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. . . . .

Diana Krall≒Oscar Peterson

I wondered out to see if there's something new. I found this lady pretty nice. Her name is Diana Krall.

At first I was watching a video talking about Oscar Peterson and his life. There she was. She talked a little about him. I couldn't recognize her. But thanks to internet.

A few clicks later, I found her playing Night Train aka Oscar Peterson. Here it is.

She does two tricks of Oscar Peterson. One is the glissando and the other is the riff Oscar did of 4 bars. She traces nicely the way Oscar swings.

Yeah I like that far. Her chords are bit too complicated for me. But she sure has the mind of Jazz.

I'll be fan of you, honey.