Saturday 8th October 2022, 15:00 – Three of a Kind. The song A Foggy Day (in London Town) by the Gershwin brothers (1937) plays out in London. But bass player/composer Charles Mingus moved it in 1956 to San Francisco, “…because I’ve never been to London…”. Under his musical direction the song was surrounded by sounds of the city. (Indeed, Clifford Brown & Max Roach did something similar with Parisian Thoroughfare, with Paris as the location.)
The Mingus version resulted in a mix of street sounds, and if you listen closely you can hear sounds which aren’t to be heard in London traffic but are characteristic for San Francisco. Jackie McLean and J.R. Monterose are the saxophonists, Mal Waldron is on piano and Willie Jones is the drummer. The driving baselines from Mingus, including his solo, come through clearly.
Before Mingus we’re playing the interpretation of pianist Art Tatum with alto Benny Carter. To the always hyperactive, never restful Tatum occasionally you’d like to say: take it easy, who’s the soloist! But ten seconds later you’ve changed your mind. Two thirds of the way through drummer Louis Bellson swaps his brushes for sticks – a change which gives the last part of the piece, with Carter’s second solo, an extra impulse.
The main piece Foggy Day concludes with alto Lou Donaldson, accompanied by organist Baby Face Willette, guitarist Grant Green and drummer Dave Bailey. Nicely relaxed bluesy swing.
The two other pieces in this programme are Flamingo and My Old Flame.
Go for details to the Guide
Three of a Kind is compiled by Bert Broere.
