Great informative article again. Thanks. Re. Malcolm ‘Shorty’ Jarvis: he certainly was Clifford’s father and the associate of MalcolmX played in Spike Lee’s movie, ‘Malcolm X’, by Lee himself. Points of interest: 1. Malcolm ‘Shorty’ Jarvis, was not short and his nickname had nothing to do with his stature, ironically or otherwise. I’m sure Horacee Arnold and Billy Hart, who informed you of the connection to Clifford will know the origin of his nickname. 2. Tony Williams has referred to playing with Malcolm ‘Shorty’ Jarvis and to him being his father’s (Tillman) best friend.
Incredible! The comments from Williams certainly ring a bell, but I didn't know of the Malcolm "Shorty"/Tillmon (or Tillman?) connection. Time to check in with Mr. Hart and see what else I can dig up. Thanks for reading and for this helpful information!
Tony Williams’ father’s name is spelled variously Tillman or Tillmon, on official documents. Of ten that I have, it’s mostly Tillmon but not on three significant ones. In the case of his son it’s mostly Tillmon but Tillman on one that cannot be ignored! Sorry to be somewhat teasingly vague but having now finally completed the rough draft of a Tony Williams biography, I’m hoping a published edition won’t be too far away.
So glad to see this post as I've long been curious but about Jarvis! I think it was the drumming on Jackie McLean's RIGHT NOW that made me stop in my tracks (literally, while out for a walk with headphones on). I remember coming home and putting together a playlist to try to hear what Jarvis was doing in different contexts. (At that point, I hadn't heard the Barry Harris record, but I have since!)
Didn't Jarvis spend time in London near the end of his life? I remember him sitting in with the Iggy Quayle Trio at the King's Head in Crouch End and lighting a fire.
I got to know Cliff in 1994 when he lived in Hackney, London and we became good friends. He also gave me a few lessons and we'd start off rudiments together with me giving up as the speed went beyond my capabilities only for him to get faster and faster until you couldn't hear the rhythm of the rudiment any more and new ones emerged as he reached speeds that I've never seen anyone else get close to.
Watching him play live at a local jazz jam was always a thrill. We would walk there together and he'd say things like " Im really gonna kick some ass tonight." There would be some pretty serious musicians there most nights and they were all terrified of Cliff, not because he was mean to anyone but because it was like you are playing football with your friends and Lionel Messi turns up.
Cliffs death was really tragic and I still miss him so it's great to see him getting the recognition he deserves.
Wow…so beautiful Jeff, what an amazing set of stories and memories. His loss is tragic and he was so important…thanks so much for this comment, and for reading. Best wishes Mr. Bloom!
Great informative article again. Thanks. Re. Malcolm ‘Shorty’ Jarvis: he certainly was Clifford’s father and the associate of MalcolmX played in Spike Lee’s movie, ‘Malcolm X’, by Lee himself. Points of interest: 1. Malcolm ‘Shorty’ Jarvis, was not short and his nickname had nothing to do with his stature, ironically or otherwise. I’m sure Horacee Arnold and Billy Hart, who informed you of the connection to Clifford will know the origin of his nickname. 2. Tony Williams has referred to playing with Malcolm ‘Shorty’ Jarvis and to him being his father’s (Tillman) best friend.
Incredible! The comments from Williams certainly ring a bell, but I didn't know of the Malcolm "Shorty"/Tillmon (or Tillman?) connection. Time to check in with Mr. Hart and see what else I can dig up. Thanks for reading and for this helpful information!
Tony Williams’ father’s name is spelled variously Tillman or Tillmon, on official documents. Of ten that I have, it’s mostly Tillmon but not on three significant ones. In the case of his son it’s mostly Tillmon but Tillman on one that cannot be ignored! Sorry to be somewhat teasingly vague but having now finally completed the rough draft of a Tony Williams biography, I’m hoping a published edition won’t be too far away.
I will be the first to buy and read this book— SO GLAD to hear you are doing this. Thanks for the info, and thank you for reading!
This is awesome. I've loved Ra for years, but know little about his excellent band, besides Marshall Allen.
Thanks for reading!
thank you so much for a lovely write up. i cant wait to check out these records :)
Thank you for reading!
YESSSSS!
So glad to see this post as I've long been curious but about Jarvis! I think it was the drumming on Jackie McLean's RIGHT NOW that made me stop in my tracks (literally, while out for a walk with headphones on). I remember coming home and putting together a playlist to try to hear what Jarvis was doing in different contexts. (At that point, I hadn't heard the Barry Harris record, but I have since!)
Alright! Glad to be of service…love Right Now!
Didn't Jarvis spend time in London near the end of his life? I remember him sitting in with the Iggy Quayle Trio at the King's Head in Crouch End and lighting a fire.
He did— he lived in England for the last 10-15 years of his life. It’s in one of the last paragraphs of the essay. Thanks for reading!
I got to know Cliff in 1994 when he lived in Hackney, London and we became good friends. He also gave me a few lessons and we'd start off rudiments together with me giving up as the speed went beyond my capabilities only for him to get faster and faster until you couldn't hear the rhythm of the rudiment any more and new ones emerged as he reached speeds that I've never seen anyone else get close to.
Watching him play live at a local jazz jam was always a thrill. We would walk there together and he'd say things like " Im really gonna kick some ass tonight." There would be some pretty serious musicians there most nights and they were all terrified of Cliff, not because he was mean to anyone but because it was like you are playing football with your friends and Lionel Messi turns up.
Cliffs death was really tragic and I still miss him so it's great to see him getting the recognition he deserves.
Wow…so beautiful Jeff, what an amazing set of stories and memories. His loss is tragic and he was so important…thanks so much for this comment, and for reading. Best wishes Mr. Bloom!
Maaan, this substack is Jazz Nerd Heaven, in the best, most expansive, and joyful sense!
Thanks for enriching our lives with your posts!
So glad that you get to hang with the older musicians who pass on stories and lessons.
Carry on👊🏽🙏🏽
Thanks for the support and kind words Mark!!!! Great to hear from you as always....thanks!
Great piece on a player who deserves this kind of detailed attention; thank you!
One note: isn't Junior Cook the tenor on that BJP session?