It's the same Call Cobbs. The club where Basie heard Kenny Clarke was the Black Cat, a former speakeasy-restaurant on the east side of what is now LaGuardia Place (then West Broadway) just south of Third Street, where the elevated train turned south. John Hammond lived on McDougal Street, and he frequented the place, which was Mafia. Hammond brought all the people you mention, including Basie, who he thought should hear Freddie Greene...we know the rest of that story.
Very glad you mention “Epistrophy” as a Clarke co-composition! I’ve always thought that that song, in particular, shows how Klook’s off-kilter “cutting the time up” contoured the whole bebop movement. It’s right theee in the melodic accents.
Also, the story in Hennessy’s book of Klook smoking pot with Louis Armstrong is one of my favorites.
Beautiful comment Michael— great point about Epistrophy, love the Klook/Pops stories, glad you got what I’m trying to say with the three melodies! Thanks for reading and thanks for commenting!
I did a double take when you mentioned Call Cobbs. "Albert Ayer's Call Cobbs?!?" A cursory look at his bio and he had a really interesting career. I gotta dig further.
It's the same Call Cobbs. The club where Basie heard Kenny Clarke was the Black Cat, a former speakeasy-restaurant on the east side of what is now LaGuardia Place (then West Broadway) just south of Third Street, where the elevated train turned south. John Hammond lived on McDougal Street, and he frequented the place, which was Mafia. Hammond brought all the people you mention, including Basie, who he thought should hear Freddie Greene...we know the rest of that story.
Great info!! That’s what this post needs. Thank you Mr. Panken…
Thank YOU, Vinnie.
Very glad you mention “Epistrophy” as a Clarke co-composition! I’ve always thought that that song, in particular, shows how Klook’s off-kilter “cutting the time up” contoured the whole bebop movement. It’s right theee in the melodic accents.
Also, the story in Hennessy’s book of Klook smoking pot with Louis Armstrong is one of my favorites.
Beautiful comment Michael— great point about Epistrophy, love the Klook/Pops stories, glad you got what I’m trying to say with the three melodies! Thanks for reading and thanks for commenting!
I did a double take when you mentioned Call Cobbs. "Albert Ayer's Call Cobbs?!?" A cursory look at his bio and he had a really interesting career. I gotta dig further.
Yes, I did a triple take!! We need to learn about this guy…thanks for the comment!
Looking at his credits on Discogs it seems that he goes straight from playing with Johnny Hodges to playing with Ayler. What’s the story there!
Indeed!! Let’s check him out and report back…🙏🙏
“Long Green” by Donald Byrd is a favorite among the Savoy sessions fwiw. “Gotcha Goin’ and Comin’l especially for Klook.
So happy to hear a quality version of Clarke with Sonny Rollins in ‘59 now, too. Ceaseless, unflagging invention.
Thanks for your insights. Looking forward to these.
Quoted liberally on the air last night from your Tootie Heath articles.
Great to hear from you Lazaro! Great comments. I don’t know the Donald Byrd but will check out now…thanks for reading, enjoy the articles!
https://youtu.be/lAcGALCYmqk?si=kRUVs4nV9LQ2H2ZY
https://youtu.be/9_SaM1niBJI?si=buyLtAOrG79c1l6m
Loved the book as well. Also please consider Denzil Best when speaking of drummer composers from this period.
gentil regards,
Brian Bacchus
Nice find Roberto! I’ll keep an eye out..