Milt Jackson or MJQ?

While listening to this tune, I realized the reason why I didn't like MJQ at the end. The tempo of this tune is rare in their collection. And they do 8 verse here. That is rare as well. Is it? I am not sure now. It's been a while since I listen to them.

The last was a session of Milt Jackson in San Fransisco, somewhere around mid 80es. It could have been in Sausalito. Yes, he is much vivid with his own group. And if you ever listened to John Lewis playing alone, he is thrilling in his own way and quite different from the thrill the MJQ had.

Those thing concludes that MJQ had been the group harmony. And in my opinion, it is not the way jazz should be. Or is it?

Anyway, the reason why I have bored with MJQ could have been that I was listening to them too much. That was really the day in and day out. I dosed off while listening to them and the first thing in the morning was to listen to their recording. Yeah, good days, good days, that was. . . . .

Well, Milt is hell'f vivid with this one.

C jam blues, played with four hands in Yokohama

As I repeatedly confess, I cannot get away from 1960es jazz scene. Because it links to my best years with excitement and thrill. One element that constitute the memory is Red Garland trio. Especially C Jam blues.

It was my greatest regret that I did not have the chance to listen to him live during my stay in NY, 1967-1972. I have experienced Bill Evans, Tomy Flanagan, Art Tatum, Wynton Kelly, Harbie Hancock and etc. Everybody except Evans played with so many sound and proved that they do have quite flexible fingers. Yeah, right Monk was the another one who sounded just like listening to LP.

Here, I have to get rid of my memory of Garland. Four hands play C jam Blues. The place was in Yokohama, my hometown.

There were Mr. Yoshida, who was the owner of a coffee shop. He was quite famous as the early explorer of jazz in Japan and love play with Pachinko. The name of the coffee shop was "Chigusa". As hs passed away, the shop had been demolished and give the space to one of those characterless condo in 2002? I am not sure on the date though, it's been a while since the shop is gone.

OK, here's what Red Garland did from his album "Groovy"

hey, Yokohama isn't bad, don't you think?

Movie with jazz, an old story

I haven't touched anything other than the piano jazz itself. But on the second thought that there were so many things attached to the jazz music, right? Dancing is one, nice dinner of course, and it should go along nicely with your love whisper.

There are lots of great movies that are featured in the movie. Or the jazzy version of movie themes that remind me of those beautiful days in my life. The first one was Miles Davis playing the BGM for Ascenseur pour L'echafaud. Jeanne Moreau walking around the night street. The movie was of 1957. Most of you weren't born, huh!

We, group members of Modern Jazz Lovers were fascinated by beautiful Ms Morrow and the rumor that Miles improvised the music at the scene. Yes, those were the most beautiful days for me, the 1960es.



Since I have raised the name of Miles, tell me your opinion. Who was the best match pianist for him?
Well, since I love his recording of "So what", Red Garland is my choice. Miles had changed his style so much. He should have selected the best available and the best fit for him whenever.