Art Tatum, Clint Eastwood, Ray Charles and Peterson

Hallelujah!

What kind of a group is it?

I was fishing through Art Tatum for I haven't picked his play before. I started listening jazz early 60es. We had FEN, Far East Network then. That is the only one who broadcast jazz. But the main stream was Glen Miller, Charles Bennet? and those who were top runner at the time. Yes, the broadcast was for military people in far east.

It was mid 1960 when I stared to realize there are lots of styles in jazz. Then Art Tatum and Lenny Tristano came into my vision. As far as I am concerned, both of them tell some kind of philosophy through piano. Tristano had never been my favorite. His phrasing was too sarcastic, let's say. As for Art, we didn't have any LP as that time. There was no internet of course.

This is my first time to really listen to him. I have known that he had done lots of tricks with his magical fingers. He could be better than Oscar Peterson. Peterson sounds to enjoy playing complicated phrase just for its sake. Art sings with it. Well, at the least I hear him pretty nice with this You Tube presentation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNAJlqn0nO4

Recording is good for the age.



 I found this astonishing video. It's conceivable for me. Ray Charles is talking with Clint Eastwood while watching a video of Art Tatum playing piano and saying comment on both Oscar Peterson and Art Tatum. Interesting, right?

There is a comment attached to this video saying that Peterson is a band men and Art Tatum is for solo. I agree with that. Art Tatum might have been too strict to play with, I guess. He just cannot accept what the sideman's say with their instruments.

Can you believe Hank Jones playing with John Lewis?

I liked listening to Bill Evans, Oscar Peterson and Red Garland but had never tried to grab a few phrases to enrich my improvisation. They are to tough to copy and paste into my ad lib. On the other hand, I was able to write down series of single tone of John Lewis, Hank Jones and Tomy Flanagan.

Their phrases sound like well planned and well thought out and sing pretty well. Oh, By the way I wrote about John's talking this perspective on jazz. Now, I found Hank Jones talking his personal history. It's here, check it. It's interesting.

I've never thought of them played together. MJQ was the second live jazz group I saw. The first one was Art Blakey, both at Shinjuku, Tokyo.

Chording is a bit different though, if you add Tomy Flanagan, the trio completes my improvisation tutors during my pianist age. I cannot remember when though, I drove down to Village to listen to Hank. He gave me the same impression I expected when I listened to his records. Those are the days I enjoy living. Am I dieing? No, not yet, but it could be within a few years.

Route 66, Diana with Natalie, just fantastic

I was following Diana further and found that she sung with Natalie Cole. Hey this is something I cannot miss. That apply you as well. 'Cause they are fabulous. Just fantastic!

You remember Route 66, the TV series? Oh, no. I should ask you "Do you know Route 66, a TV series?" instead. That was the America I was dreaming of. Martin Milner and George Maharis stared in. Above all the Corvette was the dream car at the time.

If you surf to find that TV series on line, the series run 1960-64. I was in college. It was broadcast in Japan. It was the dawn of TV entertainment here. I had to fight to watch it. Parents wanted to watch some boring news program, y'know.

I am not sure if the tune has been the theme music of the program. But I remember Nat King Cole sings Route 66 along with his trio.

Those were the years I enjoyed living. 50 years ago now, I can't believe it. Where are those TV stars like guys on 77 Sunset Strip, Rawhide, Man from UNCLE, The Fugitive etc etc. . . . .