In The Wall Street Journal this week, I interviewed suspense novelist Harlan Coben for my "House Call" column in the Mansion section (go here). Harlan grew up in a New Jersey suburb where two rumors dominated—that a house with two stone lion heads out front belonged to a mobster and that a nuclear missile base was located behind a school. Both turned out to be true. [Photo above of Harlan Coben, courtesy of Harlan Coben]
Here's the trailer to an excellent Netflix adaptation of Harlan's novel The Stranger...
Johnny Carson's Tonight Show band in New York in 1964 was led by Skitch Henderson. In the following video, the reed section, under the direction of alto saxophonist Hymie Shertzer, who wrote and arranged this baby—Reserved for Five—featured, from left, Don Ashworth (bs), Sid Cooper (as), Hymie Shertzer (as), Al Klink (ts) and Tommy Newsom (ts). The song sounds like it's based on the chord changes to Honeysuckle Rose. A few notes: Remarkable how styles and aging have changed. Can you guess their ages? Ashworth was 33, Cooper was 46, Shertzer was 55, Klink was 49 and Newsom was 35. Also, Bill Kirchner pointed out that Ashworth is playing a low-A baritone saxophone. And lastly, Clark Terry and Bernie Glow are in the trumpet section. Bobby Rosengarden is the drummer. Go here...
Singer Diana Panton posted a wonderful 2019 clip on her Facebook page last week. This is why I love fashion. The clip features the Gold Caviar Crew at the Colors of Africa Fashion show in Vienna, Austria. The nuanced dance steps and fabrics are fabulous. The song is Khona, by the South African duo Mafikizolo, released on their album Reunited (2013). Go here...
Sonny Stitt in Rio. Nelson Porto in Brazil sent along an audio clip of saxophonist Sonny Stitt playing Corcovado with the Zimbo Trio in 1979. Here's the album. For the clip, go here...
Singer Louise Alexandra in the Netherlands sent along a link to All the Difference, a precious song of optimism and love she wrote and sang earlier this month. Go here...
Maynard Ferguson discography? It's just a click away. Bill Kirchner sent along a link to Michael Minn's site. Go here.
Beach Boy. Don't forget, PBS's American Masters series will air Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road, a terrific documentary directed by Brent Wilson (no relation) on Tuesday, June 14 at 9 p.m. (ET). Check your local PBS station listings. You can view the trailer and other video clips here.
Bix Beiderbecke. On my top-5 list of jazz documentaries is director Brigitte Berman's Bix: Ain't None of Them Play Like Him Yet (1981), on the life and music of the cornetist. Readers may recall my October 2021 posts on the documentary (here) and my interview with Brigitte that followed (here). Well, I have great news. The DVD is available now, newly restored, here.
Nat King Cole. Last week, pianist Eric Comstock sent along a link to a terrific clip. Let Eric tell you why he loves it:
Hi Marc. Three weeks after Nat King Cole died on February 15, 1965, Perry Como and Lena Horne sang a tribute to him on Perry's TV show without ever mentioning his name. It’s stunning. If you ever doubted "Ramblin’ Rose" could bring tears…
Go here...
Don Patterson radio. Don't miss this one. On Sunday, from 2 to 7 p.m. (ET), Sid Gribetz of WKCR-FM in New York will host a five-hour radio broadcast celebrating the career of organist Don Patterson as part of the station's "Jazz Profiles" series. To listen from anywhere in the world, go here.
And finally, here's my favorite Nat King Cole song, featuring Cole in London on a BBC TV special in 1963, with the orchestra using Ralph Carmichael's studio-recording arrangement...
