New Orleans is the only place I know of where you ask a little kid what he wants to be and instead of saying “I want to be a policeman,” or “I want to be a fireman,” he says, I want to be a musician.”—Alan Jaffe
I was just like the rest of the kids, wanted to now all about that new music called jazz. I was a second-line kid. That meant I’d follow the big bands down the street and, man, what a thrill when Tio or George Baquet would let me carry their cases while they played!—Albert Nicholas
If I had grown up in any place but New Orleans, I don’t think my career would have taken off. I wouldn’t have heard the music that was around this town. There was so much going on when I was a kid.—Pete Fountain
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.
During a trip to NO in 98, I was astonished at the richness of the music scene. Hanging out at Donna’s listening to numerous brass bands and getting to talk to the kids who were playing. Their enthusasm for the genre and interest in jazz, blues and beyond made me hopeful for the future. You had to walk through the band on your way to the washroom..lol..and I always gave a different player a 5 buck tip on the way through. Only in NO!
I caught a lot of jazz around town at the Funky Butt and Cafe Brasil..I got to visit with a friend Mr. Tootie Montana (http://www.tootieslastsuit.com/film.html) and also many people who help to make Mardi Gras an annual celebration of all things New Orleans. I filled up on jazz, blues, RnB, New Orleans 2nd line drumming and southern hospitality.
It was a trip I will never forget.