Monk's Advice

[nightscope]

http://thebadplus.typepad.com/dothemath ... -monk.html

ns

[dawman]

T.Monk...yeah !!

Those are great finds. Thanks.
I have been playing his stuff for years, mostly at dives or at home.
Straight no Chaser. Bloomdido, Goodbye Pork Pie Hat......
He was fortunate enough to work w/ the incredible Bird, Charlie Parker. These guys were the scene for bee-bop and improv.

His comment about white people was common. I experienced that frequently when doing jazz gigs in St.Louis & Chicago. I was " cool " because I was playing music, but was constanly reminded I was white............I would joke about by thanking them for reminding me of that.

Funny thing though, most black jazz musicians can tell right away if it's a Brotha' playing the music or a " White Cat " just by listening. I was never so happy being broke in my life.

[nightscope]

Funny thing though, most black jazz musicians can tell right away if it's a Brotha' playing the music or a " White Cat " just by listening.

Yeah, I found that interview where Miles talks about how whites play behind the beat the other day.

Here it is = http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=DduWg2L-l ... re=related

ns

[dawman]

Excellent.

I could never win, but enjoyed every moment.
Even when we would take the entire group to play with famous singers like Luther Ingram I'd hear it from him as well. How's the White Cat's chops......our band leader would always reply not bad for a white guy.
Then playing with the same guys backing the infamous Fontella Bass, I would play an extra interval outside the basic Gospel voicings of dominant 7ths', and triads, only to have the bandleader turn and say....stay in church motha' fucker.....Hah.
I couldn't win.
The gig I will never forget was when I sat in for Gil Scott Herons keyboardist, and being in the opening act I was already set up. They had no charts, and I never heard of the tune Johannesburg. The bass player and I were the only White Cats out of about 10000 people, no worries, we're in the band right......yeah..O.K.
Then I saw and heard the words...it was in the late '70's when South Africa was in deep shit and during the song GSHeron would chant.....What's The Word......and 10000 angry blacks would yell......Johannesburg.......and then fuck those white devils, etc.
Amazingly enough we were un harmed, but even my bandleader beat feet out the back door and left me packing my gear w/ our bassist. He was pissing in his pants.
I would give my left nut to play in such a group again. Those gigs are long gone I'm afraid.
And to be honest........most " White Cats " can't jam under those circumstances.

These days, it's much different thankfully. Great links though I am looking at the others and enjoying it very much.
My gig is only good for the cash and experience of live mixing and MIDI work in Scope. I really belong in improv groups.
I often dream of playing in dives again for no money, but having every tool I need instead of hand packing a B3 and Rhodes w/ a Electric Mistress around. Jeez....I was a 16 year old punk then..

[nightscope]

....stay in church motha' fucker.....

Most excellent!!



ns

[wayne]

That's the most inspiring/affirming bit of scribble i've seen in a while.

I always thought that if i heard monk speak he would be saying stuff like this - his piano says it loud enough

[garyb]