Hal McKusick followup—Thank you all for the wonderful e-mails sent over the past few days in reaction to the posts last week on Hal's long and distinguished career. Among the many touching notes I received was this one from Hal's son, Jim:
Hello Marc,
This is an incredible series on my Dad! Where I live, I run into many people who ask if I am related to Hal McKusick, I have seen his record collection among the parents of my friends and I am even updated on his activities by some of the people who know he is my Dad and follow his music. I will print this out and keep it to share with family and friends as well as pass this website onto them.
Thanks.
Jim McKusick
It's notes like these—and the ones sent by all of you worldwide—that keep a blog focused and on track.
Trane connection—Saxophonist and guitarist Allen Lowe had an interesting observation:
"If you want to hear the origins of the melody for John Coltrane's Giant Steps, listen to the opening phrase of his recording of On a Misty Night (from Mating Call). Just a theory, but it sure sounds the same."
Sure does. I never put the two together but Allen's definitely onto something.
Seventies spirit—Ian Carey, who plays trumpet and flugelhorn, sent along a CD he recorded in 2005. It has a rich, introspective 1970s feel—especially with Adam Shulman on the Fender Rhodes piano.
Carey, a San Francisco artist who knows his jazz history, plays a warm horn with a Freddie Hubbard feel and is backed by Evan Francis (saxophones), Shulman (electric piano), Fred Randolph (bass) and Jon Arkin (drums). Many of the compositions and arrangements are by Carey, and the CD includes tight interpretations of Wayne Shorter's ESP and Herbie Nichols' The Spinning Song. You can hear CD samples here and check out Carey here.
Next week—The start of an interview with David Amram, with a focus on his early years and basement jam sessions in Washington, DC, with Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie.
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