The Supper Table

In 1953 the New Jazz Society of Toronto invited the 5 incredible players to perform-- Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Bud Powell, Max Roach and Charles Mingus.  It's the sort of fantasy made real that I would have considered too fantastic to dream about.  It's one thing to imagine seeing one of them in concert, but to imagine seeing all of them together seemed ridiculous.  Then I read about the concert in a Mingus biography and had to have it.  I finally found it in a New York City jazz store after searching for three years. Jazz at Massey Hall Side 2 Wee Hot House A night in Tunisia

This was a gift from a friend, a truly inspired gift.  Somehow I had never come across this.  It's now in my top 5 Mingus releases, just behind Mingus, Mingus, Mingus, Mingus, Mingus , Black Saint and the Sinner Lady and Mingus at Antibes . Charles Mingus Blues and Roots Side 1 Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting Cryin' Blues Moanin'

I just realized that it's been a month since I last posted and so I'm serving up a double portion for the imaginary musical dining guests in my head.  The first course is some classic Thelonious Monk with the forever brilliant John Coltrane on the side.  Two great tastes, that taste great together, either alone will soothe and enchant, together they floor you.  This selection comes from the first side of a Milestone double album representing "Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane" and "Monk's Mood" it's a part of the first release. Thelonius Monk w/ John Coltrane 1 Ruby My Dear 2 Trinkle, Trinkle 3 Nutty The second course is Scott Herren (Prefuse 73) in his guise as Piano Overlord from the release The Singles Collection 03-05.   A bit more nouveau, it's built around some classic jazz and hip hop elements, and rendered with a thoughtful electronic sensibilty; light and surprisingly filling. Piano Overlord Singles Collection 03-05 Si...

I first heard a track from this album-- her version of Marvin Gaye's Inner City Blues -- on a West Coast Soul mixtape in 95.  The first time I saw the album I had to buy it for the cover alone, but quickly fell in love with the material, especially That's the Way I Always Heard it Should Be and On Thinking it Over .  This was Sarah's 70's re-invention album, her first 'mainstream' release.  It's timeless and gorgeous, soulful and worth owning. Sarah Vaughn A Time in My Life Side 2 1 That's the Way I Always Heard it Should Be 2 Tomorrow City 3 Universal Prisoner 4 Trouble 5 If Not For You