A Celebration of Life for Jackie McLean

stevebop · May-24th-2006, 11:36 AM

Last Wednesday, May 17th, on what would have been J Mac's 75th birthday, a Celebration of Life took place at The Artist's Collective in Hartford, Connecticut. And what a celebration it was!
Dolly, Melonae and Vernone were there (Rene was back in Africa) with other family members and grand kids. A huge smiling portrait of Jackie was hung from the back of the stage and his alto saxphone was on dislpay at the foot of the stage.The auditorium was packed with family, friends, present and former students. Someone I spoke with swore that as he walked across the back of the room, looking at that portrait, he could see Jackie's eyes follow him. It was a joyous occasion.

Some highlights:

Saxophonist Jimmy Greene spoke eloquently about walking into the Collective as a fifteen year old and being forever changed by hearing Jackie's playing and his commitment to the community. Jimmy played a most beautiful solo version of Monk's "'Round Midnight."
Acknowledgements from Jackie's daughter in law, Rene McLean's wife, Thandiwe' January McLean; Walter Harrison, President of the University of Hartford; Mayor of the City of Hartford, Eddie Perez; a Key Note speech from Jackie's life long friend Gilbert Noble, and others.They all had such wonderful things to say about Jackie and his commitment to his music and to his community and the children helped by he and Dolly's hardwork at The Collective.

Other musical selections:

Steve Davis, Allen Palmer and Nat Reeves playing a moving version of "Left Alone;" Randy Weston solo piano improvisation called "In Memory of;" and a singer and pianist from the Abyssinian Baptist Church of Harlem, Eunice Newkirk and Roy Jennings performing a most electrifying version of "Amazing Grace."
The Reverend Dr. Alvan Johnson from the Bethel AME Church in Bloomfield, Connecticut presided over the whole event and payed tribute to Jackie near the close by invoking his good deeds and talent and love of family and the kids he took under his wing at both The Collective and Hartt School of Music, his giving back to the community. As he spoke he would pause and shout out, "Blow, Jackie, Blow!" He implored the audience to do the same and everytime he said it there was a call and response from us. "Blow, Jackie, Blow!" It was like church!
Two hours later as we were filing out into the cool evening Jackie's wailing alto with Mal Waldron's piano could be heard over the speaker system playing another version of "Left Alone."

Steve Schwartz
Jazz from Studio Four
Friday, 8p-midnight
WGBH, 89.7FM, Boston
www.wgbh.org/jazz
www.wgbhblogs.org/jazz

rollhead · May-24th-2006, 11:47 AM

Thanks for the post.

I've decided I need to listen to more of Jackie Mclean's music, in part because my sax teacher studied with Jackie at Hartt, and he (my teacher) is always quoting him.

What are his "must have" CDs?

Chris D · May-24th-2006, 11:52 AM

"New Soil," "Destination: Out!" "One Step Beyond," "Let Freedom Ring" are all essential. Knowing your likes, "Swing, Swang, Swinging" would be a good one to get going. Any of the '60s Blue Notes are great!

Rob C · May-24th-2006, 11:59 AM

What Chris said (though I haven't heard New Soil yet). If you were only going to get one, get Let Freedom Ring. But why get only one? I'm a big fan of Action! Right Now is good too, but I'd mark it a notch lower. Just a notch, though.

Actually, if you want to hear Jackie in full on bop mode, go for Freddie Redd's Music from the Connection. GREAT record.

groover · May-24th-2006, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris D

"New Soil," "Destination: Out!" "One Step Beyond," "Let Freedom Ring" are all essential. Knowing your likes, "Swing, Swang, Swinging" would be a good one to get going. Any of the '60s Blue Notes are great!

Chris is right on the money. Actually, it's hard to believe any hardcore jazz fan hasn't heard those great sets. You've got some homework to do, Rollie!

rollhead · May-24th-2006, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by groover

Chris is right on the money. Actually, it's hard to believe any hardcore jazz fan hasn't heard those great sets. You've got some homework to do, Rollie!

Don't I know it!

Valerie · May-24th-2006, 01:45 PM

thanks so much, steve, for your post. wish walter had been there to add his glowing praises of jackie! hope they're able to jam together in the other world!

xoxo

valerie

steve(thelil) · May-24th-2006, 04:16 PM

Besides being a great musician, Jackie was, from what I've heard, everything one could want in a jazz educator.

José Domingos Raffaelli · May-25th-2006, 02:32 PM

Some of you mentioned several excellent Jackie McLean recordings, but I want to remember his wonderful "Lights Out" (Prestige), one of his early leader sessions. In my estimation it is a stimulating CD where Jackie an his cohorts play their hearts and souls off on its title composition, that has been recorded with the lights out in the studio. Also worth hearing is the beautiful ballad "Lorraine", a rework of "Embraceable You" where Jackie does one of his most soulful improvisations.
José

Ron Thorne · June-2nd-2006, 03:18 AM

Paul, I'd be remiss if I didn't remind you of your observational talents, as well as your ability to seduce.

Having said that, why the unnecessary meanness toward steve(thelil)?

That's very troublesome.