(This is the first of what will be an occasional series about my experiences in the jazz world.) The first time I was at the Vanguard was in most unusual circumstances. It was the late spring or summer of 1966, I think May, June or July. I had just turned 15 and my mother had joined Mensa. If you're not familiar with
Incredible testament to a great man and a great moment. Stuff like this is life changing and it can happen when u least expect it. Thanks for the soulful story
Lewis. I met Pete once when he had an octet that sounded good, Jimmy Owens on trumpet only cat I remember. This at Seventh Avenue South. Speaking of shy, I went in with a book to read at the bar and wouldn't you know, some pretty gal asked me what I was reading, but it didn't go anywhere. And speaking of Mensa, would vyou mind sharing your IQ? I never joined Mensa but was told mine was 135. Cheers.
Wow--I don't recall him leading an octet. I might ask Jimmy next time I see him. Very cool! Funny story about the gakl at the bar--I've been there, many times. as for IQ, I don't recall exactly but I can tell you that Mensa, at least back then, used a non-standard system that went up to maybe 200! So my scorte (which was high, I recall) cannot be compared to your 135, which I know is an excellent score. THANKS ZAN!
Thank you for sharing your experience. I only heard him on recordings and there was a video with Art Farmer. I met John Malachi in 1958 at the Oklahoma state fair. He was with Al Hibbler. He was very nice to a dumb Jr high kid. I didn’t know who he was just that he was a really good pianist. I still remember getting to hang out with him. Later I ran across the Sarah Vaughn records. Quite an experience for a youngster getting interested in Jazz.
I thought that you might enjoy this story. During the period from around 1958-1972 I lived in or near New York City. I play guitar and banjo and was active in the world of recording as a musician, producer and songwriter. One day I played on a session for The Brother Four at Columbia 30th Street. Their sessions were perfectly pleasant, and easy to play, but of no particular musical interest to me. I finished the session around 10PM and started walking down 3rd Avenue to my apartment at 20th St. and 3rd Avenue. Somewhere around 3rd and 26th I heard music coming out of a bar. I poked my head in, and saw a piano and banjo duo, who turned out to be Cliff Jackson on piano and Lee Blair on banjo. I went in and had a beer and listened for about an hour. The music was joyful and relaxed, and i thought to myself that I had just made $150 or $200, whatever the scale was at the time, for playing three hours. I figured these guys were probably lucky to be making $ 25 $35 each for a three hour gig. There were so many good musicians in New York and of course their economic situation had little to do with talent . I was in my mid-twenties at the time, and it was an important lesson for me.
It’s a nyc story for sure of it’s time. In high school in Queens we had a music teacher in band for a year or so Marvin Feinsmith. He was a bassoonist at the highest level and went on to play in major orchestras. Anyway he brought a lot of players into the band room including Pepper Adams. He played a bit- awesome - and we chatted. He lit a smoke in the band room as he chatted us up! We found him to be the absolutely nicest and coolest guy. This was Francis Lewis hs on utopia parkway 1972 or 1973.
Keep those stories coming I love coming of age stories thank you!
Awesome read. I have a theory that when you remember somebody you've had a meaningful interaction with- he drove you home after all, and they claim not to remember at all (not the details) that on some level they're lying. I mean he was a MENSA guy, a night at the Village Vanguard seeing great musicians, but most importantly dropping you off in Da Bronx. Maybe you didn't give him enough cues to jar his memory.
I guess just saying my name wasn't enough, you're right. At the time it felt weird though. I just added this sentence to my story: "Looking back today, I don’t think he had forgotten me, but rather, the way my voice sounded over the phone was somehow confusing him." THANKS DEAN
How could a La Roca, MENSA-qualified, forget hanging with you, a kid, within the the prior 24 hours? Could it be that he pretended not to remember you, hoping you'd go away? Regardless, nice story, and you must have done well on drums to merit a hug from (the great) Sonny Fortune!
I just added this sentence to the story: "Looking back today, I don’t think he had forgotten me, but rather the way my voice sounded over the phone was somehow confusing him." THANKS for the comment about my drumming. My next Lexington concert is 10/8 at 3pm.
What a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing it. Pete came to North Texas for a clinic. I went to the airport to get him. I'd only seen album pictures of him when he was younger so I wasn't sure what he looked like. I saw a fellow waiting for his baggage holding a pair of brushes and three drumsticks. I'd found him! On the ride back to Denton I asked why he had three drumsticks. "In case I break one", he answered. He gave the most intelligent and eloquent "clinic" I've ever heard. It was all about playing music not just the drums. The students played for him and he gave honest and encouraging critiques. He was graciously unassuming, spoke from his heart, and didn't break a stick after all.
I understand that he took to driving a cab and going to night school to get his law degree because he could not stand playing non-interactive, groove tunes like Blue Bossa and Recorda Me. Both tunes are on Joe Henderson's PAGE ONE album. Compare the Pete of those two pieces with the Pete playing "Homestretch" on the same album.
Thanks Much Ed for sharing this story. Your insights as a professional drummer and educator as to Pete's preferences are valuable. And it's great to hear--and no surprise--that he led such a great clinic. He was a gem, for sure, as a musician and as a person. THANK YOU ED!
Stories are important! They’re how we extend our culture from the past to the future in the present moment. I’m always happy to read your stories, first hand personal or researched historical. Cheers!
Incredible testament to a great man and a great moment. Stuff like this is life changing and it can happen when u least expect it. Thanks for the soulful story
Thank you Paul!
A wonderful,story,Lewis.Please,continue to share those memories with us.By the way,I am born in 1951
so we are nearly the same age.
We are contemporaries! Thank you for the comment--I have lots of others that I will share now. THANK YOU THOMAS
So great! Thanks for sharing this story, Lewis.
Thanks Jeff!
Nice memory,
Lewis. I met Pete once when he had an octet that sounded good, Jimmy Owens on trumpet only cat I remember. This at Seventh Avenue South. Speaking of shy, I went in with a book to read at the bar and wouldn't you know, some pretty gal asked me what I was reading, but it didn't go anywhere. And speaking of Mensa, would vyou mind sharing your IQ? I never joined Mensa but was told mine was 135. Cheers.
Wow--I don't recall him leading an octet. I might ask Jimmy next time I see him. Very cool! Funny story about the gakl at the bar--I've been there, many times. as for IQ, I don't recall exactly but I can tell you that Mensa, at least back then, used a non-standard system that went up to maybe 200! So my scorte (which was high, I recall) cannot be compared to your 135, which I know is an excellent score. THANKS ZAN!
Wonderful story! I thought you would end up marrying the little girl!
I love these stories, and I love that Richard Davis has a walk-on.
I spoke to him by phone back in March. In his 90s but still around. THANKS KARL!
Thank you for sharing your experience. I only heard him on recordings and there was a video with Art Farmer. I met John Malachi in 1958 at the Oklahoma state fair. He was with Al Hibbler. He was very nice to a dumb Jr high kid. I didn’t know who he was just that he was a really good pianist. I still remember getting to hang out with him. Later I ran across the Sarah Vaughn records. Quite an experience for a youngster getting interested in Jazz.
I thought that you might enjoy this story. During the period from around 1958-1972 I lived in or near New York City. I play guitar and banjo and was active in the world of recording as a musician, producer and songwriter. One day I played on a session for The Brother Four at Columbia 30th Street. Their sessions were perfectly pleasant, and easy to play, but of no particular musical interest to me. I finished the session around 10PM and started walking down 3rd Avenue to my apartment at 20th St. and 3rd Avenue. Somewhere around 3rd and 26th I heard music coming out of a bar. I poked my head in, and saw a piano and banjo duo, who turned out to be Cliff Jackson on piano and Lee Blair on banjo. I went in and had a beer and listened for about an hour. The music was joyful and relaxed, and i thought to myself that I had just made $150 or $200, whatever the scale was at the time, for playing three hours. I figured these guys were probably lucky to be making $ 25 $35 each for a three hour gig. There were so many good musicians in New York and of course their economic situation had little to do with talent . I was in my mid-twenties at the time, and it was an important lesson for me.
Thank you for sharing! It's a crazy hard life for sure. And that's NYC for you--so many great artists. THANK YOU RICHARD!
Yes, the Art Farmer TV show is on Youtube and also on DVD. That's great that you met Malachi. He had quite a history. THANKS RICHARD!
What a remarkable story!
Thanks Noah!
It’s a nyc story for sure of it’s time. In high school in Queens we had a music teacher in band for a year or so Marvin Feinsmith. He was a bassoonist at the highest level and went on to play in major orchestras. Anyway he brought a lot of players into the band room including Pepper Adams. He played a bit- awesome - and we chatted. He lit a smoke in the band room as he chatted us up! We found him to be the absolutely nicest and coolest guy. This was Francis Lewis hs on utopia parkway 1972 or 1973.
Keep those stories coming I love coming of age stories thank you!
Wow--amazing story! (Sorry to hear that he smoked there though.) Thanks for sharing that David!
lovely story
THANK YOU RUSSELL!
Awesome read. I have a theory that when you remember somebody you've had a meaningful interaction with- he drove you home after all, and they claim not to remember at all (not the details) that on some level they're lying. I mean he was a MENSA guy, a night at the Village Vanguard seeing great musicians, but most importantly dropping you off in Da Bronx. Maybe you didn't give him enough cues to jar his memory.
I guess just saying my name wasn't enough, you're right. At the time it felt weird though. I just added this sentence to my story: "Looking back today, I don’t think he had forgotten me, but rather, the way my voice sounded over the phone was somehow confusing him." THANKS DEAN
Hey Lewis,
How could a La Roca, MENSA-qualified, forget hanging with you, a kid, within the the prior 24 hours? Could it be that he pretended not to remember you, hoping you'd go away? Regardless, nice story, and you must have done well on drums to merit a hug from (the great) Sonny Fortune!
I just added this sentence to the story: "Looking back today, I don’t think he had forgotten me, but rather the way my voice sounded over the phone was somehow confusing him." THANKS for the comment about my drumming. My next Lexington concert is 10/8 at 3pm.
What a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing it. Pete came to North Texas for a clinic. I went to the airport to get him. I'd only seen album pictures of him when he was younger so I wasn't sure what he looked like. I saw a fellow waiting for his baggage holding a pair of brushes and three drumsticks. I'd found him! On the ride back to Denton I asked why he had three drumsticks. "In case I break one", he answered. He gave the most intelligent and eloquent "clinic" I've ever heard. It was all about playing music not just the drums. The students played for him and he gave honest and encouraging critiques. He was graciously unassuming, spoke from his heart, and didn't break a stick after all.
I understand that he took to driving a cab and going to night school to get his law degree because he could not stand playing non-interactive, groove tunes like Blue Bossa and Recorda Me. Both tunes are on Joe Henderson's PAGE ONE album. Compare the Pete of those two pieces with the Pete playing "Homestretch" on the same album.
Thanks Much Ed for sharing this story. Your insights as a professional drummer and educator as to Pete's preferences are valuable. And it's great to hear--and no surprise--that he led such a great clinic. He was a gem, for sure, as a musician and as a person. THANK YOU ED!
What a great story, thanks for sharing! More please!
Will do! THANK YOU HUGO!
Great story LP!
THANK YOU JK!
Stories are important! They’re how we extend our culture from the past to the future in the present moment. I’m always happy to read your stories, first hand personal or researched historical. Cheers!
The consensus is that more like this will be very welcome! THANK YOU CHUCK!
Chuck Mitchell: EXACTLY! Thank you yet again, Louis Porter.
Thank YOU John!