Comments on: Jazz Collector Listener’s Guide, Nov. 28, 2008

By: Rudolf A. Flinterman

Rudolf A. Flinterman — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:55:42 +0000

I think Blue Serge is the only cover omitting “Philly”. For Capitol, I think, he was just an unknown drummer. They did not bother for details or wanted people to believe he was Jo Jones?!
You are right, we must assume Miles was there, view Trane’s presence in the same period.

By: Al

Al — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:42:03 +0000

Very interesting — looked at the cover of Blue Serge and on the front cover it lists Joe Jones, leaving out the “Philly.” Not sure if he’s referenced without the Philly elsewhere? This was recorded March 1956, and so was A Jazz Delegation From The East, so you’d have to assume the Miles quintet was playing there at the time, no?

By: Rudolf A. Flinterman

Rudolf A. Flinterman — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 17:35:16 +0000

Al: your observations regarding Thanksgiving day were well noted here, obviously a foreigner would not dare to make them! With respect to the motives of those coming to your shores, you forgot to mention the empty stomach (the Germans in the 30 years war, the Irish and Scandinavian famine, poverty in Italy, Greece and Central/So. America).
How did I spend this weekend? I dug out an old favourite of mine: the Melrose Avenue Conservatory Chamber Orchestra. Does that ring a bell with you? Further I listened to “Blue Serge” on Capitol. Chaloff is a giant on his instrument, who has the magic to fascinate more than his contemporary, G. Mulligan. From there I went to 2 other West Coast sessions animated by Philly Joe: Art Pepper and the Rhythm Section on Contemporary and Chambers’ “a jazz delegation from the East” with Trane on Imperial, the latter album, for me being the least convincing. The incredible versality of Philly is at the basis of 3 interesting saxophone + rhythm sessions, all recorded in L.A.! I wonder whether Miles was in the area at each occasion. It seems he was, for the Pepper and P.C. session. How about Serge’s? Would anyone know?