• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Impossible questions, which departed jazz great

cubdog

cubdog

banging through drywall
Of all the great ones, and you can only choose one, who would you choose to hear in concert? Second question. Of all the jazz greats, again only one, who would you choose to sit down with and have a private conversation with?

Pretty tough huh? I'm limiting this to departed because if they're still living we have a chance.

I'd probably choose to hear John Coltrane but I can't really give an explanation why. the second question is even tougher. Maybe T. Monk although I'm not sure I'd understand what he would be saying to me. Maybe L. Armstrong, especially if I wanted to cope a buzz at the same time. :D

I really think I'd like to talk to Gerry Mulligan though. He seemingly touched base with every important jazz figure from WWII until 1995. I can't think of many in jazz who were more versatile than Mulligan. He would have been fascinating to talk with.

cubdog
 
Register to hide this ad
I think I'd pick Coltrane for both questions. I think it's even more intense and immersive when you're right there with the performer live, and with his intensity and virtuosity, I'd imagine that to be pretty special.

On the second question, I think he was trying to really communicate spiritually through his music and it seemed he was a very introspective and deep thinking man. I would have liked to just sit down and have a quiet conversation with the man.
 
I would pick Duke Ellington for both. Armstrong would my second choice.

Both seemed like a couple great cats to meet.
 
Hands down - Django Reinhardt. To see and hear him play live would be just amazing. To have a conversation with I would have to say Miles Davis.
 
Jedi said:
Bird . Then we'd go somewhere and get high....
Click to expand...

You don't wanna be goin' near that sh*t, son.

#1 -- First instinct was to say Coltrane, but then I remembered being completely mesmerized by some old footage I saw of Art Tatum. What I saw him do seemed physically impossible and I could listen to it all night. So him.

#2 -- Duke. Every interview I've ever seen with him shows him to be a fascinating conversationalist. And the things he must have seen, the stories he could tell, the ideas he could share ...
 
Last edited:
Performance: Coltrane, for the transcendent thing I feel like a recording can't quite capture.
Conversation: Was going to say Monk, but he was a spotty communicator. Max Roach seems like he would be fascinating to speak with. He also played with ALL those cats.
 
Would love to hear Duke (circa 1958).
Art Blakey, he was a launching pad for many future greats.

Consider them both to be amoung the best at getting all musicians on the same page.

Was sitting at a bar in a in St Paul, just ordered a drink and a bowl of soup, maybe 10 people in the place waiting for Ray Brown show to start. Mr Brown sits next to me and orders a bowl of the same soup, we ate our soup while having small talk. I was maybe 26 at the time and I didnt want to ask questions or bug him so mostly just let enjoy his food and relax for the show. One true gentleman and cool dude, a true master of his instrument.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom