Always loved Gene Harris. My kind of Blues/Jazz pianist. Not enough technique to blur the emotional feel but enough to tighten the sphincter when he wants to turn it up. I love this kind of music and this kind of venue, where people actually come to hear the music......not get stoned, light candles, and wave their hands in the air (all of which is a way of telling the world that you don't know didley s**t about music).

In addition to Gene Harris, there is also our own Capt. Russ' personal mentor, the inimitable Ray Brown. You'll need to listen to the entire thing, as he moves from blues to jazz to (yes, believe it) rock 'n roll (@5:20). Oh, and for the 'entertainers' among you, it's actually quite entertaining.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9frgJdwYNC8&feature=fvw

chas

[This message has been edited by cgiles (edited 11-21-2009).]

Super stuff Chas...he plays Summertime almost the same way as I do....well, he plays it using a few hundred more variations, notes, chords and phrases...but just a few.

Ray Brown was Oscar's bassist, wasn't he?

This is a terrific presentation, and interpretation of Summertime, a tune that generally suffers from over-exposure and over-playing, but, not in this case.

Still, as astonishing as this guy is, he's still not quite in Oscar's territory...I don't think anyone will ever be...but he sure play that pie-anna!

Thanks for sharing, this, my friend.

Ian

Gene Harris. OH YEAH! A drummer friend of mine had the privilege of sitting in with him at the Boise Jazz Festival some years ago. And his daughter Niki's version of You've Changed was just a stunner. I've never gotten that song out of my system ever since.

Is there anyone he DIDN'T play with?!?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Brown_%28musician%29


"He continued to perform until his death; he died while taking a nap, after having played golf, before a show in Indianapolis."

Too bad he couldn't have done the show first ... now THAT would have been a PERFECT last day ...

[This message has been edited by tony mads usa (edited 11-21-2009).]

Having not been blessed with the chops (or the fortitude to develop them, whichever), I for one, am glad I can entertain ..

t.

Yeah, Ian. He's no Oscar Peterson, but then again, I don't think he's trying to be. Wherein Oscar can just blow you away with sheer technique (combined with musicality) alone, Gene is more of a 'blood and guts', 'down in the dirt', 'soul stirring', kind of player. With Gene, it's more about WHAT he plays rather than how well he plays it. I met him once back in the 70's in one of the jazz clubs in Philly (Peps or Showboat????). He was even more blues/funk oriented in the clubs (it's the easiest way to get the crowd involved).

124, your eclectic taste in music continues to amaze me. It shouldn't. I'm the same way. Forget genre' (for the most part), if it's GOOD, I like it. Everyone thinks I'm freaky 'cause I'm such a fan of Willy Nelson. Aside from that distinctive voice and vocal style, he wrote some of the best R&B tunes of the 60's and 70's. I guess I kind of secretly like his image, too . I wouldn't mind tagging along for a few miles on that tour bus of his .

chas

chas ... great stuff ... thnx ...
t.

Of course, Chas...I certainly wasn't trying to minimize this guy's awesome talent....he's got the chops, for sure.

I just listen to a lot of Oscar...can't help it....just finished watching a DVD of him, called A night in Vienna...brought a tear to my eye several times, as I felt I kind of knew the guy, even though I only spent a few hours doing a clinic with him....he was that kind of person.

And Willie Nelson has always continued to amaze me...the word "clever" seems to suit his style the most...I almost expect to see him wink during a tune.

Ian

thanks Chas for putting up that one.
It totally made my day
Bebop

Hey Bebop, it's good to see you ol' jazzers come out of the closet .

chas