I had the opportunity to spend a whole evening with him. Back in 1986 I was 18 and had my first steady gig in a hotel bar for a whole month. The MJQ had played a concert in the same city and came to the hotel afterwards. Unfortunately, we made the mistake of playing Bag's Groove as a welcome. Connie told me later that they hated that song because they had played it so many times. While the other three had retired to their rooms, Mr. Kay was at the bar all evening listening to us. He was quite touched that a German teenager knew about Big Sid Catlett and we chatted during the breaks. He was very warm and complimented me on my playing, although it was certainly far from being really good at the time. I really love his playing and consider him one of my role models who always unpretentiously made the music the main thing.
In his liner notes to "Take Ten", Paul noted Connie Kay's special contribution to Bossa Antigua: At the end of "Alone Together," Connie hit the big cymbal a good whang there and it sailed off the drum set and crashed on the floor. After the hysterical laughter subsided we were getting set to tear through it one more time but we listened to it anyway, out of curiosity, and it sounded kind of nice so we left it in. That's one of the few advantages this group has over the MJQ—if Connie's cymbal hits the floor on an MJQ record date, you by God know it, but with this group you can't really be sure.
When my dad was ill, and Mickey Roker was a replacement Both John and Percy would call and ask if he was going to his physical therapist. Percy said "Mickey is too busy on the kit and when I'm soloing, he's running his mouth on stage with Milt . If I gotta come here 3X a week from Montauk and take him to therapy myself, I don't have problem with that. Because Mickey ain't it for us.."
Love this one, Vinnie, and I learned from it. In the spirit, I hope you won’t mind if I recommend some reading: Jerry Wexler’s ‘Rhythm and the Blues,’ written with David Ritz, is an illuminating peek behind the scenes at “the Blue Note of R&B.” It’s been 20 years or so since I last flipped through it, but some of its vibe and intel has stayed vivid in mind.
Nice. I had no idea. My favorite playing of his will always be the stuff with Paul Desmond/ Jim Hall quartet.
But the fact that Connie Kay and Richard Davis are on Astral Weeks has me second-guessing my answer to my student on Wednesday who asked me, "Is Van Morrison jazz?"
I did a radio interview with jazz historian Phil Schapp for his show Bird Flight on WKCR in NYC. He wanted me to bring some music that he'd never heard to play on the show. When I mentioned that Van Morrison has some in his vault, Phil said.."I'm not sure I'd want to hear that on the show.."
I'm Connie's son and I just came across this article. There was another recording that unfortunately may never be released.
In 1970 George Harrison had ideas for a jazz trio recording. The MJQ were in London recording the Lp "SPACE" for Apple Records so he asked Percy Heath and my dad to record some demos with him. They recorded hours of improv and a few covers. But according to the Harrison estate, those demos are said to be "lost". Van Morrison said my dad was the best drummer he ever recorded with and he has a few unreleased recordings in his vault with my dad. But, he said they are for his personal use and may never be released.
An honor to hear from you Mr. Kirnon! And thanks for this info-- let's let this sink in... Percy Heath, Connie Kay, and George Harrison. What can we say?
Thanks to your father for all his great music, and thank you again for your comments and stories. Best wishes and all respect, Vinnie
I had the opportunity to spend a whole evening with him. Back in 1986 I was 18 and had my first steady gig in a hotel bar for a whole month. The MJQ had played a concert in the same city and came to the hotel afterwards. Unfortunately, we made the mistake of playing Bag's Groove as a welcome. Connie told me later that they hated that song because they had played it so many times. While the other three had retired to their rooms, Mr. Kay was at the bar all evening listening to us. He was quite touched that a German teenager knew about Big Sid Catlett and we chatted during the breaks. He was very warm and complimented me on my playing, although it was certainly far from being really good at the time. I really love his playing and consider him one of my role models who always unpretentiously made the music the main thing.
Alright! Beautiful memory, thanks for sharing Michael.
Paul Desmond loved Connie's playing so much that he wrote about him: "who if he didn't exist, would be much too perfect ever to be imagined by anyone"
from Doug Ramsay's book on Paul Desmond:
In his liner notes to "Take Ten", Paul noted Connie Kay's special contribution to Bossa Antigua: At the end of "Alone Together," Connie hit the big cymbal a good whang there and it sailed off the drum set and crashed on the floor. After the hysterical laughter subsided we were getting set to tear through it one more time but we listened to it anyway, out of curiosity, and it sounded kind of nice so we left it in. That's one of the few advantages this group has over the MJQ—if Connie's cymbal hits the floor on an MJQ record date, you by God know it, but with this group you can't really be sure.
John Lewis would've had a mild heart attack if it happened on an MJQ recording.
Or pursed his lips and given it some thought.
No one understood the importance of 'less is more' pointilist playing better than him. But Jim Hall (or Desmond) come close..
When my dad was ill, and Mickey Roker was a replacement Both John and Percy would call and ask if he was going to his physical therapist. Percy said "Mickey is too busy on the kit and when I'm soloing, he's running his mouth on stage with Milt . If I gotta come here 3X a week from Montauk and take him to therapy myself, I don't have problem with that. Because Mickey ain't it for us.."
🤣 Desmond is hilarious
Hilarious and urbane. Ramsey's book captures much of it.
And as much as Desmond loved playing with Connie Kay, there's also that one exquisite Xmas recording of Desmond and the MJQ.
Ramsey:
"..this was a perfect alignment of talent, tastes and temperaments among five peers, and the concert was an authentic event." Indeed
Love this one, Vinnie, and I learned from it. In the spirit, I hope you won’t mind if I recommend some reading: Jerry Wexler’s ‘Rhythm and the Blues,’ written with David Ritz, is an illuminating peek behind the scenes at “the Blue Note of R&B.” It’s been 20 years or so since I last flipped through it, but some of its vibe and intel has stayed vivid in mind.
Jerry Wexler and Ahmet Ertegun were the backup vocalists on "Shake, Rattle And Roll"...
Whoah!!!! Listening now....thanks Mr. Kirnon!
No problem Vinnie. 👍
Recommend away! I need it, thanks Nate. And thanks for reading, commenting, and all the work you do!
Nice. I had no idea. My favorite playing of his will always be the stuff with Paul Desmond/ Jim Hall quartet.
But the fact that Connie Kay and Richard Davis are on Astral Weeks has me second-guessing my answer to my student on Wednesday who asked me, "Is Van Morrison jazz?"
I did a radio interview with jazz historian Phil Schapp for his show Bird Flight on WKCR in NYC. He wanted me to bring some music that he'd never heard to play on the show. When I mentioned that Van Morrison has some in his vault, Phil said.."I'm not sure I'd want to hear that on the show.."
A hard to answer question-- the best kind. Thanks Ryan!
Thanks Vinnie for the love and support.
I'm Connie's son and I just came across this article. There was another recording that unfortunately may never be released.
In 1970 George Harrison had ideas for a jazz trio recording. The MJQ were in London recording the Lp "SPACE" for Apple Records so he asked Percy Heath and my dad to record some demos with him. They recorded hours of improv and a few covers. But according to the Harrison estate, those demos are said to be "lost". Van Morrison said my dad was the best drummer he ever recorded with and he has a few unreleased recordings in his vault with my dad. But, he said they are for his personal use and may never be released.
An honor to hear from you Mr. Kirnon! And thanks for this info-- let's let this sink in... Percy Heath, Connie Kay, and George Harrison. What can we say?
Thanks to your father for all his great music, and thank you again for your comments and stories. Best wishes and all respect, Vinnie
Great article. For his work with Van Morrison, listen to "Tupelo Honey" at volume, and track his drums as the song builds. Sublime and powerful!!
Yes! Will do, thanks Russell..
A very familiar album cover at the beginning. I'll play when another listener gets home.
You know it!!