Litchfield

Chaz Longue · July-30th-2003, 11:23 AM

Anybody going to Litchfield?

I'll be there Saturday.

cHaZ

Valerie · July-30th-2003, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Chaz Longue
Anybody going to Litchfield?

I'll be there Saturday.

cHaZ

Hey Chaz:

What a very pleasant surprise: I'll be there Sat. also!! Wow!! I'll be driving in from Boston and plan to arrive around noon in time to look around at the arts and crafts, and then start catching the wonderful lineup of Jane Bunnett, the Heath Bros., and Wayne S. I was originally planning to attend Sunday as well but have changed my mind. I can see Russell and Benny here next month.

Why don't you email me and we'll make arrangements to hook up. My girlfriend, a lovely lady who lives in Norwalk, CT (originally from Belgium) is meeting me there.

Looking forward to meeting you in person, Chaz!

Valerie

Chaz Longue · July-31st-2003, 03:08 PM

I just sent you a private message Valerie. I couldn't get to your email address.

I'll look for you at the end of David Berkman's set, shall I? I'll go try to have a few words with him and hope to see you there.

cHaZ

relyles · July-31st-2003, 09:59 PM

not that either of you care, but I plan to be there Saturday as well.

Valerie · July-31st-2003, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by relyles
not that either of you care, but I plan to be there Saturday as well.

Well, I happen to care "DEEPLY," relyles. So, that's how much YOU know!!

So, what should we do about it?!? Uh, oh, does that mean a "three-way"?!? Yikes, did I say that??? LOL!! You've got to post a picture so I can make my decision!!

relyles · July-31st-2003, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Valerie
Well, I happen to care "DEEPLY," relyles. So, that's how much YOU know!!

So, what should we do about it?!? Uh, oh, does that mean a "three-way"?!? Yikes, did I say that??? LOL!! You've got to post a picture so I can make my decision!!

A tempting invitation. I am no fool, however. A picture of me would probably motivate you to avoid my adopted state of Connecticut entirely.

Valerie · July-31st-2003, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by relyles
A tempting invitation. I am no fool, however. A picture of me would probably motivate you to avoid my adopted state of Connecticut entirely.

LOL!! Now that I know how clever, witty and humble you are, it's a done deal!!

relyles · August-1st-2003, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Valerie
LOL!! Now that I know how clever, witty and humble you are, it's a done deal!!

You sure don't scare easily. Now you have me intrigued. I will proabably be all by myself looking pitiful, so company is always appreciated.

Valerie · August-1st-2003, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by relyles
You sure don't scare easily. Now you have me intrigued. I will proabably be all by myself looking pitiful, so company is always appreciated.

The loose plan is that Chaz Longue and I will look for each other around the stage area after Dave plays. If that doesn't work, we'll look again after the Heath Bros. in the same location. Do you know what Chaz looks like? I'm grey-haired and Rubenesque. Are you still "intrigued"?!? LOL!!

Hope all three of us get to meet.

Best,

Valerie

Chaz Longue · August-1st-2003, 12:22 PM

Valerie and I will keep an eye out for you, Relyles... but do you know the secret handshake?

cHaZ

jazzy mary · August-1st-2003, 12:27 PM

Have a good time in Litchfield, guys. As you may remember I went last year--what an experience. Just watch out for that wild lady who handles the fest. They always have really good artists playing, but what a drag the gestapo stuff is. Reyles, that's a pic. of Chaz in that boat. And you can see a pic of Val in the photos posted in "Inner Views".

Chaz, say hi to David for me.

relyles · August-1st-2003, 07:38 PM

Chaz and Valerie - Assuming no last minute objections from the family I plan to be there early enough to catch the first set and pay the big bucks for a tent seat. Assuming neither of you object, I will try to locate you. FYI, I will be the pitiful looking thirty something black man with a near shaven head sitting alone with some of my famous fried chicken, a bag of bold party blend Chex Mix and a stack of magazines to read between sets. Hope to see you there.

jazzy mary · August-1st-2003, 08:07 PM

Hey man, you won't need those magazines if you hang w/ Chaz and Val!! Better make extra of that fried chicken!! Yum!

Valerie · August-1st-2003, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jazzy mary
Hey man, you won't need those magazines if you hang w/ Chaz and Val!! Better make extra of that fried chicken!! Yum!

Oh, JM, I wish you were going to be there THIS year! I might need some help with these guys! LOL!!

relyles · August-1st-2003, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jazzy mary
Hey man, you won't need those magazines if you hang w/ Chaz and Val!! Better make extra of that fried chicken!! Yum!

Oops. Only bought a 2.5 pound bag of wings to fry. Realized later that it may not even be enough for me to last the entire day. But hey, in the spirit of the music, I am willing to split the grub three ways. I counted. That is exactly six wing portions a piece. Better bring money to buy food.

Valerie · August-1st-2003, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by relyles
Oops. Only bought a 2.5 pound bag of wings to fry. Realized later that it may not even be enough for me to last the entire day. But hey, in the spirit of the music, I am willing to split the grub three ways. I counted. That is exactly six wing portions a piece. Better bring money to buy food.

Relax, Relyles - I like the way that sounds! - You don't have to share your chicken wings with me, but I do hope they have some decent food for sale there.

See you in the morrow!

relyles · August-3rd-2003, 09:27 AM

Chaz and Valerie it was nice to meet you both. Valerie, you never did answer our question of how did you get that all access pass?

Chaz Longue · August-4th-2003, 02:20 PM

A very satisfying trip. Meeting Relyles and Valerie was a high point, although I was certainly a bit distracted (my apologies!) and didn't really get enough time to chat with either of them. Both Valerie and Relyles seem like people I could chat with endlessly and really enjoy getting to know!

David Berkman's ensemble was very good - worth getting there on the early side for. Nice writing and arranging, and a nice ensemble sound. I listened to two of David's recordings on the drive back and enjoyed them even more for having
seen him.

Ditto for Mulgrew Miller: a nice ensemble sound and some great playing. The three players up front blended beautifully during theme statements and ensemble passages. Which isn't surprising, since they've been playing together a lot recently - Antonio Hart, Steve Nelson and Duane Eubanks are all in Dave Holland's big band.

Then Vanessa Rubin sang a well received set. She's a fairly rare example of a bona fide Jazz singer, and I was most impressed by the fact that she sang some material I'm not used to hearing in the context of a Jazz performance - Bock and Harnick's Matchmaker Matchmaker, from Fiddler On The Roof, for instance. The program listed Gary Bartz as a guest for her set, but in his absence she pulled an ace out of her sleeve in the person of James Spaulding (!) who played a couple of things and then brough Rubin back on to finish the set. While Vanessa Rubin, impressive as she is, is not to my taste (I'm just fussy about Singers - what can I say?) I was thrilled to make a rare Jimmy Spaulding sighting. He sounded and looked just great - I hope to see more of him soon.

Jane Bunnett's Spirits Of Havana made a deep impression on me. Though I'd enjoyed what I'd heard of her on recordings, I hadn't been bowled over by he on the one prior occasion I'd had the pleasure. This time she and the band were just KILLIN' !
I'd tell you more, but to tell you the truth, I was utterly blinded by her trap-drummer, Francisco Mela. He had such a broad dynamic range that it seemed each of the foundational rhythmic structures he blended could be heard discreetly in the polyrhythm he laid on throughout the set. He had a clarity and focus that reminded me a bit of Ben Riley. He's teaching at Berklee now and performs around Boston. Don't miss him, or better yet - just go see Jane and Spirits Of Havana at your earliest possible opportunity!

The Heath Brothers were a joy, and The Wayne Shorter Quartet opened up a little crack in the time/space continuum. Those so inclined could probably catch a little peek at god in there...

Shorter played a 40 minute set consisting of 2 pieces, (which seemed to last about 10 minutes) and then played a 20 minute encore. So far this (really) is the group of the century, friends.

cHaZ

Valerie · August-4th-2003, 04:18 PM

Chaz: I also wish that the three of us had had more time together! I actually looked for you before the Heath Bros. played.

relyles has posted his review on a "Saturday at Litchfield" thread and I've added my comments to it.

Although part of me feels the way Chaz does about the "spiritual" vibe that Wayne and his brilliant group are displaying, I still miss their earlier stuff a lot! I could watch and listen to Brian Blades (and also Billy Kilson) forever! They are so amazing.

Perhaps the "Administrator" can combine the two Litchfield threads.