I knew Donald through jam sessions here in the Bay Area. He coached an ensemble at Mills College in Oakland, teaching a group of us "Bags' Groove". There was another in San Francisco, with a group of developing musicians. All of this is upwards of 25 years ago.
The Ellington discussion is right on the mark. I've recently completed an orchestral reduction of "La Plus Belle Africaine", emphasizing the orchestral figures that are heard during Harry Carney's solo; a fantastic performance at Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen. The rhythm section includes Rufus Jones and Victor Gaskin.
Donald Bailey’s son, Donald Jr., lives near me in Belen, NM - he is also a great drummer & an extraordinary human being!! As you might expect… he also has some great stories. I haven’t seen him for a couple months, but I can try to get you his contact info if you are interested.
Yes, that's Norris Turney the furthest stage right, then Carney, Procope, Hodges, Ashby, and Gonsalves. The latter five (with Jimmy Hamilton in the first tenor/clarinet chair for much of the time) had been sitting in that order for many years. When Turney joined the band as the sixth woodwind player, it looks like they just put him at the very end of the section.
I thought of you after a concert yesterday: https://andrewjshields.blogspot.com/2025/03/the-social-and-communal-experience-of.html
Thanks for sharing, Vinnie.
I knew Donald through jam sessions here in the Bay Area. He coached an ensemble at Mills College in Oakland, teaching a group of us "Bags' Groove". There was another in San Francisco, with a group of developing musicians. All of this is upwards of 25 years ago.
The Ellington discussion is right on the mark. I've recently completed an orchestral reduction of "La Plus Belle Africaine", emphasizing the orchestral figures that are heard during Harry Carney's solo; a fantastic performance at Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen. The rhythm section includes Rufus Jones and Victor Gaskin.
Donald Bailey’s son, Donald Jr., lives near me in Belen, NM - he is also a great drummer & an extraordinary human being!! As you might expect… he also has some great stories. I haven’t seen him for a couple months, but I can try to get you his contact info if you are interested.
Yes, that's Norris Turney the furthest stage right, then Carney, Procope, Hodges, Ashby, and Gonsalves. The latter five (with Jimmy Hamilton in the first tenor/clarinet chair for much of the time) had been sitting in that order for many years. When Turney joined the band as the sixth woodwind player, it looks like they just put him at the very end of the section.
Can't wait to read about Donald Bailey; he's a hero of mine and deserves all the attention he can get!