We often forget the power that music has, not just in its sound but also in how the people who play it look to their audience. Thank you, Ron! Thank you, Dr. Porter!
Since jazz music is itself freedom in vivo, it’s not hard to see how it would threaten repressive governments. Think James Baldwin: “Therefore, whatever white people do not know about Negroes reveals, precisely and inexorably, what they do not know about themselves .”—The Fire Next Time--PG Newton, MA
LEWIS, I saw Charles Lloyd's group in Philadelphia, mid 60s. Charles was manifestly high as a kite, and Keith Jarrett was strumming the piano strings! "Such a night! PG
I was crazy about this quartet as a high school student in the ‘60s, I collected all of their Atlantics, and have kept them to this day. I still love and respect Charles for all the great work he’s done and continues to do. Thanks for this very cool story!
It’s great to read Ron’s account of this event. Avakian’s papers have great photos from the concert and his own account of the battles he had to fight to make it happen. None of the guys were paid for performing in Tallinn because securing work visas was out of the question, so they went as tourists.
Thanks for this info Matt, from your work on the Avakian collection. Absolutely, they could not officially get paid. Elsewhere in his book Ron recalls that George paid them something out of his own money. THANK YOU MATT!
The Soviet Union was a night mare, one of the Devils places on earth! Russia has an incredible geography. Some Russians are just marvelous. A few tried to play jazz far away from Moscow where it was easier to take some free breaths. They never paid for anything, but they had channels to get records from the West copying and playing jazz . In the mid 1950 Oleg Lindstroem moved to Moscow, and that was the beginning of Moscow big band.
In 1975 I heard a piano player playing from inside a bar Leningrad. His approach was very modern. I still wonder who he was. Vladimir Shafranov.??? We didn’t dare to try enter the bar. Trying so would have been asking for trouble or even worse.
By the way, I heard Charles Lloyd Quartet, before Ron McLure. It was one of the 10 jazz venues out of thousands which I remember.
In the 80's he was quite a household name in Finland. Åland of course look both ways, but I guess, being semi-retired, he has more practical connections in Sweden.
Thank you Lewis for the wonderful compliment regarding my dad and the Lunceford. Yep he saw all the big bands he could in Pittsburgh. It was the black bands he'd get in trouble for watching later on in school. This was 1940. After reading this wonderful article and thinking on it for a moment I realize even more how important ww2 really was and how so many lives were lost. My dilemma now? I'm getting ready to get on a bus and go downtown Portland. When I get home which won't be too long from now I may or may not have to hear the crosstalk about how the holocaust was a conspiracy cover up etc. Ladies and gentlemen I can only say and pray that I still do believe that things will get better. Happy listening music 🎶
Yes it's very disturbing that people will believe whatever they want to, disregarding mountains of evidence. That's great that your Dad pursued his interests despite "pushback." THANK YOU JAY
Yes, in his book he does write a little about the Prague concert. That's amazing that you were there! One set of 35 minutes was broadcast on TV and you can watch it here:
Hi Lewis, thanks! I remember the concert very well. It was one of the reasons not to continue on math field, I studied and to play jazz professionally.
Wow--I knew that you are a pianist, but I did not know that you previousdly considered the math field. Great video with Miroslav Vitous--THANK YOU EMIL
Back in 90thies I play trio with Ron and Bill Godwin, somewhere in Engelwood NJ. Electric piano in the garden of jazz enthusiast. Forgot his name. It was close to Hopper house ( the painter).
Ron corrected my changes at “The Song is You”. Instead of F#mi7-B7, Dmi7-G7 at the end if the bridge, he suggested to play only F#mi7-B7 to reach upward movement into following C major.
I'm not surprised that Ron gave you a good chord suggestion. He is a very fine composer, although it would be nice if more people knew about that. I will show him your message. THANK YOU
Fascinating—thank you for sharing this excerpt, Lewis, and thank you for your role in bringing this project to fruition. Looking forward to reading Mr. McClure’s memoir in full!
I corrected Ron's mistake about Georgia yesterday on this website--obviously that won't change the email you received--THANK YOU
This was great reading!!! Thank you for sharing.
THANKS JERRY!
We often forget the power that music has, not just in its sound but also in how the people who play it look to their audience. Thank you, Ron! Thank you, Dr. Porter!
THANK YOU RICHARD!
It’s a truly amazing story. Thank you for all the effort you put into Ron’s book.
Thank YOU!
Thanks for shedding more light on this historic concert. I still have my vinyl copy of Charles Lloyd Live in the Soviet Union.
Great!
A very interesting PDF excerpt!
THANK YOU ANTHONY!
Since jazz music is itself freedom in vivo, it’s not hard to see how it would threaten repressive governments. Think James Baldwin: “Therefore, whatever white people do not know about Negroes reveals, precisely and inexorably, what they do not know about themselves .”—The Fire Next Time--PG Newton, MA
Baldwin said it brilliantly, as always. THANKS PETER!
LEWIS, I saw Charles Lloyd's group in Philadelphia, mid 60s. Charles was manifestly high as a kite, and Keith Jarrett was strumming the piano strings! "Such a night! PG
Wow--Great! That was probably with Cecil McBee on bass--I researched all known gigs with Ron and put the listing in his book. THANK YOU PETER!
I was crazy about this quartet as a high school student in the ‘60s, I collected all of their Atlantics, and have kept them to this day. I still love and respect Charles for all the great work he’s done and continues to do. Thanks for this very cool story!
Great! THANK YOU CHUCK!
It’s great to read Ron’s account of this event. Avakian’s papers have great photos from the concert and his own account of the battles he had to fight to make it happen. None of the guys were paid for performing in Tallinn because securing work visas was out of the question, so they went as tourists.
Thanks for this info Matt, from your work on the Avakian collection. Absolutely, they could not officially get paid. Elsewhere in his book Ron recalls that George paid them something out of his own money. THANK YOU MATT!
The Soviet Union was a night mare, one of the Devils places on earth! Russia has an incredible geography. Some Russians are just marvelous. A few tried to play jazz far away from Moscow where it was easier to take some free breaths. They never paid for anything, but they had channels to get records from the West copying and playing jazz . In the mid 1950 Oleg Lindstroem moved to Moscow, and that was the beginning of Moscow big band.
In 1975 I heard a piano player playing from inside a bar Leningrad. His approach was very modern. I still wonder who he was. Vladimir Shafranov.??? We didn’t dare to try enter the bar. Trying so would have been asking for trouble or even worse.
By the way, I heard Charles Lloyd Quartet, before Ron McLure. It was one of the 10 jazz venues out of thousands which I remember.
These are great memories. Thank you for sharing them! THANK YOU ARNDT
Shafranov moved to Israel, then Finland, then New York.
According to gossip/rumor. Shafranov now lives on Åland. Wife - CEO of a bank - daughters and horses. He can be heard in Stockholm rather often.
In the 80's he was quite a household name in Finland. Åland of course look both ways, but I guess, being semi-retired, he has more practical connections in Sweden.
"looks both ways"...
Thank you Lewis for the wonderful compliment regarding my dad and the Lunceford. Yep he saw all the big bands he could in Pittsburgh. It was the black bands he'd get in trouble for watching later on in school. This was 1940. After reading this wonderful article and thinking on it for a moment I realize even more how important ww2 really was and how so many lives were lost. My dilemma now? I'm getting ready to get on a bus and go downtown Portland. When I get home which won't be too long from now I may or may not have to hear the crosstalk about how the holocaust was a conspiracy cover up etc. Ladies and gentlemen I can only say and pray that I still do believe that things will get better. Happy listening music 🎶
Yes it's very disturbing that people will believe whatever they want to, disregarding mountains of evidence. That's great that your Dad pursued his interests despite "pushback." THANK YOU JAY
Fantastic story! Buying the whole book now!
After Russia the band played in Prague. Is Ron Mc Clure speaking about Prague as well?
I was at the concert in Lucerna Hall (18 at the time), Keith played soprano as well and danced around the piano ..
Superb concert!
Yes, in his book he does write a little about the Prague concert. That's amazing that you were there! One set of 35 minutes was broadcast on TV and you can watch it here:
https://youtu.be/DCivLqdsd3E?si=yvb4Oahvv5Z8VlXR
THANK YOU EMIL!
Hi Lewis, thanks! I remember the concert very well. It was one of the reasons not to continue on math field, I studied and to play jazz professionally.
https://youtu.be/u4NVOFpDNdA?is=9pXK9zAaqj9njWHB
Wow--I knew that you are a pianist, but I did not know that you previousdly considered the math field. Great video with Miroslav Vitous--THANK YOU EMIL
Back in 90thies I play trio with Ron and Bill Godwin, somewhere in Engelwood NJ. Electric piano in the garden of jazz enthusiast. Forgot his name. It was close to Hopper house ( the painter).
Ron corrected my changes at “The Song is You”. Instead of F#mi7-B7, Dmi7-G7 at the end if the bridge, he suggested to play only F#mi7-B7 to reach upward movement into following C major.
Please, send him my regards,
Emil
I'm not surprised that Ron gave you a good chord suggestion. He is a very fine composer, although it would be nice if more people knew about that. I will show him your message. THANK YOU
Thank you!
Math was my father recommendation.
“You can always play jazz as hobby”.
My diploma work was on “symmetrical polynomials”, forgotten field in 1971 when I graduated.
But jazz won - and it was more fun 😀🫢
Ha ha--yes, that is what parents say here in the USA as well, including my own. Great story--THANK YOU
Fascinating—thank you for sharing this excerpt, Lewis, and thank you for your role in bringing this project to fruition. Looking forward to reading Mr. McClure’s memoir in full!