Hank Jones (2009)

I found the perfect tonic for the sadness of the recent passing of so many great artists: I got out and saw a living legend! Jazz pianist Hank Jones has been performing since the mid-1940s alongside so many other greats of the Modern Jazz Era. In addition to early stints with Jazz at the Philharmonic and associations with both Charlie Parker and Ella Fitzgerald, Jones held down something of "house pianist" chair at Savoy Records in the 1950s, while at the same time maintaining a staff job at CBS. Needless to say, he is on more great records than one can almost imagine (take a look through your stack to see for yourself).

Last week Jones showed himself to be the consummate trio pianist of that era, but in no way tied down by history. I am still savoring what he offered musical and to see him perform alongside Jon Clayton and Clayton Cameron was a rare treat. New Yorkers should be sure to keep their eyes on the Iridium calendar as he performer there March 11-15 with another top-notch group.

Here's a clip of a nice, intimate portrait of Jones taking about his early days and "bebop"...

The Mission Railroad (1860-1942)

Thanks to a Mission Mission, I found out this very interesting bit about a Southern Pacific Railroad line that used to run through the Mission District. I know railway and light-rail lines once criss-crossed this City, but this is particularly interesting.

I walk past the Juri Commons "park" nearly every day (and twice a day at that). It has always been slightly baffling to me and I long suspected a MUNI railway line ran down it's corridor. But now I know better and a better man I am for knowing.

President Barack Hussein Obama and the United States of America (January 20, 2009)

There been times that I thought I couldn't last for long
But now I think I'm able to carry on
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gonna come

Sam Cooke

Patrick McGoohan (1928-2009)

No sooner did my brother hip me to this (thanks Tim!), then news hits the stands that Patrick McGoohan has passed away.
I undoubtedly first saw McGoohan on television some time in the late 1970s when I was a child. Perhaps it was The Man in the Iron Mask with Richard Chamberlin? I think so. At any rate, his intense visage and unique voice are ingrained deep in my memory. Like many others my age, I discovered his meisterwerk, The Prisoner, long after it's 1967 debut but was captivated by the serial. Much popular art from that highly vaunted year seems terribly dated now - and there are bits in The Prisoner which do place it firmly in a specific time and place - BUT overall it manages to be timeless on a lot of levels, not to mention enjoyable.

Goodbye Patrick McGoohan. Rest in Peace, No. 6

Max Roach (1924-2007)

Today would have been Max Roach's 85th birthday. WKCR in New York is celebrating with 24 hours of his music. What else is there to say?

Happy New Year

Photo by John Phillips, Times Square, New York City, 1942
Courtesy of Life Magazine

Freddie Hubbard (1938-2008)

Rest in peace, Freddie Hubbard.