27 Comments
Nov 1, 2023Liked by Vinnie Sperrazza

Hey Vinnie. I love how you give the play-by-play in each encounter. Who knows, this article may go down in jazz player history as rivaling the Buddy Rich bus tape...

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author

Ha! Well there’s certainly fewer fireworks in my essay than on those Buddy tapes, but hey, who knows! Thanks Su!

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Su, I knew bassist Dave Carpenter back when he played with Buddy and I heard the tapes(plural)...

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I understand the perfectionist mentality because I am one. But those tapes demonstrate the old school method, which is not relevant anymore. It's certainly not the way I deal with my own band, nor with my students. But it did have its place back in the day.

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Yes, there's more than one!

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Nov 1, 2023Liked by Vinnie Sperrazza

Love that! Brave first piece!

[My mind]:That was f'ing fantastic. I love all your writing. You can make even the most technical drum talk page-turning for the non-musician! I read every word you put out. You have book ideas happening?

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Thank you Robert! Really appreciate the support and kind words. No plans for a book, just focussed on making this Substack as good as can be. Thanks again!

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Nov 1, 2023Liked by Vinnie Sperrazza

Very fucking funny stories, it's pretty spectacular how you captured the vibe. You have some real perseverance, and it paid off!

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Nov 1, 2023·edited Nov 1, 2023Liked by Vinnie Sperrazza

So great. Those conversations with the elders can be so awkward but you just have to power through...

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Exactly...better to power through and have a real moment, assuming you’re not violating the social contract...thanks for reading Ian!

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Nov 1, 2023Liked by Vinnie Sperrazza

Love reading this again!

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Thanks Vince ❤️❤️

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Nov 1, 2023Liked by Vinnie Sperrazza

Maaaan, I laughed my ass off! Great piece. Loved the "Vinnie's mind" bits. Totally empathized with you being young, awkward, and in awe of one of your musical heroes.

Paul Motian, amen.

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Paul Motian AMEN INDEED

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Thank you Mark!! Appreciate you!!

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Nov 14, 2023Liked by Vinnie Sperrazza

Loved this, hilarious and affectionate. And somewhere, among all the brashness, a source of some of the most delicate and loveliest of tunes ...

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Nov 9, 2023Liked by Vinnie Sperrazza

Being yelled at by Paul Motian at the Vanguard for asking for a picture with him is one of my most cherished memories.

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Glad you posted this. It is funny and close to experiences I may have had. And might have in the future.

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Nov 2, 2023Liked by Vinnie Sperrazza

Terrific

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Nov 2, 2023Liked by Vinnie Sperrazza

Bravo!

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Nov 1, 2023Liked by Vinnie Sperrazza

great stories! thanks for sharing!

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author

Thanks for reading!

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Nov 1, 2023Liked by Vinnie Sperrazza

Thanks for sharing. Paul's written some fantastic music, most of which I've never previously explored. Here's an initial reading of the referenced piece, "Drum Music". Cindy just recently sent both of Paul's books. https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyHAPFivsWr/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Best, James

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Thanks James— I’ll be watching that reel later..

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Nov 1, 2023Liked by Vinnie Sperrazza

Thanks, Vinnie. The piece is a direct connection to Messrs. Kikuchi and Andrew Hill, at least to my ears.

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Love this. Thanks!

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Thanks for that. Loved it

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