Tag: Modern Jazz Quartet

Today on eBay, January 20, 2009

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We can’t spend too much time on eBay this morning because we have to watch the historic inauguration of Barack Obama, which is very exciting. But we’ve be able to cull through the next 24 hours worth of jazz collectibles, to bring you a few gems that are being offered today by various sellers. Foremost among these sellers is Euclid Records, which always seems to come up with some goodies. Here are a couple: Serge Chaloff, Blue Serge, Capital 742. This is an original pressing. The record is M- and the cover is VG++. The current price is $294. Also from Euclid is Serge Chaloff, Boston Blow-Up!, Capital 6510. This also seems to be an original pressing. The record is M- and the cover is VG++. The current price is $33. Goes the presence of Sonny Clark on Blue Serge make that much of a difference in the value between these two records? 

Also coming up today on eBay are:

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Collectible Catch-Up

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Here are updates on some of the items mentioned here in Jazz Collector the past few days. We’re not including links, since there are links to each of these in previous posts. We will be entering all of these into the Jazz Collector Price Guide this weekend, so please take a look. 

Mary Paich Quartet Featuring Art Pepper, Tampa 28. This was an original mono pressing, red vinyl, in M-/M- condition. Price: $700

Elmo Hope, Informal Jazz, Prestige 7043. This was an original New York pressing. The record was VG++ ad the vinyl was only in G condition. Price: $261.90

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Today on eBay, Nov. 20, 2008

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Here are some interesting items closing today on eBay: Most of you have probably noticed this one, since it’s a featured listing: Curtis Fuller Volume 3, Blue Note 1583. This is an original pressing. It seems to be in VG+ condition, both record and cover. This one has Sonny Clark on piano and is a pretty nice collectible. The current price is $340. 

If you’re desperate for a copy of Eddie Costa, House of Blue Lights, Dot 3206, there’s one closing soon on eBay for a Buy-It-Now price of $420. The record is M- and the cover is VG+. 

Euclid Records is back again with some nice items, including this one: Sonny Rollins with the Modern Jazz Quartet, Prestige 7020. This is an original New York pressing with the original orange cover. Careful readers will note that Jazz Collector recently posed the question to our audience on the orange cover versus the yellow cover and one of our readers reminded us that if it’s orange it must be original. This one is in near mint condition and is currently priced at $629. 

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This Weekend on eBay, Part 1

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We promised to point out some of the interesting items coming up this weekend on eBay, with some appropriate (and pithy) commentary, as always. Here’s the first batch. We’ll do follow-up posts as the weekend progresses, so stay tuned:

Once in a while I run into albums I’ve never seen before and here’s one: Bob Gordon, Moods in Jazz, Tampa 26. I know this is a record from the 1950s, but I have to ask about that cover: Is that Sarah Palin doing who knows what to a moose? Click the link for a better view, but this is definitely one weird cover.

Roost seems to be an under-valued label, but we’ve seen this one go for decent prices in the past: Beverly Kenney with Jimmy Rowles and the Basie-ites, Roost 2218. This one is currently under $20, in decent condition. Read more

What is Soul in Jazz?

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Quote of the Day:

      “What is soul in jazz? It’s what comes from within: It’s what happens when the inner part of you comes out. It’s the part of playing you can’t get out of the books and studies.  In my case, I believe that what I heard and felt in the music of my church was the most powerful influence on my musical career. Everyone wants to know where I got that funky style. Well, it came from the church. The music I heard there was open, relaxed, impromptu – soul music.” — Milt Jackson, from the liner notes to the LP Plenty, Plenty Soul, Atlantic 1269, liner notes by Nat Hentoff.

 

One of the criticisms of the Modern Jazz Quartet was that the structure of the band held back the playing of the brilliant vibist Milt Jackson. This was Jackson’s response when he was asked if, indeed, being in the MJQ held him down:

            “No, not actually. It may not sound or look like it when you’re listening out front because it’s all so well planned, but I still get to play more or less what I want to play. I’m relaxed. I’ve always been able to adjust myself to a situation. When I first joined the MIQ, there were times when I looked at the planning as a handicap, but now I’ve come to look on it as an asset. In terms of the business, and musically too. Discipline can be a good thing and having been under discipline can be a help when you do let loose.” — Source: Liner notes to the LP Milt Jackson, Plenty, Plenty Soul, Atlantic 1269. Liner notes by Nat Hentoff.

 

 “Lester was a one or two take man. He’d say, ‘I can’t do anything better than that,’ and usually that was it. His statements were emotional ones and when they were done, they were done.”

            Norman Granz on Lester Young. Liner notes from the album The Lester Young Story, Verve MG V-8308, 1960. Liner notes by Nat Hentoff.