1/23 This life as a traveling musician sucks sometimes. Had to be up by 5 AM to hit the road from Baton Rouge to make a noon lunch in Memphis and a 1 PM band clinic at the U. of Memphis. Of course, lunchtime at Central BBQ on Central Ave. was a major motivating factor, and in the end, worth every bit of effort! Jack Cooper directs the jazz ensemble and let us sit in with the band while they rehearsed. They were going through of Jack’s original tunes “Her Moon Rises In The East” and discussing strategies for the design of a slow crescendo during an extended passage. It just had not hit me till now about what an athletic endeavor playing in a band requires. They had some nice players with big sound – some switching instruments to fill out the band – impressive.
1/24 Scott got up early this morning to do an arranging clinic at the U. for Gary Topper’s class while I enjoyed the room at the Artisan Hotel. Gig at the Memphis Club, Zanzabar. We had a wonderful evening at Keesha’s classy art gallery/club in old town Memphis, right on Main Street’s trolley line. She’s offering a wonderful menu too. Neat part of town, and a fantastically appreciative audience. Scott and trumpeter Dave Spencer met each other at Florida State. Sax man Gary Topper was one of the first musicians that Scott met while working in New York. One could tell that the three horn players were delighted to be playing together again. They played some of Dave and Gary’s original songs – Dave’s “Monday Morning” Pianist Chris Parker was sparking, and drummer Kim Trammel and bass player Sam Shoup filled out the rhythm section. Dave’s “Monday Morning” bossa tune was melodiously reflective, and Gary Topper’s closing tune, “Interplay” was a lighthearted entwining of horn lines. Students from the U. of Memphis jazz band ensemble were there and it was fun talking with them outside of the band clinic. Thanks Memphis, for a wonderful evening - we’ll be looking forward to returning as soon as possible!
Let’s talk about Dave Spencer for a minute… one of Scott’s closest friends during his Florida State days, Dave is a great trumpeter. Scott had always referred to Dave as the “Godfather of Seoul” Of course, I always heard that as “soul”, and didn’t understand until just now… Dave was principal trumpet with the Seoul philharmonic, and gained a reputation for R & B style arrangements which were new to the Korean culture….so they called him the godfather of Seoul… Dave’s a magnificent cook too, and hosted us in his elegant loft digs in Memphis Heights. What a view!
1/25 This life as a traveling musician is brilliant sometimes, in details that would matter to no one but us. Set the scene.... Water everywhere on I-40 westward just over the Mississippi. No wonder they call this delta land. Birdwatching heaven. A lot of over-filled trucks and trailers. Looks like they’re moving west. A bleary-eyed stop at a Waffle House for quick breakfast. As the grits are waking us up, patrons are comfortably jokin' & joshin' employees in ways we've not heard at other food stops (feels like home...) we listen to RB songs we've heard forever. On "My Baby's Back In My Arms Again", I hear something new. Bass clarinet??!! Is this a new mix on this tune? I keep it to myself for a minute, and then ask Scott if he had ever heard that bass clarinet in that place in that arrangement too? You heard that too?!! We figure someone in this Waffle House has tweaked the bass, but laugh about the musician in the session - his little bit finally came through. Audiophile bliss. There are few I could travel with that this would have any meaning to at all. We're on the right track.
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