This week’s theme: Part two of a two-part celebration of my father’s 100th birthday. Featured artists include Horace Silver, Joe Henderson, Carmel Jones, Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington, Clifford Brown, Clark Terry, Donald Byrd, Hank Mobley, Kenny Burrell, Herbie Hancock, Oscar Brown Jr., Dave Brubeck, Paul Desmond, Randy Weston, Cecil Payne, Lockjaw Davis, Johnny Griffin, Junior Mance, and many more.

This week’s theme: Jazz Vocals featuring horn player accompaniment. Featured artists include Sarah Vaughan, Clifford Brown, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, Dave Lambert, Joe Williams, Cannonball Adderley, Nat Adderley, Abby Lincoln, Kenny Durham, Sonny Rollins, Dinah Washington, Clark Terry, Paul Quinichette, Lockjaw Davis, Annie Ross, Gerry Mulligan, Zoot Sims, Chet Baker, Art Farmer, Helen Humes, Teddy Edwards, Ray Charles, Betty Carter, Billie Holiday, Lester Young, and many more.

The record store in question was Hudson Valley Vinyl in Beacon, New York, which is somewhat along the way from Manhattan to The Berkshires, and it was pretty easy to convince The Lovely Mrs. JC that, “oh, wouldn’t Beacon New York be a lovely place to stop for lunch. Oh, and by the way, there happens to be a record store there.” It’s a very nice store, well organized, a nice inventory and fair prices. I can see where Clifford is a big fan, because they have a fantastic selection of free jazz. I am less of a fan and collector of that genre of music, but the store has a broader selection, and I like buying records, so I bought a few, because, well, that’s what I do.

There was a copy of Pres and Sweets on Verve, and I thought I could upgrade my cover. I put the record on when I got home. Is it just me, or does Pres sound pretty bad on this record? Like, they were happy to get a few takes out of him, but he certainly was not playing his best. I also got a mono pressing of Lookin’ at Monk! By Lockjaw Davis and Johnny Griffin. This was an upgrade for me and when I put the record on the turntable, I was not disappointed. Solid record. Finally, I picked up an original Fantasy record of Fatha Hines playing Fats Waller.  This was an original red vinyl pressing from 1956, very nice cover, liner notes by Ralph J. Gleason, and, what the hell, it was only $10. Also a nice record, with some surprisingly refreshing guitar by Eddie Duran.

Anyway, it was fun to go to a nice record store. As for the rest of the day, we never did have that lunch in Beacon New York. I guess we’ll have to do that next time.

This one came from the same batch and I was quite surprised to see where the bidding ended up, since I’ve never viewed this one as particularly coveted by collectors:

The Jazz Messengers, Columbia 897. This was an original pressing with the red six-eye label. It was also listed in pristine condition, straight from storage. The final price was $255.  As they say, condition counts, right? Here’s one more: Johnny Griffin and Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, Tenor Scene, Prestige 7191. This was an original yellow label pressing with the New Jersey address. It was also in M- condition and sold for $172.50. I love the Griff and Lockjaw records, on Prestige, Riverside and Jazzland, but they typically don’t sell for collector’s prices. Then again, they are not typically in pristine condition.

Here’s a personal favorite of mine that didn’t sell and is back on eBay for those who may be interested: Eddie Costa, Guys and Dolls Like Vibes, Coral 57230. This was an original promotional pressing. It was listed in VG+ condition for the vinyl and VG for the cover, but based on the seller’s experience and description, I would wager that the grading is very conservative. Anyway, this did not sell and is back with a start price of $122. Oh yes, it features some great Bill Evans in addition to Costa on vibes. A really nice record.

One of our readers has a set of three vintage photos, autographed, framed and mounted. All three photos appear to be made out to Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis. The signatures are from Dizzy Gillespie: “To my Dixieland friend — Dizzy G” (that’s what it is, although it would be tough to associate Lockjaw with Dixieland); Dave Tough: “To Jaws, Dave Tough;” and Sidney Catlett: “Blow that horn Jaws! — Sidney Catlett.” It is certainly an interesting piece of jazz memorabilia. If you are interested drop us at note at al@jazzcollector.com and we’ll put you in touch with the seller.

Another of our readers is moving from New York to California and has a batch of high-end audio equipment he is looking to sell. This includes a Klyne pre-amp; B&K stereo amp; Carver tuner; Sota turntable; Sumiko tonearm; Snell speakers and

some other equipment. This is not our field of expertise, but we figured we’d help him out and perhaps help out another reader who might be looking for equipment. This would be primarily in the New York area and it would have to happen fairly quickly. You can reply to this post or send an email to al@jazzcollector.com if you are interested.

A reader from Europe says he will be traveling to San Antonio, Texas later this year and is wondering if anyone can recommend any sources of jazz vinyl out there. Good luck.

We’ll start with some nice jazz guitar records. Atomic Records has a pair of nice Tal Farlow records on Norgran: The Artistry of Tal Farlow, Norgran 1014. This is in nice shape and in the $100 range as of this post. Also, Interpretations, Norgran 1027. This seems to be in a bit better condition and is in the same price range. My good friend Dan Axelrod is loaded with personal anecdotes about Tal, and at some point I’m going to prevail upon him to share them on this site. Dan, are you out there?

The seller 59Whitefalcon, who often sells nice jazz guitar LPs on eBay, is on today with a bunch of Sal Salvador records, including my personal favorite, which is: Shades of Sal Salvador, Bethlehem 39.  This one features Phil Woods and Eddie Costa and is being offered at a start price of around $50. After you click it, you can view seller’s other items to check out the other Sal Salvador records. Back to Dan, I know there’s a very funny story involving Tal and Jimmy Raney and Sal Salvador. So, Dan, anytime you’re ready.

A day without a collectible Blue Note on eBay would be like a day without sunshine, so no sense depriving us of the pleasure. How about: Lee Morgan, Indeed, Blue Note 1538. This is an original Lexington Avenue pressing in very nice condition. This is already near $750. 

And here, in no particular order, are a bunch of others:

Barbara Lea, Lea in Love, Prestige 7100. This is a New York pressing in nice shape.

Horace Silver Quintet, Blue Note 5058. This is a 10-inch LP in VG condition. Seller has a start price of $299. Somehow I think it’s not going to sell. 

Lockjaw Davis and Johnny Griffin, Lookin’ At Monk, Jazzland 39. What’s this doing here? It’s not a real collectible. Perhaps not, but not every collectible is a good record, and not every good record is a collectible and this is a darn good record, fantastic music and well recorded. It has no bids and it’s $8, so, at this point, it’s not much risk.

Here’s another one that fits the same mold, nice record, reasonable price: Kenny Dorham and Jackie McLean, Inta Somethin’, Pacific Jazz 41. This one is also under $10 at this point.

Finally, here’s one you don’t see too often: Charles Mingus at the Bohemia, Debut 123. This looks to be in nice shape. We’ll see if it meets the dealer’s reserve price.