What legendary concert do you wish you could have attended?

Tanager · June-27th-2003, 01:02 PM

Okay, in case my title isn't entirely clear, here's what I often wonder: if I could go back in time and be present at one jazz show, which one would it be? What show has such impact, whether historical/musical/whatever, that you think your life is somehow lacking for not having attended it?

I think Trane's 1961 gig at the VV would be at the top of my list, personally. Trane and Dolphy together, a series of sets that so inflamed the jazz world (with reactions both pro and, more commonly it seems, con), and music that is, to me, some of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring stuff ever played. And the chance to see two musicians who burned fast and bright, but for all too short a time, sharing the stage.

What about the rest of you?

hornplayer · June-27th-2003, 01:17 PM

I think I'd pick Massey Hall with Diz, Bird and Friends...

Lucky me... I'm old enough to have BEEN at some of the "legendary" events... like Plugged Nickel... and to have heard Ella with both Basie and Ellington...

blawless · June-27th-2003, 02:10 PM

I'd pick that super-early AMM performance attended by Cage, Rauschenberg, and maybe 3 or 4 others in all. If that gig wasn't just an apocryphal bunch of hooey.

cookie · June-27th-2003, 02:11 PM

Before I even saw hornplayer's response I was thinking "Massey Hall with Bird and Diz."

Tom Storer · June-27th-2003, 02:21 PM

Duke at Carnegie Hall, 1943.

Squaredancecalling Steve · June-27th-2003, 02:22 PM

For reasons biographical rather than historical:

Benny Goodman -- Carnegie Hall Concert 1938

Louis Armstrong -- Town Hall Concert 1947

Cecil Taylor -- Antioch College 1973 (Indent)

Jon Abbey · June-27th-2003, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by blawless
I'd pick that super-early AMM performance attended by Cage, Rauschenberg, and maybe 3 or 4 others in all. If that gig wasn't just an apocryphal bunch of hooey.

pretty sure it's true, Rowe told me about that pretty recently, and I've never known him to make up that kind of thing. it was in upstate NY, I believe Morton Feldman and Jasper Johns (?) were also among the handful in attendance. maybe Brian knows more details?

I saw a AMM w/Christian Wolff show at Dartmouth a few years ago with about five people in attendance, in a large classroom in a sub-basement. not such a great set, but the end was magical, Tilbury and Prevost were finished, Rowe was ever-so-gradually fading out a drone, and Wolff was very softly whistling. as beautiful a few minutes of music as I've probably ever seen.

I'm still thinking about mine, it certainly would have been cool to have been at an electric Miles show circa 1974 or 1975.

stonemonkts · June-27th-2003, 02:26 PM

I've actually given this much thought in the past. My initial pick would also be the '61 Vanguard gig with Trane and Dolphy seeing how this is my all-time favorite live recording (the entire box set from start to finish).

But I have to choose the Monk/Trane gigs at the Five Spot (get to see both giants together). Monk is my favorite musician, so to see him perform with Coltrane I believe would have been a life-altering experience, especially if I could have returned several times (weren't they playing there for a few months?)

blawless · June-27th-2003, 02:31 PM

Quote:

pretty sure it's true, Rowe told me about that pretty recently, and I've never known him to make up that kind of thing. i

Thank you, Jon. I *thought* so. You've helped me settle a bet I had with my cat.

Brian Olewnick · June-27th-2003, 02:45 PM

Not sure about Feldman, but Cage, Johns and Rauschenberg, yes. I believe it was AMM's first NYC visit in 1968. Cage and Johns also helped out the group financially.

Gentle Giant · June-27th-2003, 04:17 PM

Duke at Newport, Monk and Trane at the Five Spot, and the Evans trio at the VV are definites for me. Also, Miles Davis' My Funny Valentine + Four and More, the full document of the benefit concert his quintet performed on behalf of the NAACP in 1964, was recorded on my 1st birthday. Featuring George Coleman in a transitional time for the group, I've always thought it would've been cool to see it in person. Sadly, though, in real life, my oldest sister died exactly two weeks later of leukemia at age 7. Maybe that contributes to my attachment to this set.

Canuck Don · June-27th-2003, 04:29 PM

I saw Ella ,Sarah,Carmen ,Nancy Wilson many times and other Lady jazz singers also.Would have loved to have seen Billie live.So I would say any concert of her's would have been just great to be at.Probably her JATP stint comes to mind and with Lester of course on tenor.

Captain Hate · June-27th-2003, 07:01 PM

Lester Bowie's Sho-Nuff Orchestra!!! Anything before when I had a real appreciation for the music I'll leave to the hobbyists.

Captain Hate · June-27th-2003, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jon Abbey
I'm still thinking about mine, it certainly would have been cool to have been at an electric Miles show circa 1974 or 1975.

I saw him in Chicago on a twin bill with Jackie "Moms" Mabley; it was really loud and terrible.

Squaredancecalling Steve · June-27th-2003, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Captain Hate
Anything before when I had a real appreciation for the music I'll leave to the hobbyists.

When DID you get a real appreciation for the music? Just so we'll know where to draw the line.

Captain Hate · June-27th-2003, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Squaredancecalling Steve
When DID you get a real appreciation for the music? Just so we'll know where to draw the line.

Mid 70's; although it IS continually evolving. FYI, sdcs, I would've also liked to have been at the Indent concert.

Chris Castelle · June-27th-2003, 08:47 PM

The Art Ensemble of Chicago at Mandel Hall in 1972.

Mingus' Carnegie Hall Concert (Also 1972? I think Pete was there.)

Dolphy and Booker Little at the Five Spot in 1961.

john williams · June-27th-2003, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tanager
I think Trane's 1961 gig at the VV would be at the top of my list, personally.

Tanager: Excellent thread Idea. When I saw the thread title JC at VV immediately came to mind. I have to go with this one particularly as I was playing it last night and my partner who had never heard it before and was completely blown away, she loves "Spiritual". I played her the Afro-Blue Impressions version but she preferred the VV (Disk 3) version. When I upgraded my stereo VV was the first album I reached for, not because its the greatest recording in the world but its my all time favorite live recording.

For me nothing else comes close.

Stormcrow · June-27th-2003, 09:43 PM

Ella's 1960 Berlin Concert... *sigh*

Gentle Giant · June-27th-2003, 09:52 PM

I would have liked to have been in the audience for the "Jazz on a Summer's Day" fest.

And any show with the original Mahavishnu Orchestra.

HLJ · June-27th-2003, 10:14 PM

Miles Davis @ The Plugged Nickel.Peace and all that.

Dr Dave · June-27th-2003, 10:16 PM

Miles at the Jazz Workshop in Boston in 1974. This was the "Live/Evil" band minus McLaughlin.

Carol Sloane with Andy Bey at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston. I forget the date.

Frisco · June-27th-2003, 10:20 PM

Coltrane - Newport 1963.
My favorite version of "My Favorite Things". Roy Haynes seemed to have brought Trane into a whole new dimension and his soprano here is probably the most incredible performance that I have ever heard. I've listened hundreds of times and still find it incredible. I'd have gone wild in that crowd.

Bill Barton · June-27th-2003, 11:16 PM

I'd have to go with the Jazz at Massey Hall concert too.

And the Ellington at Newport for that butt-kicking Paul Gonsalves solo.

The College Concert of Pee Wee Russell and Henry "Red" Allen would rank high on the list as well.

The Trane and Newk Village Vanguard dates...

Whew! I could go on and on...

Pete C · June-29th-2003, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Chris Castelle
Mingus' Carnegie Hall Concert (Also 1972? I think Pete was there.)

Dolphy and Booker Little at the Five Spot in 1961.

The Mingus was either '73 or '74. '72 was the Mingus & Friends at Philharmonic Hall concert.

The Dolphy 5 Spot is also at the top of my list.

bostontricky · June-29th-2003, 10:01 PM

Among others not mentioned already:

Jimmy Giuffre's swing through Europe in the fall of 1961, with Paul Bley and Steve Swallow. Bley writes in his biography that people were running around backstage at their Paris concert asking "Where ees Jim Hall?"

Also Don Ellis at Monterey Fall 1966, or better yet, July 1966 when the Hindustani Jazz Sextet opened at the Fillmore for the Grateful Dead and Big Brother and the Holding Company.

Captain Hate · June-29th-2003, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gentle Giant
And any show with the original Mahavishnu Orchestra.

GG, I was at one of their concerts and, at the risk of sounding like a total contrarian a-hole, it was less good than it should've been. It was held in a college gym (strike 1) and whoever did the sound had no concept of how to execute the task at hand. The answer: Crank it!! As a result I could only hear bits and pieces of things; mostly Johnny Mac, Hammer and Cobham. The rest was a wash of distortion.

One concert I wish I would've seen: Scofield with the Adams/Pullen Quartet at Montreux. I don't think Sco ever sounded as well placed as on the Timeless recording of it.

Mike Schwartz · June-29th-2003, 10:28 PM

30

Mike Schwartz · June-29th-2003, 10:33 PM

Since the premise is to choose just one, I'd have to say one of the early Newport's [undecided]. Having been so many times to the VV, this choice comes from the fact that it's at a venue that's no longer in use...a place I've never been; that idea appeals to me.

moneyp · June-30th-2003, 04:56 AM

Clifford Brown's last date. I'd be the one outside removing the starter...