Bob Brookmeyer and Jim Hall both told a wonderful story about playing at the Café Bohemia with the Jimmy Giuffre 3. In 1958, the Giuffres were booked to appear at the club opposite the Miles Davis Sextet with John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley, Bill Evans, Paul Chambers, and Jimmy Cobb--at that time, the hottest group in jazz. The Giuffre 3 were intimidated at playing opposite Davis's band, fearing that the audience would ignore the soft, subtle sounds of the trio in favor of powerhouse hard bop. In fact, the opposite happened: the listeners talked throughout Davis's sets and were thoughtfully silent throughout Giuffre's.
I had not heard the Charlie Parker angle before. Stunning to think an artist that great would work for free drinks. Such was the trajectory of his life. Dorham has absolutely not gotten the props he deserves. No other trumpet player could have stepped in for Max Roach in the wake of Clifford Brown’s death. He did an outstanding job in the face of a lot of pressure.
Bob Brookmeyer and Jim Hall both told a wonderful story about playing at the Café Bohemia with the Jimmy Giuffre 3. In 1958, the Giuffres were booked to appear at the club opposite the Miles Davis Sextet with John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley, Bill Evans, Paul Chambers, and Jimmy Cobb--at that time, the hottest group in jazz. The Giuffre 3 were intimidated at playing opposite Davis's band, fearing that the audience would ignore the soft, subtle sounds of the trio in favor of powerhouse hard bop. In fact, the opposite happened: the listeners talked throughout Davis's sets and were thoughtfully silent throughout Giuffre's.
Thanks for sharing, Bill!
I had not heard the Charlie Parker angle before. Stunning to think an artist that great would work for free drinks. Such was the trajectory of his life. Dorham has absolutely not gotten the props he deserves. No other trumpet player could have stepped in for Max Roach in the wake of Clifford Brown’s death. He did an outstanding job in the face of a lot of pressure.
KD, a house favourite for decades
Thanks, Marc.