To my knowledge, there is no video of Coleman Hawkins or Mary Lou Williams playing “Rifftide” or “Oh, Lady Be Good” and certainly not “Hackensack,” Thelonious Monk’s appropriation or adaptation of the line. So, we’ll have to settle for Stan Getz and John Coltrane accompanied by Oscar Peterson, Paul Chambers and Jimmy Cobb. This was 1960 in Dusseldorf. There are several dubs of this clip floating around the internet. This one has the clearest picture and sound.
A “Rifftide” Or “Hackensack” Demo
July 9, 2009 by
The nonagenarian pianist presented de Barros with every biographer’s hope, unrestricted access to his subject’s personal papers and nearly unrestricted access to her private thoughts. He made the most of it, turning exhaustive research and hundreds of hours of interviews into a true story with the sweep of a novel. From the early discovery of McPartland’s musical gift through her wartime service, her ecstatic and stormy marriage to Jimmy McPartland, her growth as a pianist, her deep affair with Joe Morello, and the radio show that made her a national figure, she has had a fascinating life. It makes a splendid read.
Mulligan’s Concert Jazz Band had three fewer musicians than most big jazz outfits. Its size permitted precision, flexibility and subtlety, yet the band had the power of sprung steel. In this concert from a half century ago, the CJB is as fresh as yesterday. Arrangements by Mulligan, Bob Brookmeyer, Al Cohn and Johnny Mandel set standards to which big band writers still aspire. Bassist Buddy Clark and drummer Mel Lewis inspired Mulligan, Brookmeyer, Conte Candoli, Gene Quill and Zoot Sims to some of the best soloing of their careers. This beautifully produced issue of the complete concert is a basic repertoire item.
This video is a treasure.
Is it already two years since it surfaced on the internet ?
I first heard it in September 2006. I just could not believe it.
Stan Getz and John Coltrane. We did not have any recorded meetings of them both and suddenly we had this beautiful video.
Shortly thereafter it was posted on YouTube. Just check the number of views
and comments to see its popularity.
Much more music from that same date can be heard.
Noteworthy is a beautiful set with Stan Getz and his
band which included Jan Johansson on piano, Ray Brown on bass and Ed Thigpen on drums.
How many more jewels like this lie dormant in a recording vault ?
Just waiting to be found.