Here is another performance from the 1965 WBAI Marathon. In case you are not familiar with WBAI, it is a listener-sponsored FM station in New York City, belonging to the Pacifica Foundation. It has recently celebrated its 50th anniversary and it has survived despite several attempts upon its life as voice of truth. The group heard here was one of many from the jazz community that came to WBAI's aid when their help was needed. Today, mismanagement and personal agendas have made WBAI but a shadow of its old self, but it still carries many vital programs and there are forces at work to make it whole again.
Their energy belies this, but Walter Bishop, Jr's. Quartet came to the station in the early morning hours, straight from a tiring gig at Minton's Playhouse in Harlem. Sad to say, some of the same musicians, along with Coltrane and Monk, assembled at the Five Spot only five months later to play tribute to tenor saxophonist Frank Haynes, whom cancer claimed in his 33rd year. There is more to come from this and other groups who helped WBAI 45 years ago.
Chris, do you actually know Coltrane was present at the Frank Haynes memorial concert? In "Coltrane Reference" it says his presence is unconfirmed... you could let David Wild know if you can confirm it!
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot for sharing this chestnut! Haynes died way too early. As I'm typing this, I'm playing the album he made with Randy Weston, live at the Both/And in San Francisco (which, morbidly enough, often goes by the date of October 1966...)
Thanks, ubu, I think I got that information from a review of the memorial session. If I can find it again, I will post it.
ReplyDeleteChris, this version of "Days of Wine and Roses" is marvellous, truly marvellous! Thanks so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteMy remark about Coltrane before was prompted by my listening through just about every existing recording of his in the past months... and reading in the "Coltrane Reference".
Wild has an errata and updates page (concering "Coltrane Reference") on his website, that's why I suggested you write to him, of course.
But this is about Frank Haynes, who was a truly fine tenor player for much too short a time. Will have to dig up the Dave Bailey albums tomorrow...
Is there any way I can get a CD of this track for my Dad Dick Berk for Xmas!! He recorded this when he was 26 he would love to have this I have no idea how to download the song!
ReplyDeleteConsider it done.
ReplyDeleteBish Bash "Walter Bishop Jr" had a way of making the music swing like no other, his style is just as fresh as it was then. Be Bop forever.
ReplyDelete