In this week's Wall Street Journal, I interviewed actor Ethan Hawke for my "House Call" column in the Mansion section (go here). Ethan talked about growing up in multiple locations as his mother moved several times following her divorce from his father. Ethan's performance in the new TV mini-series, The Good Lord Bird (Showtime), is stunning and Emmy-worthy. [Photo above of Ethan Hawke as John Brown courtesy of Showtime/YouTube]
Here's the complete episode 1...
Ira Sullivan. Following my post last week on Ira Sullivan, I heard from pianist Denny Zeitlin...
Wow, Marc, I was surprised and saddened to learn of Ira’s passing. He was truly a force of nature, and I always imagined he might depart around 105. Looking at the players on the cover of Blue Stroll brought back vivid memories. These were the main cats in Chicago back in 1957-'58 when I was starting to play at jazz clubs there. Ira was at the pinnacle, and he was always generous in inviting me to sit in and encouraging my music. His groove and drive were galvanizing.
And the first time I sat in with Johnny Griffin, he called Cherokee at a break-neck tempo. Midway through, he stopped the band and left me to play several choruses unaccompanied. I survived and was subsequently welcomed. Victor Sproles was in my trio around that time—an intriguing, wonderful player. And I always looked for opportunities to play with Wilbur Campbell, a drummer with a unique concept and fluid handling of time. Jodie Christian was a fine, solid, generous pianist who made everybody sound better. Ira was the last of his era, and one of the greatest musicians I have ever known.
Denny's latest album is Live at Mezzrow, here.
Harvie S. Last week I heard from Harvie S., who shared his terrific new album as a member of the Alan Broadbent Trio, with Alan on piano, Harvie on bass and drummer Billy Mintz. Go here.
Here's Lady Bird...
Favorite videos this week. Here's jazz violinist Joe Venuti on the Dick Cavett Show, broadcast on May 4, 1978...
Here's Oscar Peterson, playing On a Clear Day solo in the Netherlands...
Here's Stanley Turrentine playing Stevie Wonder's Creepin'...
Here's a short, poetic film on singer-songwriter Laura Nyro...
And here's Johnny Nash (1940-2020), who died October 6, singing Hold Me Tight, a rocksteady hit that reached #5 on the Billboard pop chart in 1968...
