This week I indulge myself with a show for my very own birthday. In the past I’ve played tracks recorded on Feb. 4, including Miles Davis Milestones. But two years in, I’ve dipped into that well too often. So this year, the focus is on the year I was born, 1953. As I say on the Podcast, it was a very good year for jazz and boys from Queens. Also a great chance to focus on 10-inch records from the collection. Featured artists include Miles Davis, Horace Silver, Percy Heath, Max Roach, Art Blakey, Curley Russell, Dizzy Gillespie, Billie Holiday, Oscar Peterson, Charlie Shavers, Ray Brown, Herb Ellis, Gerry Mulligan, Dave Brubeck, Paul Desmond, Joe Dodge, Ron Crotty, Jay Jay Johnson, Jimmy Heath, Gil Coggins, Tadd Dameron, Clifford Brown, Lou Donaldson, Gigi Gryce, Charlie Parker, Red Garland, Roy Haynes, Chet Baker, Russ Freeman, Carson Smith, Larry Bunker, Shelly Manne, Art Pepper, Bob Cooper, Jummy Giuffre, Bob Enevoldsen, Marty Paich, Curtis Counce, Phil Woods, Jon Eardley, George Syran, Teddy Kotick, Nick Stabulas.

This week’s theme: Ella

I always like to discover records I’ve never seen before. I’ve been collecting jazz records for more than 40 years now, so you would think I’ve seen everything. Plus, I watch eBay pretty carefully, although not nearly as obsessively as I did several years ago. Still, here’s one I’ve never seen (or, perhaps, never noticed): Marty Paich, Hot Piano, Tampa 23. This record is listed in M- condition, which is rare enough for a Tampa in and of itself. It is also red vinyl. The cover is listed at VG+. The bidding starts at around $200 and so far there has been no action.

This one also caught my eye: John Coltrane, Soultrane, Prestige 7142. What struck me was a note in the listing: “Absolutely the best copy we’ve ever seen.” I thought perhaps it was a seller given over to hyperbole. I’m sure we can think of one or two in that category. But, no, it’s a legitimate jazz guy who’s been selling on eBay for as long as I can remember, although I haven’t personally dealt with him in years.  Anyway, this record is listed in M- condition for the record and the cover. The bidding is only at $110, with more than a day left. Could be a bargain for someone. This is my personal favorite of all the Coltrane Prestige recordings, an absolute gem from start to finish.

Then, of course, there is the usual stack of Blue Notes in my watch list How could I not start with this: Freddie Redd, Shades of Redd, Blue Note 4045? This is an original West 63^rdStreet pressing listed in EX+ condition for the record and Ex for the cover. The start price is around $900 and there is already a bidder. There’s a piece of me that thinks I should just bite the freaking bullet already and put in a high bid for this baby. I’ll finally get the stupid record and none of you will have to listen to my belly-aching anymore. What do you think? I’ve been working my ass off lately, which is why I’ve been posting so little, so I could probably find the money and even get approval from The Lovely Mrs. JC. Oh, and isn’t Father’s Day coming up in just a few weeks? I say, let’s vote on it. I have six days to make up my mind.

One more: Wade Legge, New Faces, New Sounds, Blue Note 5031. This is an original 10-inch pressing that looks to be in VG+ condition for the record and probably VG+ for the cover as well. The start price is about $400 and so far there are no bidders. Quick story about this record. Remember last summer’s Misadventure in Jazz Collecting with my lovely friend Debbie in Rochester? You can check out the links as a reminder. At the end, in The Final Chapter, I dropped a hint that there was yet another collection for sale, right here in The Berkshires, where my wife sleeps and my children come and play with their toys. That was Sept. 2, 2018. Well, one of the records in that collection happens to be this Wade Legge record. And, guess what? I spoke to the guy this week and he still has the collection. He’s had some personal issues and hasn’t gotten around to selling it. When he does, I’m first on his list. Or, so he says. Debbie said the same thing last year. Yada, yada, yada, the records ended up in Chicago.

Then there was this one that didn’t get a bid at all: Lee Morgan, Candy, Blue Note 1590. This looked to be an original West 63rd Street pressing, unless I’m missing something. The seller’s description was all over the place in terms of the condition. At one point he said it was strong VG+, then VG. He also mentioned the word “pops,” which is not something you want to hear unless

it’s a Louis Armstrong record. Anyway, there was a start price of about $1,400 and no one took the bait.

It must be a day for red wax: Dexter Gordon, Dexter Blows Hot and Cool, Dootone 207. This is an original pressing with the red vinyl. The record looks to be in about VG condition based on the seller’s description and his answer to a reader’s question. The cover looks nice and is graded at Ex. The start price is nearly $900 and there are no bidders with about four days left on the auction. I have a feeling this one will sell, but not to me.

I asked the woman. Five dollars, she said. I pulled out my wallet and gave her a five. I got home, checked the record and the cover. The cover has a small seam split and is in VG+ condition. The record is M-. I have it on the turntable now. Art Pepper, Violets for Your Furs. Nice. Looks like Marty is going to get more walks on the weekends.

Not sure how we missed this one, but, to be fair, there’s been quite a large number of copies of this record on eBay lately, particularly one considered to be quite rare: Hank Mobley, Blue Note 1568. This one had the West 63rd Street address on both labels, but not the New York 23. So it is considered rare but less rare, original but less original. This one was probably VG+ for both the record and the cover. It sold for $2,456.

Sonny Rollins Plus Four, Prestige 7038. This looked to be an original New York pressing with the original cover design, although there was no mention of the frame, or kakubishi cover. This one was in VG++ condition for both the record and the cover and it sold for $332. Here’s another Rollins from the same seller: Sonny Rollins, Moving Out, Prestige 7058. This was also an original New York pressing. The record was M- and the cover was just VG. This one sold for $472.

You don’t see this one too often, at least not with the red vinyl:

Marty Paich Quartet With Art Pepper, Tampa 28. This was an original pressing with the red vinyl. The record and cover were in VG+ condition. It sold for $635.

Hank Mobley, Mobley’s Message, Prestige 7061. This was an original pressing listed in M- condition for the record and VG+ for the cover. It sold for $689.

Here are a few that didn’t sell at all, starting with Mal Waldron, Mal2, Prestige 7111. This was an original pressing listed in VG+/VG++ condition for both the record and the cover. There was spirited bidding for this one, and the top bid reached $500, but it was not high enough to reach the seller’s reserve price.

Marty Paich Quartet, Tampa 28. This was an original pressing with the red vinyl. The record was listed in VG+ condition and the cover looked to be VG or VG+. The seller had a starting price of $999 and there were no bidders. The seller said the record played at a VG++ level, but for $1,000 it seems buyers would expect more.

I have a feeling that this one may meet the same fate: Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section, Contemporary 3532. This is an original pressing that looks to be in VG++ or M- condition for the record and the cover. The start price is $750 and so far there are no bidders with three days to go. One interesting note: The seller talks about the “original white paper sleeve.” That’s not quite accurate. The Contemporary records in this era did not come with sleeves at all.

Marty Paich Quartet Featuring Art Pepper, Tampa 28. This was sold by the same seller who claimed exclusive access to the best of Leon Leavitt’s collection and was selling some other high-end items a few months ago. This one was an original pressing with the red vinyl and it was listed in M- condition for both the record and the cover. It sold for $2,000, on the nose. Hmmm.

Hank Mobley and Lee Morgan, Peckin’ Time, Blue Note 1574. This was listed as an original pressing in M- condition for the record and the cover. It sold for an even $1,300 and there was only one bid. Hmmm.

Dave Bailey Sextet, Bash!, Jazz Line. This one is quite rare, with Kenny Dorham on trumpet, Curtis Fuller on trombone, Tommy Flanagan on piano. It was listed in M- condition for the record and VG+ for the cover. It sold for $1,111. No Hmmm for this.

I had my eye on this, but the price was too high even if I had been paying attention: Cliff Jordan, Cliff Craft, Blue Note 1582. This was an original West 63rd Street pressing in VG+ condition for both the record and the cover. I was looking at this with a couple of days to go and the price was relatively low. I thought, given the condition, perhaps it might be worth a snipe. It wound up selling for $1,125. However, I do have hope for acquiring this record in the future. I’ve got an idea I may be getting a copy for my birthday one of these days. How did I finagle that? I’ll tell you in another post this week.

John Coltrane, Blue Train, Blue Note 1577. This was an original pressing that looked to be in M- condition for both the record and the cover. It sold for $1,602.77.

Whilst we’re perusing the $1,000 bin, here are a few more:

Marty Paich, The Broadway Bit, Warner Brothers 1296. This was an original pressing in M- condition for both the record and the cover. It sold for $1,311. Wow. First time we’ve seen this one in the $1,000 bin on the Jazz Collector Price Guide.

Jutta Hipp With Zoot Sims, Blue Note 1530. This was an original Lexington Avenue pressing. The record looked to be M- and the cover was probably VG+. The price was $1,913.

One more: Cliff Jordan, Blue Note 1565. This seemed to be an original pressing, lacking the pictures to substantiate, however. It’s a risk. The record was listed as M- and the cover was probably VG+. The price was $1,110. For that money, I’d at least want a full picture of the cover and a picture of the label. Not too much to ask, is it?

Jackie McLean and Company, Prestige 7087. This was an autographed original New York pressing. The record was M- and the cover was VG++. Price: 418

Horace  Parlan, Headin’ South, Blue Note 4062. This was a New York USA pressing — not original — and was in M- condition. Price $371

Zoot Sims and the Modern Art of Jazz, Dawn 1102. This was an original mono pressing. The record and cover were in M- condition. Price: $105.01

We were watching this one to see if it had much value as a collectible. Apparently not: Dexter Gordon, Live at the Amsterdam Paradiso, Catfish 336-337. This was a double LP with the records VG++ and the cover VG+. Price: $30.53

Johnny Griffin, The Congregation, Blue Note 1580. This was an original West 63rd

street pressing with the cover by Andy Warhol. The record and cover were both in VG+ condition. Price: $360

Lou Donaldson, The Time is Right, Blue Note 4025. This was an original West 63rd Street pressing in VG+ condition. Price: 191.30

Thelonious Monk, Himself, Riverside 235. This was a blue label pressing — not original — in M- condition, both record and cover. Price: $225.95

Curtis Fuller Volume Three, Blue Note 1583. This was an original West 63rd Street pressing. The record and cover were both in VG++ condition. Price: $553

Marty Paich, I Get a Boot out of You, Warner Brothers 1349. This was an original stereo pressing. The record and cover were both in VG+ condition. The price was $122.39

Thelonious Monk, Monk, Prestige 7053. This was an original New York pressing with the Andy Warhol cover. The record was VG++ and the cover was also VG++. Price: $710

Beverly Kenney, Born to Be Blue, Decca 78850. This was an original black label pressing. The record and cover were M-. Price: $315.99

Albert Ayler, New York Eye and Ear Control, ESP 1016. This was a stereo pressing. The record was M- and the cover was VG++. Price: $91

Hank Mobley, Workout, Blue Note 84080. This was a New York USA Stereo pressing. The record was VG++ and the cover was VG+. The price was a surprisingly high $215.13

Dexter Gordon, Daddy Plays the Horn, Bethlehem 36. This was an original red label pressing in M- condition, both vinyl and cover. The price was $749.11

Finally, there was Sonny Rollins, The Sound of Sonny, Riverside 241. This was an original white label pressing. The record was M- and the cover was VG++. Price: $269

Please take a look at the Jazz Collector Price Guide. We’ll be adding all of these, and others, today. We’re also getting ready to post some new items on eBay and we’re pondering doing another free record giveaway, so stay tuned.