Thanks so much for this video article. I had the pleasure and honor of playing many times with John Wright, beginning in about 1975. He and Wendell Roberts (Corky to his friends) were two thirds of a trio which hosted a weekly jam session at a place called The Northwest Passage out west in Cary, Illinois. The drummer for that set was the great Marshall Thompson. As an aspiring high school tenor player, these men were my mentors, and instructed me in bandstand etiquette, mostly by example, although they occasionally would set me straight verbally as well. They were warm and encouraging, and gave me confidence and a sense of belonging. John was magnificent, playing a much fuller style of piano than on South Side Soul, and he was so exciting to listen to that sometimes everyone in the room would be standing up and yelling by the time he finished a solo. Corky at that point was playing electric bass exclusively, although if someone else brought in an acoustic he would sometimes play it. The feeling of those sessions was very special, and set me on the path to becoming a professional. Many years later I would occasionally play a date with John -in later life he went blind, from what cause I never learned. It didn’t trouble his piano playing any. One time I delighted him by remembering and playing an original of Corky’s called Hazel Eyes- I don’t know if it was ever recorded, but maybe I’ll record it. Bless him and those other guys. Because of them I was always encouraging and supportive of younger players, unlike so many of the current college trained jazz musicians who didn’t have the benefit of their guidance.
Thank you Cameron, for these remembrances! I didn’t deal with his latter day career in the video, but from what I was able to read it seems like he was a treasured part of the community and created a lot of musical energy and collaboration along the way. Wonderful that you played with him I and am honoured that you shared all this here. Allan
300+ episodes in and finally a jazz musician "just" hooked on alcohol and not the standard heroin. Great episode as usual, thank you and happy new year to you!
I know, it’s sad isn’t it. Luckily in his case he got on top of his demons later in life. But it does seem like the ones who evaded addiction entirely were few on the ground. Happy new year!
Love this record -- thanks again for the additional background. I'd read about this one but only found an OJC reissue (Jazz Workshop also has a reissue pressed in Barcelona) after Wright's "Nice 'n' Tasty" was re-released in 2023 on New Land (licensed from Concorde, pressed at Pallas and remastered by Kevin Gray from the original analog stereo tapes). Both records sound fantastic!
I like your series Allan. To me, your takes strike a good balance between “collector” and “music lover”. Thanks for your hard work and reasoned presentation. (Although I admit I haven’t watched any non-jazz videos.) Best for the New Year!
Many thanks for the kind words Philip, and I’m glad you’re enjoying the videos. And yes I confess to not being particularly extreme in my collecting or my audiophile tendencies - bank balances and middle-aged hearing loss are natural boundaries! I am mostly motivated by a love for (all kinds of) music. On the channel I have somewhat drifted away from other genres towards jazz simply because I find the interaction with folks such as yourself so much more enjoyable: jazz fans are a quirky bunch who are very much into sharing, learning and discovery and are unfailingly polite and positive. Fans of other genres are, well, less measured 😬.
Thanks so much for this video article. I had the pleasure and honor of playing many times with John Wright, beginning in about 1975. He and Wendell Roberts (Corky to his friends) were two thirds of a trio which hosted a weekly jam session at a place called The Northwest Passage out west in Cary, Illinois. The drummer for that set was the great Marshall Thompson. As an aspiring high school tenor player, these men were my mentors, and instructed me in bandstand etiquette, mostly by example, although they occasionally would set me straight verbally as well. They were warm and encouraging, and gave me confidence and a sense of belonging.
John was magnificent, playing a much fuller style of piano than on South Side Soul, and he was so exciting to listen to that sometimes everyone in the room would be standing up and yelling by the time he finished a solo. Corky at that point was playing electric bass exclusively, although if someone else brought in an acoustic he would sometimes play it. The feeling of those sessions was very special, and set me on the path to becoming a professional.
Many years later I would occasionally play a date with John -in later life he went blind, from what cause I never learned. It didn’t trouble his piano playing any. One time I delighted him by remembering and playing an original of Corky’s called Hazel Eyes- I don’t know if it was ever recorded, but maybe I’ll record it. Bless him and those other guys. Because of them I was always encouraging and supportive of younger players, unlike so many of the current college trained jazz musicians who didn’t have the benefit of their guidance.
Thank you Cameron, for these remembrances! I didn’t deal with his latter day career in the video, but from what I was able to read it seems like he was a treasured part of the community and created a lot of musical energy and collaboration along the way. Wonderful that you played with him I and am honoured that you shared all this here. Allan
300+ episodes in and finally a jazz musician "just" hooked on alcohol and not the standard heroin. Great episode as usual, thank you and happy new year to you!
I know, it’s sad isn’t it. Luckily in his case he got on top of his demons later in life. But it does seem like the ones who evaded addiction entirely were few on the ground.
Happy new year!
Love this record -- thanks again for the additional background. I'd read about this one but only found an OJC reissue (Jazz Workshop also has a reissue pressed in Barcelona) after Wright's "Nice 'n' Tasty" was re-released in 2023 on New Land (licensed from Concorde, pressed at Pallas and remastered by Kevin Gray from the original analog stereo tapes). Both records sound fantastic!
Thanks - and thanks for that detail on the other LP.
Excellent, as always. Mucho gracias!
Thanks!
Checking this out
I have the same record pressing and I'll love it. There's some Chicago's streets swagger in this music which is amazing for me.
It swings like crazy!
I like your series Allan. To me, your takes strike a good balance between “collector” and “music lover”. Thanks for your hard work and reasoned presentation. (Although I admit I haven’t watched any non-jazz videos.) Best for the New Year!
Many thanks for the kind words Philip, and I’m glad you’re enjoying the videos. And yes I confess to not being particularly extreme in my collecting or my audiophile tendencies - bank balances and middle-aged hearing loss are natural boundaries! I am mostly motivated by a love for (all kinds of) music.
On the channel I have somewhat drifted away from other genres towards jazz simply because I find the interaction with folks such as yourself so much more enjoyable: jazz fans are a quirky bunch who are very much into sharing, learning and discovery and are unfailingly polite and positive. Fans of other genres are, well, less measured 😬.
Needs a reissue !!
You’re not wrong!
Fantastic review !
🙏
Great review
A lot of great information and content.
Thank you so much
Happy New Year 🎆
You too Joey, all the best spinning those platters.
Getting an OJC reissue in June!