I dropped a hint on Jazz Collector. In viewing records on eBay, as I do, I wrote this:
“Let’s start with Ornette Coleman, The Shape of Jazz To Come, Atlantic 1317. This is a deep groove pressing, unplayed, still with its original loose sleeve. The start price is around $200 and the auction closes today with no bidders. This record caught my eye because in my other room just down the hall I have a copy of this record still with its original seal unopened. Oh, yes, and the record happened to be owned by Ornette himself. Oh, yes, and it is part of a collection that I recently purchased and am looking to sell in toto. Intrigued? I will be providing more details soon, because, as always, there was an adventure and a story that goes with it. In the meantime, if anyone is interested you know where to find me.”
I received 5-6 responses to this hint that I dropped. But that turned out to be enough. I worked out a deal with another one of our loyal readers and wound up selling him everything that was left. He got a good deal with some great records and, in the end, I did wind up getting my money back and a little bit more for Dee.
As I reach the end of telling this story, I realize this account is lacking in some of the usual specifics: more record titles, condition, who ended up with the records. There are a few reasons for this lack. I never did write anything down. I don’t remember all of the records I had. There was a Jackie McLean Blue Note and a Freddie Redd Blue Note (not Shades of Redd, unfortunately). There was a New Jersey Sonny Rollins Plus Four. A few Monk records that Dee asked me to put aside. A lot of Ornette records. Blue Train, of course. Several later pressing of Miles on Columbia and Coltrane on Impulse.
It seemed like the records slipped through my hands before I had a chance to really enjoy them or even play them. I am also careful with details out of respect to everyone involved, including Dee, the dealer from Maine, and, of course, the two loyal Jazz Collector readers who ended up with small and large portions of the collection. However, to Dee and anyone else mentioned here directly or tangentially, even The Lovely Mrs. JC, I offer, as always, the option to comment on this post, or write a post of your own.
Separately, I once again want to remind you all that Dee still has this incredible collection of one-of-a kind photographs, some signed by the artists, and she is still looking to sell them. Plus she has other memorabilia as well. If you are interested, you know where to find me, and now you know where to find Dee.
I’ve asked Dee if she would like to have her own post to put an exclamation point on this particular adventure and I am hoping she takes me up on that offer. In the meantime, she sent the following note with today’s set of pictures.
“These artist captures should be mentioned as Ornette’s long-time band mates, photographed during his own appearances. Bobby Bradford, and Charlie Haden, in an Autographed Edition of one original vintage silver gelatin 8 X 10” print, made by the photographer within one year of exposure. Also, Bobby Bradford lived with ME, my aunt (his partner), ORNETTE, and my mother for several years in their joint 150 West 15th Street apartment during those early years. That is where the piano Monk woke me up to play late nights was also living!”
Bobby Bradford
Bobby Bradford
Bobby Bradford
Charlie Haden
Charlie Haden
I love those pictures of Charlie Haden. He is in a special category in my head of musicians who are amazing but never look in photos like they know what they are doing. Curtis Fuller is another. Monk falls into this category, even on video. Bill Hardman, too, because he doesn’t put the mouthpiece right in the middle of his mouth. I don’t know why this fascinates me, but it does.
If anyone is interested, I am the reader who bought the bulk of the records. Full disclosure, many of the most choice items are either now in my personal collection or have been sold to people I knew were looking for them (gotta look out for your pals!), but there are still some nice things left, especially in the realm of low-mid range good records, and of course they come with this nice little bit or provenance. If anyone is interested, you can e-mail trout (at) udel (dot) edu and I will send you a list of what I still have and the asking prices.
sent you an email gregorythefish. I am new to the jazzcollector scene and lovin’ this website. Looking to sell a lot of golden gems but equally important, share the stories about these musicians. I’m learning so much just reading these posts. I’ve had these records for years and wondering what took me so long… I’m really trying to sell on eBay but thus far, I’m buried in the LP sea, waiting to be discovered. I’d love to hear some of these albums myself but not opening the seal. There are a couple of Ben Websters, which I know I would love to play but since they are VG++ I don’t dare…. Sigh!
Hi Yvonne! I saw your email. I will respond later today. You had some good questions in there, so I need to think a bit! 🙂
Love Bobby Bradford; here’s a 2009 interview I did with him (please excuse the bad formatting of the website, which hasn’t stood the test of time): https://www.allaboutjazz.com/bobby-bradford-self-determination-in-the-great-basin-bobby-bradford-by-clifford-allen.php
You may want to try getting in touch with Charlie Hayden’s daughters, known professionally as the Hayden Triplets. They might be interested in some of the photos.
Dear Fish ,
Just what is “in the realm of low-mid range good records “ ? Thanks for your time.
art,
things that are great, but less expensive.
McCoy Tyner, RIP.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/06/arts/music/mccoy-tyner-dead.html
Hi all, It is still a slow go for me regarding my eBay sell list. I’ve reduced the opening bid price and as a “newbie,” my hopes are still high. I’m only listing LPs that are sealed. One by one, I’ve been listening to the ones that are open. Over the weekend, I discovered Ben Webster, Atmosphere for Lovers and Thieves. OMG! Referring back to an earlier article Al wrote in Dec 2019, I decided to just sit and listen to the album rather than let it play for background music. So far, my exposure to Ben Webster has been to hear a tune on the radio, like it, and think oh yeah, that’s Lester Young only to hear the announcer (DJ) say, and that was a tune by Ben Webster. My mind never failed to be blown. Finally, coming across the “opened” LP I found the time was right to sit down and listen to the amazing Ben Webster and let me tell you, I feel so much more musically educated for having done so. In short, my synopsis of the experience is….. his upbeat tunes made me feel happy, put a smile on my face and made me think of just having a good time. The slower tunes made me feel dreamy, a word I have neither heard or used in quite some time. I started imagining, my creative juices started flowing, relaxing, and still smiling. I felt this overall feeling of being comfy, cozy and alive wash over me. Mind you, the recording is old and not that it isn’t in VG++ condition because it is, it’s that the recording acoustics aren’t what they are today so there’s that hollow sound to it. Conversely, Ben’s tone is so rich and full, you overlook the lack of digital technology. Then, if that’s not enough, just when you think there couldn’t be anything further to light this album up, the piano solo comes in. The pianist on this album is Kenny Drew with Niels-Henning Orsted Pederson on Bass, Alex Riel on drums. Together, they have produced magic. Now, I am one of those people, who listen to a record over and over again, each time hearing something different, or not, feeling something different, or not but either way, reveling in the melody like I’m hearing it for the very first time. While I am not auctioning this album off but if I were…. bidding would start at $250 and I’m looking to go into the $1000 bin. Call me a dreamer but remember, I just got finished listening to Ben Webster, Atmosphere for Lovers and Thieves.
Well, with a worldwide viral infection and collapsing markets, perhaps more record sales moving forward will be of things that are great but less expensive.
lennib,
I suspect that a lot of (mostly newer) participants in the BN/Prestige craze don’t even know that well that there are great things beyond those two labels. Hopefully, everyone may get a chance to learn a little more about the other great stuff.
I’ve been listening to an LP by Ben Webster, Atmosphere For Lovers and Thieves, with Kenny Drew, piano and Niels-Henning Orsted Pederson, bass, Alex Riel, drums, Polydore label. the label also says, “Made in England, 1971.” Does that mean it was recorded in England or actually made in England? In either event, it is a fantastic album. My father was adamant about not putting your fingers on an album but holding it on its sides so needless to say, this lp is in perfect condition. The rhythm sounds so contemporary in the sense that it’s the type of music I wish we had today. No digital, no crazy riffs, just pure jazz. Ben has a way of taking a tune like You’d be so easy to love and make it sound like butter on toast. His accompanist fall right into the groove. I’m only selling LPs that are sealed on eBay, which aren’t really selling at all. but if I were to see an open sleeved record, it wouldn’t be this one. This I have to keep!
WIl,
There’s TONS of music like that today. You just have to look for it!
The Ben was recorded in Copenhagen in 1965. I have it under the title Blue Light, released in the late ’60s on German International Polydor. Nice date.
Note to Yvonne DeLaney Mitchell, perhaps dba(doing business as) Wils Record Shop on eBay.
You know, if you dropped a clue or hint or two,
on how on eBay to find you,
You might entice souls with such an inclination
to buy records on your designated destination.
Just a thought.
Sorry for the long gap, everyone. If all goes according to plan, I’ll be back with a new post tomorrow. Hope you are all healthy and dealing with the emotional strain of the coronavirus. I’ve settled up in The Berkshires where we hope to ride it out for as long as necessary. Not that it’s completely clear here (or anywhere), but it definitely feels safer than being in New York City. As long as we stay safe, we have our music to offer escape.
A query for Clifford.
Was listening to Burton Greene ESP lp before I got rid of it, the one sometimes called Bloom in Commune and anyway, there was this tenorman, Frank Smith and name taxed my brain, but I recall nothing about him, nor other lps he may have been on. Perhaps at one time I may have known, but now..?
Anyway, you know anything about the cat, whatever happened to him. Those Franks back in the day, Lowe, Smith and Wright, they certainly knew how to go out.
Hello Al & All,
I am new to this site, new to Jazz too, (I played trumpet from age of 7 – 15, my tutor told me, “don’t bother with Jazz, it’s just notes thrown together without any thought.”).
I started at page 19 and worked my way back to page 1. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every single feature, superb writing and the content is always interesting and informative.
I hope I am not going out of the arena of collecting, and / or this has already been ‘done to death’ but, what turntable(s) do you all use?
Thank you,
Jon
Hi, JonB and welcome. Three things. 1. You should probably comment on the most current post if you want anyone to see it. We don’t have a forum and people generally don’t click on to latest comments, but they do look at the current comments on each post. 2. I use Linn Sondek turntable(s) and I love them. 3. Thanks for the kind words and taking all of that time to go through the site. I’m impressed.