Many thanks for an excellent piece on one of the lesser-known greats. I had the pleasure of working with Horacee on Billy Harper's 1993 recording "Somalia." During the planning stages I had suggested to Billy that we augment his quintet with a second bassist (inspired by Lee Morgan's final studio session), but Billy decided to add a second drummer instead. The combination of then-regular drummer Newman Taylor Baker and Horacee produced fireworks, particularly during the freer passages of the epic 'Thy Will Be Done.' I remember how Billy had the drummers tune their kick drums to sound alike so they would sound like one monster drummer.
Amazing; incredible information. Somalia is great— was going to try to include a synopsis of it but it was ultimately beyond the scope. Thanks for this meaningful anecdote: it connects to Freddie Waits, keeps the circle open!!
I was hanging out with Billy Harper in the summer of 1979. He invited me to a rehearsal in the basement of WestBeth apts. where he lived for many years. There was a drum kit there I immediately recognized as belonging to Freddie Waits (the little crash between the toms was a giveaway). During the rehearsal Freddie came down to say hello. He brought a young man with him — Nasheet aged eight. Billy's band at the time featured the legendary Everett Hollins (Morgan reincarnate), Armen Donelian, Gregg Maker, and Billy's best friend and favorite drummer who'd flown in from Houston, the late Malcolm Pinson.
There isn't too much info about Malcolm online, other than that he was born in 1941 and passed away in 2022. I did get to talk with him quite a bit during Billy's tour of Japan in 1979 (immediately following the rehearsal I described above), and also during a bus trip I made with Billy's band (a special "reunion edition" featuring Malcolm and Everett) from New York to D.C. around 1990. I remember Malcolm telling me he had received plenty of invitations to move to New York or LA but was devoted to his family in Houston. He also told me he worked quite a bit with Arnett Cobb (with whom he recorded an album or two). Malcolm was a heavyweight drummer, which suited Billy just fine. He came out of Blakey, and of course Elvin too, but could play backbeat better than his idols, and was a killer on shuffle tunes. Malcolm liked to tune his drums low, but his playing was always clean and his sound was bright. Here's some precious footage of Billy's 1980 quintet that kicks off with a Pinson solo:
This is stunning footage, thank you for sharing. Malcolm Pinson is a force; so glad that at least this video exists. Really appreciate your generosity-- sharing stories, names, and other details. There's so much more to know about how the music morphed and adapted in the 70s, 80s, and 90s; so many brilliant players were thriving, despite all the difficulties. Thank you Mark!
I remember those H Arnold Lps on Columbia––unlike my fusion-oriented friends, I like "Tribe" better than "...Exonerated Flea" but not by much. Good on you for making us listen with new ears!!
Bruh, Joe Charles is from the Lou, i.e. St. Louis. Legendary. All the BAG musicians knew him. If you ever have a chance to talk to David Sanborn(yeah, that Savid Sanborn), ask him about Joe Charles...and Philip Wilson...and Lester Bowie. I had a few conversations with Mr. Charles when I lived there in the 80's.
Vinnie, Horacee somehow led me to Hamid Drake. I'm revelling in his album Karuna. Quite something else! Wonderi g ifhehas been on your radar. Cheers, Bobby
Love Mr. Drake’s playing; he knocked me out with Archie Shepp at Vision Fest a few years ago. Thanks for the recommendation, thanks for reading and commenting!
Many thanks for an excellent piece on one of the lesser-known greats. I had the pleasure of working with Horacee on Billy Harper's 1993 recording "Somalia." During the planning stages I had suggested to Billy that we augment his quintet with a second bassist (inspired by Lee Morgan's final studio session), but Billy decided to add a second drummer instead. The combination of then-regular drummer Newman Taylor Baker and Horacee produced fireworks, particularly during the freer passages of the epic 'Thy Will Be Done.' I remember how Billy had the drummers tune their kick drums to sound alike so they would sound like one monster drummer.
Thanks for sharing— only thing I didn’t see is a connection to Baltimore; Billy Hart described him as “Mousey from Baltimore”. Any more info? Thanks Ronan!
Hmmm... you could be right Vinnie. Mousey Alexander was somewhat well known, and certainly fits the age profile, but... The only other 'Mousey' I know of who plays drums is Mousey Thompson who played with Wilson Pickett, Bootsy Collins and other soul artists, and is still playing, but might be a bit young to have been admired by Billy Hart. Perhaps the mystery remains! Thanks fr the great article on Horacee - my brother studied with him in the 80s in NY
Many thanks for an excellent piece on one of the lesser-known greats. I had the pleasure of working with Horacee on Billy Harper's 1993 recording "Somalia." During the planning stages I had suggested to Billy that we augment his quintet with a second bassist (inspired by Lee Morgan's final studio session), but Billy decided to add a second drummer instead. The combination of then-regular drummer Newman Taylor Baker and Horacee produced fireworks, particularly during the freer passages of the epic 'Thy Will Be Done.' I remember how Billy had the drummers tune their kick drums to sound alike so they would sound like one monster drummer.
Amazing; incredible information. Somalia is great— was going to try to include a synopsis of it but it was ultimately beyond the scope. Thanks for this meaningful anecdote: it connects to Freddie Waits, keeps the circle open!!
I was hanging out with Billy Harper in the summer of 1979. He invited me to a rehearsal in the basement of WestBeth apts. where he lived for many years. There was a drum kit there I immediately recognized as belonging to Freddie Waits (the little crash between the toms was a giveaway). During the rehearsal Freddie came down to say hello. He brought a young man with him — Nasheet aged eight. Billy's band at the time featured the legendary Everett Hollins (Morgan reincarnate), Armen Donelian, Gregg Maker, and Billy's best friend and favorite drummer who'd flown in from Houston, the late Malcolm Pinson.
What a band…..Anything more you can share about Mr. Pinson? Thank you Mark!
There isn't too much info about Malcolm online, other than that he was born in 1941 and passed away in 2022. I did get to talk with him quite a bit during Billy's tour of Japan in 1979 (immediately following the rehearsal I described above), and also during a bus trip I made with Billy's band (a special "reunion edition" featuring Malcolm and Everett) from New York to D.C. around 1990. I remember Malcolm telling me he had received plenty of invitations to move to New York or LA but was devoted to his family in Houston. He also told me he worked quite a bit with Arnett Cobb (with whom he recorded an album or two). Malcolm was a heavyweight drummer, which suited Billy just fine. He came out of Blakey, and of course Elvin too, but could play backbeat better than his idols, and was a killer on shuffle tunes. Malcolm liked to tune his drums low, but his playing was always clean and his sound was bright. Here's some precious footage of Billy's 1980 quintet that kicks off with a Pinson solo:
https://youtu.be/gwYnrBjZxFA
This is stunning footage, thank you for sharing. Malcolm Pinson is a force; so glad that at least this video exists. Really appreciate your generosity-- sharing stories, names, and other details. There's so much more to know about how the music morphed and adapted in the 70s, 80s, and 90s; so many brilliant players were thriving, despite all the difficulties. Thank you Mark!
Pleasure is all mine. There’s only one advantage to growing old: “I saw so-and-so at xxxxx…”
one more comment... apparently bill stewart studied with horacee as well...
I remember those H Arnold Lps on Columbia––unlike my fusion-oriented friends, I like "Tribe" better than "...Exonerated Flea" but not by much. Good on you for making us listen with new ears!!
Tribe feels more singular…but they’re fascinating, shows how fast Arnold was moving…
Bruh, Joe Charles is from the Lou, i.e. St. Louis. Legendary. All the BAG musicians knew him. If you ever have a chance to talk to David Sanborn(yeah, that Savid Sanborn), ask him about Joe Charles...and Philip Wilson...and Lester Bowie. I had a few conversations with Mr. Charles when I lived there in the 80's.
Mark to the rescue!!!! Amazing!!! Thank you Mark!!!?
Any older black St. Louis musicians(St. Louis is still quite racist, segregated, and provincial unfortunately) will know about Joe Charles.
Excellent info-- I know where to start...thank you Mark!
Go Vinnie!😎🤗
Thank you for the intelligence and support Mark!!!!!
It's a beautiful thing to celebrate and share and learn about this music, so thank you!
Great write up. I've only heard on the Billy Harper albums and he is quite brilliant.
He really is....he and Harper were a great match....thanks Richard!
Thanks for this!
thanks! great write up on a lesser known drummer who is deserving of wider recognition..
BERT Myrick seems to have been a Detroiter: we should check in with Herr Stryker!
Herr Stryker!! He shall know! I'm working on an article about Gerald Cleaver...I shall be checking in with Mr. Stryker!
Vinnie, Horacee somehow led me to Hamid Drake. I'm revelling in his album Karuna. Quite something else! Wonderi g ifhehas been on your radar. Cheers, Bobby
Love Mr. Drake’s playing; he knocked me out with Archie Shepp at Vision Fest a few years ago. Thanks for the recommendation, thanks for reading and commenting!
Many thanks for an excellent piece on one of the lesser-known greats. I had the pleasure of working with Horacee on Billy Harper's 1993 recording "Somalia." During the planning stages I had suggested to Billy that we augment his quintet with a second bassist (inspired by Lee Morgan's final studio session), but Billy decided to add a second drummer instead. The combination of then-regular drummer Newman Taylor Baker and Horacee produced fireworks, particularly during the freer passages of the epic 'Thy Will Be Done.' I remember how Billy had the drummers tune their kick drums to sound alike so they would sound like one monster drummer.
Vinnie, I heard the whole Tribe album yesterday. It was amazing. Thanks for your great work.
Glad you dug it!! Thanks for reading and thanks for the comment!
'Mousey' is almost certainly Mousey Alexander - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mousey_Alexander
Thanks for sharing— only thing I didn’t see is a connection to Baltimore; Billy Hart described him as “Mousey from Baltimore”. Any more info? Thanks Ronan!
Hmmm... you could be right Vinnie. Mousey Alexander was somewhat well known, and certainly fits the age profile, but... The only other 'Mousey' I know of who plays drums is Mousey Thompson who played with Wilson Pickett, Bootsy Collins and other soul artists, and is still playing, but might be a bit young to have been admired by Billy Hart. Perhaps the mystery remains! Thanks fr the great article on Horacee - my brother studied with him in the 80s in NY
Mousey Thompson...possible! I'll be seeing Billy soon....I'll definitely be checking with him! Thanks for reading and thanks for the comment Ronan!