Wardell Gray with Count Basie orch. - LITTLE PONY

[engelundgeister]

One thing that you might check-out...If you have an Android device, there is an app, which is PURE DYNAMITE! It's called, "Tunee Music", and, I SWEAR, there are few OLD recordings that you cannot find, on it! This includes jazz...rock...blues...classica­l pieces, (though not long symphonic works). You can download things, and save them to your Android device. It's magic...and, has sent me back, decades, to happier and freer times.

[engelundgeister]

You are a KEEN observer! Surely, there are those who were so flummoxed by Bird, that they, unconsciously, adopted much of his style, as their own...but, it was because he had such dynamism and influence that he couldn't be ignored. My favorite Bird piece is still, "April, In Paris"...with STRINGS! It is as current and fresh, today, as it was better than 50 years, ago. It is always great to hear from you, and your insightful observations! Cheers!

[crab5mt]

Had this on a 78 years ago (I mean, like back in the early '60s). Great to hear it again!!

[BcuzJazz]

WOW! Been trying to find Wardell records; had this 78 & loved it; had no idea that was Wardell soloing; Rock!

[engelundgeister]

Wardell was my stepfather, bless him! This solo had lyrics set to it by Jon Hendricks, and "Little Pony" has been a Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross Classic, for years. And, Count Basie and his band will always be the gold-standard of the "big band" genre. I love you, Dad! BLOW!!!

[jhb134]

@engelundgeister - Your stepfather had some excellent solos, when he recorded w/Charlie Parker. He died, too young, but he, Lucky Thompson and others of his era are REMEMBERED, and NOT overshadowed by "Bird"/Parker or others.

[engelundgeister]

@jhb134 Bless you! Yeah, he was quite good, in his own right. What I especially remember about him was his intellectual depth. Philosophy...Eastern spiritual thought...He was a VORACIOUS reader, Plus, I grew-up in a home in which the CLASSICS were always played. Imagine the jam sessions, where he, Prez, Bird, Basie and Miles are, now!

[jhb134]

@engelundgeister - I always like how he, Don Byas and Lucky Thompson could use certain elements of a Lester Young-type style, plus their own originality ... and NOT be overshadowed by Bird/Charlie Parker. I still have some LP reissues of all, three tenor saxophonists, at somewhat-near their best, or maybe their best. The beginnings of bop were a GREAT era, for certain, very-fine musicians ... before a certain number simply "copied" Parker, etc.

[engelundgeister]

@jhb134 ...AND, he was a consummate chef!

[lpsling]

Never has there been, before or since, as lyrical and swingin tenor player as Wardell Gray...

[schnieef]

thx for posting.

[Soulnik]

Wardell rules.